Local news dominated the headlines in Monday, Sept. 9, 1957, editions of area newspapers.

That point was emphasized in a note from a reader in Speers who suggested it might be timely to recount some of those newsmakers of 57 years ago.

It should be emphasized, however, that the lead stories from United Press focused on President Eisenhower signing a civil rights bill in the wake of the heated integration battle in Little Rock, Ark.

Six black students had been turned away from the doors of North Little Rock High School, located not far from another school that was kept segregated with the troops of Gov. Orval E. Faubus. The wire service said no end to the dispute appeared to be in sight.

Among the top local stories was a report that St. Sebastian Church in Belle Vernon had purchased the Phythyron home at 700 Broad Ave. for future use as a convent for the nuns who teach at the parish's parochial school. The purchase price, approved by Bishop Hugh Lamb of the Greensburg Catholic Diocese and members of the church committee, was $18,000.

Meanwhile, Charleroi Burgess James W. McGuire, who was defeated by Frank Cantoni in the Democratic primary election May 21, announced he will run as an Independent in the November general election. McGuire is completing his third term as burgess. The Republican candidate in the general election is Fred Miller, safety director at the Allenport Plant of Pittsburgh Steel Co

The Rev. Philip A. Campbell, principal at the new Monongahela Valley Catholic High School, which has no building yet, announced that the school already has a freshman class of 125 students.

He said students at the five parochial schools in the Mid-Mon Valley will comprise the first class at the new school at the start of the next term (1958-59.) The $1 million school is being built just off Coyle-Curtin Road in Carroll Township.

The Charleroi Lions Club will stage its annual broom sale Sept. 17 and 18. In addition to brooms, the Lions will sell delinter brushes, lifetime door mats, ironing board covers and twist rugs. John Wolfe is chairman of the project and his committee includes Joseph Marshall, Wilbur Metcalf,

Harold Humphries and Stephen Dragan.

Members of the Donora Lions Club heard a talk about military procedures by Lt. Col. Edward L. Bell of Monongahela at their regular meeting at the St. Dominic Social Center. Bell is commander of the 431st Military Government Reserve Corps, which draws men of the Mid-Mon Valley.

The Pennsylvania Economy League, in a report analyzing the financial structure of 23 third class cities in western Pennsylvania, said operating costs in the communities rose 87 percent during the past 10 years. The report said Monongahela was one of five cities that had an increase of 100 percent in revenue during the period.

On The Sports Front

Sports Editor Clair Brown of The Daily Independent predicted that Donora is the team to beat in the Big Five (Mon Valley) Football Conference this season. Brown points out that the Dragons, coached by Jimmy Russell, boast a veteran team led by halfback Angelo Daberio, fullback Tom Urbanik, quarterback Davey Russell, center Wally Fronzaglio and guards Neil Clark and Butch Tokay.

Brown also wrote that the Vocational team in the Monessen Midget Football League is looking for big things from 11-year-old Doug Crusan, a 123-pound fullback.

Alex DeRosa, former Monongahela High football and basketball star, is hitting at a sizzling .464 clip for Clairton in the Daily News Baseball League.

The New York Giants nipped the Brooklyn Dodgers, 3-2, yesterday in the final game played at the Polo Grounds. A crowd of 22,276 watched the finale.

Van Voorhis spoiled the debut of Jim “Crackers” Harrison as manager/coach of the Dunlevy Redbirds in a Washington County Soccer League exhibition game at Van Voorhis. Johnny Barkey Bob Damico, Richard Kitsi and Patsy Vignoli scored for the Miners, and Cliff ”Kip” Harosky had Dunlevy's goal.

Ollie Payne and Joe Uhlman were elected co-captains of Charleroi High's football Cougars.

Four longtime golfers enjoyed a unique showing on the Par 3 No 14 hole at Nemacolin Country Club. Jack Clark and Dr. F.N. Parent of Charleroi and Dr. C.O. Chalfant of Donora each posted birdies, while Dr. V.S. Eagye of Charleroi matched par.

Taking Care Of Business

Display advertisers in those Sept. 9, 1957, newspapers included these businesses:

The Charleroi Mail – Melenyzer's, Might's Book Store, Porter Finance, Al-Jays, Coyle, Palace, State, Super 71 and Hilltop theaters, Twin Coaches featuring Tony Bennett, Ohio Furniture Company, Kirk & Clark, Fogel's Drug Store, Quaker Sugar, Western Pennsylvania Chiropractic Center in New Eagle (Dr. G.P. Buell and Dr. J.J. Graham), Seymour's Jewelry, Friend Furniture and Appliance, Colonial Flower Shop, Easton's Pharmacy, Tweed's, Mellon Bank, Wolf's, Keystone Floors, Dee's Record Shop, Eat & Park in Monongahela, H&B Chevrolet, Manufacturers Light and Heat Company, Louis Beauty Salon, Harry C. Lewis Ford Sales (Speers), A.B.C. Credit, Muryn & Cribs (Belle Vernon), Fayette Perma-Stone Company, Sam Krasik's Farm Service (International Trucks), Western Auto.

The Daily Independent – American Cleaners, Park Casino, Janosik Pharmacy, Manos, Hilltop and Super 71 theaters, Twin Coaches, Culligan's Cullsorb Water Filer, Eisenberg's, Penn State University Center at McKeesport, Seymour's, Thrift Drug Stores, LaRose Beauty Salon, Miller's (Famous for Fashions), Krasik's, Union Cleaners, Fishers, Griben's, Frank Boscoe (home builder), Simon Rider Concrete Company, Wards, Beneficial Finance, Harold B. Cramer, Monessen Radio and Television, Sanford Motors, Stern's, Bruno Plumbing and Heating (North Belle Vernon), J.C. Penney's, Conti Photo Services, Monessen Vulcanizing, Rosenson's, Baer's Sportswear, Monessen Park and Stop (free tokens), Johnston The Florist, Crafton's (Donora), C&C Manufacturing, Lynnwood Manufacturing, Hibbs Agency.

Bell Telephone Company of Pennsylvania sponsored a large ad touting the “Bright New Weather Show on Brand New WIIC-TV.” Bob Cochran is the firm's spokesman on Pittsburgh's newest television station, Channel 11. The show is called simply “Weather” and runs twice a day – at 7:25 a.m. during Dave Garroway's “Today” program on NBC and at 11 p.m. Monday through Friday.

In Monongahela, Eat ‘n Park restaurant is seeking grill men, porters, waitresses and car hops at its new location on Main Street. Day and nighttime positions (full-time or part-time) are available with “good wages.”

Meanwhile, a Page One classified ad in The Mail called attention to Gabby's United Auto Sales on the Charleroi-Bentleyville Road, where John Stanish is the shop foreman and Hudson, Nash and Rambler cars are sold.

(If you have memories to share or story ideas contact Ron Paglia at ronpaglia@verizon.net or c/o The Valley Independent, Eastgate 19, Monessen, PA 15062.)

Ron Paglia is a freelance writer for Trib Total Media.

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