Voices From Duquesne – September 15, 2011

Posted on September 15, 2011 by Jim

I have to say, the past three weeks have been rather strange in my area of the country! Since the end of August, we’ve had an earthquake, a hurricane, floods and today, a tornado that hit Ocean City! Since it isn’t cold enough for a blizzard, I’m figuring, frogs and locusts! Aside from these anomalies, it feels like fall has officially especially with football season underway!

I have received some wonderful replys from our former friends and neighbors in the past few weeks, and since its the 15th of the month, its time for Voices from Duquesne again! I post messages that I receive from current and former Duquesne friends and neighbors on the 1st and 15th of each month in VOICES FROM DUQUESNE.  Take the time to share your whereabouts, your thoughts and memories, your email if you desire and any other words that tickle your fancy. To do so, just click the link below and fill out your information, thoughts, and memories.  Just  CLICK HERE!

Before you get started on catching up with old friends, I thought that you might enjoy a Duquesne Times article about the Football Season Opening Game, 1958…..

How many names do you remember from that game?

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Speaking of remembering names, please enjoy reading through the hellos from your former friends and neighbors, here are some voices from Duquesne…..

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Maiden Name = Beverly Flemm

Married Name = Monaghan

When did you live in Duquesne? = 1958-1976

Where are you now? = Columbia, California

Your Email Address = b.monaghan@sbcglobal.net

Questions, Comments and Feedback = I grew up on Aurilles Street. Attended St. Joseph’s school up the street and Duquesne High School. I worked at Kennywood, Cox’s department store in McKeesport, Isaly’s ice cream and deli, the Deli in the shopping center supermarket and Duke’s bar. My fondest memories are of Kennywood. I recently inherited the house when my mother passed away 4 years ago. It is available. Any advice on what to do with this house that fell on me? I have been in California for 35 years. I live by Columbia State Park; a living history park from the gold rush days. I am self-employed doing legal support work.

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Maiden Name = Cathy Sturm

When did you live in Duquesne? = 1955-1989

Where are you now? = out in the boondocks of Arkansas

Questions, Comments and Feedback = love your site. It’s almost uncanny how your take on things is exactly the same as mine and you were a few years older. Jim you’ve brought back many good memories. …things I haven’t thought of in years.

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Maiden Name = Denise Waddle

When did you live in Duquesne? = 1961 – 2006

Where are you now? = Cranberry Twp

Your Email Address = Tiltedhalo1@comcast.net

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Maiden Name = Lea Meyer Chbosky

What is your married name? = Meyer

When did you live in Duquesne? = 1944-1966

Where are you now? = Upper St Clair, PA and Desert Hot Springs, CA

Your Email Address = lea_chbosky@verizon.net

Questions, Comments and Feedback = Graduated from DHS in 1962 – our 50th reunion will be next year. Happily married to my DHS sweetheart – two children, both in the LA,CA area. Enjoy reading about the current whereabouts of Duquesne friends and remembering the good times!

When I lived in Duquesne Place, we used to sled ride on Harden Ave. The city would block off the side streets and cinder the end of the run.

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Maiden Name = Cathy Cardilla

What is your married name? = Gallucci

When did you live in Duquesne? = 1942-1959

Where are you now? = Irwin, Pa

Your Email Address = cgallucci@verizon.net

Questions, Comments and Feedback = This is a new email address. My old email was hacked and I had to get a new account. Is there some way you can get this information out there.

Thanks,

Cathy

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Name = Raymond Rutkowski

When did you live in Duquesne? = 1940 – 1958

Where are you now? = Maricopa Az

Your Email Address = rayski@c2i2.com

Questions, Comments and Feedback = I remember the swimming pool @ Kennywood, walking there quite often in the summer – school picnic at the park – the rivalry between Duquesne & McKeesport, used to work for Levine Hardware on 1st St part time after I turned 16, also all those Saturday spent at the movie there on 1st for a nickel or a dime not sure which now. A lot of fond memories of the sock-hops at the Gym.

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Maiden Name = Jan Horvatt

When did you live in Duquesne? = 1951-1966

Where are you now? = Export, PA 15632

Your Email Address = janhorvatt@windstream.net

Questions, Comments and Feedback = I find this blog very interesting as it helps me to understand my memory of the times that I spend here as a child and young adolescent.

