It's obvious some people are reading the request at the end of this weekly offering to share their memories with us.
And we're always grateful for the responses because, like today, they provide a smooth journey down Memory Lane.
A reader in Donora, for instance, reminds us that the opening of the original Carroll Township junior high and elementary school wasn't the only major event in that community in 1956.
While the school drew considerable attention when classes began there for the first time on Sept. 24, there was far less hoopla a month earlier when the township dedicated its new fire hall.
Those festivities, certainly no less important than what transpired at the school, took place on Saturday, Aug. 18, 1956. Dedication of the new $21,500 concrete block structure followed a banquet two days earlier.
The new building adjoined the present facility on Route 837 at Eldora.
Building committee chairman H.J. Blanker told The Monessen Daily Independent the one-story building cost $18,700 to build. It included facilities for the department's two 500-gallon pumpers, a large recreation room and a meeting room. A stainless steel kitchen donated by the Ladies Auxiliary and costing $1,700 also was installed in the new hall.
The dedication banquet featured James Schall, president of Donora Toastmaster Club, as master of ceremonies. Chaplain Walter Anderson offered invocation and benediction and featured speaker was Harry Reifer. Representatives of volunteer fire departments in Donora, Monongahela and Lock Four also attended.
At the traditional dedication ceremonies on Saturday, township Supervisor Hank Zermani offered the principal address and Donora Burgess August Z. Chambon delivered special remarks. Schall again served as toastmaster, and architects C.C. and E.E. Compton, of Donora, were among the guests.
A firefighting demonstration by Carroll Township firemen preceded ribbon-cutting festivities led by Frederick Horn, president of the Washington County Firemen's Association.
Other reminders of Yesteryear brought to our attention recently by readers of The Valley Independent include:
n A major political rally was held Tuesday, Oct. 24, 1944, at the Arch Tavern in Monessen. Featured speaker was the Rev. Marshall Sheppard, recorder of deeds in Washington, D.C., and a former state representative from Philadelphia. Others offering remarks were Rep. Homer Brown, of Pittsburgh, and Andrew Bradley, chairman of the Pennsylvania Colored State Campaign Committee. DuBois Carter was chairman of the organizing committee, which also included George Brown, Alvin Lucas, Edward Simmons, George Warden, Clark Barton and Emory Williams.
n A unique ad in The Charleroi Mail on May 11, 1954, asked "All Women - Young, Average, Younger - Has Your Man Taken You To A Dance?" It then noted that Lee Kelton and His Band will be at the Charleroi Elks on May 13 and asked the women, "Will You Be There?" The dance was sponsored by the Optimist Club of Charleroi.
n Charleroi Junior High School's basketball team posted its 82nd straight win at home with a 50-32 win over Monongahela on Jan. 3, 1956. Jimmy Chacko led the Little Cougars with 22 points and Lou Partazana added 11. Frank Columbus looked best with 13 for Monongahela. In other junior high action, Vernon nipped Perryopolis, 32-31, in overtime as Joe Dubinsky scored 13 points.
n Donora Junior High School students were honored at the annual promotion exercises Monday, June 2, 1959, in the high school auditorium. Ninth-grader Pamela Evans was crowned queen of the event, which was attended by an estimated 1,000 parents and guests. Receiving outstanding citizenship awards from the American Legion Post 212 Auxiliary were Judith Herk and Thomas Mrozcka. Herk and Sandra Drake were honored for outstanding performance in the Washington-Greene-Fayette County algebra exams.
n An ad for Eisenberg's of Monessen on March 21, 1968, urged women to "Spring Into Summer Suits" with a "wonderful collection ... in fabrics suited to the season and the one to come." The lovely models featured in the ad were Kim Bethem, Debbie Trozzo and Susan Aiello.
n The Jaggerz were in the spotlight at the Riverview Arena - "River Road, Halfway Between Belle Vernon and Monessen" - on Saturday, Feb. 15, 1969. This was a year before the group soared to the top of the national charts with "The Rapper." Terry Lee was the guest disc jockey at the show presented by Romac Productions, of Pittsburgh. The Riverview Arena was touted as the Mon Valley's "newest, biggest teen club" at the time.
n Elsewhere on the area entertainment scene that weekend, the Inspirations (formerly Johnny and the Imperials) and polka star Marion Lush and his band were at the new Italian Hall in Monessen; Jelly Beans and the Silver Bars offered polkas and slow dancing at Elco's Riverside Inn; The Jades rocked The Happening young adult night club in Roscoe; The New Velveteers had a mixture of Polish-American music at the American Legion in Monessen, and The Day Dreamers had the stage at the Washington Township Fire Hall.
n Four area men received special recognition awards at the annual Mon Valley (Big 10) Football Conference banquet Monday, Dec. 11, 1976, at Twin Coaches supper club. Honored for their roles in the development of area youth through athletics were Bud Giannini, of Monessen, volleyball and gymnastics; Bill Leithold, of Belle Vernon, numerous programs in the Belle Vernon area; Chuck Bedogne, of Monongahela, youth baseball, and Tony Urbanik, of Donora, talent scout and recruiter for the U.S. Naval Academy.
We will feature more readers' recollections in future columns.
(If you have memories to share or a story idea, contact Ron Paglia at ronpaglia@verizon.net or c/o The Valley Independent, Eastgate 19, Monessen, PA 15062.)
