\ NANTICOKE LEGACY NANTICOKE HISTORICAL SOCIETY NEWSLETTER Samantha Mill House, 495 E. Main Street, Nanticoke, PA – 570-258-1367 IN THIS ISSUE: STORIES: NEWS: THE NANTICOKE HOSPITAL CLOCK IS CHIMING ONCE AGAIN 1968 - 175th ANNIVERSARY OF NANTICOKE’S FIRST CHARTER A BRIDGE TOO FAR? The story of the Nanticoke/West Nanticoke Bridge IN HONOR OF OUR MILITARY AN IMIGRANT’S STORY FIRST OF A TWO-PART SERIES - By Dr. Andrea Nerozzi A TIME TO CELEBRATE UNDERGROUND NANTICOKE: NANTICOKE’S EARLY BEGINNINGS Just where are these lamp posts located? This photo was published in the Times Leader on June 23, 1968 as the MYSTERY QUESTION: th City of Nanticoke celebrated the 175 Anniversary of its first charter. Last issue’s answer to our The unnamed group attended the opening of Anniversary mystery question Headquarters at 9 E. Main St. Among the many educational and recreational programs planned were musical and dance revues, PLUS Our new mystery question parades, promenades, caravans, block parties, a carnival week, industrial and historical displays, tours conducted throughout the August celebration week, a contest to select a queen and various sports events. The highlight of the celebration was to be a performance of “The Nanticoke Story”, with a cast of over 300 people narrating and acting out various highlights of Nanticoke’s history. Volume 2, Issue 24 AUGUST 2020 1 NANTICOKE HISTORICAL SOCIETY MISSION STATEMENT: The object of this society is for educational, charitable, and literary purposes with a primary focus to research, preserve, develop and disseminate the history of Nanticoke, Pennsylvania. To collect artifacts, memorabilia and historical documents and facts of Nanticoke, Pennsylvania and to store such items in a central location or specific area where these articles may be preserved, appreciated and used by the citizens of Nanticoke to enhance their heritage NANTICOKE HISTORICAL SOCIETY Samantha Mill House Upcoming meeting (Next to the Mill Memorial Library) schedule Off Kosciuszko Street 495 East Main Street Nanticoke, PA 18634 Due to the Coronavirus 570-258-1367 Pandemic meetings are cancelled until further Our Web Site notice www.nanticokehistoryonline.org When meetings resume, Email they will take place at 7 Office email - [email protected] Newsletter email - [email protected] p.m. the last Thursday of the month at the Samantha OFFICERS Mill House located next to President: Julianna Zarzycki the Mill Memorial Library. Vice-President/Treasurer: Chester Zaremba Enter the parking lot off Kosciuszko Street. NEWSLETTER EDITOR, STORIES AND NEWS To get directions call the Judith L. Minsavage society office at 570-258- 1367. MEMBERSHIP FEES Individual $20 We Encourage All to Family $30 Attend Lifetime $100.00 Individual Please advise us of any changes in email or home mailing address . RESEARCH Non-member – research fee $25 for the first hour – By Appointment. See our website for more information. 2 The Nanticoke Historical Society Welcomes New Members Theodore S. Wiaterowski - Individual Membership James Farr - Life Membership Dorothy Nowak Koprowski - Individual Membership Colleen Waldron - Family Membership Susan (Rushin) Yuschak - Life Membership Thank you for your generous donations: Collective donation In Memory of Bill Jones Tony Margelewicz In Memory of Bill Jones Barbara VonDran - in Memory of Richard Zarzycki Richard Raspin - in Memory of Richard Zarzycki Albert Vandermark Thank you, our work at the society can continue through your generous donations: We also thank the many members of the Nanticoke Historical Society who have made monetary or in-kind donations, have requested not be acknowledged, but know that their actions have benefitted our organization. 3 IN MEMORY OF: Richard J. Zarzycki – 3/8/1940 - 6/24/20 Richard, the husband of Julianna Zarzycki, President of the Nanticoke Historical Society, was a member and treasurer for Alden Rod & Gun Club for 35 years, Hanover Fire Co. 4, serving as president, secretary and line chief. Richard was also a member of New Jersey National Guard and a lifelong blood donor to the American Red Cross. Along with his wife he is survived by daughters, Christine Banditelli and husband, Steve, Wilkes-Barre; Alicia Kairo and husband, Scott, Mountain Top; and grandchildren, Michael Swicklik Jr. and Emma Kairo. FROM THE EDITOR: Judy Minsavage If you or a loved one would like to send in a paragraph or two regarding how the quarantine has affected you and your family, if you lost a loved one to the virus, if you volunteered to help, or if you or a member of your family were front line responders. please let us know. We will then be able to create a record for historical purposes, so that future generations can see how we responded locally. Please feel free to send in your submission to our office at 495 East Main Street, Nanticoke, PA 18634 or email to [email protected] NEWS . Thank you to those who participated in our Spring Raffle Fundraiser - The winners are as follows: • First Place Winner Edward Tomko - Nanticoke • Second Place Winner Ed Jameson - Nanticoke • Third Place Winner John Hickey - Arizona Congratulations to our winners! 