I was born in 1949 and lived at 27 North Fifth St.. I remember going to the grocery store at Kundrat’s Market on the corner of 5th and Grant across Fifth St. from Gallaghers. I sort of remember that Dom’s TV was on the corner of Grant and Fifth on the corner opposite Gallaghers. There was also another grocery store across from Schink’s Hardware, named Soltis Grocery. The owner was a butcher named Mike and his wife was named Pearl.

The mode of transportation during that era was the street car. I remember becoming carsick at a young age due to the constant jarring of the movement of the streetcars. When I was five though in the summer of 1951 my grandfather took me to Forbes Field in Oakland on a street car and I was fine because I sat at the open window and was able to breathe fresh air. I mention this because no one has mentioned the streetcar as a notable memory. It was truly a memento of that era.

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Maiden Name = Gloria Flister

What is your married name? = Skurzynski

When did you live in Duquesne? = 1930-1952

Where are you now? = Boise Idaho

Your Email Address = gloriabooks@Q.com

Questions, Comments and Feedback = I’m the author of two novels set in Duquesne, THE TEMPERING and GOODBYE, BILLY RADISH. Both books are based on my father’s life in Duquesne when he was a boy getting ready to work in the mill; the second novel takes place during World War I. My father, A. K. Flister, wrote, produced and directed half a hundred theatrical productions in Duquesne in his lifetime. My website is http://gloriabooks.com

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Maiden Name = Shirley Lemak

What is your married name? = Dilla

When did you live in Duquesne? = 1943-1965

Where are you now? = Irwin, PA

Questions, Comments and Feedback = Duquesne, in the 50’s was a great place in which to grow and live. Super schools, families, friends and stores. We had it all. Remember the fun carnival behind the City Hall? So many people were there that it was hard to find family members. It was safe, too, although we were warned about the “gypsies.” I remember the chicken store where I went to get the Sunday chicken for Grandma. We didn’t dare to misbehave because every adult would yell at us and then tell our parents. No secrets. So many wonderful memories that I wish I could give to my grandchildren.

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Maiden Name = Sandra Algeri

What is your married name? = Sandra Bullard

When did you live in Duquesne? = 1943-1964

Where are you now? = Hiram, Georgia

Your Email Address = sandi324@gmail.com

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Posted in Feedback From Our Friends | 1 Comment

Where Are You My Friend???

Posted on September 13, 2011 by Jim

I wanted to remind everyone that I’ll be posting the latest messages I have received from current and former Duquesne friends and neighbors. I post these on the 1st and 15th of each month in the posts titled VOICES FROM DUQUESNE. Although I have received quite a number, the more the merrier! There’s still time to share your whereabouts, your thoughts, your email if you desire and any other words that tickle your fancy. To do so, just click the link below and fill out your information and your thoughts and memories, just  CLICK HERE!

TRIVIA COURTESY OF THE DUQUESNE TIMES

Just for a bit of fun, I am posting a few pictures that I discovered in the Duquesne Times from 1951. Specifically, they are from this week, 60 years ago. Of course, I’m much too young to remember since I wasn’t born until at LEAST a month and a half later in November, 1951. Let’s see how many people you recognize in the Duquesne Boosters’ clipping….

Now, for those of you who are like me and a bit “challenged” trying to read the small print above, here’s an enlarged version. Thank goodness for technology!!!

Here’s a bit of trivia that I discovered in the pages of the Duquesne Times for the week ending September 20, 1951 – 60 years ago

The picture DID actually get produced, but the title changed in the process. What was to be “Angels and the Pirates” ended up being the iconic picture “Angels in the Outfield.” The movie was packed with cameo appearances including Bing Crosey (as himself), Ty Cobb (as himself), and Joe DiMaggio (as himself). It is interesting that the Duquesne newspaper also carried Hollywood stories as well!

Here’s a plot synopsis in case you’ve forgotten……..

Angels in the Out Field – 1951

A young woman reporter blames the Pittsburgh Pirates’ losing streak on the obscenely  abusive manager. While she attempts to learn more about him for her column, he begins hearing the voice of an angel promising him help for the team if he will mend his ways. As he does so, an orphan girl who is a Pirates fan and has been praying for the team begins noticing angels on the ballfield. Sure enough, the Pirates start winning, and McGovern tries to turn his life around. But can he keep his temper long enough for the Pirates to win the NL pennant?

