Springtime in Duquesne

Posted on March 18, 2011 by Jim

My very first actual paying job was with Kopriver’s Florist, just across Texas Ave (aka Kennedy Ave) from my Thomas Street home. I define Kopriver’s as my first “paying job” due to the fact that I actually received money and, that I had “sorta” worked at BonBon Bakery in the Kroger’s Shopping Center when I was just a kid. My job at BonBon was putting together the white bakery boxes as I would gaze upon the love of my life, Joyce, who worked there. In spite of the fact that she was 15 years older than me, I knew that she would be the girl I would marry, just as soon as I was done with Elementary School, High School and maybe college. I was convinced. The pay for my box making efforts never made it to a W2 since there was no provision on the forms for being paid in baked goods.

By the time I turned 15, I was over my little boy crush and moved forward on building my resume by accepting a position with Kopriver’s. I began working there in the early Spring, just about this time of year, only 45 years ago! Since I wasn’t given an official job title, I created one for myself in order to be able to explain to my family and friends my new career. I decided my title was Kopriver’s official “FBS” – which stands for “Funeral Basket Stuffer.”

As the store’s FBS, my chief responsibility was to assure that the staff that created the funeral basket arrangements always had a supply of prepared containers used to produce the floral masterpieces.  My “office” was actually the basement under the florist shop. It was accessible via a rickety set of steps in the far corner of the shop. Since the stairway was so narrow, all of the supplies that I needed were delivered through the former coal delivery access that faced Faulk Alley. Faulk Alley was the first alley that ran parallel to Kennedy Ave as you headed up toward Kopriver’s. My supplies included the white mache baskets, chicken wire, Oasis blocks (basically Styrofoam blocks made to hold water like a sponge) and of course, greenery. The supplies would be tossed into the opening and I would catch them on the way down. Nine times out of ten, the bales of greenery would knock me off balance and I’d teeter a bit and continue to stack what seemed to be a never ending supply of greens.

Although most of my day at work was spent in “the hole” piecing together the arrangement baskets, I had a few other duties. During the day, I would get to climb out of my subterranean world and deal with my greenhouse chores. There were two long greenhouses off of the florist shop. The greenhouse that was on the extreme left as you entered held an array of plants and supplies. This greenhouse’s contents were used primarily for florist shop functions. There was a huge trellis full of a small trumpet-like white wedding flower called “stephanotis.” It arched over the doorway as you entered into the greenhouse, so you were immediately hit with the beautiful fragrance upon entering. The florists that were designing wedding bouquets would pick bunches of these flowers and lovingly incorporate them into the bride’s elaborate bouquets. (I only remember one of the florists that were working there in the 60’s. I believe his name was Harry, a great guy who treated me kindly.) The remainder of that first greenhouse contained assorted supplies, the rows funeral basket containers that I had prepared in my underworld, any overflow of retail plants from the main greenhouse, and a few tropical plants that had grown far to large to sell and had been retired into this pseudo tropical forest to live and grow in the tropical environment.

The most enjoyable part of my work day occurred in the main greenhouse. Just a few weeks after Christmas, the  building was transitioned from “Poinsettia Central,” to a sea of Spring and Summer seedlings and cuttings. Through the very watchful eye of the Kopriver’s and their staff, I had responsibility to help nurture these delicate babies through their metamorphosis into beautiful Spring and Summer blooms. Once transformed, Hunky gardens throughout the area became home to those little beauties.

Flower and vegetable gardens around Duquesne began popping up as early as mid-April. Many of the residents who were from “the old country” planted early in spite of possible threat of a freeze. If they would “feel it in their bones” that it might freeze overnight, they would shroud all of the plants in old sheets or anything else they could find that would protect the plants.

Kopriver’s didn’t sell every plant under the sun. There were only a select number of plants that were popular in the Duquesne area when it came to flowers. Their vegetable assortment was much wider since most hunky homes would have their own version of a “Victory Garden,”

The “must have” when it came to flowers were geraniums. I must have watered hundreds and hundreds of them as they awaited their Spring adoption by some loving hunky hands. They have a very distinctive fragrance that even now means “Spring is here” to me. Geraniums would end up brightening the fronts, sides and back yards of homes throughout Duquesne. Somehow, residents were able to produce exceptional growth and constant flowering from them. I recall my “old country” neighbors, Mike and Mary, lovingly tending to all of their flowers on a daily basis, especially their geraniums

Now….what follows might seem like I’m trying to give you a Botany lesson. Actually, I am attempting to perhaps evoke some memories of your parent’s or grandparents Duquesne gardens and their contents. With that said, other flowers that were commonly planted each year in Duquesne were:

Ageratum – which were small purple furry flowers and were very popular. Purple was a “big” hunky color.

Blanket Flowers – also called gaillardia, these bright yellow and orange flowers seemed to last forever. Mike and Mary Kovach were really into these.

Lantana – another yellow and orange flower that grew fairly tall. There were also red lantanas as well as purple ones.

Marigolds – I swear that every garden had both geraniums and marigolds in them. My other “old country” neighbors, Adam and Eve Oravich, said that the marigolds dropped their seeds and made them take over the garden. They weren’t fans of the marigold, obviously.

Geraniums – what can I say except that they reigned supreme in Duquesne!

Now, I am sure there were many other flowers that you remember, and I hope that you post a comment and share your memories with us!

In addition to the profuse annual plantings, there were some other flowering shrubs that I remember in Duquesne as well as wildflowers that grew in vacant lots, hillsides and even in cemeteries! The ones I recall are:

Spirea (Bridal Veil) – my neighbor Anna Yasko had these all along the front of her home.

Lilacs – we had a beautiful lilac bush on the side of our house that eventually was cut down when my dad put in a patio on the back of our house.

Tiger Lilies – I remember seeing tons of these bright orange lilies on the side of roads as we traveled around the area. I especially recall them on River Road, just beyond the Duquesne-McKeesport Bridge heading toward Dravosburg.

Hollyhocks – There was an empty lot on the corner of Mellon Street and Texas Ave. that was a virtual Botany lesson in itself. Hollyhocks grew throughout the lot and always towered over the other weeds,  ah, er, plants.

Queen Anne’s Lace – I remember fields and fields of these flowers. They grew wild everywhere. When you would look toward St. Joseph’s Cemetery from Thomas St. it would remind you the field of poppies from the movie, The Wizard of Oz, only white!

Milkweed – Yes, I know it was truly a weed. However, this “weed” was a source of constant entertainment for kids. I remember that if you would break off a leaf, the “sap” was opaque white  and sticky. They plant had these really neat pods on them as well. When they first appeared, we’d pull a few off and cut them open with our pocket knives. If they were newer, they would have this seed pod inside that looked like a scaly little white fish. As the pods got a bit older, you could open them and see the seeds and “fur” begin to form. Of course, the most fun came from pods that had just popped open. Before the wind managed to blow away the individual seeds with their white furry parachute, we’d grab the pods and blow like heck and watch the seeds fly off everywhere! Little did we realize that we were contributing to the plants propagation, just like busy little bees.

I’m looking forward to writing about the Hunky vegetable garden. BUT, that’s a whole other story!  More later….keep reading my friends!

Posted in Jobs, Springtime, Stores and Businesses | 10 Comments

My Mother’s Rite of Spring

Posted on March 12, 2011 by Jim

If there was ever a saying that my mother DID NOT pay attention to, it was “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” She, along with the thousands of women in Duquesne, welcomed spring in a very remarkable way…. Spring Cleaning! Whether the house needed it or not, the universal Hunky project was to scrub, wash, air-out, vacuum and re-organize every square inch of their homes. This cleaning frenzy was perhaps an innate prehistoric instinct that began in the caves of Brno, Czechoslovakia. I can just imagine all of the Hunky cavewomen, in their leopard skin babushkas, sweeping out their caves and tossing out all of the old dinosaur bones from their winter meals.

