1949 – 68 Years Ago
James Sciandra, of Exeter, and a group of 15 friends traveled to the Beacon Club to celebrate on New Year’s Eve. Arriving in four separate cars, the revelers all decided to leave their coats in Sciandra’s car and enter the club for a long night of celebration. Sometime during the evening, a thief gained access to Sciandra’s car and stole all of the coats, most of which were quite valuable. Those missing their coats were Eleanor Mallocco, Gilda Sciandra, Rose Sazio, Marcella Fountain, Gilda Mattie, Cornelia Black, Marcella Dalaida, Eleanor Mattuzzi, George Black, Peter and Della Colletti, Frank Fountain, Ralph Sazio, Anthony Mattuzzi and Al Manzi. Exeter police chief Joseph Savada and patrolman Leroy Milte reported the theft included a $350 cloth coat trimmed in ermine, a $700 Russian mink, a $200 Persian coat, a $500 baby leopard coat, a $250 shirred beaver and a $300 Mendoza beaver coat. As per the Dictionary of Costume and Fashion, Mendoza beaver signifies the dying process of the fur. According to the U.S. Inflation Calculator, a $500 coat would cost over $5,000 today.
In 1922, William Kelly left the Hughestown home he shared with his parents, brother and three sisters. After not hearing from him for several years, Kelly’s family “gave him up for lost.” After finding success in the artificial limb business, he returned home 26 years later to the surprise of his brother Michael and sisters, Mary Quinn, Matilda McAndrew and Margaret Quinnan. Kelly, as a youngster, had lost his leg in a train accident, his family supplied him with an artificial limb, but the new leg bothered him. He went into the woods cut a tree and fashioned his own leg. Kelly gained employment with an artificial limb company in Wilkes-Barre and began traveling the country. He had lost touch with his family during that time. In 1948, he decided it was time to look up his siblings for a reunion.
1950 – 67 Years Ago
Local miners were working a three-day work week in hopes that a new benefits package would soon be finalized between the United Mine Workers Union and coal producers. John L. Lewis, union president, threatened that the next step would be a full strike which was set to begin on Jan. 3, 1950. Coal producers had “no concrete evidence” that the workers would strike on that date. Lewis did call for the full strike, but it ended quickly. Lewis won wage and benefit increases for miners and led the campaign for the first Federal Mine Safety Act in 1952. Lewis retired as president of the UMWA in 1960 and died in 1969.
The Esquire Men’s Shop on North Main Street in Pittston advertised a four-season men’s suit for $50. The Boston Store also on North Main Street, offered the ladies new Red Cross shoes for $6.90, $4 off the regular price.
1960 – 57 Years Ago
There were a total of 394 births recorded at Pittston Hospital. In itself a large amount, but when compared to the 714 births recorded 10 years earlier in 1950, it reflected a drop of 320 babies. The 1960 figures showed the highest number of occurred in August with 44 births. August also showed the highest delivery of girls as 29. May and October showed males topped the list at 23 for each respective month.
1961 – 56 Years Ago
Detato’s Super Market at 441 N. Main St. advertised Sirloin or Porterhouse steaks for 79 cents per pound, tub butter for 65 cents per pound. Julio Motors, 295 S. Main St., Pittston offered a brand new Plymouth Comet starting at $1,998.
The Sunday Dispatch Inquiring Photographer asked Pittston residents, “Do you believe in making New Year’s resolutions?” Nora Moughan answered, ” Good health, peace and prosperity. Those are my desires for the coming year and I intend to do everything possible to achieve them.” Joe Nowakowski added, “I more or less call them goals I’d like to reach during the year.” Carmen Montagna stated, “Why make resolutions? People have set ways and just making a resolution to either do or refrain from doing something just because it’s a new year doesn’t make sense.”
Art Barone, West Pittston, wanted his outdoor Christmas display to be spectacular so he obtained a 23-foot Canadian Blue Spruce and transplanted it in front of his home at 704 Montgomery Ave. The 35-year-old tree had a 12-foot span and it took the help of four of his neighbors to retrieve the tree from the delivery truck and dig the hole in which it was planted. The tree was adorned with 85 25-watt bulbs, and 72 feet of tinsel garland.
1971 – 46 Years ago
James Melberger, of West Pittston and president of the West Pittston Little League in 1971, was one of five in the nation to be named to the Council of Presidents, a qualified group that would chart the future of the expanding Little League Baseball program. The West Pittston league was established in 1950 and Mr. Melberger had seen many positive changes to the program over his 22 years of service. The 1966 State Tournament hosted in West Pittston was a big factor in Mr. Melberger’s appointment, as it had been termed one of the best tournaments ever in the State.
Mr. and Mrs. John Cochran and son, Bill hosted exchange student Johan Jaktman in their home in Hughestown in 1971. While in the United States, Johan enjoyed skiing, attending Pittston Area High School, and eating famous Old Forge Pizza, which he declared his favorite food. He admitted not being as fascinated with the game of football, but likened it to American’s “tepid interest in soccer.” After the school year, he would return to his native Sweden.
This Date in History:
1808 – A U.S. law banning the import of slaves comes into effect, but is widely ignored.
1863 – President Abraham Lincoln issues the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing the slaves in the Confederacy.
1891 – Facilities opened on Ellis Island, N.Y., to cope with the vast flood of immigrants coming into the United States.
1937 – At a party at the Hormel Mansion in Minnesota, a guest wins $100 for naming a new canned meat – Spam.
1959 – Fidel Castro seizes power in Cuba as General Fulgencio Batista flees.
The Duryea Wildcats captured the top spot in the annual Junior Chamber of Commerce Scholastic Holiday Basketball Classic in 1961. From left, first row, Al Howell, John Whitney, Art Scavo, Tom Blasco, Al Swantkowski, Al Novatski. Second row, Len Morris, Ed Madrak, Joe Barlik, named the tournament’s most valuable player; Jerry Wastak, Jerry Wycallis, Ivan Tylawski.
