1947 – 72 YEARS AGO

The Leo Sheporaitis Bottling Works in Pittston advertised the following warning, “If you want soft drinks, return all empty bottles promptly.” Residents were asked to return beverage bottles to their dealer as soon as possible. “It’s the only way to make sure you will have your favorite soft drinks. Shortage of bottles is critical due to bottle production being far below demand and the lack of railroad cars. Records show that US bottle manufacturers did produce much fewer bottles in 1946. Those stats do not include a breakdown by color. It is unsure as to whether the production was down due to World War II. A freight car shortage occurred in late 1939 for the first time since 1921, and the railroads worked steadily throughout the next decade to put long-dormant cars and locomotives back in service.

After seven years of operation, the Pittston and Dupont selective service boards at the Pittston City Hall disbanded, leaving the fate of thousands of records to be decided. The office clerk, Mae Czachor, of Dupont, was to remain at the office for an indefinite period until disposition of local records was final. Records showed that Board 13, with jurisdiction over Pittston City, had records for 4,388 registrants and inducted and 2,184 enlisted males. Dupont Board No. 12, with jurisdiction over Dupont, Avoca, Hughestown, Pittston Township and Duryea, had records for 6,082 registered for induction and 3,350 enlisted.

1953 – 66 YEARS AGO

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The senior choir members of St. Casimir’s Church in Pittston held their annual concert. The choir was noted as one of the most outstanding vocal groups in the valley and participated in concerts, dramas and operettas in Washington DC, Philadelphia, Hershey Park, Minneapolis, and Connecticut. The choir was under the direction of Professor Bronis Voveris. Officers of the choir were Martha Warnageris, Pete Yakaitis, John Wisnosky, Paul Porter, Betty Jane Norris, Eleanor Ostrowski, Joseph Palonis, Marion Kashuba and Rose DiPasquale.

The Sunday Dispatch Inquiring Photographer asked, “Do you think that the Atom Bomb tests have anything to do with the mild and changeable weather we are having?” Nick Rusinko, of Pittston, answered, “Yes, the winters have been getting milder and I think it’s due to the big bomb.” John Casey, of Dupont, stated, “I don’t know of any other explanation for this crazy weather. It’s been coming on ever since we shot off that first bomb over Japan.” Mrs. Mary Conners, of Pittston Twp., added, “I don’t think that’s what is causing the change. They claim every fifty years there’s a change in the Gulf Stream.” The Farmers Almanac recorded the temperature for March of 1953 at 20 degrees above average with maximum temperatures reaching 60 degrees. Operation Upshot–Knothole was a series of 11 nuclear test shots conducted in 1953 at the Nevada Test Site.

1957 – 62 YEARS AGO

Final preparations were made for the ceremonies to formally open The Wyoming Valley Interchange of the Northeastern Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. According to the PA Turnpike website, the Northeast Extension from Montgomery County in the south to Northeast PA was the longest of the Turnpike expansion projects, crossing some 110 miles. It was reported in the Sunday Dispatch that “somebody slipped” at the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission because the map of the new turnpike included cities and towns from Scranton to Nanticoke, but Pittston was not listed on the map.

1964 – 55 YEARS AGO

West Pittston Junior Women’s Club presented “The Best of Broadway” show at the West Pittston High School. At the time, the Beatles had emerged with a string of hits, including “Love Me Do,” “Please, Please Me” and “She Loves You,” which began their journey into the history books. Four club members, Shirley McDermott, Marlene Justick, Rosella Fedor and Patricia Fedor, donned wigs and guitars to perform as the Fab Four in the show. According to those who watched the rehearsals, the act promised to be one that would demand repeat performances.

1974 – 45 YEARS AGO

Plans were finalized for the fourth annual West Pittston Cherry Blossom Festival. Chairman Stanley Hanczyc reported the Pennsylvania State Police Academy had agreed to have a mounted color guard to open the parade. Ned Levey and Mrs. Drew Smith talked with Wyoming Area Senior High School girls who might be interested in seeking the Cherry Blossom Queen title, dances were planned for people of all ages and entertainment was scheduled for the river bank common.

The Schooley Avenue Elementary School held a chess tournament for fifth and sixth-grade students. More than 62 students participated in the contest in which a participant had to win two out of three matches to advance. Paul Porfirio defeated Leonard Valenti and Paul Kolis to capture the championship. According to the website uschesstrust.org, “Paul Morphy, born in 1837 in New Orleans, is hailed as the first American chess legend. After winning the 1857 American Chess Congress, Morphy accepted an invitation to Europe to take on the best players in England, France, and Germany. He crushed Adolph Anderssen, who was Europe’s leading player.”

