Mar 16, 2016 8 min read

Another traditional celebration of St. Patrick’s Day is in full swing today.

With that festive thought in mind, let’s hope for some luck of the Irish as we take a backward glance at news that caught the attention of readers of area newspapers on this date in history.

March 18, 1946

(March 17 was a Sunday.)

Avalon is celebrating its 58-45 victory over Rostraver in the WPIAL Class B basketball championship game at McKeesport Vocational High School. Some 2,000 fans watched Jimmy McWhirter tally 24 points to lead Avalon. Rostraver’s Cliff Popp had 17 points to finish the tournament with 70 points, two more than McWhirter

California Borough Council is contemplating installation of a parking meter system in the downtown business district. Council President Clarence Lewellyn said that if enough interest is displayed public forum would be staged.

The Master Barbers Association of Donora announced that all Donora barbershops will remain closed every Monday beginning April 1.

A three-alarm fire raged for almost four hours in the Collins Department Store building at Fifth Street and McKean Avenue in Charleroi, causing damage which Charleroi Volunteer Fire Department officials said would be very heavy but would be limited to the basement of the building.

Jitterbug dances at the State Armory in Monessen will be held every Tuesday and Friday beginning March 19.

Saturday, March 17, 1956

Garnering first team honors on the All-Section 5A All-Star Team were forward Gene Massari of Donora and Sam Sergi of Bellmar, center Ollie Payne of Charleroi, and guards Ron Minnie and Bob Hewitt of Monessen. Payne is only a sophomore and the others are seniors.

The combination of a new school and temporary church building will get underway in California on Monday for the growing St. Thomas Aquinas Roman Catholic Parish, which serves California, Coal Center and smaller communities in the area. Blessing ceremonies conducted by the Rev. Paul A. Nee, pastor of the church, are scheduled for 2 pm. at the site at Fourth and Union streets in California. The present St. Thomas Church is located in Coal Center.

Popular disc jockey Francis “Slop” DelMastro will spin the hits at a teen dance tonight from 9 to midnight at the Jumpin’ Jive Bee Hive in Charleroi.

Thursday, March 17, 1966

Anthony Fronzaglio, 21, of Donora purchased a 1953 Chevrolet today for only 98 cents during the 14-hour St. Patrick’s Day automobile sale at Lazzari Motors in East Monongahela. Fronzaglio arrived at the garage at 2 a.m. to beat the large crowds that have been gathering during the unique 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. “It Pays To Cross The Bridge” sale. Jim Hamilton, treasurer, and Jack Taylor, sales manager, at Lazzari Motors presented the keys to the car and congratulations to Fronzaglio.

T.F. Jenion, works manager at the Allenport plant of Pittsburgh Steel Company, said 1966 is shaping up as another good year for the steelmaker. In a report to plant employees, Jenion said “huge capital improvements made at the Allenport works during the past several years gives the plant the capacity to break more production records in 1966.”

Students at St. Charles Elementary School in Donora won the Bishop John Wright award at the St. Patrick Day Parade in Pittsburgh. St. Charles took first prize for its float “The Lady of Knock. Proudly displaying their trophy in a picture in The Valley Independent were John Conway, Dick Rodriguez, Delbert Gardner, Mike Wilson, Barbara Simchak, Karen Lubecki, Dick Blangger, John Stancoven, Sharon Lubecki, Kathy Lynch, Karen Jo Hevia and Karen Sukel.

Clyde’s Market at 211 Second St., Charleroi is touting ground beef at three pounds for $1 and sirloin steak at $1.09 a pound.

Charleroi High School product Jim Vandermer finished his four-year varsity basketball career at California State College as the fourth leading scorer in Vulcans history. Vandermer hit the nets for 942 points to move ahead of Jim Kennedy (916) into fourth place. The top three point-makers are Roger Hotz, 1,748; Dick Majernik, 1,317, and Lloyd Gilmore, 1,051.

Wednesday, March 17, 1974

Phil Morrow, assistant manager at Mellon Bank NA, Charleroi, was elected to serve as 1976-77 president of United Way of Mon Valley at the organization’s annual meeting at Peasant Village in Rostraver. Morrow, who succeeds Roland Fisher of Fox Grocery, as president has served in numerous leadership positions with United Way since its inception. Other officers for the coming year are Robert W. Conroy, first vice president; G. Robert Riley, second vice president; Ed Savarno, treasurer, and Mrs. Margie Johnston, secretary.

