Question 1 When former Pittston area resident Robert McCawley returned to his hometown for a visit what did he have difficulty finding?
Peeking into the past With Judy Minsavage
was frequented by city visitors and touring performers. It was said that heavyweight champion Jack Johnson was once employed as a porter there. Operators of the hotel included Joe Keating, Thomas Kehoe, J. Hefron and Jim Galasso. US Navy Seaman apprentice Joseph Chonka, of Wyoming, and Seaman Edward T. Carey, of Pittston, were crewmembers aboard the guided missile cruiser USS Little Rock. The cruiser was set to embark on a training exercise then set sail for the North Atlantic. The Little Rock began a three-year conversion from a Cleveland-class gun cruiser to a Galveston-class guided missile cruiser at New York Shipbuilding Corp in 1957, in Camden, NJ. The vessel was reconfigured to carry 48 of the long-range Talos missiles. 1974 – 38 Years Ago The John D. Stark Post 452 American Legion of Greater Pittston Firing Squad participated in the 196th Harding Massacre anniversary program. Members of the squad were William Rule, detail commander; William Detato, Paul Minnelli, William Pikonis and Donald Carey. The program was to take place “a short distance north of the Harding Fire House.” According to a published genealogy of Captain Stephen Harding (1723 – 1789), “Stephen moved with his family to make a permanent settlement on the west side of the Susquehanna River, near ‘falling spring.’ This settlement was named ‘Harding Settlement’ and is now the village of Harding. “Stephen commanded Fort Jenkins during the Wyoming Massacre. Two of his sons were among the first killed in the massacre. Captain Harding, his wife Amy and two of his sons are buried in the Jenkins-Harding Cemetery located at the corner of Wyoming Avenue and Linden Street in West Pittston.” Wyoming Area seniors were presented awards at a special ceremony. Donald Shemanski received the ROTC scholarship as one of only 56 recipients in the State.
Question 2 What was missing in 1984 that Dupont officials believed belonged to the borough? 1984 – 28 Years Ago Over 300 sixth graders entered the annual Greater Pittston Jaycees Father’s Day Essay Contest founded by Wil Toole in honor of his late father, Edward. Out of the many entrees, 13-yearold Adam Norwig took the top prize for his touching essay dedicated to his adoptive father Bill Norwig. Bill and his wife Carol, who had adopted a Korean girl, Tamara, two years earlier, opened their home and hearts to Adam who was born in Seoul, Korea. For his prize-winning testament, Adam received a $50 savings bond and plaque. In an excerpt from his essay, Adam wrote, “This weekend dad took me on a fishing trip with a few men from our church and they all made me feel special because dad tells me I am much more than adopted. I am accepted and loved. I am one of the family and part of each one.” Dominic “Rabbits” Perconte of Wyoming was elected to a state office at the convention of the Fraternal Order of
Eagles at Mechanicsburg. Mr. Perconte held many positions with the Eagles and dedicated many hours to assist in fund drives and charitable functions held by the club. The Sunday Dispatch “rhyming weather forecast” on Sunday, June 17, 1984: A little cool, rain on the way just enough to dampen Dad’s Day 1994 – 18 Years Ago The Dispatch Student-Athlete award winners of the year were highlighted in the Sunday Dispatch. Winning the top honors were Pittston Area’s Vince O’Hop, basketball and volleyball; Denise Insogna, Pittston Area, track and basketball; Jim Pizano, Wyoming Area, football and track; Christy Dreabit, Wyoming Area, basketball and track; Erin Brennan, Seton Catholic, basketball; and Kevin Silinskie, Seton Catholic, baseball and basketball. William Watson, founder of the Dispatch, created the award in 1970. Answer 1 Former area resident Robert McCawley traveled from Ashville, N.C. without getting lost. Due to new highway construction at the Dupont exchange, he could not find the familiar roadway to the Browntown section. The Sunday Dispatch asked Township Supervisors Jim Murphy, Patsy Salvo and Tom Fino if perhaps a large sign stating “this way to Browntown” could be installed. Answer 2 Dupont Borough Officials filed papers to reclaim properties they believed belonged to the borough. The issue, which had been disputed since 1953, concerned 12 homes whose owners paid taxes to Avoca and Pittston Township. However, the Packer Street properties appeared to be within the Dupont Borough line. Dear Dad, you are a very special person to us, not only as our father, but as a good friend. Whenever we need a helping hand, you are always there. Thank you, Dad, for being the Dad you are. We love you. Happy Father’s Day. The William Paoloni family, in an open letter to be read at the 1974 St. Anthony’s Parish Father’s Day Liturgical celebration.
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1964 – 48 Years Ago A2C Joe Makala of West Pittston was selected Outstanding Airman of the Month out of 5,800 airmen at Charlestown Air Force Base, South Carolina. An Air Force radar operator, he was honored for his exemplary conduct and performance of duty for working 10, 18-hour days during the Panama Crises. He was awarded an all-expenses-paid fishing trip to Lake Moultrie, South Carolina. Martin L. Mattei, supervising principal for the Northeast School District, announced the inaugural summer school program for students in grades seven through 11. Resident students were charged a $5 refundable fee and non-resident students $25 for a two-hour course and $40 for a four-hour course. The Pittston Township V.F.W. Bowling League sponsored a trip for local baseball fans to attend a Phillies-Giants baseball game at Connie Mack Stadium. Enjoying the trip with fellow league bowlers were Bruno Migliosi of West Pittston, Dominick “Maverick” Nardone, Al Mecadon and John “Bozo” Connors. At this point during the ’64 season, the hopes of Phillies fans couldn’t be higher. And they would stay that way most of the season. On Father’s Day, future Hall of Famer Jim Bunning threw a perfect game against the New York Mets. Come September, the 1964 Phillies held a six and a half game lead with 12 games to play. They then lost ten straight games (the first seven played at home) and fell into a second place tie. The Phillies finished in a secondplace tie in the National League with the Cincinnati Reds, while posting a record of 92–70. The teams finished one game behind the NL and World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals, and just two games ahead of fourth-place San Francisco. The former Wyoming Valley Hotel, also known as the Valley House, was in the process of being demolished to make way for area redevelopment projects. The hotel dated well before 1900. The Boyle Family of Pittston purchased the hotel at the turn of the century and it
Following graduation, Donald would be commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Army. Deborah Anzalone and Dominick Mazzarella received jackets from Chief Petty Officer Thomas Conroy of the U.S. Navy for outstanding performance in their physical education classes. Rita Weiss received the Betty Crocker Homemaker of Tomorrow Award awarded to outstanding girls in the field of home economics. George Oschal was given the Daughters of the American Revolution award for Good Citizenship and Karen Puza received the Rensselaer Medal for highest average in math and science. St. Anthony’s Parish in Exeter enlisted the help of wives and children of men in the parish to contribute ideas for their Father’s Day Liturgy. Janine Oliveri composed lyrics for a song. Ann Marie Ferrara, Angelo and Lisa LaNunziata, Sandra Clarke, Karen and Joseph Serino were scheduled to take part in the readings for the Mass. Helping in the arrangements were Mrs. Michael Zaboski, David Pizano, Sandra Clarke, Jeanne Pizano, Rev. Enrico Giovetto, O.S.J. Regina Meshini, Gerald Zaboski, Mrs. Chester Shimko, Sam Baldo and Rev. Lawrence Pio, O.S.J.
SUNDAY DISPATCH, SUNDAY, JUNE 17, 2012
Shemanski gets ROTC Scholarship in ‘74