Posted in Life in General, Sports | 3 Comments

Duquesne’s Autumn!

Posted on September 10, 2011 by Jim

There is something about the arrival of September that triggers an immediate Autumn mindset for me. It doesn’t matter if the temperatures aren’t cooperating and are still hovering in the 80’s. In my mind, Fall is here.

Living on the Eastern Shore, it’s a bigger stretch to try to envision crisp Fall days than when I was growing up in Duquesne. In Duquesne, by this time of the year, days were becoming noticeably shorter, and nights significantly cooler and crisper. The trees were only beginning to show their autumn colors, but there was definitely a change in the air.

We had a huge sycamore tree in our backyard on Thomas Street. My father made it his mission to nurture a tree that was only a few years old when they first moved into the house in 1951. I have pictures of that sycamore sapling with me sitting on the ground next to it when I was just a wee 19 months old. (You’ll notice my mom crouching behind the lawn chair in case I would keel over!) I spent my entire childhood at the same address and grew up alongside of that tree. It was as if God intended for that tree to be my organic playmate and playground as a child. When I was a kid, that tree was climbed; held swings; was home to a make-shift tree house; was a fantastic source for all things creepy and crawly such as occasional spiders, locusts and caterpillars; and of course, becoming a tree of life in the spring with numerous robin’s nests.

Perhaps the greatest metamorphosis that my childhood tree went through occurred every Fall. As the season changed, the sycamore produced huge amounts of brightly colored leaves that fell to the ground just for my enjoyment and benefit. My tree was the biggest Fall attraction in the neighborhood. No other kid’s tree could rival the amount of fallen leaves that my tree produced. I tried to estimate the size this tree grew to in order to fill a yard so full of leaves. Our house was 21 feet wide. The tree’s branches spread well beyond the ends of our house and practically into Ann Yasko’s and Joan Shedlock’s yards on either side of ours. I think it would be safe to estimate the spread to be in the neighborhood of 40 ft. wide.

I remember my dad creating huge piles of leaves in his attempt to clean up the yard each weekend during Fall. Of course, any pile created quickly became the target of our play. How he kept from losing his temper as we jumped into the piles and decimated any sense of order he had created, I’ll never know. Remember how much fun it was to bury yourself or a friend under a pile of leaves and then jump out!?! There was a certain crisp smell that the leaves had when you were buried deep in a pile. Eventually, we tired of all the jumping and all of the games we would play, and ended up helping Dad pack the leaves into paper grocery bags or into bushels. He’d load them into his car and would either take them to dump (less the bags and bushels) in the cemetery (St. Joseph’s), or over the hill behind his garage on First St. Many of our neighbors would burn the piles of leaves they raked in their yards rather than move them elsewhere. Dad never wanted to scorch the grass, so burning was out for us.

I still remember the smell that filled the air when someone was burning leaves in their yard. As acrid as it smelled, it immediately reminded you of Autumn was in the air. I even remember the sound that the leaves made as they blew across the brick streets of Duquesne. Passing cars and the fall winds would carry the leaves into piles next to the high curbs along Kennedy Ave. As kids would walk to the library or to the store for Mom, it was as if there was an unwritten rule that any kid passing one of those piles, had to jump into the middle of it and kick the leaves back into the street.

Around 5 or 5:30 each evening in the Fall, my mother would call me and my brother in for dinner. Dad would be home soon, and the days were getting shorter and dusk was coming earlier. We’d begrudgingly trudge in through the kitchen door, dirty faces, runny noses and all. Just to the right of our kitchen door, my dad had installed an exhaust fan. We didn’t have a stove hood over our stove, so the exhaust fan would propel any kitchen aroma outside for “public consumption.” For some reason, in the Fall, those cooking scents seemed to intensify. Perhaps it was the warm kitchen air meeting the chillier evenings outside. Nonetheless, by the time I reached the back door, the smell would immediately capture my attention and senses and draw me in.

My mom was not a gourmet cook. She WAS however a darn good hunky chef! Coming from a family of nine brothers and sisters who grew-up for a large part of their life without a mother, she had some awesome cooking skills. My Aunt Rose (Carr), who was the oldest female of my mother’s siblings did a fantastic job in preparing the Puskaric and Stepetic girls to raise a family and keep them fed! The meals weren’t fancy, but they tasted GREAT!

