Brownsville Time Capsule
By Glenn Tunney For the Herald-Standard
Brownsville Time Capsule looks back over the years through the archives of the Brownsville Telegraph.
25 Years Ago – March 1980
The Hopewell Grange has been destroyed by fire. The grange, located on Telegraph Road, Luzerne Township, is a total loss following a morning blaze that broke out in one end of the building.
The grange sits near the top of a hill, and passersby spotted the flames. The Hiller Volunteer Fire Co. was called to the scene at 8:42 a.m., but Fire Chief Paul Burd said the grange hall probably had been burning for some time before it was discovered. He described the building as “a total loss.” Cause of the blaze is not known, although Burd said there was no evidence leading one to suspect arson.
Pedestrians on downtown Brownsville’s Market Street will have to keep a sharp eye on the sidewalk. Holes have developed in the sidewalk leading from the cast iron bridge to the bend in the street where the Brownsville Lock Shop is located.
A four-man crew was dispatched to fix a hole in the sidewalk in front of the Association Loan Co. and Ruthie’s Lounge. Beneath the hole was a 30-foot drop to the waters of Dunlap Creek. Charles Prinkey, a member of the repair crew, said, “it could fall through anyplace” between the creek and the bend. The section over the creek was replaced six or seven years ago.
Prinkey said that while the roadway is on pillars, which are relatively safe, the sidewalk is made of iron beams and concrete. He said that after 40 years, the concrete starts to break down. The asphalt that was put down on top of the concrete to smooth out the rough surface.
45 Years Ago – March 1960
Thespian Troupe 187 of John A. Brashear High School is in the midst of rehearsals for its second semester presentation, “Father Knows Best,” a three-act comedy that is the favorite program of many TV viewers. Ronald Angelelli, Thespian president, has the role of Jim Anderson, with Carol Brown portraying his wife Margaret. Roger Angelelli plays Bud Anderson, Penny Pivivar has the role of Betty Anderson, and Roberta LaVerdi will be Kathy Anderson. Others in the cast include John Tobias, Robert Viencek, Paul Williams, Ronald Nesti, Joanne Janos, Joanne L’Altrelli, Ginger Laughery, Pamela Francis, Mary Ann Sabo, Judy Kapel, Barbara Fowler and Don Allen. Jean Donahey is director and sponsor of the group.
We note the opening of Paydo’s Market, 514 Green St., Brownsville (phone ST 5-9759). Johnny Paydo, formerly of DeZure’s Market, owns the new store. It will carry a complete line of quality meats and nationally known brands of groceries.
The latest figures released by the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) reveal that Clairton is the largest school in the Big Six Conference (966 students in grades 10 to 12), followed by Brashear with 777.Other area schools (not in the Big Six Conference) and their enrollments are Connellsville (1,156), Uniontown (1,124), Bethlehem-Center (721), Redstone (619), and California (581).
The Brownsville-Luzerne Community Park will stock trout on Sunday, April 10, for free fishing. Money for the project is being obtained by donations. One-dollar donation tickets may be purchased at Hines Sport Shop.
Esquire Lounge won two out of three games from Donora over the weekend in the Mon Valley Bowling League. The Brownsville team was led by Pete Ulery, who rolled games of 158, 140 and 177 for a 475 series, Larry Doolittle (446) and Ed Kielbasa (420).
60 Years Ago – March 1945
A record salvage collection of 20 tons of paper was conducted Saturday in Brownsville and the surrounding area by the Boy Scouts of America, under the sponsorship of A. Kramer Axton Post 295, American Legion, and through the cooperation of Teamsters Union 158. Between 75 and 80 Boy Scouts participated in the drive in addition to 11 truck drivers and other adult helpers.
The drive was staged under the direction of James W. Norman Jr., vice chairman of the camping and activities committee of Boy Scout District 9. Frank Parker, field executive of the Boy Scouts, directed the loading of 29 truckloads of paper into two railroad cars. Truck drivers who took part included Samuel Grossman, John (Jack) McDonough, Carl Durr, James Martin, Howard McCloy, John Sepesy, Barney Lucas, Everett Hunt, Harry Mitchell, Ralph Booth and Samuel Roman.
Trucks were donated by Woodward-Wright, L.E. Bockes, Bush Furniture, Sam Grossman, Berky Electric, Hillman Coal and Coke, Nazzareno Cicchetti, Swift and Co., and Marker Stephenson.
A petition to the East Pike Run Township supervisors for installation of water plugs to aid in protection against fire in Blainesburg has been approved by the Blainesburg Fire Association. Such a move was defeated by ballot five years ago, and the petition asks that the question be placed on the ballot this year. Such action can be taken only every five years.
The association, with Clifford Tunney presiding, discussed fire protection with Walter Gemmel and James Forsythe of the West Brownsville Fire Co. Checks were drawn payable to the fire company to the amount of $94.56 for protection for the year ending April 1, 1944, and another for $51.95 to apply on the year ending April 1, 1945.
Park and Tilford Distillery Inc. has sent the 1945 American Red Cross drive in Brownsville off to a flying start with the announcement by William J. Hoffman, general manager of the Brownsville plant, that the company is contributing $500 to the drive. The large donation gives impetus to the drive, which is headed in Brownsville by Nathan H. Kart.
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 begin pskirchak@heraldstandard.com pskirchak@heraldstandard.com end
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Glenn Tunney may be contacted at 724-785-3201 or by writing to 6068 National Pike East, Grindstone, PA 15442.