Question:
In 1947, it was reported in the Sunday Dispatch that a change in the city of Pittston was the first in its history. What transition was the talk of the town?
1950 – 67 years ago
Members of the May Park Athletic Association in Port Griffith were set to hold their annual picnic to attain funds for the upkeep of the park. Founded in 1922 and known as one of the finest parks in the Wyoming Valley, the recreation area was also known for its elaborate honor roll, listing names of area soldiers who lost their lives in battle.
St. John’s Business School graduated 32 students. Of those, many students received certificates for excellence in particular subjects. Expert pins for dictation and transcription were awarded to Isabelle McGuire, who could take shorthand at 140 words per minute. Mary Callahan, Helen Cosgrove, Ann Earley, Marie Ford, Edna Hope, Lois Marley, Isabella McGuire, Mary Claire McHale, Ann Marie Robbie, Regina Narsavage and Marion Waters were given certificates for taking 120 words per minute. Gold pins and certificates for speed and accuracy in typewriting were awarded to Isabella McGuire for her ability to type 78 words per minute; Edna Hope, 71 words per minute; Regina Narsavage, 68 words per minute.
An innocent date to take in a movie at the Comerford Drive-In produced a scare of a lifetime for several people. The story was circulating a young couple, while waiting for the movie to begin, happened to be listening to New York newscaster Walter Winchell on the car radio. Winchell alerted his listening audience about a “desperate Tennessee couple” fleeing the police and warned drivers to be on the lookout for a car carrying the plates for that state. The local couple spotted a car parked in front of them that seemed to match the auto described by Winchell. The young man left his car and went to the manager of the theatre who in turn called the police. The State Police arrived and surrounded the car. The Sunday Dispatch, in an effort to confirm the incident, found it did happen, but the couple in the suspicious vehicle must have been innocent, as the incident was not entered into the State Police docket. Winchell broadcasted on radio from 1932 to 1950 and, due to his unique delivery, was said to have had a massive national audience.
The Dial Rock Coal Company Mine in Exeter and Wyoming was forced to close as a cave-in occurred between the main shaft and the escape shaft. The Dial Rock operation was once known as Mt. Lookout Colliery and was located along Wyoming Avenue in lower Exeter, adjacent to the Rex Shoe plant.
Pittston and Pittston Township schools were ordered by the State Department of Public Instruction to start full-time classes for high school students beginning with the 1950-51 school term. At the time, both schools were on half-day sessions with seniors attending in the morning and juniors in the afternoon. Pittston High School began working out their schedules. The Pittston Township School Board delayed the adoption of the ruling for the reason that, in the prior year, the board tried to implement the full day schedule but parents staged a protest which eliminated the effort.
Anne Lillis, of the Browntown section of Pittston, and Mary Mulcahy, of Cork Lane, both teachers in the Wilson School in Pittston Township, received the distinction of being the first women from Pittston to graduate from The University of Scranton. Both received a Bachelor of Science degree in education.
1960 – 57 years ago
The John D. Stark Post American Legion Auxiliary presented Americanism Awards to outstanding eighth-grade students from various schools throughout Greater Pittston. Carolyn Goeckel, chairman, presented awards to Virginia Ardo, Ann Mulhern, Carol Weidlich, Ellen ward, JoEllen Kelly, Mary Theresa Grace, Louise Zarchak, Helen Salvo, Marion Patience and Gloria Chiavacci.
Ann Redding, Mary Devlin, Susan Cotter, Mary Donna DeAngelo, Sharon Kelly and Ann Lyons, students of the St. John the Evangelist School, performed in a Broadway Revue which highlighted several New York locations such as Chinatown, New York’s East Side and Radio City Music Hall.
Paul Arcudi, Ross Trischitta, James Conti, Joe Casale and Joe Guarnieri, team bowlers of the Fides Club Bowling League, captured the championship title in a special end-of-season playoff match.
1976 – 41 years ago
It was truly an exercise in total community effort as 450 children participated in the Colonial Olympics sponsored by the Pittston Bicentennial Committee. Pittston Area School District donated the use of Charlie Trippi Stadium, John MacAfferty, representing Burger King, donated hamburgers and Art Finielli, manager of the Pittston Super Saver, donated watermelons. Some of the many winners in the competitive categories were Mark Resavy, Gary Remsky, Lisa Gigliello, Joann Boos, Michelle Suriano, Bernie Girman, Jeff Burns, Joann Deleo, Tom Sworen, Jay Menichini, Katie Philbin, Lois Bussacco, Terri Callahan, Joyce Romanczuk, Jim Neary, Joe Iacovazzi, Cindy Knick, Sharon Marriggi, Anthony Capitano, Pat Feeney and Bill Rohlands. Over 500 fans enjoyed the day cheering on the contestants.
The following poem, written by Bill Ames, a graduate of Pittston Area High School, was published in the Sunday Dispatch.
Graduation is a happy time of year, no more high school is evidently clear.
It becomes a time of many an affair, and a time to notice future problems of which to be aware.
At this time comes the big prom and all the pressures build like a bomb
Graduates will now meet a person
As we tried our best for appreciation, we’ve won.
Yes, for we certainly deserve much credit, because we’ve strived so hard to achieve it.
It took a lot of work to get the diploma, and in our minds success creates such an aroma.
Through schooling, our abilities have grown and the seeds for the future are sown.
It is decided to make future plans and time to enter the complex world of man.
It is time to be rid of our childishness and use our abilities and creativeness.
We must work together thinking positively. For our generation will run this country.
Answer:
In 1947, for the “first time in history,” registered Republican voters were in the majority as 1374 Democrats decided to register under the GOP and 320 new voters in the city registered Republican, giving the party a 600-vote lead. The situation was reported as “unusual” as the politically connected in Pittston agreed that, for as long as they and their families could remember, the Democratic Party dominated the city. The 1945 primary election showed there were 4,354, Democrats and 2, 329 Republicans registered. The ‘47 figures showed registered Democrats at 4, 148 and Republicans at 4,795.
This date in history
1864 — Confederates under General Joseph Johnston retreat to the mountains in Georgia.
1911 — Gold is discovered in Alaska’s Indian Creek.
1919 — The U.S. Senate passes the Women’s Suffrage bill.
1953 — North Korea accepts the United Nations proposals in all major respects.
