Do you remember shirt dresses?
April 21, 2016Conshohocken Couple Renews their Wedding Vows, 40 years later
May 23, 2016This & That by Jack Coll May 2016
This & That
By Jack Coll
May 22, 2016
Hey! Its been a while since we visited the This & That column. On a rainy Sunday in May I thought I would take a break from my nearly completed book and un-load a little bit of my This & That pile that sits next to me at my desk.
For those of us who might be familiar with this column, for starters I’m currently finishing up a new book due out soon and have put my regular columns on hold, columns that include “Talkin Music with Jack,” “This & That” and fascinating history pieces that I enjoy writing.
The book I’m finishing is titled “Conshohocken, People, Places and Stories.” The two volume book will likely include more than 500, 8 ½ x 11 pages in each book with more than 1500 photographs. The first book we hope will be released sometime this year, keeping our fingers crossed.
A few of the chapters of note included in the book will be, “Murders, Mystery and Scandals,” I think that chapter is self-explanatory, “Conshohocken Recreation,” with sub-chapters including, “Before the Fellowship House,” “The Children’s Playground Association,” “The Fellowship House,” The Conshohocken Youth Center,” ( we actually had two borough youth centers, one during the 1940’s and one during the 1970’s. A chapter on the “Hullabaloo,” once located on West Seventh Avenue, the “Conshohocken Youth Foundation,” and a little history on the borough’s seven parks, (Can you name them?) along with the John Borusiewicz Memorial Field, Keith MacKenzie Park in West Conshohocken and Leeland Park just outside the borough limits and a few photographs of the Conshohocken Mayor’s Special Events Committee from over the years.
A popular chapter in the book will be “Corner Stores and Family Owned Businesses”. What a great chapter as we mention hundreds of Conshohocken and West Conshohocken stores from years past, we selected a few of the retail businesses and went into detailed stories and histories of the families who came to America and passed their trade down through the family generations and of course show hundreds of photographs.
The book will also cover “Residents,” “Conshohocken’s African American History,” “Industry,” “Urban Redevelopment,” with tons of photographs of the decline and rise of Fayette Street and several other chapters. STAY TUNED!
So, as I have been researching information for this book, I’ve come across some really neat little tid-bits of information that won’t be part of the book but some of our readers just might find interesting. A date line will appear above the tid-bit, maybe a headline and in most pieces will be written just as it appeared back then. The information below mostly comes from the more than 140 years of the Conshohocken Recorder newspaper before it ceased operation in October 2008. Other information comes from old program books and the many books I’ve referred to over the years. One last thing, if I’ve repeated anything from past This & That columns, apply for a refund and wait for your mailman.
ENJOY!
August 8, 1902
The Crescent Club of St. Mark’s Church are in camp at Betterton, Maryland. They went there yesterday and will stay two weeks. The club is composed of the following Edward Davis, Fred Lobb, Henry Nagle, Joseph Blackburn, Horace Speaker, Peter Hanna and Frank Streeper.
(St. Mark’s Crescent Club traveled to Maryland for many years as a vacation getaway).
August 12, 1954
Circus Tuesday At Spring Mill
Jaycees Sponsor Two Performances
Two performances are slated by the Kelly-Morris Circus, second largest in the world, which will perform here next Tuesday under the auspices of the Conshohocken Junior Chamber of Commerce.
A performance at 3 and another at 8 P.M. will be given under the huge 2700-seat capacity tent on the Spring Mill Fire Company grounds. The circus will feature the familiar menagerie clowns and aerial acts as well as “Blanche,” the world’s largest elephant who will demonstrate her strength against a modern tractor.
A large group of clowns will continuously entertain the youngsters throughout both shows.
Children at St. Mary’s Orphanage, Ambler and St. Joseph’s School Norristown, will be guests of the Jaycees at the afternoon performance. Transportation is being provided by the Kiwanis Club.
A number of community merchants and civic groups have distributed tickets to children attending the playgrounds. Parking facilities will be provided through the cooperation of the Spring Mill Boys Club for both performances.
Tickets are on sale at Nevin’s, Phillip’s Gift Shop, Dugan’s Stationery, Slavic’s, Matricardi’s, and Arndt’s Paper Store.
John Carlin, Anthony Mashintonio and Henry Gamza comprise the committee arranging the event.
January 25, 1925
PAY FOR BREAKING WINDOW
Charged with breaking the window of the Sanitary Fish Market, conducted by Herman Krayn, on East First Avenue, Sunday evening, four boys were given a hearing last night before Magistrate George M. Light.
Joseph Culatewicz, of East Elm Street, Roy Friend, of Cherry Street, Norristown, Benny Ferst, of East Elm Street, and Roy Kesileski of West First Avenue formed the quartet that caused the damage. They were released upon payment of the cost of the damages.
I’m not sure why this list is sitting in my This & That Pile, but let’s throw it at ya.
Top Twenty TV Shows of the 1964-65 Season
#20—Peyton Place new-season (Scandalous)
#19—Gilligan’s Island (Little Buddy!)
