Irish eyes may be smiling with change along Memory Lane

Obviously concerned that we might be falling into a rut with some of the weekly offerings in this corner, a reader from Monongahela suggested: "Why don't you try a different sequence format for your trips down Memory Lane Detour from that even numbered - 60, 50, etc - interval journey."

With that thought - not to mention customer satisfaction - in mind, let's take a look at St. Patrick's Day headlines, newsmakers and activities in today's backward glance at the archives of The Valley Independent, the Monessen Daily Independent and The Charleroi Mail.

65 YEARS AGO

March 17, 1946

• Daylight Savings Time has been adopted by nine Pennsylvania municipalities, according to a survey by the state Chamber of Commerce. Communities in which clocks will be set ahead one hour April 28 are Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Erie, Brockway, Coatesville, Indiana, Stroudsburg and Shiremanstown. The report said 52 other communities "probably" will switch to the new time schedule. Adoption of Daylight Savings Time is optional in Pennsylvania for the first time in five years, since its observance was obligatory throughout the nation during World War II.

• Vice President Frances Pauley of Local Union 210 of the CIO-United Steelworkers today called a special meeting of the Liggett members of the local for Sunday at 2:30 p.m. in the Hotel Main. Pauley's announcement came after local and district union officials had conferred for more than two hours with Charles E. Dexter Jr., president of the Liggett Spring and Axle Company, who announced a week ago that his plant would be dismantled and moved from Monongahela. They were brought together by president C.W. Patterson and other officers of the Monongahela Businessmen's Association, who have been meeting quietly with business and management during the week.

• A Seen This Morning item in The Mail called attention to this conversation at a local store: Customer - "Do you have any baby limas?" Grocer - "No, they're all grown up."

• Rostraver bowed to Avalon, 58-45, in the WPIAL Class B basketball championship game last night. Some 2,000 fans at the McKeesport High gym watched the Panthers capture their second title in three years as Jim Mewhirter blistered the nets for 24 points. Also hitting double figure for coach Harry Dennison's champions were Jack O'Donnell, 16, and "Ding" Shrewsbery, 10. Cliff Popp paced Rostraver with 17 points and concluded his standout career with 70 points in four tournament games. Bob "Knocker" Stevenson added nine points for Pete Balog's Leopards and Bill Vinck had eight.

• This ad ran on Page One of the Daily Independent: Jitterbug dancing at the State Armory every Tuesday and Friday beginning March 19. Benefit Company G. Admission 15 cents.

• "Wearin' of the Green" will be the theme at a St. Patrick's Day dance in St. John's Parish Hall in Donora. The celebration is sponsored by the Young People's Fellowship of the church, and music will be by J.R. Stefield and his band. A program of Irish melodies will be presented during intermission.

55 YEARS AGO

March 17, 1956

• The combination new church and school of Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church at Third Street and Lincoln Avenue in Charleroi will be dedicated tomorrow by Bishop John F. Dearden of the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh. Bishop Dearden will be the celebrant of a Pontifical High Mass at 10:30 a.m. Father John J. Thomas, pastor of Mother of Sorrows, will be among the officers of the Mass. Father Nunzio Pirulli, pastor of St. Cajetan Church in Monessen, will preach the Italian sermon. Mother of Sorrows Church was founded in 1902.

• A St. Patrick's Day dance for teenagers will be held at the Jumpin' Jive Bee Hive tonight from 9 to midnight. Francis "Slop" Delmastro will be the disc jockey.

• Music by Harold Weaver will be featured at a dance from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. at the Roscoe Dutch Club. Members and guests are welcome.

• Krusey's Contractors defeated the Marauders, 63-33, to win the Senior Boys Division championship in the Charleroi City Basketball League. Speedy Carmen Cappelli and tall Mel Gysegem paced the champions with 21 and 20 points, respectively, as Krusey's finished the season with a 12-0 record. Tommy Branch had eight points for the Marauders.

