1948 – 71 YEARS AGO
It wasn’t really stealing, after all what kid wouldn’t want to catch a foul or home run ball at a baseball game and keep it for his own? But the Pittston A.C. Baseball League found itself in a pickle because the loss of balls at each game was running the league into a deficit. The league hired youngsters to “chase balls” at an extra expense but found that “big fellows” refused to return them. With the playoffs at hand, league managers were asking for cooperation from those attending games, asking them to throw balls back into play.
Fifty-five Pittston residents living along River Street and Upper William Street petitioned city council members to make permanent improvements on the two streets by installing sewers and rectifying surface water drainage. It was noted the project was deemed too expensive in the days of the WPA, the government funded Work Progress Administration, so the council had no other option but to transfer the burden of paying for the improvements to those residents living on the streets based on the amount of frontage. The River Street project was deemed too expensive by the WPA because the section was built on solid rock which prohibited the laying of sewage lines and prevented drainage of surface water. The WPA, an American New Deal Agency was established by executive order on May 6, 1935, employed millions of unemployed unskilled men to carry out public works projects. The program ended in 1942.
Hopes that the Champ Brewery on North Main and New Streets would re-open were dashed as those who acquired the company began dismantling the equipment for shipment to South America. Ted Smulowitz and several associates purchased the brewery in an auction for $68,000. According to the US Inflation Calculator, that figure would equate to $722,727, today. The federal government reportedly compromised a lien of $61,000 against the brewery in order to allow the sale, but it was believed that agreement was based on the re-opening of the facility.
1960 – 59 YEARS AGO
The Sunday Dispatch Inquiring Photographer asked, “It is said that women can handle money better than men. What do you think about this?” Warren Williams, of West Pittston, answered, “A recently married man would be sticking out his neck on a question like that, so I’ll just say I’ll wait and see.” Mickey Melberger, of West Pittston, added, “I would say men. Most of your big-money men are bankers, stockbrokers and so forth. If women were better, I’d expect them to be holding these jobs.” Jane Stets,of West Pittston, stated, “Women, of course. Women are by nature thriftier than men and would be able to handle finances better.” Tony Verbitski, of Pittston, added, “I think a man. In working for it, he gets to know what it’s worth.”
1964 – 55 YEARS AGO
In 1964, the Sunday Dispatch ran an article focusing on the many World War II and Korean War veterans who live in the Greater Pittston area. A Dispatch writer, in researching the archives for Peeking into the Past, came across an article written about Edward J. Joseph, of Duryea, who had received the Silver Star for gallantry in action at Bougainville, Solomon Islands in 1944. The writer goes on to express that the passing of time will render the actions of these gallant men forgotten and called for veterans groups to assemble a list of medal recipients as documentation for future generations. Other Silver Star recipients were John “Ace” O’Malley, for bravery under machine gun fire in Germany; Joseph Delaney, for bravery in saving lives of fellow seamen in the Pacific; Joseph “Jodie” Hines, for bravery under fire with the Air Force; and Vincent Waches, who received numerous decorations with the Air Force. According to the website homeofheroes.com, “The Silver Star Medal is the United States’ third highest award exclusively for combat valor, and ranks fifth in the precedence of military awards behind the Medal of Honor, the Crosses (DSC/NC/AFC), the Defense Distinguished Service Medal (awarded by DOD), and the Distinguished Service Medals of the various branches of service. It is the highest award for combat valor that is not unique to any specific branch; it has been bestowed by the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marines. It may be given by any one of the individual services to not only their own members, but to members of other branches of service, foreign allies, and even to civilians for ‘gallantry in action’ in support of combat missions of the United States military.”