#18—The Munsters (There’re creepy and, well you know)
#17—Lassie (Hot Mom)
#16—The Ed Sullivan Show (The Beat-tles)
#15—Petticoat Junction (Whew-who hot chicks, leave me alone I was 12 years old)
#14—Branded (My man was scorned)
#13—My Three Sons (Boring)
#12—The Beverly Hillbillies (Sweet knockers from above, remember I was 12)
# 11–Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color (I don’t know why, Tinker-bell flying around the castle fascinated me, remember it was in tecni-color)
#10—Combat (I remember watching the show, but couldn’t tell you anything about it)
#9—Peyton Place old season (Still Scandalous)
# 8—The Lucy Show (Lucy, I’m Home—you got some splaining to-do)
#7—The Dick Van Dyke Show (Mary Tyler Moore—HOT)
#6—The Red Skelton Hour (Watched it, but again don’t remember much about it)
#5—The Fugitive (I remember always looking for the one-armed man)
#4—The Andy Griffin Show (The dopey deputy)
#3—Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. (I could never get past the name “GOMER”)
#2—Bewitched (Hot-Hot-Hot, sexy nose twitch, leave me alone-you know how old I was)
#1—Bonanza (I remember someone always going to town, getting into a scuffle, and Hoss coming in to kick somebody’s ass, I always remember thinking , “Wait til Hoss gets there, he’s gonna kick your ass, now that’s good television)
LET’S CONTINUE WITH 1965 FOR A MOMENT!
Top Six Movies of the Year
The Sound of Music
Doctor Zhivago
Help!
The Flight of the Phoenix
Thunderball
The Great Race
TOP TUNES OF THE YEAR
Back in My Arms Again by The Supremes
Downtown by Petula Clark
Eight Days a Week by The Beatles
Get Off My Cloud by The Rolling Stones
Hang on Sloopy by The McCoys
Help by The Breatles
Help Me, Rhonda by The Beach Boys
Satisfaction by The Rolling Stones
I Can’t Help Myself by The Four Tops
I Got You Babe by Sonny & Cher
Also in 1965, everybody remembers Mary Quant, at least every man reading this column should remember her, say it with me, MARY QUANT, she designed the “miniskirt,” thank you Mary, we all thank you.
Allen Ginsberg, Bob Dylan’s manager coined the term, “Flower Power” to describe his non-violent strategy of political action. I wonder if Allen could come up with a term to describe the two “Ya-hoo’s” currently running for the White House
One last thing about 1965, on February 21st, Malcolm X was assassinated in Harlem while giving a speech, Malcolm was one of the many victims during the bloody 60’s. The bloody 60’s all came to an end in the spring of 1970 at Kent state University.
May 1, 1988
Six New Members were inducted into the Conshohocken Sports Hall of Fame
John J. Blalark—1930’s—Football, Basketball and Track
Cosmo D’Annunzio—1940’s—Football and Track
William S. Irwin Jr.—Basketball Official
Brian Wisniewski—1970’s—Football and Wrestling
Paul Burton—1960’s—Basketball and Baseball
Karen Kozeniewski—1980’s—Basketball
OK, this little ditty from the Conshohocken Recorder
August 12, 1898
The latest catch conundrum is,
What is the difference between
Uncle Sam, a rooster and an old maid?
It’s easy folks!
With Uncle Sam—Yankee Doodle’ll do,
With a rooster—cock-a-doodle-do
And with an old maid—any old dude’ll do.
July 23, 1959
LEELAND PLAYGROUND
Leeland Park Fair
Tonight the Melody Echo Boys will entertain everyone who comes to the Fair. There will be pony rides, fish ponds, chair swings, hot dogs, ice cream, soda’s and cakes.
PETS—Bring all your pets to the Pet Show tomorrow night.
Softball—Last Friday, Leeland Midgets played Lafayette Consolidated, Leeland won 7-5.
HOBBIES AND DOLLS—Last Wednesday there was a hobby and doll contest Winners of the hobby show,
Most Unusual
First Place—Floria Kushia—Four leaf clovers
Second Place—Liz Swanson—Shells
Largest
First Place—Jimmy Betham—Card Collection
Best
First Place—Dennis Snyder—Model Cars
Tied for Second—Leon Betham—Model Ships
Grey Dunacusky—Models
Winners of the Doll Show
Prettiest Bride—Donna Clemens 1st
Mary Ann Lawler 2nd
Largest—Jima King
Most Original—JoAnn Purall 1st
Paula Schwartz 2nd
Best Dressed Lucille Purat 1st
Sherry Garman 2nd
Biggest Hat—Joyce Wolfrom
Oldest—Judy Smith doll was 123 years old
Funniest—Stevie Schwartz
Prettiest—Liz Swanson 1st
Dorothy Opelaki 2nd
July 4, 1947
Pfc. Touhey Transferred From China to Guam
Pfc. Joseph William Touhey, 19, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Touhey of 210 East Eighth Avenue, serving with the United States Marine Corps. Has been transferred to the island of Guam from China where he spent more than six months.
Touhey was one of five members of the 1946 graduating class of St. Matthew’s High School who enlisted in the Marine Corps on July 26 last year. The other members were George Lucy, son Mrs. Grace Lucy, 10 East Hector Street, Charles Beck, East Tenth Avenue, George Roth, East Hector Street, and James McTamney of 204 Ford Street, West Conshohocken.