 

My mom cleaned everything in sight. It all began with the washing down of ceilings and walls in every room. Of course, back in those days, the paint lasted forever. It was more than likely due to the high lead content that it lasted so long and was able to be scrubbed. In fairness to my mother, the walls actually did show a considerable amount of soil after the winter months. The combination of all of grit and smoke from the mills, the months and months of cooking robust winter meals, the behemoth furnace that took up half of our basement, and the smokers that visited our home, left its shadowy mark on our walls. I can still remember the scent of the Spic ‘n Span that she used.

 

When Mom attacked each room’s walls, she would first remove all of the drapes and curtains, along with any pictures adoring the walls. Furniture would be clustered into the middle of the room so that she and my dad would have free access to the walls. Usually, the wall cleaning took place on weekends, and they would tackle one or two rooms each day. While my dad was at work during the week Mom would continue the Spring Cleaning process by cleaning every little corner of each window, inside and out.  She would then launder all of the drapes and curtains, hang them outside to absorb the freshest smell, expertly press each panel and then re-hang them on each of the windows.

 

Once all of that was done, she would turn her attention to the furniture and anything that was in the middle of the room cluster. Furniture would be polished; pictures would be wiped down before they were hung back onto the walls, and every lamp and lampshade cleaned. I remember that Mom had this soft wire brush that would use to clean the carpeting along the baseboards around the room. She would make sure that every inch of the carpeting was cleaned. When my dad got home from work, he’d help her to place the furniture back into their proper positions. She would finish the room, long after dark, but vacuuming every inch and replacing all of the chachkies around the room.  

 

This cleaning process would go on for a couple of weeks, room by room, each place getting the “Mrs. Clean” treatment. Mom would always save the hardest room for last, the kitchen! Each cabinet would be empties and every single item would be washed. Of course, we didn’t have a dishwasher with the exception of my mother’s two untiring hands. The inside of each cabinet would be wiped down and the waxed shelf paper would be changed. I remember that Mom would have Dad take her and I to Schink’s to pick out the shelf paper she would use to reline the cabinets. I really didn’t have much input, but it was thrilling to be included in the decision. Of course, even boxes, jars and bottles of food and drinks would all be wiped off before each would be replaced into the cabinets. I don’t know how many boxes of Spic ‘n Span and bottles of Windex my mom would go through during Spring Cleaning. I am sure that the Hunkies ladies of Duquesne alone, helped to keep those companies in business for many, many years.

 

As I am writing this post, I’ve come to realize that many of the products that our parents used for cleaning are no longer available. For instance;

  • Spic ‘n Span – It had the cleanest, freshest smell, however I don’t believe it’s available in its powdered form any longer. Who knows, maybe its name fell victim to the Political Incorrectness Police!
  • Glass Wax – before Windex was around, she would use Glass Wax on the kitchen windows. She said it did a better job of getting the cooking residue off of the windows. The bigger loss in not having Glass Wax around is not being able to make those Christmas windows stencil decorations any longer
  • Jubilee Kitchen Wax – we had those big white metal kitchen cabinets. Jubilee would clean them perfectly, plus, it smelled so good too. Can’t find it in the bottles any more
  • Murphy’s Oil Soap – Can only be found in Saddle Shops, if you are lucky. When Mom used it, it cam in a jar and was this thick amber paste that she would glop into a bucket of hot water and use it to clean the woodwork and any hardwood floors.

I guess some of these products became victims of environmental regulation, or perhaps their maker realized that the product was so good, a bottle just lasted forever tucked away in sink cabinets.

 

The interior of our house wasn’t the only place that Spring Cleaning occurred. When the weather would be good enough, we all would join in on cleaning the exterior areas of the house. So much dirt and grit would accumulate on the front and back porches, Mom or Dad would use one of those stiff bristle shop brooms and buckets and buckets of Spic ‘n Span to scrub off the exterior walls and floors before hosing them down on a final rinse. Dad would then take down all of the storm windows he had installed in the Fall and would store them in the rafters of our garage. The large window screens would be  hauled out from the rafters and my brother and I would be in charge of hosing them down and getting them ready for re-installation by my dad.

 

While my dad would be putting up the screens, my brother Steve and I would be relegated to the one job I hated most; washing down the outdoor furniture that had been stored in the garage since last fall. The actual washing part wasn’t so bad, it was the discovery of the random creatures that had decided to make the furniture storage area their home, as they “wintered” in our garage. I wasn’t, and I am still not, into spiders. They creep me out. When you disturb their winter’s nap, teardown their home and then confront them with a bucket of hot Spic ‘n Span, well, they’re not happy campers. In my wild and imaginative mind, I was convinced that they were in an attack mode and would soon sink their fangs into my neck.

 

After the furniture had been thoroughly scrubbed off, Mom and Dad decided if the various items would make it through another summer or if they needed a coat of paint to freshen them up. Usually, Mom won out, and my father would be assigned the additional task of repainting the furniture. Thank goodness for Rustolium! Dad was a firm believe in the product, and it saved having to scrap off layers of rust that had formed during the furniture’s Winter hiatus! If you were to have scraped off the layers of paint of the steel outdoor furniture that we had, you would have found a virtual rainbow of colors that it had been at one time or another. The care that Dad gave the chairs obviously worked! The furniture STILL is being used at my daughter’s home after 60+ years of repainting.

 

 

As you might be able to tell, my parents had no problem with having my brother and I do chores around the house. I think they believed it was one of those “character building” exercises that I’ve heard about. The Spring Cleaning ritual was just one of the many in which we participated in our quest for character I suppose. Another part of the Spring clean up was yet another that I dreaded, cleaning out any debris that may have gotten stuck at the base of the hedges that surrounded the front of our house.  Although it sounds like a fairly innocuous job, the fact that the bushes were the infamous “jagger bushes” had it a difficult job. Those of you who are unfamiliar with the term “jagger bushes” obviously do not speak Pittsburghese. Jagger bushes are these tiny leafed bushes that were prevalent in almost every Hunky yard throughout the Duquesne area. The thorns that were on the branches, were often larger than the leaves themselves!  Our tiny arms were able to reach in and pull out any debris without getting scratched. Extracting the assorted papers and such was never the problem. However, those creatures that were unable to make it to our garage for the winter, managed to make a temporary home in these bushes. I knew they were out to get me! Now THAT was the problem.

 

After the Spring Cleaning ritual, it seemed everyone’s outlook was brighter. Every home was ready to welcome those perfect days just prior to the onset of Summer when temperatures were mild, breezes would waft through open windows and nights still had just enough chill in them to create the perfect sleeping environment. As kids we’d listen, once again, to the lullaby from the mills and drift off to sleep thinking about the end of school and a summer of fun that lay ahead.

 

 

 

Posted in Jobs, Life in General, Parents, Springtime | 8 Comments

Duquesne’s Rip Roaring 30’s

Posted on March 11, 2011 by Jim

When I think of Duquesne, I think of neat homes in a row, the steel mills, having fun at Kennywood Park, Little League Baseball games and all things idyllic. The last thing that I would ever think of is Duquesne as a 1930s Gangster Era town. As I was researching newspaper articles about our home town, I came across a few eye-opening articles that proved surprising to me. I thought I would share these tidbits of Duquesne history with you….. enjoy!

Man Is Slain In Duquesne Raid Battle

August 24, 1934 – Pittsburgh Post-GazetteCLICK BELOW TO READ ARTICLE

December 20, 1936 – Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Murder Crazed Cop Tells Own Story

The Story of Duquesne’s Mass Killer!

