Question:
In 1948, what was deemed illegal in the city of Pittston , but was rumored to still be accessible to those “in the know?”
1948 – 69 YEARS AGO
Hundreds of children and adults enjoyed the 2500-foot sled run and two ice skating rinks constructed by George Bone at Bone’s Park in Pittston. Many residents were quick to take advantage of the winter fun, particularly because it was offered free of charge.
Cohen Brothers Men and Boys Store in Pittston offered pre-war pricing. Men’s suits were advertised for $28.75 and men’s coats were offered at $19. 75. Boys’ suits, fingertip coats, jackets and legging sets were on sale for $5.
Beacon Loan Corporation in the American Theatre Building offered 10-minute service and loans up to $300 with 18 months to repay.
Falcone Beverage on Vine Street in Pittston offered a local brew, Hazleton Pilsener Beer, to its customers brewed by Hazleton Brewing Co. The company opened in 1897 and closed in 1910. According to Oldbreweries.com, pre-prohibition brewery items tend to be valuable to collectors. The Hazleton Brewing Company had three working breweries.
1949 – 68 YEARS AGO
During the 1930s, Duryea was one of the many boroughs leading in sponsored sports teams and produced many standout players in football, basketball and baseball. But in the 1940s, the lack of someone to sponsor a football team and a hall to play basketball affected the town’s output of athletes. Baseball was the only sport still thriving in the borough. Basketball was a major sport in the borough in the 1930s and was played in Ostroski’s Hall on Main Street. Among the standouts were Tom Kelly, Ray Bowman, Billy “Peters” Zigmund and John “Sandy” Sadusky, who excelled in all three sports. Sadusky was killed in action in Normandy. Sadusky and Walt Stascavage played on the last football team represented in the borough.
1950 – 67 YeaEARS AGO
Former Pittston resident Dr. Ross Nigrelli, a marine biologist and expert on diseases of aquatic creatures, was listed as one of the top scientists in America. Nigrelli graduated Pittston High School and attended Lebanon Valley College, Jefferson Medical School and New York University. He was known world-wide and, over his lifetime, published many articles and books detailing diseases of fish. He was one of the first scientists to investigate marine organisms and plankton blooms, like the red tide that killed millions of fish along the Gulf Coast in the 40s and 50s. Negrelli passed away on Oct. 4, 1989.
1961 – 49 YEARS AGO
The Roman Latin Club at Pittston High School inducted new members Santina Argento, Joseph Minchak, Patricia Delaney, George Dobilas, Francis Mulhern, Anthony Rostock, Francis Saitta, Anthony Scaltz, David Shuckstes, Michael Toole, Mary Catherine Krempa, Eleanor Lebert, Florence Milazzo, Frank Brogna, Barbara Pomichter, Joseph Keating and Florence DeMarco.
After Wyoming Borough’s Diamond Jubilee celebration, records of the event were placed in a metal box to serve as a time capsule. Planners of the event were John Rygiel, jubilee general chairman; Leo Chiavacci, council chairman; Leo Rygiel, treasurer; and Leonard Selinski, assistant general chairman.
Dupont Council “went on record” to enact a borough ordinance prohibiting minors from entering licensed “cafes” in the borough. The penalty for violators was set at $100 fine or 10 to 30 days imprisonment.
1978 – 39 YEARS AGO
Attorney Sandra Sernak, of Duryea, was the first woman to hold the office of Assistant District Attorney in the 100-year history of the Lackawanna County Bar. She was sworn in by Attorney Ernest D. Preate Jr. in 1978 and was a member of St. John the Baptist Church, Pittston.
1980 – 37 YEARS AGO
It was a cold January morning in Avoca. Heavily armed police officers from Avoca, Dupont, Moosic and Duryea Borough lined the city streets as a group of husky men carried cardboard boxes from the First National Bank of Avoca. The scene sounds ominous, but actually, it was all part of a well-planned move from the bank’s location at 639 Main St. to a new building across the street. Cash was manually removed from the old building as uniformed and plain-clothed police officers held their firearms ready.
Answer:
“The curtain on gambling in Pittston has finally been closed,” annouonced Mayor John Allardyce and Chief of Police Francis Linnen. Of Wilkes-Barre, Scranton, Old Forge and Carbondale, Pittston was the last community that allowed residents to bet on horses and “shake the dice.” Quite a few establishments were available, enabling gamblers to make horse race bets and participate in dice and poker games. It was reported rumors circulated that one “in the know” could still make a bet on the horses.
This Day in History
1624 – Riots flare in Mexico when it is announced that all churches were to be closed.
1811 – In a secret session, Congress plans to annex Spanish East Florida.
1920 – The Dry Law goes into effect in the United States. Selling liquor and beer becomes illegal.
1920 – The United States approves a $150 million loan to Poland, Austria and Armenia to aid in their war with the Russian communists.
1930 – Amelia Earhart sets an aviation record for women at 171 mph in a Lockheed Vega.
1944 – The U.S. Fifth Army successfully breaks the German Winter Line in Italy with the capture of Mount Trocchio.
1967 – Some 462 Yale faculty members call for an end to the bombing in North Vietnam.
1992 – Slovenia and Croatia’s independence from the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia is recognized by the international community.
2001 – Wikipedia goes online.
.
.
