Editor’s note: This Peeking into the Past column was first published in the Sunday Dispatch on Nov. 7, 2010.
Question 1
The City of Pittston received a $3.38 commission in November 1962, which usually totaled 50 cents. What strictly enforced rule brought about an increase in commission from a source that in today’s world is practically obsolete?
1962 – 48 Years Ago
Angelo and Ansi Mancia, owners of Mancia Brothers Butcher Shop on South Main Street in Pittston, were preparing for the Thanksgiving holiday. Angelo and Ansi also owned a turkey farm in Plains Township, raising over 300 holiday birds ready for sale. The birds ranged in weight from 8 to 18 pounds.
Charles McCarthy, area historian, wrote of C.C. Bowman and his two-cylinder, five-passenger Autocar. The Autocar, purchased in 1902, was the second automobile to be owned by a Pittston resident, the first being a White Steamer purchased in 1900 by print shop owner Corydon King. Entry into Bowman’s car was gained through the rear, passengers sat facing each other. The gravity flow of the fuel in Bowman’s car frequently required the driver to back the car up William Street to his 109 address. Bowman traded the car for a Pierce Arrow in 1904.
1972 – 38 Years Ago
Members of the sociology and modern history classes at Wyoming Area School District were active participants in the 1972 presidential campaign under the supervision of teachers David Dembowski and John Peppe. Classmates discussed important issues of the day facing then-President Richard Nixon and Democratic presidential candidate George McGovern. William Owens, Brenda Dymond, Charles Bulford, Eugene Raymond, Louis Degnan, J. Wilson, M. Carchilla, Dave Reese, H. Lewis, and J. Tomasefski formed committees for each candidate. The project encouraged youngsters to become more knowledgeable of the Democratic process, Electoral College and political issues of the time. In 1972, Pennsylvania had 27 Electoral College votes. Today, Pennsylvania has 20 Electoral College votes.
Air Force Lt. Joseph C. Geneczko of Avoca was awarded his silver wings and aeronautical rating of Air Force Pilot at Laredo AFB, Texas. Geneczko was assigned to Langley AFB, Va., as a tactical air command pilot.
Exeter Park Volunteer Hose Company officers, borough councilmen and building committee members, Ed Farrell, Ernie Nicholson, Dannie Spak, Pat Naples, Richard Ascani, Carl Lumley, Joseph Bacho, and Frank Swanek, broke ground for the new hose company building to be constructed on Lehigh Street in Exeter Park.
Top 10 songs of 1972
1. “My Ding-a-ling,” Chuck Berry
2. “Garden Party,” Rick Nelson
3. “Nights in White Satin,” Moody Blues
4. “Backstabbers,” O’Jays
5. “Burning Love,” Elvis Presley
6. “I Am Woman,” Helen Reddy
7. “Ben,” Michael Jackson
8. “Go All the Way,” Raspberries
9. “Play Me,” Neil Diamond
10. “I Can See Clearly Now,” Johnny Nash.
1992 – 18 Years Ago
Charles Mazzarella of Wyoming Borough knew the task would not be easy, but his quest to receive the medals his father Andrew earned during World War I was of great importance to him and other family members. He undertook the long process of tracking down his father’s military records, which showed he served at important front line battles in France and Germany. On Nov. 5, 1992, 74 years after the war ended, The World War One Victory and Army of Occupation Medals were presented to Andrew’s widow, Mildred Mazzarella, and the Mazzarella family. Gen. Robert D. Carroll read from the certificate of appreciation from France: “Presented on behalf of the Republic of France for service to France during the war of 1914 to 1918 by a citizen of America who fought for the rights of humanity.”
Question 2:
In 1992, a crowd of enthusiastic people at the Wilkes Barre/Scranton Airport accidentally knocked Christina Collins of Jenkins Township to the ground. One kindly gentleman picked up the youngster and comforted her as she sobbed. A normal reaction perhaps, but what made this a most unusual event?
2002 – 8 Years Ago
Selina Lenahan Cooney of Jenkins Township completed cadet basic training at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. Selina’s father Tom is the former president of the Greater Pittston Chamber of Commerce and presently a Luzerne County Commissioner. Her maternal grandmother Nancy Flanagan of Pittston was the first female pilot in the Wyoming Valley. In 2003, a plaque commemorating her grandmother’s achievement hung at the Wyoming Valley Airport in Forty Fort.
Neno Sartini and Louis Cora, representatives of the Italian American Veterans of Luzerne County Post No. 1, presented a Certificate of Appreciation to officials of the veterans of the Vietnam War. Michael Milne accepted the award on behalf of the Vietnam veterans in recognition of outstanding dedication to the ideals and principles of the United States of America.
Tony Amato and Vince Holland met up with the infamous Easton Assassin in St. John’s Newfoundland. Fortunately there wasn’t any danger involved because the nicknamed assassin was Amato’s old friend Larry Holmes, former world heavyweight boxing champion. Holmes, Amato and Holland caught up on old times when Holmes began his fighting career in Scranton in the early ’70s. Holmes fought his last bout in July 2002, beating Eric (Butterbean) Esch of Norfolk, Va.
Jim Chropowicki, Chris Gammon, Chris Koytek, Nick Rosati, Brian Warabak, Nick Rosa, Adam Edwards, Mike D’Aiello, Mike VanNess, Ron Koytek, Andy Koytek, Chuck Thomas and Robert Dzieciol, members of the Duryea Boy Scout Troop 285, along with Mayor Keith Moss and Scoutmaster Bob Dzieciol, sponsored a Proud to Be an American essay/drawing contest. Over 500 entries had been received and more were expected. Winners were to be announced at a program held at the Duryea Municipal Building. Holy Rosary School, Duryea; Pittston Area Primary, Intermediate and Middle Schools; and St. Mary’s School, Avoca also participated in the event.
Jasper Reggie represented the membership of the Wyoming/West Wyoming Lions Club in presenting a generous donation to Troop “P” Camp Cadet President Carmen Ambrosino. Camp Cadet is a one-week law enforcement summer camp for boys and girls between the ages of 12 to 15 from Luzerne, Wyoming, Bradford and Sullivan Counties. According to their web site Camp Cadet “is an opportunity for youth to see what resources go into police science and experience the different avenues of law enforcement.” Applications for Camp Cadet are accepted between January and March.
Answer 1
In 1962, Pittston received a $3.38 commission on money dropped into the coin box of the telephone booth outside of city hall. The amount usually collected was 50 cents. The increase was attributed to an upcoming election and political figures in the city building being under strict orders not to use office phones for re-election purposes.
Answer 2
In 1992, the gentleman who helped Christina Collins of Jenkins Township after being knocked over by an overzealous crowd at the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Airport happened to be the future president of the United States, Bill Clinton. Clinton was here on a last-minute campaign stop some 40 hours before the election that would see him voted in as the 42nd president.