• A savage winter storm, followed by frigid temperatures, has clogged streets and highways throughout the Mon Valley and the rest of western Pennsylvania. Starting late yesterday morning, swirling snow and sleet blanketed the district as this year's worst storm struck on the 20th anniversary of the calamitous St. Patrick's Day flood. Five to seven inches of snow blanketed the Valley.

• Monday will mark the opening of the Charleroi-Monessen Hospital Fund Campaign in the Mon Valley. The quota is $337,285.75. Hospital officials said the money is needed to complete the new 115-bed addition and improve other services to keep pace with the ever-growing needs of ever-growing communities in the Valley. Among the services to be added are physical medicine, hydrotherapy, electrotherapy and physical therapy units.

45 YEARS AGO

March 17, 1966

• Army Capt. Ronald H. Tuman, who earlier this year received the Medal for Valor for action in Vietnam last Nov. 1, has been given another award for heroism under fire. Capt. Tuman has now been awarded the Army Commendation Medal as a result of his "heroic actions and unselfish disregard for his own safety" in search and destroy operations against the Viet Cong last Dec. 5. He has served in the Army since 1957.

• St. Patrick's Day weekend entertainment in the area includes: Stone Castle in Rostraver, The Renegades and Johnny and the Imperials; New Alpine Cocktail Lounge in Monessen, Buddy Hixenbaugh's band; Monongahela Turner's Club, Tiny Fries and his orchestra, and Trocadero in Rostraver, Mickey Sharp Duo. Meanwhile, Paddy's at Allen's Crossroads in Rostraver, has changed its name - for one day only - to O'Paddy's Lounge, and pianist Davey O'Lucas will be in the spotlight.

• California defeated defending champion Italian Club, 70-62, in the California Community Basketball League playoffs at the California High School gym. Cal now must face Monessen Gaudio's, to whom they lost 59-57 in their first meeting in the double-elimination tournament. Gaudio's staring lineup includes Jim Chacko, Stan Milchovich, Ed Laatu, Rich Sonafelt and Bob Delmontagne. Lou Tatrai paced California's win over Italian Club with 22 points and had support from Ted Bennett, 17, and Jim Kaiser, 13. Looking best for IC were Ewing, Bell, 17; Butch Simala, 15; Ken Kulak, 14, and George Zober, 20.

35 YEARS AGO

March 17, 1976

• Phil Morrow, assistant manager at Mellon Bank NA, Charleroi, was elected president of United Way of Mon Valley for 1976-77 at the annual dinner meeting last night at Peasant Village in Rostraver Township. Morrow, a Rostraver resident, succeeds Roland Fisher of Fox Grocery in the top leadership post. Other officers for 76-77 will be Robert W. Conroy, first vice president; G. Robert Kirby, second vice president; Ed Savarno, treasurer, and Mrs. Marge Johnston, secretary. Pittsburgh Steelers star Rocky Bleier was the keynote speaker at the banquet.

• The Medical Interest Club of Belle Vernon Area High School will sponsor an Ugly Man contest to raise funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Club. Mrs. Stella Kosco is the club sponsor. Promoting the contest in a newspaper photo are club members Gary Santori, Doug Chaybin, Jim Caccimelio, Mark Bell, Chuck Hewitt, chairman Debbie Gidick, John Gazboda, Gary Sefchok, Larry Neiderheiser and president Pam Podvida. Rick Yakubic also is part of the competition.

• Mon Valley Ski Club will celebrate with a Spring Carnival and Midnight Madness at Seven Springs Mountain Resort. Festivities will include square dancing, Austrian yodelers and excellent food. Closer to home, holiday entertainment will include:Crampo's, Rostraver, Chamelion; Tony's Lounge in Monessen, Vic Genre; The Sports Lounge in Charleroi, Buddy Hix; The Mint Lounge in Fallowfield, Sound Judgement and a special drink, Shamrock Fizz, and Surf and Turf in Belle Vernon, exotic Brandy.