CLICK TO READ ARTICLE – PART 1

CLICK TO READ ARTICLE – PART 2

CLICK TO READ ARTICLE – PART 3

Posted in Duquesne History | 6 Comments

A Good Catholic Boy’s Easter Prelude

Posted on March 7, 2011 by Jim

If you were a part of a Catholic family in Duquesne, this week was a very busy week, and if you attended one of the Catholic schools, it was ever busier. This was the week that the Season of Lent began. Lent, of course, is the period of the liturgical year leading up to Easter.

The Lenten Season actually began on Ash Wednesday, but as a kid, we had a lot of thinking to do prior to that day. The good sisters at Holy Name began drilling the need for sacrifice during Lent into our little heads in First Grade. From that point and continuing throughout every grade at Holy Name, each year we were instructed to decide what we were going to “give up” during Lent. Of course, we were not allowed to choose the things we REALLY wanted to, like brussel sprouts, spinach, carrots or chores. NO! We had to choose the tough stuff like, candy, cake, ice cream or COOKIES! Those nuns were heartless! Mom and Dad would always help me with my decision since they were fully aware of my likes and dislikes. They would also always dangle a carrot in front of me by telling me that it was only for 6 weeks and that when it was over, the Easter Bunny would have delivered a HUGE basketful of goodies for me to enjoy. Now mind you, I realize that my parents should have used this period of sacrifice as vehicle to build our understanding and dedication to our faith. However, the reality is that they had two active boys at home who were suddenly deprived of sweets for 6 weeks. It was like trying to kick a crack habit “cold turkey!”

In the meantime, back at Holy Name, the good sisters would take precautions against us “changing our mind” about what we were sacrificing for Lent. Once we had made our “acceptable” decision, they would pristinely write it on a piece of construction paper and post it on a section of the blackboard that was devoted to the current Liturgical Season. It served as a constant reminder that God was watching us and taking names!!

I don’t recall my parents or anyone else celebrating “Shrove Tuesday” on the day before Lent began. In some circles, it was called “Fat Tuesday” and was celebrated by eating rich meals and desserts one last time before Lent began. My parents never talked about it or mentioned Mardi Gras as a celebration that was occurring. It was never a part of the Hunky culture I suppose, but I do believe that there was a Catholic Hunky somewhere down in New Orleans that was using it as a reason to have a final shot and beer before Lent began.

Aside from the preplanning of our sacrifice, the biggest event of the week occurred on Ash Wednesday. During a very solemn rite, Fr. Shaughnessy. Fr. Turner, or Fr. Hanlon, would set the tone for the coming Lenten Season which would culminate with the placing of the ashen cross on our foreheads. I recall being very proud of displaying that symbol on my forehead. It was somehow a wonderful equalizer of everyone in our lives. Parents, relatives, priests, teenagers, and neighbors alike were all displaying their faith and were not embarrassed about doing so. Even though the intent was of a very solemn nature, as a child, we all wore smiles of delight to be old enough to understand the concept of Ash Wednesday and to wear its outward sign.

After Lent had begun, we were marched over to the church every Friday to participate in the Stations of the Cross. We all had our missals with their black or white covers, and we would follow along solemnly as each station would be announced:

  1. Jesus is condemned to death
  2. Jesus carries His cross
  3. Jesus falls the first time
  4. Jesus meets His Mother
  5. Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry His cross
  6. Veronica wipes the face of Jesus
  7. Jesus falls the second time
  8. Jesus meets the daughters of Jerusalem
  9. Jesus falls the third time
  10. Jesus is stripped of His garments
  11. Crucifixion: Jesus is nailed to the cross
  12. Jesus dies on the cross
  13. Jesus’ body is removed from the cross
  14. Jesus is laid in the tomb and covered in incense

One of the best parts of Lent was being able to enjoy “better than average” food on Fridays. The primary reason for this gastronomical change was the emergence of “Lenten Kitchens” at area churches. Of course, back when I was a kid, I think my parents called them “Fish Frys.” I can’t attest to the fact that every church in Duquesne had a Fish Fry, but at our house, we would either get these humongous fish sandwiches and fries from Hucksters Bar on Crawford Ave. OR we would go to St. Michael’s in Homestead/Munhall and enjoy their wonderful menu. They would have fish sandwiches, perogies that were just floating in pure butter, potato pancakes with sour cream or applesauce, haluski, macaroni and cheese, potato or macaroni salad, and bulbalki with sauerkraut, to name a few of the items. I don’t think there was a salad in sight, but MAYBE you might have found some coleslaw if you were lucky. No one complained about the lack of vegetarian dishes. Back then, my dad would always refer to them and salad as “rabbit food” anyway!

So, as you begin this Lenten season, remember that the good sisters are watching! No giving up running 10 miles a day, or staying up until 4 a.m., or rock climbing, or eating live goldfish. They’re taking notes you know!

Posted in Church and School - Holy Name, Church and School - Holy Trinity, Church and School - St. Joseph, Holidays - Non-Christmas and New Years | 20 Comments

Voices from Duquesne – Part 3

Posted on March 6, 2011 by Jim

Once again, I am thrilled to be hearing from so many current and former Duquesne area residents. As always, I invite you to click on the first link under BLOG ROLL (in the right hand column of this page) titled “ATTENTION! CLICK TO CONTACT JIM, THE DUQUESNE HUNKY .”

As promised, I am still working on compiling an email directory of those who have written comments and responded via the contact form. It’s a time consuming process, so be patient, I’ll get there soon.

 In the meantime, please enjoy the following thoughts and updates from our friends:

Laurine Emert

Years in Duquesne = 1953 (when I was born) to 2003

Where do you live  now? = (moved very far away – LOL) West Mifflin, PA

comments = I love the ideas you have had already.  I love the old photos of Duquesne and McKeesport, too.  I remember you dad’s business because it was there for a while when we moved from 1st to Kennedy.

Maybe you could talk about DHS when it was in its prime. . . I graduated in 1970. 

 

Bernadette Lucas

Where do you live now? = Dillsburg, PA

comments = A blast from the past! Eliciting some fond memories.  Would love to hear from long-lost friends and acquaintances.

 

Barbara Ruhe

Maiden name = Fodo

Years in Duquesne = 1938 – 1959

Where do you live now? = Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

comments = What a trip down Memory Lane!  My brother, Steve, sent me the link today and I haven’t been able to tear myself away from it.  My husband Jim is a Duquesneer also. He lived on Karl Street and I lived on South First right across the street from Pirhalla’s corner store.  Later known as Joe’s Luncheonette.  We both graduated from DHS 1953, 1955 respectively and were married 51 years ago in St. Joesph’s.  It was great to read so many familiar names and the pictures brought tears to my eyes.  I tell my grandchildren what a great place Duquesne was to grow up.  They can’t comprehend being able to walk everywhere we wanted to go — even Kennywood and do it safely.  What a wonderful life!

 

Rosemary Denne

Maiden name = Curran, my dad was a Dentist here

Years in Duquesne = I have lived here since 1936 and still do

comments = I am so excited about this.  I am the city Treasurer and Tax Collector for the City of Duquesne and use my computer here at city hall.  I am very busy now, since the Real Estate taxes have just gone out, but I want to keep getting these pictures and comments.  I don’t know whether anybody still remembers me, as I am 83 years old.

 

Claudia Misage

Maiden name = Repko

Years in Duquesne = 1943 thru 1963 and again in 1967

Where do you live now? = Austin, Texas

comments = What I enjoy about this blog, how is EVERYTHING?