4 The Nanticoke Hospital Clock is chiming again: To Recap: In the Summer of 2019, the Nanticoke Historical Society was contacted by Dr. Donna Snelson, Director of History at Misericordia University asking if the society would be interested in acquiring a clock which had been placed at the school some years ago. The clock in question is a Herschede Tubular Chime Tall-Case Clock that once stood majestically in the entrance of Nanticoke Hospital and was presented to the hospital in memory of Charles E. Jones. Jones, who was the focus of a story published in the November 2019 issue of The Society Newsletter “Nanticoke Legacy” came to Nanticoke in 1877, established and operated the Boston Store in the city for many years. Jones passed away in 1920 and upon his passing the clock was donated to the hospital. The clock, manufactured by Herschede Clock Company in Cincinnati Ohio, is an award-winning design evidenced by numerous gold and silver medals received for its superior construction. Over the last few months, the historical society was fortunate to have received donations that covered the cost of moving the clock to the society offices, cleaning, installation of replacement parts, as well as providing funds for future maintenance. We would like to thank Andrew Netusil, owner of Netusil Jewelers, Plains, for the work he performed on the clock to get it back into running order. We would like to thank all the donners that made the acquisition of the clock possible, and will also make it possible for future generations to enjoy Thank you to all those who generously donated to preserving this wonderful part of Nanticoke’s past. To hear the melodic chimes of this beautiful clock log on to our website www.nanticokehistoryonline.org and click on our Videos Page. 1968 - 175th ANNIVERSARY OF NANTICOKE’S FIRST CHARTER By Judy Minsavage 2020 will be quite a year to remember most especially for the novel coronavirus as well as for its much-used terminology such as social distancing, flattening the curve, quarantine and masks. It will also be a year that will see the cancelation of many of the events and church festivals that we have come to know and love. As we look back over the years, most can remember attending one of the many 5 local events where people gathered to enjoy a day or even weeks filled with music, dancing, games, good food and fun for all ages. Our city has lost some of the cohesive elements that have bonded us in the past, but memories never fade. Over the next few issues of Nanticoke Legacy, we’ll bring back some memories of city-wide celebrations that were made possible by countless volunteers that worked many hours to sponsor events that were appreciated by thousands of people and brought residents together. At this time, we’re also looking to add to our history of some of the many church festivals that offered our favorite foods and music. If you have photos and memories of your church festival, we invite you to bring them in to our office to scan and return to you. You can also email them to our newsletter at [email protected]. Tell us the name of the church festival, dates of the event, and your contact information. With your permission, we will publish your photo in an upcoming issue of Nanticoke Legacy. In the meantime, here is the first of the many items found in our archives that show celebrations once held in Nanticoke highlighting its active social past. 1793 - 1968 In 1793, William Stewart and his brother Captain Lazarus Stewart received land from the Susquehanna Company for their part in defending the Connecticut Yankees claim to the land they acquired from King Charles II of England and the resolution of a treaty with the Iroquois enabling purchase of lands. In that year, William Stewart, under a colonial charter, owned Lot #27, now known as Nanticoke. He had his land surveyed and planned for streets and sale of acreage. By March of 1794, He had sold 36 lots at $10 apiece. To celebrate the 175th anniversary of the city’s first charter, an Executive Committee consisting of George Ellis, general chairman; Dr. Angelo Picchi, president; John Grontkowski treasurer; Edward Brezinski, executive secretary; Joseph Siesko, vice- president; Millard Galat, headquarters chairman; Mrs. John Pocreva, spectacle division; Mrs. William Ditzler, revenue division; Gerald Hudak, men’s participation; Bernard Szot, men’s participation and Stanley Ftorkowski, parade chairman; set up headquarters at 9 E. Main Street. The opening heralded the beginning of a number of summer events that would culminate in a weeklong celebration in August. A letter to businesses and residents initiated by George Ellis, General Chairman stated, “To commemorate this important occasion, we have planned a week of festivities unequalled in our history, during which Nanticoke will play host to thousands of and visitors who will gather to enjoy the tremendous entertainment our celebration will provide.” The letter set off a firestorm of volunteers and participants to make the city-wide celebration a success.