In 1989, the Duquesne Fraternal of Eagles 1087 Ladies Auxiliary published a cookbook titled “What’s Cookin’ in Duquesne.” I can’t remember where in Duquesne I purchased my copy, but it still is one of my favorite cookbooks to use. The recipes were contributed by the Ladies Auxiliary and have stood the test of time for years. Two of my favorite recipes in the book are representative of the meals that my mom or dad would prepare most often in the Fall, Stuffed Cabbage (of course) and Chicken Parikas. Dad called them “belly warmers.” As we approach the cool and crisp days of Autumn, I thought you’d like to give them a try, so I am posting the recipes and their contributors.

It would be GREAT if you have a favorite Fall recipe that you recall from your days in Duquesne, please, post it in the comments section and spread the flavor of Duquesne to everyone! Enjoy…………………….

Stuffed Cabbage

2 medium cabbage

3 Ibs. ground beef or combination of ground beef, ground pork, ground veal

1 cup rice

1 medium onion, diced

1 bag sauerkraut

Tomato sauce

Tomato soup

Seasonings

Parboil cabbage by putting it in a pot of enough boiling water to cover the cabbage. Allow to boil until outside leaves become translucent *NOTE. Cool. Cut core from cabbage and separate leaves. Save any torn outer leaves for bottom of casserole. (You may have to return cabbage to pot to further cook inner leaves.) Pare off hard end of leaves. When you get to the small, hard inner leaves, chop and set aside.

Slightly parboil rice, about 1-2 minutes. Add rice and onion to ground beef. Add seasonings such as salt, pepper, fresh minced garlic or garlic powder, sweet Hungarian paprika and parsley. Mix well.

To stuff cabbage, lay cabbage leaf in the palm of your hand and place a heaping tablespoon of meat mixture in the center of the leaf. Start rolling from short side of leaf, then push sides into roll.

Mix together tomato sauce, soup, can of water and more spices as listed above. To start casserole, first put in a ladle of sauce and some left over chopped cabbage and outer leaves, then start placing rolls closely together. After first layer is filled with rolls, lay some sauerkraut and chopped cabbage on top and another ladle of sauce. Continue layering until everything is used up, ending with sauerkraut and sauce.

You will get about 30 cabbage rolls, but this will vary based on the size of the cabbage. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 2 – 3 hours. Cooking time will depend on the size of the rolls and casserole.

Contributed by: Susan Straub

*NOTE- Another option that is less “fragrant” would be to place the head(s) of cabbage in the freeze two days ahead of preparing the rolls. On the day before preparing, remove the cabbage heads from the freezer and allow to completely thaw. This process breaks down the fibrous nature of the cabbage, and allows you to simple core and prepare the cabbage leaves as if it were boiled.

Chicken Paprikas

4 lb. chicken

1 tbs. butter

1 tbs. sweet paprika

Sprinkle of cayenne pepper

1 small onion

1 pint sour cream

Salt to taste

Take the butter and onion and set on medium flame to brown a little, then add cut up chicken in small portions and heat slowly till done. Take the sour cream, mix in 1 tbs. flour and stir into chicken when done. Do not boil; just stir lightly until thickened slightly.

Contributed by: Pam Whelpley

Posted in Autumntime, Food and Restaurants, Life in General, Playing and Games | 10 Comments

Duquesne’s Rebirth? PART TWO

Posted on September 5, 2011 by Jim

This is a continuation of my earlier post. Space restrictions on this WordPress blog allows only a specific amount of space to be used for each post. Sorry for the inconvenience, but read on…….

In closing, I wanted to post a photo that I find somewhat ironic. This photo was published just 9 days after the demolition that began the redevolpment occured. The photo shows Duquesne’s Board of Managers visiting the book section of the Duquesne Carnegie Library to inspect the recently completed remodeling project. I was suprised to see Fr. Shaughnessy from Holy Name as a Member of the Board of Managers! The irony in this photo is that just eight years after this photo was taken, this magnificent library was razed in June, 1968. …………I just don’t get it!