It is just fantastic remembering all those good times, can not remember too many bad times except the Christmas Eve I had a car accident almost right in front of the police station and my cousin was a police man and he was the first to come to me and I did not have my drivers license on me and could not tell him I was seeing a boy friend who I was not allow to see. Boy that was really something, could remember it like it was yesterday.

 

Amy Trettel

comments = Hi Jim, I am Joanne Carr’s daughter.  She’s been reading your blog posts and has asked if I could get your address (snail mail) so she can write you.  I can’t find a way to get a hold of you thru your blog.  I hope this finds you.  Amy

 

Robert Salopek

Years in Duquesne = 1941 to 1963

Where do you live now? = San Francisco and Albuquerque

comments = I grew up on Auriles Street, right across the street from St. Joseph’s Church and School.  The school was torn down some years ago.  I did a lot of mechanical and electrical projects, and so my favorite store was Schinck’s Hardware.  Boy, you could go in there and buy 3 little screws for maybe 7 cents.  Gone are THOSE days with everything now in bubble wrap for 4.99 !

 I owned a 1940 Pontiac there, once owned by the Tutero family on Auriles, and then Richy Plastino, who was one year ahead of me at Duquesne High.  The Plastinos had a taylor shop on Kennedy.

I would like more pictures of ALL the businesses on First Street.

 

 

Eileen Phillips

Maiden name = Chorman

Years in Duquesne = Born 1945 – in Duquesne until 1966

Where do you live now? = Ocala, FL

comments = I enjoy everything about this blog.  I lived in Duquesne Annex (West Mifflin).  I went to Church, Catechism, and piano lessons at Holy Name. I went every Sunday to the Plaza Theater.  I married a Duquesne Boy who graduated Duquesne High in 1961. I was the fist to go to North High when it was built.  We got married at Holy Name Church and had our “hunky” reception at the Slovak Club.

Just last Wednesday, we met three other couples from Duquesne at “Katie Belles” restaurant at “The Villages, FL” for dinner. I took a print-out of this blog, and they really enjoyed reading what others had to say. 6 out of the 8 of us were Duquesne Hunkies (the two that weren’t were married to Duquesne Hunkies. I would like to read more about other people and their memories of Duquesne, and where they are now.

 

 

Bob Hrozencik

Years in Duquesne = 1958-1979

Where do you live now? = Boone, N C

 Bill Larkin

Years in Duquesne = 1951-1973

Where do you live now? = Albuquerque New Mexico

comments = I love this blog it brings back many memories of childhood days and reminds Me of the many fine people that had an impact on my life.

 

Lou Andriko, RPh

Years in Duquesne = 1951-1979

Where do you live now? = Elkins WV

comments = My father’s father built the first house in the 900 block of Maryland Ave. in the early 1920’s. My 85 year old mother still lives there; I visit her 6-8 times each year. I went to St Joseph’s School, then Serra HS, then commuted to DU. for Pharmacy School. I worked as delivery driver for Morris Gordon at Eagle Drugs on Grant Ave in HS, pushed countless tots on the swings at the Polish Hill playground, then the mandatory stint at Kennywood for four summers in college (yep, I’ve got stories), got my degree and plied my trade in Christy Park, Elizabeth, Port Vue and West Mifflin (at Penn Taft as a floater)and  moved to Meadville in 1978 when the mills began to close, met my wife and within 2 years moved back to 1100 Maryland Ave. By 1984, steel hit rock bottom, and we moved to West Virginia, opened and closed my own pharmacy and now practice for a Big Box in a little town in the next county ….but always kept coming back to Duquesne. So very sad to look at the Google map and see all the green spaces where homes, stores, churches, factories once formed a safe, vibrant community…. This blog has been bittersweet and I keep telling myself I’m not going to post anymore, but here I go again.

Posted in Feedback From Our Friends | 23 Comments

A Duquesne Monday

Posted on March 5, 2011 by Jim

This morning as I got ready to go to the office, I decided to dress casually. It was the weekend and I didn’t enjoy having to work on a Saturday, but it was one of those necessary evils. I went to my closet to grab my favorite shirt and was upset when I couldn’t find it, only to remember I had tossed it into the hamper two days earlier. “Not a problem,” I thought. I had given myself enough time this morning to enjoy a cup of coffee and a light breakfast before leaving for work, so I tossed the shirt and a few other items into the washer for a quick wash. By the time I had finished my morning routine or “ablutions” as my Uncle Lou referred to them, I was ready for my breakfast. I tossed the laundry and my shirt into the dryer and then proceeded to sit back and enjoy my breakfast while I surfed the web to learn what had happened in the world since I last checked. By the time that I was done with my news search and a second cup of coffee, it was time for me to leave. I grabbed the now dry and very warm shirt from the dryer, tossed it on and was out the door and heading for the office.

 As I drove to work, I thought about how easily this morning’s “no shirt” problem had been resolved. It certainly was a far cry from what our poor mother’s had to cope with each week when I was a “dirt and grime” attracting kid! I thought about a children’s song that I had heard at one time or another, that really rang true to what was our mother’s typical routine each week. With the internet and Google being the wonderful tool that it is, I was able to find the song’s lyric’s:

Monday’s Wash Day

Today is Monday, Today is Monday,

Monday’s wash day, Everybody happy?

Well, I should say!

.

Today is Tuesday, Today is Tuesday,

Tuesday Ironing, Monday washday

Everybody happy?

Well, I should say.

.

Today is Wednesday, Today is Wednesday,

Wednesday Cleaning, Tuesday Ironing, Monday washday,

Everybody happy? Well, I should say.

.

Today is Thursday, Today is Thursday,

Thursday baking, Wednesday cleaning, Tuesday ironing, Monday washday,

Everybody happy? Well, I should say.

.

Today is Friday, Today is Friday,

Friday fish, Thursday baking, Wednesday cleaning, Tuesday ironing,   Monday washday,

Everybody happy? Well, I should say.

.

Today is Saturday, Today is Saturday,

Saturday shopping, Friday fish, Thursday baking, Wednesday cleaning, Tuesday   ironing, Monday washday,

Everybody happy?

Well, I should say.

.

Today is Sunday, Today is Sunday,

Sunday church,

Saturday shopping, Friday fish, Thursday baking, Wednesday cleaning,

Tuesday ironing, Monday washday,

Everybody happy?

Well,   I— should—say!!!

I remember how, without fail, Mom would always do laundry on Monday’s. It was not a simple task either. She didn’t have the convenience of just popping a load into the washer  and dryer whenever she wanted. Each week, she would pull and tug a behemoth sized wringer washer over to the twin sanitary sinks in our basement and begin her preparations for doing the laundry. She would start by filling one of the twin tubs of the washer with scalding hot water. The other tub would be filled with cold water for rinsing. Once the first tub was filled with the hot water, she would begin adding laundry detergent, bleach, and bluing in perfect proportions to begin the first load, which were always “the whites.” Watching her add the perfect proportions of “stuff” to the hot water reminded me of what it would be like to watch an alchemist preparing to turn metal into gold!

Mom would carefully drop the laundry into the sloshing water after the chemicals were thoroughly mixed and make mental note of how long they should churn away. While that was going on, she would begin to fill each section of the twin sanitary sinks with cold water. Once that was done, she would begin preparing a big ol’ copper laundry tub with an Argo starch concoction. Since the first load was probably not quite ready, she would then haul a huge wicker laundry basket containing a ball of clothesline and clothespins up the basement steps, through the kitchen and out to the back yard where she would begin hanging her labyrinth of line in a pattern as precise as that of a spider constructing a web. She would hook the line from the house, to the garage, back to the house and so on.  By the time she was finished, the once huge ball of clothesline was reduced to a mere few remaining inches. Her final phase of prep was to grab the dozen or so wooden props out of the garage and place them strategically on various spots of the clothesline web to assure that nothing would touch the ground once hung. Of course, her whole routine would change if it happened to be raining or wintertime. I remember her demeanor would change as well, but I’ll get to that later. In the event of inclement weather, Dad had set up a permanent clothesline installation in the basement which served the purpose just as well.

