1950 – 67- YEARS AGO
Harold Granahan, 14, of the Browntown section of Pittston Township, woke up at 4 a.m. on the morning Jan. 28, 1950. He felt terribly sick and quickly realized it was due to heavy smoke and fumes that permeated the home. He crawled out of his bed and made his way to a hallway window and had the presence of mind to open it, as he saw his mother and and brother lying on the floor of the residence struggling to breath. Young Harold rolled out of the home, crawled to the neighboring Callahan home to alert them of his family’s plight. They, in turn, ran to the Granahan home and helped everyone to get outside. Young Granahan was credited for not only saving the lives of his mother Helen and brothers Patrick, 20; Jerry, 17; but also a half brother, Paul Donnelly, 31 and a brother-in-law, Paul Tischler, who had been staying overnight. A blocked chimney was blamed for the deadly fumes. Later that day, Harold Granahan was once again a hero as along with his brother Jerry, he went to the aid of Joseph Monichelli, 12 of Pittston Township. Monichelli had sustained a rather large wound to his leg while playing football. The boys helped Monichelli until he could be transported to the hospital.
Francis Labaty, of Pittston, was known as Mr. Radio. Labaty, whose professional name was Frank LaBarr, worked as a radio announcer for WSCR, Scranton and before that at WBRE in Wilkes-Barre. Labaty was also a drummer in the Russ Andalaoro’s Orchestra and worked as a master of ceremonies for various events. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.
Pittston Mayor John Allardyce received a chain letter from a constituent that asked him to make 20 copies and distribute it to various people across the state of Pennsylvania. The result of which would be to garner a nomination for Pittston businessman and publisher of the Sunday Dispatch, John C. Kehoe, to become a Republican candidate for Governor of Pennsylvania. The writer went on to state “For Governor, we nominate the Hon. John C. Kehoe of Harding and Pittston. He is a loyal Republican is the one man who will look after the interests of the people in the Anthracite fields. He has done much for the city of Pittston.” The 1950 election resulted in Superior Court Judge Republican John S. Fine defeating Democrat Richardson Dilworth. A Republican was elected in 22 out of 25 previous elections for Governor of Pennsylvania.
1961 – 56 YEARS AGO
Avoca councilman Joe Hannon Jr, Leo Murphy, Jim O’Malley Sr. and Thomas Boshard were fortunate to receive tickets to view the presidential inaugural parade. After arriving, the thought of spending hours in the bitter cold was too much for Murphy, O’Malley and Boshard so they decided to view the parade from inside an office building. But Hannon, not wanting to miss the once-in-a-lifetime event, ventured out to the assigned area and found the seats they were to fill were directly across from the presidential viewing stand in front of the White House. Hannon braved the cold for the entire event. According to the National Weather Service, Jan. 20, 1961 produced the worst traffic jam in years as 8 inches of snow stopped transportation in Washington DC. Cars were abandoned and road crews worked diligently to clear Pennsylvania Avenue for the inaugural parade. At noon, the temperature was 22 degrees with wind conditions making the temperature seem like 7 degrees above zero.
1976 – 41 YEARS AGO
The Sounds of 76, members of the Women’s Chorale of the West Pittston Women’s Club. offered a program of revolutionary music dating back to the origin of the country. The group planned to perform during the year at various celebrations commemorating the 200th birthday of our country. Members of the Chorale were Mrs. A.J. Portelli, director, Mrs. Lane Glidden, Mrs. Charles Herron, Mrs. Sylvester, Grablick, Mrs. Joseph Ruane, Mrs. Joseph Linskey, Mrs. Joseph Saraceno, Mrs. William Rowe, Mrs. Jean D. Elko and Mrs. Ettore Agolino, accompanist.
The Wyoming Area Music Parents Association obtained a Bennington Bicentennial Flag for the marching band through the efforts of Marge Griffin and Rep. Frank J. O’Connell Jr., Those present at the presentation of the flag were Rep. O’Connell, Anthony Sobeski, Wyoming Area school board member and activities chairman; Marge Griffin, Sam Baldo, president of the association; Lynn Baldo, and Jackie Kasulanis, drum majorettes; Allen Marini, band director; Joseph Olesky, superintendent and Robert O’Connell, prinicpal of the senior high school. The Bennington is a design of the American flag that is associated with the Battle of Bennington during the Revolutionary War.
1991 – 26 YEARS AGO
The newly formed Veterans of Vietnam War Post 66, Pittston held its first meeting. The first officers of the group were Joe Tavaglione, commander; Charles Infantino, political affairs officer; John Reedy, treasurer; Frank Donahue, vice commander; Rosemary Klemish, secretary; Joe Giannone, Adjutant; Jim Marrotto, chaplain; and Fred Sickler, sergeant at arms. Tavaglione received the Dispatch Joseph F. Saporito Lifetime of Service award in 2008 for his military service but also for initiating the Coats for Kids program that enabled hundreds of Greater Pittston children stay warm. Upon winning Tavaglione stated, “”When I help someone, I do it from my heart, not my back pocket. I’ve realized that the times when you have the least are usually the moments when you can go the farthest.” Tavaglione passed away in 2009.
This Date in History
1813 – Jane Austin publishes “Pride and Prejudice.”
1929 – The Seeing Eye, America’s first school for training dogs to guide the blind, is founded in Nashville, Tennessee.
1942 – German and Italian troops take Benghazi in North Africa.
1944 – The world’s greatest warship, Missouri, is launched.
1979 – President Jimmy Carter commutes the sentence of Patty Hearst.
1984 – President Ronald Reagan announces he will run for a second term.