• A perennial favorite in Seen This Morning heralded this familiar St. Patrick's Day message: Erin Go Braghless!

• Stan Milchovich was elected president of Mon Valley Chapter 5 of the PIAA Basketball Officials for 1976-77. Other officers will be Dave Bergstedt, vice president, and Al Landrin, secretary treasurer. Jack Green will serve as rules interpreter, Chuck Kelley as officials representative and Bucky Lutes as booking agent, while the Board of Control comprises Gary Caruso, Bucky Bolyard and Walt Malinchak.

25 YEARS AGO

March 17, 1986

• Grandparents Day was held at Donora Catholic School as a highlight of Catholic Schools Week. Showcased in a photo in the newspaper are fourth grade students Christine Russell, Judi Johns, Chris DeBerardinis and Roseanne Fidanzato and their teacher, Ellen Durka.

• The 400 block of Fallowfield Avenue in Charleroi will be jumpin' for St. Patrick's Day with disc jockey Donn Henderson at Kaly's and a WESA disc jockey at the Lower Level. Meanwhile, it will be Ladies Night at the Brass Saddle near Smithton as The Men, a male dance review, performs. Modern man featuring Sputzy Sparacino will be at the club on Wednesday night.

• James B. Sutherland has been elected treasurer-manager of Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Allenport Federal Credit Union 1911. Sutherland was appointed by the group's Board of Directors, of which Russell Bergstedt is president.

• Shelly Sleith of West Newton, a member of the Monessen BG's gymnasts, won the advanced optional sectional all-around championship in competition at the Philadelphia Center. By virtue of her success, Miss Sleith qualified for the state finals April 19 at the University of Pittsburgh. Also helping the BG's to a 10-3 season record were Heather Batten, Nikki Feick, Mia Hall, Tracy Poskon and Beth Shanefelter.

• William "Bert" Sabol, police chief in Rostraver Township, was elected president of the Mon Valley Police Chiefs Association. He succeeds Chief Ed Hank of Charleroi. District Magistrate Lawrence Celaschi administered the oath of office to Sabol.

• Mon Valley Auto Dealers offering "great deals" in a Lucky Shamrock Sale are: Warren Motors, Russ Kirby Auto Sales, Anden Dodge and Subaru, Bendik-Lancaster Buick, B. Bogdewic Chevrolet, John L. Gibson Chevrolet, Peno's Motor Sales, Roley Pontiac, Matway Chevrolet, Davies and Tregembo Ford, Frank's Chrysler-Plymouth, Pioneer Buick-AMC, Bud Spesak Pontica-GMC, Monongahela Ford, Dan Jones Mercury-LIncoln and Niemeyer Oldsmobile.

15 YEARS AGO

March 16, 1996

(March 17 was a Sunday)

• Valley Skating Center in Donora is bursting with energy this weekend as the ninth annual Invitational Roller Skating championship kicked off yesterday with 715 skaters representing 17 states and Canada. The invitational has become the largest of its kind in the U.S., except for the USAC/RS Nationals held each August. It is expected that this year's competition will attract 2,000 to 3,000 skaters, coaches and family members to Donora.

• Mon Valley YMCA swim team members are practicing for the Western Area District Qualifier. The group includes head coach Kara Lee Sutton, assistant coaches Steve Ziolkowski and Dave Newman and swimmers Kathy Jenko, Laureen Craig, Meagan Sutton, Kim Jenko, Lauren Paterra, Matt Paterra, Anna Atol, Alisha Carter, Kelley Protin and Chenler Fritch.

• Borough employees Tillie Szymanske and Clara Bulko were honored by Donora Borough Council and Mayor John Lignelli as part of the community's observance of National Employment of Older Workers Week. Lignelli issued an official proclamation stating, "Older workers bring stability, reality and a sense of pride in a job well done. Employers are rediscovering older workers and using programs like Green Thumb. They realize age is not a barrier to employment."