The group was sent to Parris Island, S. C. where they remained together until they completed basic training when they became separated. Touhey and Lucy were transferred to Camp Pendleton, Calif. and more than six months ago they were sent together to China where they were separated. About this time that Touhey was transferred to Guam. Lucey left China to return to the United States. McTamney is now stationed at Annapolis, Md. And Beck and Roth have not been stationed outside the United States.
Some early recreation
1962
Indian Peace Party at Sutcliffe Park
Boys and girls at Sutcliffe Park are all decked out in authentic garb for an Indian Party. Participants included Frank Heliniak, Benjamin Guarino, Thomas Messmer, Michael Radatti, Michael Lozzi, Nancy Salamone, Suzanne Radatti, Ernest Martinelli and Michael Sousa.
1962
Local Boys Get Pitching Pointers
Eddie Swift got some pointers in pitching from Dodger Scout Tom Lasorda at the Conshohocken Baseball School and Clinic held at the A. A. Garthwaite Field. Larry Prszybyszewski spent time with Phillies Scout Jocko Collins.
1965
Top Team Competitors at the Fellowship House
Various “Most Valuable Player” trophies were awarded to Borough youngsters for their play at the Fellowship House Winter Sports Programs. Picking up MVP Trophies included Lee Byerly, Walt Wienczek, Dave McAvoy, Ed Swift, Robin Woznicki, Paul Burton, Joe Dawidziuk, Kathy Stubinski, Monica Andrzejczyk and Patricia Hylinski.
1961
More Than 400 Youngsters Participate in Sports at the Fellowship House
According to Albert C. Donofrio, Recreation Director of the Fellowship House more than 400 borough children are participating in Kickball Leagues, Girls Soccer, Basketball and Saturday morning Flag Football.
Results in the girl’s Junior Soccer program included the Greased Lightnings of the Girls fifth Grade Junior Soccer League lost to the Blue and White by a score of 6-5, and then defeated the Hoyerettes, 7-2 as Denise Sheridan, Diane Falconiero, Anne D’Alessandro and Marie Vagnoni led the scoring for the lightnings. Joanne Schank and Patricia Shawled the B and W scorers. The Wildcats scored a 4-1 victory over the Lucky Seven as Arlene Howell and Linda Lambdin had goals for the winners.
Before we go:
It’s always good to reflect on some of the former and current businesses that have advertised in different programs. I had a couple of old Soap Box Derby program books sitting in front of me from 1976, 1978 and 1991 so I thought we could check a few of the advertising pages and see what we come up with from the 1976 book.
1976
A few of the racers in 1976 included Cody Rodenbaugh, Mary Henik, Steve Phipps, Bob Sirchie, Sharon McAdam, Joe Walsh, Jimmy Donovan, Karen Kozeniewski, Janine Myers, Lloyd Laskey, Sue Myers, Billy Freas, David Todd, Robert Snyder, Ronnie Nicolai, and John Clark just to mention a few.
A full page ad was taken out by the employees of Carol’s Lounge, once located at First Avenue and Harry Street that included Phyllis Long, Carol Hicky, Gene Gale, Mary Alice, Bob Allen and Pete Wharton. Of course Moore Chevrolet-Oldsmobile was a big sponsor at the time
AND THEN WE HAD
George Snear Funeral Home
300 Fayette Street
Don-Len Trophies
119 Fayette Street
American Components, Inc.
Eighth Avenue and Harry Street
Ye Olde Ale House
405 Germantown Pike
Kehoe Hardware
109 Fayette Street
William A. More Funeral Home
708 Fayette Street
John Brothers
2nd Avenue and Harry Street
Edward Russell Funeral Home
925 Fayette Street
Paul Pilecki Arco Service Station
North Lane and Fayette Street
Sergio’s Tailor Shop
515 Fayette Street
Casinelli’s Tavern
Seventh Avenue and Maple Street
Gem’s Cold Cuts
Ninth Avenue and Fayette Street
Joe Camaioni’s Barber Shop
517 Fayette Street
Ice Cream Corner
Second Avenue and Fayette Street
The Brown Derby
123 Fayette Street
Ben Pilla Speed Shop
117 Fayette Street
Village Tavern
800 Spring Mill Avenue
Ana Laundermat
121 Fayette Street
McClement’s Pharmacy
Sixth Avenue and Fayette Street
Frank & Eddie’s Cold Cuts
1071 Colwell Lane
Fayette Meat Market
523 Fayette Street
Fayette Street Thrift Shop
214 Fayette Street
Mary Maloney Catering
150 East Ninth Avenue
Young’s Meats
114 Fayette Street
Wallace Jewelers
200 Fayette Street
Civarelli Funeral Home
516 Fayette Street
401 Restaurant
401 Fayette Street
These were just a few of the businesses operating in and around Conshohocken back in 1976 during our country’s Bicentennial year celebration.
Hope you enjoyed This & That and now it’s time to return to the completion of my book “Conshohocken, People, Places and Stories, we’ll keep you posted.