Once Mom was finished with all of the outdoor prep, she was ready for the first load to come out of the washer. It certainly wasn’t as simple of a task as just tossing damp clothes from the washer to dryer like I did this morning. Her procedure went as follows:

  1. Stop the washer with that HUGE lever on the front.
  2. Swing the wringer around so that as she fished clothes out of the washer with her big ol’ wooden stick, they were fed through the wringer rollers and dumped into the first sanitary sink section of cold water.
  3. Once all of the clothes were out of the washer, she would load in the next pile of dirty laundry into the hot water tub and start the sloshing agitator.
  4. Back to the first load where she would stir them around to remove as much soap as possible.
  5. Then she would swing the wringer around so it would bridge both sections of the sink.
  6. Then she would use the wringer once again and transfer the clothes into the second tub which also contained a bit of fabric softener mixed into the cold water.
  7. Once again, the clothes were sloshed around allowed to absorb the “virtues” of the softener.
  8. By that point, tub #2 would be started up and served as the final rinse for the clothes.
  9. Then, the wringer would be placed in its final position between the sink and the washing machine.
  10. Once again, my mother would start up the wringer and transfer the clothes into their final bath.
  11. Step 11 was a bit more tricky for her, since it called for feeding the laundry back through the wringer and into her waiting hands over the sink.
  12. The clothes would then be dumped into a laundry basket and taken out to be dried.
  13. If the first load contained any shirts, Mom would transfer them to the copper tub of hot water and starch for one last step, and would let them soak for awhile.

The laundry basket full of remaining damp clothes would then be lugged up the basement steps and out the back door. Once outside, Mom would carefully begin hanging the clothing onto the line with the well worn wooden clothespins. The fact that our tighty whities were displayed for the world to see never phased us. After all, we were able to know whether our neighbors wore boxers or briefs by the first load of laundry on any given Monday!!

By this point in the day, the reason why Mom preferred the bright and sunny days for laundry was evident. Yes, the clothes DID smell better if hung outside, but that was only half the reason. The other half was that in between loads, all of the Monday morning laundry neighbors would gather on our back porch to enjoy a cup of freshly perked coffee and the company of each other. Anna Yasko, Gladys Mentzler and whoever else might have been out that morning would sit and “gab” with one another until it came time to process the next load of laundry. At that point, as if by some instinctive internal timepiece, they would all retreat to their homes and laundry duties until another load had made its way to the clothes line. The “wash-hang-talk” cycle would continue to repeat itself until all of the laundry had made its way to the line for drying.

As the clothes were removed after drying, some would merely be folded and stacked into the laundry baskets. Others would be separated out for ironing and make their way to the side of our kitchen table for “further processing.” If they were to be ironed, Mom would carefully lay out each individual piece on our pink and black formica topped kitchen table and be “sprinkled” with water like the Easter Sunday service at Holy Name. Each piece would then be tightly rolled up, stacked and placed in a plastic bag to keep them moist until it was time for ironing.

Considering that just writing about Mom’s Monday laundry day has exhausted me, think of how our mom’s probably felt at the end of the day. Facing basketfuls of ironing for the next day, my mom would head back down stairs to the basement to begin tearing down the whole washday set-up. Emptying the sinks was the easy part, but she would have to hook up the hose from the washing machine and begin pumping out each of the tubs, then rinse them out and finally dry them before they would be stowed back to their home at the beginning of the day. As she would wearily climb the steps for the last time that day, she probably was thinking about the ironing that was awaiting her as well as the evening meal she would now have to prepare. Make’s you appreciate your mom all the more, doesn’t it? And THAT was just one day!

As a side note, one of my favorite things to do was to use the washer for a somewhat different purpose. After my mother died in 1965, I was often left home alone and needed to entertain myself. In 1957, two guys invented bubble wrap. A great packing material, but an even better stress reliever, as you could sit there and pop the individual bubbles. Whenever I was lucky enough to find a piece of bubble wrap, I would delight in feeding it through the wringer mechanism of the washer. It sounded very much like the St. Valentine’s Day massacre as the barrage of pops echoed through the basement. “Thank heaven for little boys???”

Posted in Life in General, Parents | 19 Comments

Extra! Extra! Duquesne Headlines!

Posted on March 3, 2011 by Jim

Thanks to Jim Hartman from the Mifflin Historical Society, I have found a wonderful resource to research all types of history about Duquesne. In order to be able to allow you to read the various stories, I will provide a brief “snapshot” of the story and a link for you to click on and connect to the story. The stories are primarily from old Pittsburgh Press and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette newspapers. I certainly hope that you’ll enjoy these tidbits of local news! Be sure to let me know if you enjoy these articles!

DUQUESNE PROSPERITY

I love this story about life in Duquesne from the January 17, 1941 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The headlines boast ‘THE REVIVAL REACHES DUQUESNE!” There are two full pages of photos and articles about Duquesne’s mills and how they were experiencing a resurgence. We all know the current conditions in Duquesne today, so it was so nice to read about a time when life was great. Remember to click on the blue  “CLICK HERE TO READ ARTICLE” after each picture to read the stories.

CLICK HERE TO READ ARTICLE – PART ONE

CLICK HERE TO READ ARTICLE – PART 2

I hope you enjoy the stories. Please make sure you let me know if you’d like more. Keep reading my friends!

Posted in Duquesne History | 4 Comments

Movin’ On Up to Duquesne Place

Posted on March 2, 2011 by Jim

As I was growing up, Duquesne Place was always held in high regard by many of the residents of Duquesne, my parents included. Living in Duquesne Place was viewed the same as living in New York City’s Upper East Side. Compared to the busier and, dare I say, urban atmosphere of life in closer proximity to the mill, living in Duquesne Place offer a quieter and slightly less congested lifestyle.

There were some very large homes in Duquesne Place that stood majestically amid beautifully manicured yards. Even the names of the streets themselves evoked a more upscale area; Commonwealth Ave, Richford Ave, and Stockton Way, to name just a few.

I recall driving through many of the streets with my Aunt Mary, who seemed to be an expert on the various residents and homes throughout Duquesne Place. One home in particular that always impressed me with its size and grandeur was Dr. and Mrs. Linn’s home. It had these wonderful stately columns and was painted a pristine white. My aunt had lived on Commonwealth Ave. in Duquesne Place for a brief time while her husband, my Uncle Lou (Goldman), was in the service. I’m not sure if that was when she came to meet Mrs. Pat Linn or if it was when they were parishioners at Holy Name Church. I had never met Mrs. Linn until she moved to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. There, she opened a very upscale gift store. I visited her and introduced myself to her when my family and I were visiting Rehoboth one summer about 10 years ago. We would reminisce about my Aunt Mary, as well as Duquesne and Holy Name each time I visited her over the course of the next few years. There truly is a wonderfully warm and loving thread that connects all of us that were fortunate to grow up in Duquesne.

My Aunt Rose and Uncle Sam (Carr) moved to Duquesne Place when they built a home on Clonmel Ave., just above and overlooking the Duquesne High School Football Field in 1964. I think this was the first time that anyone in our family ever had a home built. Today, the home would be referred to as “Mid-Century Modern,” but as a brand new teenage, I just thought it to be so cool. I recall that there was this space age shaped ceiling light as you came in the front door. Sort of looked like the “Sputnik” satellite and totally neat.