The sixth annual Hughestown Sports Club Banquet was set to be held with quarterback Joe Montana listed as principal speaker. Montana, a native Pennsylvanian, headlined an impressive list of sports celebrities expected to be at the affair. The list included Charlie Trippi, member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame; Jimmy Cefalo, with the Miami Dolphins; Ron Hunt, former Major League baseball player with the Mets, Cardinals and Montreal; Gene Guarilia, former member of the World Champion Boston Celtics; Ed O’Neill, former Penn State All-American with the Detroit Lions; Stan Rogers, former Maryland All-American and Denver Bronco; and Mickey Dudish, former Meyers All-Stater with the University of Maryland. Those expected to be honored at the banquet were Charlie McDermott, of Wyoming Area, who was slated to receive the Charlie Trippi Award as back of the year. Bill Hoover, of Wyoming Area, and Bill Thornton, of Bishop Hoban, were co-recipients of the Gene Guarilia Trophy for most outstanding basketball player.

1985 – 34 YEARS AGO

The Wyoming Area Key Club attended the annual district convention in Hersey. Bob Orlando, president received a commendation as one of the district’s outstanding presidents. Mary Beth Sokach was awarded a certificate of merit as an outstanding treasurer and Mary Meyer, outstanding secretary. The club’s yearbook was judged best in the state and received a first-place trophy. The book was designed with a hardwood cover in the shape of the Pennsylvania Keystone. The club received a second-place award for overall achievement of the club’s activities. Additional members were Lisa Zuba, Chris Bobkowski, Jennifer Jones, Karen Briggs, Steve Harmanos, David Sobeski, Rosemary O’Boyle and Kary Bednar.

THIS DAY IN HISTORY

1776 — Abigail Adams writes to husband John that women are “determined to foment a rebellion” if the new Declaration of Independence fails to guarantee their rights.

1836 — The first monthly installment of “The Pickwick Papers” by Charles Dickens is published in London.

1916 — General John Pershing and his army rout Pancho Villa’s army in Mexico.

1917 — The United States purchases the Virgin Islands from Denmark for $25 million.

1918 — Daylight Savings Time goes into effect throughout the United States for the first time.

1933 — To relieve rampant unemployment, Congress authorizes the Civilian Conservation Corps.

1940 — La Guardia airport in New York officially opens to the public.

1949 — Winston Churchill declares that the A-bomb was the only thing that kept the Soviet Union from taking over Europe.

BORN ON THIS DAY

1915 — Henry Morgan, comedian, radio performer

1926 — John Fowles, English novelist (“The Collector,” “The French Lieutenant’s Woman”)

1936 — Marge Piercy, poet and novelist

1948 — Al Gore, vice president to President William J. Clinton (1993-2001)

The Wyoming Area Catholic Cougars won first place in the Knights of Columbus Tournament in 1985. Kathy Kopcza hit her 1,000 point. From left, first row, Maria Insalaco, Denise Stelacone, Kathy Kopcza, Cari Insalaco. Second row, Kim Jones Alicia Colella, Maureen Gelb, Diane Menhenett, Lisa Gordon, Annette Ciotala, Rebecca Ardoline, Ross Denisco, coach; Laura Zielinski, Jackie Hizynski, Heather O’Dell, Maria Snyder, Mary Ellen Garibaldo, Laurie Skurkis.
https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/web1_1985-WAC-CHAMPS.jpg.optimal.jpgThe Wyoming Area Catholic Cougars won first place in the Knights of Columbus Tournament in 1985. Kathy Kopcza hit her 1,000 point. From left, first row, Maria Insalaco, Denise Stelacone, Kathy Kopcza, Cari Insalaco. Second row, Kim Jones Alicia Colella, Maureen Gelb, Diane Menhenett, Lisa Gordon, Annette Ciotala, Rebecca Ardoline, Ross Denisco, coach; Laura Zielinski, Jackie Hizynski, Heather O’Dell, Maria Snyder, Mary Ellen Garibaldo, Laurie Skurkis.

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/web1_judy-5.jpg.optimal.jpg

Peeking into

the Past

Judy Minsavage

Reach the Sunday Dispatch newsroom at 570-991-6405 or by email at sd@psdispatch.com.