Article #167  - March 9, 2003

 

BROWNSVILLE TIME CAPSULE
by Glenn Tunney 

 

Brownsville Time Capsule looks back over the years
through the archives of the Brownsville Telegraph

 

25 Years Ago - March 1978

* Jennifer Jacoby continued her climb up the oratorical ladder this week by winning first place in the 41st annual inter-district American Legion voice contest, which was held at Laurel Highlands High School.  Jennifer, a junior at Brownsville Area High School, was sponsored by A. Kramer Axton Post 295, Brownsville.  She is the daughter of Mrs. Maxine Jacoby, Pittsburgh, and the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Karpus of 401 Second Street, Brownsville.
         Jennifer will now participate in the regional finals at St. Fidelis Academy in Herman on Monday.  Judges were Dr. Doris Coldren, Fayette Campus, Penn State University; and John Everly and Mrs. Nellie Mancini, instructors at Laurel Highlands.  Peter Kachur, instructor at Laurel Highlands and chairman of the American Legion inter-district competition, was moderator.

* It was a first for members of the Pittsburgh Steelers basketball team, who played a game before the entire student body of the Redstone Middle School in Republic.  The Steelers team, which won a 58-41 decision from the middle school faculty, included Wenford Gaines, the team’s high scorer with 15 points, Ernest Pugh, Steve Furness, L. C. Greenwood, John Banaszak and Loren Toews.  Playing for the Redstone faculty were Ted Martin, who led his team with 10 points, Frank Pryor, Joe Borsody, Rich Suba, Joe Barantovich, Joe Shashura, Clyde Cardarelli, Bob Fetsko, and Dan Solomon.
 

45 Years Ago - March 1958

* Mrs. Edith P. Shumar, 348 First National Bank building, has been notified by the U. S. Secretary of the Army that her son, Robert C. Shumar, 32, has died in Korea.  According to the telegram, First Lieutenant Shumar died as a result of multiple injuries and burns incurred in an aircraft accident.  His body will be returned to Brownsville for burial at the earliest possible date.
         Lieutenant Shumar served with an artillery unit in Korea and was attached to the Air Force in recent months.  A pilot, he was flying a reconnaissance plane on a secret mission when he suffered the fatal injuries.
         He was a 1943 graduate of Brownsville High School.  During World War II, he served in the Merchant Marines and entered the Army in December 1948.  Prior to entering the service, he had been an insurance agent for Lincoln National Life and had also been employed by Shelly, Inc., Snowdon Square.  He is survived by his mother, his brother Thomas, and a sister, Mrs. Paul Miller of Shutterly Avenue, California.

* The Rosefield Food Center, destroyed in a $125,000 fire on November 19, 1957, is being rebuilt.  Construction is now underway and the new supermarket is expected open on May 15.  Site of the new Richeyville market is about 40 feet from the old site and about 65 feet from Route 40.  More parking space will be made available by placing the new store west of the old building’s site.
         The owners, Jack, Max, and Alvin Greenfield, all of Brownsville, said their faith in a sound economic future for the area influenced them to rebuild their store.  According to the Greenfields, the new supermarket will contain 5,200 feet of floor space.  The building will be of concrete block with a Roman brick front, featuring aluminum and glass, with a roof made of steel.  The Brownsville Construction Company is the general contractor for the building.

* The Redstone Township High School band will get new uniforms.  The Band Mothers, organized in October 1956, have accumulated $3,500 toward the uniforms by staging a variety of benefit events.  The Redstone township school board is matching this amount, making sufficient funds to buy 115 uniforms for band members and majorettes.  The school board also passed a resolution making the school colors black and white.
         The Band Mothers, with the assistance of Julius Montagna, band director at the school for 22 years, will select the type of uniforms to be purchased.  The Redstone band won first place in the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Pittsburgh last year.

* Bethlehem Joint High School’s hopes of nailing down the WPIAL Class B basketball championship went out the window when a smooth-working Wampum High School team walked out of the Pitt Field House with a 69-57 triumph.  The Indians’ victory was paced by brothers Richie and Harold Allen, who scored 18 and 15 points respectively.  Adam Popielarczyk led the scoring for Coach Jack Smodic’s club with 18 points, followed by Bill Eloshway with 14 and Joe Sosnak with 13.
 

60 Years Ago - March 1943

* A very interesting lesson on Alaska was presented by Miss Myrtle DeLaney at the weekly meeting of the Brownsville Reading Circle.  The group convened at the home of Mrs. J. K. Bush, Prospect Street.  President Mrs. Fred J. Chalfant, Sr. appointed a program committee for the new year.  It includes Mrs. E. L. Stehman, chairman, Miss Emma DeLaney, and Miss Sue Swan.  Next week’s meeting will be at the home of Miss Mary Orr, High Street.

* Despite rumors to the contrary, the WPIAL will attempt to carry on its baseball league this spring as normally as possible under wartime conditions.  Although the number of teams will probably be cut in half, the league will endeavor to carry as many teams as last year.  Last spring approximately 50 schools participated in the loop with the Redstone Black Hawks capturing the crown.  Redstone has already announced that it will not field a team this season.
         Decisions as to whether to field teams this season are yet to be made by Brownsville, East Bethlehem, California, East Pike Run, Centerville, Ellsworth, Monessen, and Marion.
 


These articles appear weekly in the Sunday Uniontown HERALD-STANDARD.  If you enjoy reading them, please let the editors know.  You may e-mail your comments to Pete Skirchak (Editor - Brownsville edition) at [email protected]  

Readers may contact Glenn Tunney at 724-785-3201, [email protected] or 6068 National Pike East, Grindstone, PA   15442.  

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