Posted in Duquesne Buildings, Duquesne History, Historic Events, Stores and Businesses | 1 Comment

Duquesne’s Rebirth? PART ONE

Posted on September 5, 2011 by Jim

Well, people have been casting their vote for “The Most Iconic Symbol of Duquesne.” As you can see from the results below, the Steel Mills have a resounding lead over the other choices. I find it interesting that the top two front-runners no longer exist, but are indelibly etched in all of our minds.

You can still cast your vote. Simple click HERE to make your selection. Here’s how the votes are stacking up so far.

Answer Votes Percent

The Steel Mills?                                                     37%

Carnegie Library?                                                 16%

Duquesne High School?                                      12%

Soldiers Memorial on Grant Avenue?               11%

Kennywood Park?                                                 11%

The brick streets?                                                  7%

Duquesne City Bank Clock?                                2%

Center Street                                                          2%

The 1st Post Office at Grant and 2nd?              1%

As I was rummaging through some issues of The Duquesne Times, I was struck by the frequency of articles and headlines that dealt with the subject of the “REDEVELOPMENT.” So many structures that were a part of my youth were touched in some way by the whole impact of the redevelopment.

As a boy, I recall that the ideas, premise and impact of the redevelopment would instantly create stress in our home. I really didn’t understand much about the subject as a kid, but I definitely saw that it caused my dad and mom to get very upset. As I came to learn, the root of their anxiety was the fact that my father’s business would eventually fall victim to the redevelopment effort.

Judging from the countless articles about the redevelopment, the intent was to revitalize and maintain a thriving town for all of the residents to enjoy. The program was NOT the brainchild of our city leaders, but rather a plan that was proposed by the Allegheny County Redevelopment Authority. I have discovered articles about the plans as far back as 1952, but it appears that the plan didn’t come to fruition until 1960 when the first wave of building demotions occurred on Tuesday, May 31, 1960. The first building chosen for demolition on that day was the Salopek Tailoring Shop at 33 N. Duquesne Avenue. The shop had closed many years earlier when it was forced out of business due to the Defense Plant Corporation’s acquisition of all properties below the tracks.

Some of the headlines and the articles in the Duquesne Times are below:

BE SURE TO READ PART TWO OF THIS POST FOR ADDITIONAL

ARTICLES –

Posted in Duquesne Buildings, Duquesne History, Historic Events, Stores and Businesses, Surveys and Opinions | Leave a comment

Voices from Duquesne – September 1, 2011

Posted on August 29, 2011 by Jim

“The most beautiful discovery true friends make, is that they can grow separately without growing apart.” Elizabeth Foley

I’m a bit premature in publishing this post, but once again, I was amazed at the number of folks who have responded and wanted to try to connect with Duquesne friends. Responses in this post came from as far away as California, Washington State and Florida! It seems that you can find former Duquesne residents just about anywhere. We’ve even discovered ol’ friends as far away as New Zeland and Hawaii!

CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR INFORMATION AND WHERE ABOUTS!

Before you begin to review some of the friends who have sent in their information and feedback, I thought you might enjoy a photo that I discovered in the Duquesne Times from November, 1959. How many people do you know???

Name = Tom McLaughlin                                                                                                              When did you live in Duquesne? = 1942-1963                                                                              Where are you now? = McCandless {Pgh) PA                                                                            Your Email Address = t.mac131@verizon.net

Questions, Comments and Feedback =

Jim,

Enjoy your blog tremendously.

Here’s a few things I remember…every time it snowed, they used to barricade the alley between 6th and 7th streets from Kennedy to Grant, and slag the last 50 feet at Grant for us to sled ride.

I also remember roller skating at the arena than was down the road from Butler’s Drug.

I also set pins at St. Joseph’s and jerked sodas at Butlers.

I also will never forget the 2 to 3 times a week spent at the Kennywood swimming pool…I visit my dermatologist twice a year as a result. We used a wonderful sun screen made of baby oil and iodine. In retrospect, I guess this is like deep-frying our skin. 🙂

Tom

Name = Mike Bilcsik, lived in Duquesne Annex project                                                        When did you live in Duquesne? = 1941 till 1959, worked in mill from 64 until it closed.                                                                                                                                                  Where are you now? = Munhall PA and Labelle Florida                                                         Your Email Address = bilcsik@yahoo.com

Questions, Comments and Feedback =

WOW! Nice site. I just discovered it and haven’t yet explored it completely. I have a couple questions. I was president of the USWA local union 1256 and have direct experience with the mills closure. Is this the place to post them? I’m long retired and have no axes to grind, but not all my recollections of the Duquesne Works closing are positive.

