Readers take trip down memory lane
Some dates are more important than others to readers of this weekly offering.
That point was emphasized in a quick check of the email bag of responses to our request for memories or story ideas. Several people sent news clippings of archived stories that still draw their attention.
Here’s a sampling of some of those submissions.
Thursday, Dec. 30, 1954
Charles “Sonny” Winfield of Monessen, a trumpet soloist, will appear on the “Ida Mae and Happy” television show, “Happy’s Party,” on WDTV in Pittsburgh on Saturday morning, New Year’s Day, from 10 to 11 a.m.
Sonny is 11 years old and is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Winfield of 46 Donner Ave. He is in the seventh grade at Monessen Junior High School, and his trumpet teacher is Al Fronti of Steubenville, Ohio.
This past month, Sonny appeared as a soloist at the open house for the Civic Center, the Variety Show with the local unit sent by Thomas McKee Legion Post 28 of the American Legion to the Veterans Hospital at Aspinwall, and with Ida Mae and Happy at several Christmas parties in Pittsburgh.
Monday, Feb. 11, 1957
Two little girls, daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Barnes of Venetia, when they get a little older, can have two birthday parties in as many successive days, both to have the same number of pink candles on their cakes, however.
Of course they are twins.
Baby A’s arrival at Monongahela Memorial Hospital in New Eagle was clocked at 11:55 o’clock last night, Sunday, Feb. 10, with Baby B trailing her nine minutes later, a little after midnight – Monday Feb. 11 at 12:04 a.m.
They have not been named.
Mr. and Mrs. Barnes are the parents of five other children, the newcomers having three sisters and two brothers.
A subsequent picture by International Soundphoto appeared on Feb. 14 in newspapers across the country. It showed Ann Barnes holding the wins, Lauren, who was born Feb. 10, and Lorna, who arrived Feb. 11, under the watchful eyes of registered nurse Elizabeth Roley of the Memorial Hospital staff.
Saturday, March 28, 1959
The caption under a photo of the Roscoe men’s soccer team emphasized that the talented booters swept all 10 regular season games in winning the Washington County League championship this season.,
Comprising the Blue and Gold squad that brought the coveted Ed Stuart Trophy, symbolic of the WCL title, to Roscoe and shown in The Mail photo were Carl Kolick, business manager; players Joe Kelley, Joe Kalish Jr, Cliff “Kip” Harosky, Frank Valla, Bob Bailey, Jack Bailey, Bill Koliclk, captain Tom Ferguson, Stan Milchovich, Cliff Donaldson, Buck Moreman, Bill Schmidt and Miller Savage, and manager Joe Kalish Sr. Also pictured were trophy sponsor Ed Stuart and West Penn soccer president Johnny Paige.
The caption also noted that “several others (including Ray Dean, Donnie Clement and Russ Staup) were missing when the photo was taken.”
Monday, Dec. 16, 1968
Although it’s been 32 years since he sparked the United States to a stirring victory in the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin, Jesse Owens still rules as one of the most popular figures in the often fickle world of sports.
Heroes come and go and it’s not unusual for fans to forget them. Owens is an exception.
A case in point is the Big 10 Conference banquet the other day (Dec. 12) at the Twin Coaches. Owens was one of the featured speakers and he was besieged by autograph seekers before, during and after the. affair.
Among the several hundred persons who made Owens feel at home was Jack McGinty of Monongahela.
McGinty, a former Monongahela High grid standout who gained all-conference honors in 1938 as a fullback, presented Owens with a souvenir book concerning the ’36 Olympic Games. He obtained the valuable book while serving with the U.S. Army in Germany during World War II. And Owens was pleased as punch to receive the book because he had never seen one like it.
Several other fans had Olympic books – written entirely in German – autographed by Owens.
Monday, Oct. 20, 1986
Tammy Todd was crowned Saturday night as Homecoming Queen 1986 at Monongahela Valley Catholic High School.
The coronation was done by Theresa Roper of Finleyville, last year’s queen, in ceremonies at Legion Field in Donora, MVCHS headmaster William Lloyd, presented Miss Todd, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Todd of Carroll Township, with symbolic flowers and an engraved bracelet. An autographed football from the Spartan team was presented by Chris Galiotto.
Miss Todd was escorted by John Young.
The homecoming court included Amy Apessos who was escorted by Daniel Vamos, and Beth Dalson, whose escort was David DeRienzo.
The crown-bearer was Ryan Joseph Pankieicz.
Members of Mon Valley Catholic’s first football team who were celebrating their 25th anniversary in 1986 were introduced at halftime. They included Lou Sepe, the school’s first coach, and players Andrew Bagay, John Brandenburg, Dennis Careatti, Tony Cosgrove, John R. Gregg, Alan Hupchick, Greg Moravec, Chuck Ninos, Bernie O’Hern, Tom Pfrogner, Ron Rosick and John Tarka.
Mrs. Margie Pankiewicz and Tom Kustron were in charge of homecoming festivities.
If you have memories to share or story ideas, contact Ron Paglia at ronpaglia@verizon.net or c/o the Observer-Reporter, 122 S. Main St., Washington, Pa. 15301.