I remember that my cousins Bobbie and Joanne Carr would invite me up to their house when Duquesne was playing a home game and we would watch the game from the kitchen window while they would bake chocolate chip cookies. Think about it, a wonderful game view, a cool and crisp autumn evening, warm chocolate chip cookies… ahh, heaven to a young boy. In fact, it was Bobbie and Joanne that taught me the joy of eating raw chocolate chip cookie dough. Yes, I know all about the dangers of eating uncooked eggs and all that jazz, but come on, our parents ate pig’s feet and coagulated blood sausage, so cut me a break!

It was Aunt Rose that allowed me to host my first Boy/Girl Party in her basement “Rec Room.” I think it was during my freshman year of high school, the year following my mom’s death. Aunt Rose was her oldest sister. They had just finished the room with the very latest trend in home fashion, wood paneling! It was the perfect place for a party and I took full advantage of it. I had my mom’s hi-fi stereo record player there and cranked it up, playing songs by the Association, the Righteous Brothers, the Four Tops, and the Supremes. Of course, none of the boys would fast dance with the girls, but slow songs got us quickly to our feet. If I recall correctly, the slow songs also managed to get either Aunt Rose or Uncle Sam to come down from upstairs to be sure we were not getting into trouble. By the time the evening wore on, the music shifted from playing 45’s to tuning into WMCK and Terry Lee’s “Music for Young Lovers” program, complete with its resplendent echo chamber.

Just like some scene from a retro sitcom today, at one point, we all sat down and played “spin the bottle.”  We didn’t know if that was something that was really done at parties, but we had heard so much about it, that we decided to try. We were naïve little freshmen. What did we know?!?  Since only half of Aunt Rose’s basement was finished, each randomly paired couple would retreat into the unfinished portion of the basement once they were matched. Of course, we were supposed to “make out” and then return to the party before the next couple entered. What I came to find out in later years, was that most couples just giggled and laughed at each other when they were out of the room amid my aunt and uncle’s hanging laundry.

To this day, I often wonder if the current residents of Aunt Rose’s home have ever discovered a hidden treasure that lurked in the basement. My cousin Bobbie is a very talented artist. Prior to the installation of the paneled walls, Bobbie had begun sketching a wall mural on one of the basement walls. It was of a collection of instruments, and was really quite good. However, being a perfectionist, she felt that she had made an error in the perspective of one of the instruments (the violin I believe) that could not be corrected. For that reason, she abandoned the project and it was eventually walled up and perhaps still lies beneath the walls.

It wasn’t until I was into 7th  or 8th grade and thereafter that I began to go to Duquesne Place more regularly. Prior to that time, my only exposure to that area was as a pass through on the way to Kennywood Park. I usually was so excited about going to Kennywood, that I didn’t pay much attention to my surroundings until we would pull into Kennywood’s parking lot. When I finally began to frequent Duquesne Place more often, one of the stops I would make with my friends would be the Dairy Queen on Duquesne Blvd. This was where I had my first “brain freeze” courtesy of one of their Mr. Misty ice drinks. I remember how much we enjoyed going there. No parents around, just a bunch of preteens trying to be cool. How sad was that?!? Dairy Queen is still operating in the same spot and the last time I was there, they were just as busy as when I was a kid. You just can’t beat those charbroiled burgers!

I thought you might enjoy seeing the old Duquesne High School Football Stadium as it stands today. It is actually pretty well maintained. Unfortunately, its one of the few places in Duquesne, except for the government builds, that are! Since I attended Serra Catholic High, I never went to a game at the stadium, but as I wrote earlier, I watched plenty from my aunt and uncle’s home. I remember hearing the crowds cheering, the sound of the band and the cheerleaders even encouraging more spirit, even though it seemed to fill the air already.

I had several friends who lived in Duquesne Place that I visited. Since my Uncle Sam Carr was in local politics, he introduced me to Nancy Staisey, Senator Staisey’s daughter. She and I became very good friends during high school. My Holy Name buddy, Geno Sabolcik was a D.P. resident as well as Alan Belancik, a high school friend. I sometimes would drive with my Aunt Mary when she would take my cousin Karla Goldman to Pat’s Dance Studio on Duquesne Blvd. I also remember going to Palchak’s Drug Store as well and taking advantage of their Soda Fountain.

In closing, I wanted to share an interesting article about an event that occurred at Palchak’s back in 1947. A bit before my time, but perhaps some of you might remember. In the meantime, I would love to hear some of your recollections about Duquesne Place. Be sure to post your comments AND most of all, be sure to keep on reading!  Later my Hunky friends!

Posted in Duquesne Place, Stores and Businesses | 15 Comments

Homage to Duquesne’s Library

Posted on February 27, 2011 by Jim

“The death of my friend is on the hands of all of them. This should not have happened. He should not have died.” – Stephany Sofos

When I began this blog, I never wanted to climb on a soapbox and begin pontificating and boring you with my point of views. I wanted to make this a stroll down the well worn paths of our youth. However, I was recently forwarded some photos that I found so upsetting that I felt I had to let my feeling be known. I hope you’ll forgive this one transgression. However, once you view the photos that were graciously shared with us compliments of Mifflin Township Historical Society and Jim Hartman, you’ll understand.

Duquesne City School District Razed
Carnegie Free Library of Duquesne in June of 1968

By Glenn A. Walsh – 2006 January 18 – The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Despite Andrew Carnegie’s view that the community should support a library, three library gifts were given, without this requirement: Carnegie Library of Homestead, Homestead (actually Munhall, a few blocks from the Homestead Borough line), Pennsylvania (1898); Andrew Carnegie Free Library and Music Hall, Carnegie, Pennsylvania (1901); and the Carnegie Free Library of Duquesne, Duquesne, Pennsylvania (1904 to 1968). Each of these three libraries were endowed, as were two libraries prior to the establishment of The Carnegie Formula: Carnegie Library in Dunfermline, Scotland (1881) and the Carnegie Free Library of Braddock (1889). As in the case of the Braddock Carnegie Library, the libraries in Homestead and Duquesne were built to serve the employees of Carnegie Steel Company mills in those towns, and their faamilies. In the beginning, as was the case in Braddock, the company paid for the operation of the Carnegie Free Library of Duquesne.

