30 years ago – July 1980
Brownsville Time Capsule Editor’s note: At the request of our readers, we are running previously published versions of the Brownsville Time Capsule.
Brownsville Time Capsule looks back over the years through the archives of the Brownsville Telegraph.
n One of every five citizens who lived in Brownsville Borough in 1970 is gone!
Brownsville Borough’s population has declined 21.1 percent over the past 10 years, according to the preliminary 1980 census report. The decline is the largest of any borough in Fayette County. In contrast, Brownsville Township’s population increased a little over 4-percent during the same decade.
According to the census report, Brownsville Borough now has a population of 3,831, down from 4,856 in 1970. At one time, the borough had 10,000 citizens. Brownsville Township’s population increased from 875 in 1970 to 917 in 1980.
Brownsville Borough Mayor Paul Thomas Jr. said, “These figures have got to be wrong. We have picked up two housing projects since 1970, so how could we lose over a thousand people? If anything, we went up. The Census Bureau is wrong.”
n Officials of the Brownsville Little League have announced the roster of the league’s all-star team that will participate in the District 9 tournament.
Tony Iacconi of the Eagles will manage the local all-stars, while Al Bates of the Elks will serve as coach. Members of the Brownsville all-stars include: (Eagles) Mike Conte, John Sheehan, Matt Wasko, Dino Pietrantoni, and Mike Mammarella; (Elks) Randy Covington, Gary Brumley, Vince Della Penna; (St. Mary’s) Emil Stinger, Paul Parr, Eric Hanula, Theodore Kravits; (Lions) Salvin Wallace, Dave Furlong.
Luzerne Senior Little League all-stars have also been named. Bob Zias of Colonial will manage the team and will be assisted by Bob Tuckish Sr. of Colonial. Team members include: (LaBelle) Stanley Kwasny, Paul Bennett; (PennCraft) Carl Gaddis, Scott Fudala; (Newboro) John Apicella, Mark Edenfield, John Mehalek, Marc D’Amico; (Colonial) Bob Tuckish, Kevin Urick, Anthony Nuccetelli, Eugene Constantine, Tom Locke, Bob Sparrow.
n Senoj took over first place in the Fayette Traveling Softball League after emerging with a 10-7 triumph over Grindstone in a game played on the Braznell layout. Manager Howard Wible’s Senoj team now enjoys a 23-2 record in the circuit, while Grindstone dropped to 23-3. Ken Meadows, Randy Wible, and Norm Wible each lashed out a homer for the Braznell club, while Sonny Harvey, Don Stahl, and Dom Nuccetelli each collected two hits for Grindstone.
50 years ago – July 1960
n L. Wade Whitlatch, principal of Brownsville High School and Brashear Joint High School for the past nine years, has resigned effective Aug. 1, 1960 in order to become high school principal at Carnegie High School.
“I have always liked Brownsville and hate to leave,” Whitlatch said, “but the Carnegie position is a ‘step forward’ over my present post.” He said the current jointure controversy was not a factor in his decision to resign.
n A new modern addition has been opened at Nicky’s Steak House on Route 40, four miles west of Brownsville. The spacious new dining area will be available for dining, banquets, and private parties and will accommodate up to seventy-five people. The new room has a separate entrance and private bar. Pelle folding panel doors will provide a unique separation from the restaurant’s present dining area.
As a grand opening special, Nicky’s Steak House will feature a full course club steak dinner with all the trimmings for only $1.95. Dorothy and Nicky Faieta have owned and operated the business for the past six years. A previous location 1,000 yards to the east on Route 40 was destroyed by fire.
n The Luzerne Township School Board has emphasized its determination to fight a continuation of the John A. Brashear School Jointure by enlarging its legal staff at a special meeting held in the township school district offices in the Gallatin National Bank building.
The board voted 5-2 to employ A.J. Kuzdenyi, who is also solicitor for the Redstone Township School District, as associate or co-counsel with the Luzerne Township solicitor Samuel J. Feigus, to carry on the fight through the exceptions appeal, scheduled in the Fayette County Court this week, and, if necessary, to the state Supreme Court.
n Colonial increased its lead to a full game in the Fayette County Baseball League by capturing an 8-3 verdict over Filbert on the latter’s diamond. Colonial chalked up its 18th victory against five losses to cement its lead over the second-place Coolspring club (18-7).
Jack Garbutt was the sparkplug for Colonial with a homer and two singles in four trips to the plate, and Frank Glista and Bob Gibson both doubled for Manager Jake Stafire’s Colonial club. Bill Olsavsky continued his heavy hitting for Filbert, and Joe Duda and Mike Lemansky also had extra base hits for the losing team.
n In softball, the Brownsville Merchants picked up their 12th win of the season in the Tri-County Softball League, defeating French Club, 7-3, behind the two-hit pitching of Leroy Marker and timely hitting of Billy Prosser.
65 years ago – July 1945
n The Rev. John A. Springer, a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Brownsville, was licensed to preach the Gospel at an adjourned meeting of Redstone Presbytery in the West Newton Presbyterian Church last week. Rev. Springer is the son of Mr. and Mrs. L.A. Springer, Union Street, North Side.
A graduate of Browns-ville High School, Rev. Springer holds diplomas from the University of West Virginia and the Western Theological Seminary in Pittsburgh. The Rev. William H. Strohm, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Browns-ville, took Rev. Springer to the session last week.
n Ralph Lacotta became the first hurler in the Brownsville Telegraph Baseball League to pitch a no-run, no-hit game as the California Eagles trimmed Hopson’s, 7-0, at the Woodward Plan Stadium. The only Brownsville players to reach base did so via a base on balls and an error.
Comments about this column can be directed to Pete Skirchak, Associate Editor, at pskirchak@heraldstandard.com.