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First Posted: 1/20/2015

Question:

In 1952, for what particular distinction was four-year-old Patrick Musto Jr., of Exeter recognized in a national magazine?

1952 – 63 Years ago

The Sunday Dispatch Inquiring Photographer asked the men of Greater Pittston, “Who do you think is more resourceful in time of crisis, a man or a woman?” Sam Angelella answered, “A man. A woman is alright under normal circumstances but is apt to become excited when under strain.” James Crane said, “ A woman. Women, especially mothers, can tolerate more suffering than men.” Ralph Doyle stated, “A man would be more resourceful, they on the whole are more stable emotionally.” Patrick Fino stated, “A man is the breadwinner, when the chips are down the burden falls on him.”

Bridget Culkin McNulty of Pittston celebrated her 99th birthday. In an article in the Sunday Dispatch, McNulty reminisced about coming to the United States in 1874 and at the age of 21 arriving at the D&H Station at Cork Lane. She was to make her way to “Auntie” Barrett’s home at Hines’ Patch to meet up with her husband Martin who worked at the No. 9 Colliery. She added, “When I got off the train some buck came up and said he’d get me a cup of tea while I was waiting to go to town. That was 80 years ago, I’m waiting for the tea yet.”

1962 – 53 Years Ago

The Pittston Office of the Bureau of Employment Security announced in 1961 an estimated $4,173,000 was paid to local persons unemployed or partially unemployed through its office. With four unemployment compensation sources available, state, federal, ex-servicemen and temporary extension, most of the compensation was distributed by the state unemployment compensation program. The 1961 figures showed a higher outlay than the two previous years.

The nephew of Avoca Mayor James McLane and native Marine Capt. George DeLong was selected to head a corps detachment of 54 men and an executive officer aboard the first nuclear powered aircraft carrier, the U.S.S. Enterprise. A 10-year veteran in 1962, DeLong was appointed to serve aboard the $500 million ship when it was commissioned in January 1961. In February of that year, Enterprise was involved in tracking the flight of Friendship 7, the Project Mercury space capsule, which contained Lieutenant Colonel John H. Glenn, Jr. In October 1962, Enterprise was dispatched to her first international crisis following revelations that the Soviet Union was constructing nuclear missile launch sites on Cuba. On Dec. 1, 2011, Enterprise became the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to be decommissioned.

Duryea mothers prepared to go door to door to collect donations for the New March of Dimes initiative. Leading the group were Alice Zborovian, Kathleen Resavy, Mary Alice Hodack, Helen Hastie, Mercedes Butrymowicz, Sophie Dulny, Gloria Barlik, Irene Zobrowski, Katherine Doxbeck, Martha Balchune and Geraldine Scoda. Debbie Sue Brown was named the March of Dimes Poster Child in January of 1962.

1972 – 43 Years Ago

Paul Melvin, president of the Pittston Lions Club, presented a donation to Van Tocket of the Lions Leader Dog Program. Under the program, Lions International supply trained dogs to the blind. According to the Lions International website, in 1938, Charles A. Nutting, Donald P. Schurr and S.A. Dodge led the Uptown Lions Club of Detroit in establishing a school to train guide dogs for the blind. Over 77 years the program has grown and empowered thousands of visually handicapped people.

Two St. John High School students were finalists in a speech tournament sponsored by the Scranton Catholic Forensic League. Eileen Golden gave a speech entitled “Forever a Stranger” and Robert Hizny spoke on issues of the contemporary world.

2002 – 13 Years Ago

The newly organized West Pittston Historical Society met in the historic First Presbyterian Church at 115 Exeter Ave. in the borough. Rev. James Thyren, pastor, spoke about the history of the church, which began as small chapel in 1877. By 1890, the edifice was constructed. The first officers of the historial society were John Markarian, president; John Panzitta, vice president; Lorraine Portelli, secretary; Theresa Zalepa, treasurer.

Answer:

Patrick Musto Jr., 4, of Exeter, was spotlighted in a National Catholic magazine as the “holding the distinct honor” of being the youngest altar boy in the United States. Serving at St. Anthony’s Church in Exeter, little Patrick had been an altar boy for six months when the article appeared.

Did You Know:

The Greater Pittston Chamber of Commerce was incorporated in 1920.

Pittston became a borough in 1853 and a city in 1894.

Yatesville Borough was formed from Jenkins Township in 1878.