However, in 1901, Andrew Carnegie sold the Carnegie Steel Company for $480 million to J.P. Morgan, of New York City, and the United States Steel Corporation (for a time in the 1980s and 1990s known as “United States Steel Group,” a subsidiary of USX Corporation) was formed. At the conclusion of the sale, many of Andrew Carnegie’s business partners became instant millionaires. And, Andrew Carnegie, himself, became the richest man in the world!To take care of the libraries in the three Monongahela Valley towns, Andrew Carnegie set-up an endowment of one million dollars, to be shared among these three libraries. This endowment was managed by a Board comprised, primarily, of officials of the U.S. Steel Corporation. However, these officials were primarily interested in making money for the corporation, not operating three libraries. Consequently, the endowment for the three libraries was managed in a very conservative manner; to this day, officials of the Carnegie Library of Homestead are troubled that a hundred-plus year endowment did not grow as much as it could have.By the 1960s, the endowment was not enough to operate three libraries; so, it was decided to “sell-off” two of the libraries. In the 1960s, the Braddock and Duquesne libraries were sold to the school districts in those towns, for one dollar each. The Braddock Carnegie Library stayed open for awhile, but was closed for much of the 1970s and 1980s due to the building’s dilapidated condition and lack of sufficient funding. A community effort reopened the library in the mid-1980s. Although the Braddock Carnegie Library remains open (with a small two-day a week library branch operating in the Westinghouse Valley Services Center in Turtle Creek), they continue to have financial problems.Shortly after taking control of the Carnegie Free Library of Duquesne, the Duquesne City School District razed the structure, in June of 1968, to make-way for a school district annex (possibly a new gymnasium for the high school, located across the street). However, when the school district learned that the construction of such an annex would result in a partial loss of state funding, the project was quickly dropped. Thirteen 1970s-era split-level houses now occupy the former library property, a cul-de-sac named “Library Place.”It should be noted that the City of Duquesne is one of three Third Class Cities in Allegheny County (the other two being McKeesport and Clairton). In Allegheny County, all other municipalities are chartered as boroughs, townships (there are First Class Townships and Second Class Townships), or Home-Rule Municipalities. The only exceptions are the City of Pittsburgh which remains a Second Class City (although the original definition of a Second Class City meant a city of 500,000 population or greater) and the Town of McCandless. Allegheny City (now the North Side of Pittsburgh), where Andrew Carnegie built the nation’s first publicly-funded Carnegie Library (originally known as the Carnegie Free Library of Allegheny; now known as the Allegheny Regional Branch of The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh) was also a Third Class City until, through political maneuvering in the Pennsylvania General Assembly by the City of Pittsburgh, in 1907 when the City of Allegheny was involuntarily annexed to the City of Pittsburgh. The fact that the City of Duquesne remains a Third Class City may be the reason their fairly small school district escaped the Commonwealth’s mandatory school district mergers in the late 1960s.Although the Braddock Carnegie Library is operating, once again, since this library was officially sold-off by the Board of the Endowment for the Monongahela Valley libraries, the Carnegie Library of Homestead is the only library that now has legal claim to this Endowment, the current value of which is approximately $1.8 million.And, a few years ago, the Carnegie Free Library of McKeesport opened a small four afternoons-per-week library branch in the City of Duquesne (which is located across the Monongahela River from McKeesport). This small branch library is located in the Duquesne High School, which apparently is slated to close after the current school year ends. The future of this Duquesne branch library is unknown.

I find it unconscionable that the destruction of Duquesne’s Library senselessly occurred. I believe that the death of the Carnegie was the straw that broke the camel’s back and took the spirit out of the residents that had remained in Duquesne.

We all know that our hometown has dramatically changed since we were children. To try to understand just HOW much has chaged, I began doing research about the schools in Duquesne yesterday. I am not sure if you are all aware of it, but after the 8th grade, students are bused to outlying high school. Only grades Kindergarten through 8th are conducted in Duquesne itself. According to Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia:

Duquesne City School District was ranked 105th out of 105 Western Pennsylvania School Districts in 2009 by the Pittsburgh Business Times. The ranking was based on three years of student academic performance on the PSSAs for: math, reading, writing and one year of science. In 2008 the school ranked 105th of the Western Pennsylvania school districts and 496th out of 498 Pennsylvania school districts.

The eighth grade ranked 141st out of 141 western Pennsylvania eighth grades, by the Pittsburgh Business Times in 2009, for academic achievement as reflected by three years of results on: math, reading, writing and one year of science PSSAs.

Even more staggering is the fact that in 2010:

  • only 37% of Duquesne’s 8th graders could read on an 8th grade level
  • only 26% of Duquesne’s 8th graders could perform on an 8th grade level
  • less than 3% of Duquesne’s 8th graders could perform on an 8th grade level

The numbers almost defy believability.

The things I remember about our library:

  • The rubber stamps that the librarian used to carefully date each outgoing book with the due back date
  • I think overdue children’s books were 1¢ per day and books from the adult section were either 2¢ or 3¢ per day.
  • The orientation that the librarian gave when our class joined the library, explaining the card file and the Dewey Decimal System.
  • The glass floored rotunda of the adult section
  • The office that we would go to for swimming passes
  • The sounds and smell from the swimming pool as you descended the steps
  • The showers that were in the corner before you entered the locker room
  • Holding onto the bar and practicing kicking
  • Sliding down the handrails on the library steps outside
  • My first dive into the deep end
  • Lots and lots of dark oak, white marble and windows
  • The heavy doors into the building
  • The track and/or balcony around the gymnasium
  • The dark theatre with dark red curtains and muffled sounds
  • The respect that everyone gave to the building, its history and its contents

And now the photos, compliments of Mifflin Township Historical Society and Jim Hartman. The time – June, 1968 –

 

 

Posted in Duquesne Carnegie Library, Playing and Games, Sports | 30 Comments

Voices from Duquesne – Part 2

Posted on February 24, 2011 by Jim

I continue to get many comments and roll call information from people who are reading this blog. I’ll continue to publish the names, comments, etc. as long as they are being sent in. I have provided a link to the contact information form under BLOG ROLL in the right hand column of this page. Please, we’d love to hear from you and about you! Also, I have included a line for you to provide your email address in the event you would like to hear from old friends. It isn’t necessary to provide the email address if you are uncomfortable, but the option is there to use. I will consolidate the addresses into a directory that you can use to find your friends. I should have that posted within the next couple of weeks.

In the meantime, enjoy reading some comments and reviewing information from former and current Duquesne folk and as well as people who just enjoy reading about life in Duquesne.

 

Lori D. Achtzehn

Years in Duquesne = 1958 – 1986

Where do you live now? = White Oak, PA

Comments = I love going back in time. Holy Name was the greatest school ever.  I had Sister Joan Marie in 1st Grade, Sister Annette (later Sister Virginia) in 2nd Grade, Mrs. Higgs in 3rd Grade, I think Sister Mary Sarto in 4th Grade, Sister Virginia (formerly Sister Annette) in 5th Grade, Sister Clementine in 6th Grade.  In 7th & 8th Grade we merged into Duquesne Catholic and I, VERY RELUCTANTLY, I had to finish my years at Holy Trinity School on S Third St.  We used to go to Elsie’s on W Grant Ave near S lst St all the time. I so remember lining up outside of school to say the Pledge of Allegiance before going into school.  I remember playing “Peanut Heaven” on the church steps and “Red Rover” etc. at lunchtime. I remember helping to dust erasers on the back steps, clean the chalkboards, & put up the bulletin boards after school.  I also sold supplies in mornings (going room-to-room with a cart) and candy at lunchtime on the convent rear porch.  I was a safety patrol member when I got older and can very well remember being tackled in the alley buy a bunch of boys playing football with “Deacon Dennis Buranosky”.  I remember going to church all the time and having Kleenex put on our heads if we forgot a hat.  We said “The Angelus” at Noon and blessed ourselves if we heard any type of siren go off.  I could go on and on.  We need to have a reunion of all Holy Name students.  It would be a blast!!!!

 

Maryanne Lasko

Maiden name = Matusovic

Years in Duquesne = 1945 – 1976

Where do you live now? = Jefferson Township, Pa/Southport, NC

comments = I loved reading the various articles on your blog, especially the one about your house and how it impacted your life.

 

I lived on the other side of Duquesne – Arch Street, which was off the lower part of Crawford Avenue.  I attended Crawford School and Duquesne High School.

 

It is so very sad to see what has happened to Duquesne over the years.  We had moved my parents from our family home in Duquesne to Munhall in the early 80’s since the neighborhood had gotten a little rough – break-in’s, etc.  We sadly sold “our house” which my grandparents had originally built.  So many memories.  Four generations of our family had lived in this house.  Unfortunately, the people who bought the house did not take care of it and eventually abandoned the house.  Several years ago we learned that the city had leveled the house.  It made me very sad when I heard that.  My mother had always asked to go back to take a look at the “old house”.  I never had the heart to tell her it was no longer there.  So sad.