1967 – 52 YEARS AGO
Manager John Supczenski and Assistant Manager Arthur Pocceschi were proud of their Wyoming-West Wyoming Little League All Star Team. Residents of the two communities were excited about the fact that the team would travel to Allentown to compete in the state finals. Businesses in the two boroughs planned to buy team jackets and honor the boys with a dinner. Members of the championship team were Leo Tierney, Richard Ahlin, Jay Armitage, Michael Supczenski, John Supczenski, Gary Bozinko, Mark Thomas, Andrew Hergan, Donald McDermott, Jerome Drogalis, Andrew Supey, Frank Goryl, Jack Kroski and Bruce Saunders. The Nelson Furniture Company donated a bus equipped with “lounging furniture” driven by John Hafferty for the team’s long ride to Allentown.
1974 – 45 YEARS AGO
Dom Cassetori, Wyoming Area cross country coach, announced the first girls running team would be forming and asked that girls who enjoy running take advantage of the opportunity. The coach admitted girls had been fighting for equal rights in the sports world for many years. The mandate came from the federal law Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 enacted on June 23, 1972. It was renamed in 2002 as the Patsy T. Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act in honor of its principal author Congresswoman Mink. The law requires equity in all educational and extracurricular matters in any school that receives federal funding.
1977 – 42 YEARS AGO
The Wyoming Free Library held its 50th anniversary celebration attended by George Metcalfe, borough mayor; Mrs. James Hearn, Mrs. William Frisbie, Mrs. Lloyd Kinsey, librarian; Coray H. Miller, Mrs. William Carey, Mrs. John Klocko, Joseph Olesky, Sarah Francis, Mrs. Theodore Keen, Dorothy Hessler, Bernard Shocklass, Peter G. Podwicka and Dennis Galli. Mrs. William R. Ridgley received special thanks for her donation of a new flagpole installed on the library grounds in memory of her husband.
1993 – 26 YEARS AGO
Vinnie Valvano and Nicole Einhorn were going to be prince and princess for a day at the Coors Light Wish-A-Palooza benefit Make-A-Wish concert. Chairperson Sam Eramo arranged for local bands to rock and roll at the Staircase Lounge in the Pittston Mall. The bands performing were New Attitude, Changes, Take 5, Nuthin’ Fancy, Vivid, Nutz, 911, Flaxy Morgan, Twice Shy, Jumper Bones, and Horns from Hell. Rock Street Music provided the sound and lights. According to the Make-A-Wish of Greater Pennsylvania and West Virginia, the most popular wish is for a trip to Walt Disney World. The average cost of a wish is $4,400, which is based on the cost of a trip to the park for a family of four for seven days and six nights.
Gordon Ramsden, of Exeter, had an unusual hobby. In 1975, Gordon’s daughter gave her father a long stitch needlepoint set to occupy Gordon’s time during a hospital stay. Over the years, Gordon’s needlepoint work has been recognized by masters Doris Bowman, Hope Hanley Deborah Harding and the Smithsonian Institute. His 5 x 8 Persian rug was exhibited in national competition at Woodlawn Plantation, Mt. Vernon, Virginia and a needlepoint rug featuring 50 state flowers was loaned to the National Botanical Gardens in Washington, D.C.
THIS DAY IN HISTORY
1906 — In France, Eugene Lauste receives the first patent for a talking film.
1908 — Britain’s King Edward VII meets with Kaiser Wilhelm II to protest the growth of the German navy.
1929 — Babe Ruth hits his 500th major league home run against the Cleveland Indians.
1965 — A small clash between the California Highway Patrol and two black youths sets off six days of rioting in the Watts area of Los Angeles.
1972 — The last U.S. ground forces withdraw from Vietnam.
1989 — Voyager 2 discovers two partial rings around Neptune.
BORN ON THIS DAY
1921 — Alex Haley, genealogist and author of “Roots”
1933 — Jerry Falwell, founder of the conservative political lobbying organization the Moral Majority
1946 — Marilyn Vos Savant, author, columnist, playwright; “Highest IQ (Women)” Guinness Book of World Records, 1986-1989 (category retired in 1990)
1950 — Gennady Nikonov, inventor of AN-94 assault rifle
1950 — Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple Computer
