Brownsville Time Capsule
Brownsville Time Capsule looks back over the years through the archives of the Brownsville Telegraph. 25 Years Ago – Feb. 1980
– Brownsville has a new parking lot. The ribbon was cut on the new Gallatin Bank parking lot this week. The lot, intended for the sole use of bank customers, will require tokens available at the bank. Participating in the ribbon-cutting ceremony were Mayor Paul Thomas Jr.; Henry Vulcan, president of the Brownsville Area Chamber of Commerce; Nelda Ware, manager of the Brownsville office of Gallatin Bank and treasurer of the chamber of commerce; William Westcoat, secretary of the chamber of commerce; John Wardman and the Rev. Alexander Jalso, members of the chamber of commerce; Harold Richardson, borough councilman; Don Reid Heath, architect; and C. R. Vernon, manager of real estate for the bank.
– In girls’ basketball, Brownsville Area High School enjoyed a big victory over Southmoreland, 68-36. Coach Frank Dankovich’s Falcons scored 42 points in the second half to only 15 for the Scotties. Sue Storey and Cheryl Jones provided the one-two punch for the Falcons with 22 and 18 points respectively. Patty Columbia also cracked double figures with 10 points.
45 Years Ago – Feb. 1960
– Ground has been broken for a new 16-lane bowling center on Route 40 east. The modern lanes will be erected by I.J. Ficks, Brownsville, and Ernest Quarzo, Uniontown. The building will be located next to Ficks’ motel and restaurant, two miles east of Brownsville, on a site that formerly housed Ficks’ Dairy Cream and a six-room house. The Dairy Cream will be moved into Ficks’ restaurant.
According to Ficks, the building will be designed to house 20 lanes, but only 16 will be constructed at the present time. Work on the bowling alleys, to be known as Brownsville Bowling Lanes, is expected to be concluded by July 1.
– The Bell trio, courtesy of the Jean King studio, Uniontown, will perform during the olio of the Brownsville Optimist Club’s 12th annual minstrel show on Feb. 10 and 11. The dancing trio, which includes Emmett Sabatine, Lee Higinbotham and Barry Mortichesky, appeared at the Steel Pier in Atlantic City last summer. The minstrel show will be presented at Brashear junior high school auditorium.
– Did you get your free steak knife? Procter & Gamble’s Build-A-Set sale was so successful last year that it is being offered again this year. You will receive an attractive steak knife with a stainless steel blade, attractive styrene handle and serrated tip, just by purchasing specified Procter & Gamble products.
If you buy a giant-size container of gentle Ivory Liquid dish detergent, you will receive one steak knife attached to the can. Buy a special king-size can and get two knives. Other products involved in the promotion are Ivory Snow laundry detergent, Zest bath and beauty bar, and Cheer laundry detergent.
60 Years Ago – Feb. 1945
– In what is described as the most vicious attack on record, Gertrude Cottle, 21, of Lynn Station, was seriously injured at 10 a.m. yesterday when she was attacked by a pack of dogs while she was walking to work up Coal Hill near Taylor mine.
Employed on the kitchen staff at Brownsville General Hospital, Cottle was saved from possible death by the arrival of William Yoder, National Pike East, who beat off the dogs with the crank from his car.
So vicious was the attack that Cottle was stripped of her clothing and dragged several feet by the dog pack. The victim, who was admitted to the hospital and is in fair condition, is suffering from severe bites on both arms, both legs, and various other parts of her body.
– Brownsville and all other communities in the tri-county area will be “browned-out” beginning tonight under War Production Board Order U-9 to conserve scarce fuels. Many stores and firms here have been “browning out” for several days, and the Neck has been given an eerie appearance. Under the brownout order, the following lighting uses are prohibited:
1. Outdoor advertising and outdoor promotional lighting
2. Outdoor display lighting except where necessary for the conduct of business of outdoor establishments
3. Outdoor decorative and outdoor ornamental lighting
4. Show window lighting except where necessary for interior illumination
5. Marquee lighting in excess of 600 watts for each marquee
6. White way streetlight in excess of the amount determined by local public authority to be necessary for public safety
Outdoor sign lighting, excepting certain safety and directional signs
– Coach Johnny Lessner’s Brownsville blue and white gave some 500 fans all the basketball they wanted for one evening as they toppled the Charleroi Cougars, 44-40, in an extra period. Freshman Red Simpson kept the Brownies on the move with his excellent play, and Chuck Sargent continued his fine offensive work with 17 points. Lou Roberts pulled down numerous rebounds, and Captain Clark Sealy did the playmaking honors. Rounding out the Brownie squad were Tom Swogger, Jimmy Marghella and Kenny Swink.
At Mapletown, Coach George Zoretic’s Redstone Black Hawks tripped the Maples, 36-30, in a Section 23 contest. Ray DeCarlo paved the way for the Redstone victory with 11 tallies.
– Your feedback about these Brownsville Time Capsule articles is appreciated. Please mail your comments to Pete Skirchak, Brownsville Editor, Herald-Standard, Box 570, Brownsville, PA 15417, or e-mail pskirchak@heraldstandard.com.
Glenn Tunney may be contacted at 724-785-3201 or by writing to 6068 National Pike East, Grindstone, PA 15442.