 

Maybe sometime in the future I’ll share more of my thoughts about life in Duquesne.  Duquesne was a great place to grow-up.  Have you had any other responses from the “other side of Duquesne” -streets off Crawford?

 

Thanks for taking the time to create this blog and share your thoughts and memories of good ole Duquesne!

 

John Dillinger

Years in Duquesne = 1950 – 1968

Where do you live now? = Lower Burrell, Pa.

comments = Memories and contact from other Duquesne residents

 

Margaret Soboslay

Maiden name = Carr

Years in Duquesne = 1932 – 1965

Where do you live now? = Pittsburgh, PA (Sq. Hill Neighborhood) comments = It’s fascinating reading the comments. Pittsburgh started the Steeler Nation. Now you are starting the Duquesne Neighborhood.  This brings back a ton of memories, of those people who worked in the Duquesne Works, school mates through the forties, great neighbors and friends, all who add to the tapestry of the city.  Driving through Duquesne I see it as it once was, built by hard-working men and women proud of their traditions, faithful to their religions. How fortunate we are to been rooted in this fertile soil.  Please continue writing, Jim.

 

James Lalley

Years in Duquesne = N/A

Where do you live now? = Springfield, OH

comments = A friend of mine sent me a copy of your blog and I wanted to share that my parents Charles and Mary Lalley lived in Duquesne from 1956 to 1959. My father taught in the Jr High from 1955 to 1967 and returned to help with the school in the mid 1990’s. My parents rented from Nick Williams on Duquesne Blvd. I grew up in Elizabeth township and worked at Kennywood during my high school years in the 1980’s. I remember passing that mansion every day going to work. My parents still live in the township and still talk about the years they spent in Duquesne.

 

Michelle Sullivan

Years in Duquesne = 1948 – 1967 or thereabouts

Where do you live now? = Fayetteville NC comments = I’ve lived here in Fayetteville NC about 15 months working at the VA and kinda miss Pgh (where I lived for the past 12 years and have lived in Pittsburgh off and on my adult life except for stints in Philly, .Washington, DC., L.A., etc. (don’t ask!)….You probably know some of my siblings (Sullivans) or members of DHS Class of ‘65.  I’m also a Holy Name Graduate and although Irish I’m an ‘honorary Hunky’ Keep up the posts, they are wonderful!

 

Maryann Smith

Maiden name = Stavor

Years in Duquesne = 1950-1987

Where do you live now? = Allison Park, Pa comments = Remembering my childhood days. Seeing pictures of Duquesne in its hey days. My dad, Joe, grew up in the 20’s, graduated in 1940 and returned after WWII to marry, work, and raise his 4 kids there. Dad is 91 now and lives with many friends in an independent living home in West Mifflin.

 

Paula Niedoba

Maiden name = Manns

Years in Duquesne = 1953-1976

Where do you live now? = Unity Township, PA

comments = Everyone brings their own experiences to the table but we all have the one common thread of our Duquesne roots.

Colleen Travis

Maiden name = Byrne

Years in Duquesne = Lived in West Mifflin but went to Holy Name

Where do you live now? = Mt. Washington, Pittsburgh

comments = This blog is great!  A friend of mine passed it on to me.  I am so glad she did.  I have enjoyed reading every response.

 

Donna Connolly

Maiden name = Donna Ragan

Years in Duquesne = 1955-1981

Where do you live now? = Mentor, Ohio

comments = I’m amazed at all the similarities in our childhood. I can relate to so much because I lived at “the top of Duquesne” and know well the landmarks you have talked about. So I know more about those places than the ones at the “bottom: of Duquesne. This has been so much fun, it certainly stirs up a lot of memories and feelings. I would say just keep doing what you’re doing, it’s great! I LOVE the pictures. Can others contribute with them? I went to Holy Trinity and would love to see pics like the ones from Holy Name. Oh, by the way, we loved lekvar pierogies and to this day I make them (potato also of course) from scratch at least twice a year!

 

Jerry Johnston

Where do you live now? = Cincinnati

comments = Jim, I have thoroughly enjoyed all your posts. You need to combine them with photos and publish a book. Even though I have never been to Duquesne, I can relate to the time period and it brings back nice memories for me. Keep up the posts!

 

Dan Bonga

Years in Duquesne = 19? then off to college and back home for awhile Where do you live now? = Wilkinsburg

comments = I like it all! Keep it goin!

 

Steve Kracinovsky

Years in Duquesne = 1957 to present

Where do you live now? = Duquesne

comments = The thoughts and descriptions you write about takes one back to their childhood and usually easy and happier times in ones life …..the younger years.

 

Joe Haver

Years in Duquesne = 1942-1967

Where do you live now? = Monroeville, PA

comments = Wonderful memories of growing up. Went to St Joes and rode bicycles all over Duquesne. Remember Zemps field, where there were ball games almost every night? How about Polish Hill? Businesses on First St? First National Bank? The Library? Rock n Roll shows? Kennywood Park swimming pool? Walking up and down the hill to go to high school, and coming home for lunch. And it was only up hill one way !! Drug stores?

Pizza shop, first one I ever saw on Grant Ave just below 6th St. High school dances in the gym? Thanks for doing this, it is great !!

 

Joanne Matthews

Maiden name = Carr

Years_in_Duquesne = 1942-1962

Where_do_you_live_now? = West Sunbury,Pa

Jeff Volk

Years in Duquesne = West Mifflin (53 2/3) years

Where do you live now? = Same 3 blocks from Kenny St

comments = I enjoy reading your all your articles. You have great way of writing & bringing back some fantastic memories of your Dad. I wish I knew your Mom better & probably recall Aunt Mary’s & Lou’s get-togethers better at her house with my parents. Sorry I can’t remember any thing about the city of Duquesne (I was raised in Homestead at Baba’s Streamline restaurant & went to school at St Mike’s)but I do recall the great times with our family party’s & also the Sunday visits with grandpa Volk. I also looked forward to everyone meeting when Uncle Mike & Uncle John came in from Maryland & Niagara Falls. Keep up the Great work!

 

Marilyn Boca

Maiden name = Thomas [Tamas]    [Mother] Rinkacs

Years in Duquesne = 1945-1950 & summers thereafter

Where do you live now? = Meadville Pa.

comments = I’d forgotten a lot about Duquesne even though I still have family in the area. I was recently in Holy Name church and St. Joseph cemetery with the death of my Mom’s sister. My Dad is buried there as will be my Mom when the time comes. My sister is into genealogy and we did the cemetery from top to bottom two years ago. I’ve enjoyed your pictures too.

 

Patty Furman

Maiden name = Stavor

Years in Duquesne = 1952 born until 1974

Where do you live now? = Pottstown PA, East Vincent Twp

comments = Love the blog.  Great Duquesne memories even though I went to Crawford Elementary (JFK in later years) and lived up on Maryland Ave above Burns Heights many of the feelings (hated pigs feet) are the same.

 

Ron Zeigler

Years in Duquesne = 1952-1971

Where do you live now? = Chambersburg, Pa

comments = Memories- memories- memories. A lot of what you blog about just brings back good memories of Duquesne. Many things you’ve talked about, I remember well. I’ve lived all over the U.S., but if anyone asks where I’m from, it’s always Duquesne, Pa. I recently heard a woman talking about center St, and making a roller coaster like motion. I ask if she was talking about Center St in Duquesne. Turns out she was. Once while watching the Steelers in a bar in Davenport IA., there was a young girl standing next to me. When the Steelers scored, she cheered. I asked her were she was from, she said West Mifflin, but her mom was from Duquesne. Turns out her mom and I went to school together I’ve tried without success to explain to people what it was like to grow up in Duquesne.

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