New approach to This Day in History backed

Responding to another underwhelming demand (at least 16 readers, this time), today’s backward glance offers another alternate format to random remembrances of “This Day In History” – Jan. 28 – from the archives of Mon Valley area newspapers.
There is much interest in the basketball game tonight at the Armory at 7:30 o’clock. The two teams to meet are Monongahela High School and Homestead High, a fast aggregation. The lineup for the home team will made up of Jack Albright, Billick, Anderson, Dague Posey and Abbott. An exciting game is promised.
One of the most important real estate deals of the past year in this city was that consummated yesterday after the Carmack property on the corner of Fourth and Coal streets was sold to the Monongahela Young Men’s Christian Association. The sale price was $10,500.
Gas fever at West Newton appears to be running as high in that town as in McKeesport. Several large oil and gas companies are paying land owners from $10 to $100 per acre, besides giving the usual royalty of one-eighth, for the privilege of drilling on their property.
The Sterling Juniors basketball team of Monongahea will try to snap a two-game losing streak tonight when it meets the Mystery Five of Star Junction at the high school gymnasium. Sterling starters will come from Ben Farquhar, William Thornley, Frank Gregory, Floyd France, Joe Kelly, James Cerutti, John Greedon and Joseph Reilly.
Monessen came from behind to edge Charleroi 22-21 and gain sole possession of first place in Section V last night in “one of the most high blood pressure spectacles ever witnessed on the Charleroi Junior High floor, or any floor for that matter.” Joe Kostolansky of Charleroi led all point-makers with nine. A crowd estimated at 2,000 jammed every nook and corner of the gym to watch the feverish contest.
Making good on a threat to “clean up the town,” Burgess W.J. Sweeney of Donora ordered police to “bring in as many gamblers as you can find” last night. As a result, Chief of Police William Smedley led a raid which netted 51 men at six different establishments.
Marion rolled over Ellsworth 43-23 in Section 20-B. Emerson Spiker (12) and Mel Clickovich (10) led the Generals, while Clair Amos and Zeke Delegram looked best for the losers with seven each.
Van Voorhis looked back on a 4-1 victory over Roscoe yesterday in the Washington County Soccer League. Steve Shuback scored twice for the Vans, while Jack McGinn and Steve Lomago hit for one apiece. Tommy Ferguson tallied for Roscoe.
Rising costs including salary increases for employees prompted the board of directors of Charleroi-Monessen Hospital to raise rates for rooms and other service effective Feb. 1. Among the new costs will be these: Two-bed room, $14.50 per bed; Multiple bed room, $12; Newborn when mother is admitted, $5; Circumcision (performed in nursery), 40 cents.
Sylvia Stern announced the sale of Sylvia’s Gift Shoppe, Sixth Street and Donner Avenue, Monessen, to Anna J. Elliott of Brownsville and Sam Divizie of Merrittstown. The store was established 35 years ago by Mrs. Chester A. Lear and was purchased in 1955 by Stern.
The zany Harlem Astronauts will face a team of Rostraver High School faculty members in a benefit basketball game tonight at the junior high gym. Playing for the RHS crew coached by James Weir and Clifford Naylor will be George Everett, George Estock, Ron Burns, John Clark, Jim Bush, Chuck Quinn, Don Williams, Walt Naylor, Jim Porter, Denny Sukel and Bill Roznick.
Tom Ellsworth of Monongahela Presbyterian is the leading scorer in the Mon Valley YMCA’s Senior Division with 93 points. Art Maione of Monessen St. Cajetan tops the Junior Division with 91 points ahead of his closest challenger, Ken Yohe of Charleroi Lutheran, who has 81.
Carroll Middle School’s basketball team was lauded for posting a perfect 19-0 record this season. Coached by Joe Lopez, the Lancers include Greg Lomax, David Simmen, Neil Rongaus, Bernie Brantley, Terry Cauley, John Vavases, Leo Zadecky, Nate Core, Jeff Nobili and Terry Radino.
Chad Scott hit the 1,000 mark in his career scoring record at Monessen High School with 22 points in a 79-47 win over Charleroi. Scott now has exactly 1,000 points as a Greyhound.
Krystal Savarino was crowned as 1997 Snowflake Queen at the annual dance at Charleroi Area Middle School. Members of her court were Heather Anderson, Shellie Cotton, Nicole Malush and Sadie Sterner.
Megan Backstrom became the first Belle Vernon Area High School girls basketball player to eclipse 1,000 career points as she scored 25 in a 62-59 win over Greensburg-Salem. Backstrom now has 1,007 career points for the Leopards (10-0). She also had 13 rebounds against G-S, while teammate Sasha Zuro added 13 points and 15 rebounds.
Area sports fans are still mourning the death of longtime Brownsville Telegraph sports editor Bob Petriello at age 90 at his home. Petriello, who was sports editor for 47 years, also served as borough tax collector.
Charleroi Area nipped Brownsville 70-69 as Ryan Konek tipped in a rebound of a shot by Jim Diaz with only seven seconds left in the game.
If you have memories of the Mon Valley to share or story ideas, contact Ron Paglia at ronpaglia@verizon.net or c/o the Observer-Reporter, 122 South Main St., Washington, Pa. 15301.