Belle Vernon Area High School Drama Club will present a bicentennial comedy, “Love Rides The Rails or Will The Mad Train Run Tonight,” this evening and Thursday at the BVA auditorium. Among the students in the play are Jack Walker, Timothy Roberts, Roberta Igoe, Chuck Hewitt and Ron Campbell.

Barbera’s Book and Record Shop is now open at 667 McKean Ave., Donora, with a complete and modern line of magazines, comics, tobaccos, paperbacks, newspapers, tapes and record albums.

California Area High School remained undefeated in the first annual California State College Undergraduate Basketball Tournament with an easy 63-38 win over Carmichaels. Si Green paced the Trojans with 23 points in the action at Hamer Hall.

Monday, March 17, 1986

Jim “J.D. the D.J.” Dudas and his “Cast of Thousands” are still drawing kudos from oldies fans for the excellent Mon Valley Memories Countdown show on WESA.

Shelly Sleith of West Newton concluded a successful season with the Monessen BG’s by winning the advanced optional sectional all-around championship over the weekend at the Philadelphia Gymnastics Center. Sleith, who led the BG’s to a 10-3 team record, qualitied for the state finals April 19 at the University of Pittsburgh.

A Culinary Healthy Kitchen course offering meals that are delicious and exciting but low on calories, fat and cholesterol will begin May 6 at Mon Valley YMCA. The program is sponsored by the YMCA and Monongahela Valley Hospital. Instructors will be Theresa Paluso, program coordinator at the YMCA, and Gloria MacFarlane, director of dietary. and registered dietitians Stephanie Eberhardt and Cynthia Sieleg of the hospital. Dr. Joseph M. Young of Monessen, longtime member of the MVH medical staff and president of the Western Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Heart Association, is serving as the medical advisor for the program.

Donn Henderson, “The only professional mobile DJ in the area,” will present music, videos, trivia contests, prizes and lots of other stuff tonight from 9 to 2 at a huge St. Patrick’s Day party at Kaly’s in downtown Charleroi. Henderson is returning to Kaly’s after entertaining some 25,000 people during recent engagements at Seven Springs Resort.

Saturday, March 16, 1996

(March 17 was a Sunday.)

Valley Skating Center in Donora is hosting the ninth annual Invitational Roller Skating Championship competition this weekend. John and Linda Miner, owners of the Donora complex, are anticipating 715 contestants from 17 states and Canada.

Monongahela Area Historical Society has elected these officers for the coming year: Arch Talbert, president; Linda Dudzik, first vice president; Mark C. Yohe, second vice president; James Kearner, treasurer; Elizabeth Ann Caldwell, corresponding secretary; Martha Gandley, recording secretary; Betty McVicker, historian.

Tars Romito (men’s and boys apparel) in Charleroi will present a St. Patrick’s Day sale Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m. featuring T-shirts and sweatshirts for $1 each.

Entertainment on Sunday will include a Sham-Rock and Roll party with live music by the G-String Band at the Filly Corral near Smithton.

Friday, March 17, 2006

Walmart presented a check for $500 to the Charleroi Area Elementary School Charitable Fund for the purchase of clothes for the needy. Jim Lowe, manager of the Walmart store at Rostraver Center, made he presentation to school representatives Margaret Naylor, Carol Rader and Maureen Lindsay.

California Area High School will begin playing home football games next fall at California University of Pennsylvania’s Adamson Stadium. CAHS athletic director Phil Pergola said the contract with Cal U. calls for a fee of $1,989 per game and the 2006 home schedule will include contests with Riverview, Bethlehem-Center, Monessen, Connellsville Geibel and West Greene.

“A Blast to the Past” will be the theme of the 18h annual gala of Monongahela Valley Hospital on May 20 at the Westin Convention Center and Hotel in Pittsburgh. Headlining the entertainment at the traditional fundraiser, which draws over 600 patrons each year, will be Pure Gold of Pittsburgh, one of the nation’s top oldies bands and singing groups.

Ashley Merella pitched a three-hitter at Belle Vernon Area shut out visiting Southmoreland in scholastic softball action. Merella struck out four and did not give up any walks. Pacing the Lady Leopards’ 10-hit offensive attack were Merella, Sarah Jolley, Ashley Dawson and Briane McCormick with two hits apiece.