If you think it’s appropriate I can write about starting the first food bank in Duquesne, both the good and the bad.

Thx, Mike Bilcsik

Reply: Mike, we’d love to hear from you. You can send your recollections to me at duquesnehunky@gmail.com!

Maiden Name = betty jean chase                                                                                            Married Name? = acquaviva                                                                                                        When did you live in Duquesne? = 1953-1974                                                                       Where are you now? = the villages, florida                                                                                 Your Email Address = bchase1306@aol.com

Maiden Name = Martina Estochin                                                                                          Married name = Hull                                                                                                                    When did you live in Duquesne? = 1956-1970                                                                               Where are you now? = Fayetteville, NC                                                                                      Your Email Address = hulldstina@gmail.com

Questions, Comments and Feedback =

Our family lived in Burns Heights – 27D – then moved to Edith Street then to Ferndale Avenue. I graduated in 1970, married my husband, then moved to McKeesport. I have wonderful memories of Duquesne and love the information I read on your site. I visit once a year and it does break my heart to see what Duquesne and surrounding communities has become. Thanks, Jim, for the memories.

Name = Tony Domek                                                                                                                    When did you live in Duquesne? = 1979-1995                                                                        Where are you now? = Sandy Lake, Pa                                                                                       Your Email Address = tdomek@facebook.com

Questions, Comments and Feeback =

Grew up in Polish Hill near Long’s Hauling. Some of my best memories are being a member at Duquesne EMS

Maiden Name = Irene Taczak                                                                                                          Maiden Name = Stang                                                                                                                  When did you live in Duquesne? = 1935 – 1957                                                                      Where are you now? = Whitehall, PA                                                                                           Your Email Address = irenestang@aol.com

Questions, Comments and Feedback =

I just love the reminiscing. Thank you Jim for all the great memories.

Maiden Name = Sandy Monkelis                                                                                            Married Name = O’Shersky                                                                                                        When did you live in Duquesne? = 1950-1968                                                                       Where are you now? = Seattle, WA                                                                                              Your Email Address = Seattlepastrygirl@gmail.com

Questions, Comments and Feedback =

SANDY

I love this site I can’t believe the memories that come flooding back. My sister Debbie lives 40 miles from me and my brother Mel lives about 120 miles from me so we get to see each other frequently.

Reply – Hey folks, Sandy has a great blog all about baking and creating delicious pastries! To visit her blog, just click HERE!

Maiden Name = Deborah Perhac                                                                                           Married Name = May                                                                                                                    When did you live in Duquesne? = 1955-1975 1983-1985                                                    Where are you now? = Dravosburg, Pa 15034                                                                           Your Email Address = Flowersun@comcast.net

Questions, Comments and Feedback =

I grew up in Duquesne on south fourth street right up from the high school. I attended holy trinity school. Graduated from the high school in 1973. My mom still lives in Duquesne. It’s sad how Duquesne is now.

Name = Bernie Kotrady                                                                                                                 When did you live in Duquesne? = 1941- 1959                                                                       Where are you now? = Tampa,Fl                                                                                                 Your Email Address = bkdc908@gmail.com

Questions, Comments and Feedback =

I grew up in Duquesne. Lived on Goldstrum Lane, Earl St. and Sherman Ave. Hung out at the Hilltop Dairy & Burns Heights. Left to serve my Country in ’59 (USMC) and have only been back to visit family.

Maiden Name = Susie Dittman                                                                                               Married Name = Moody                                                                                                               When did you live in Duquesne? = 1958 – 1980                                                                     Where are you now? = Pittsburgh (McCandless/North Hills), PA

Name = Bernie Rusinko                                                                                                                When did you live in Duquesne? = 1947 to 1970                                                                    Where are you now? = Greensburg, Pa

Questions, Comments and Feedback =

Thanks for bringing back some good memories. Check this web site out if you would like to go back to Duquesne without leaving your desk. http://www.vpike.com  just type in an address and move around the town, most streets are on there.

Reply – Bernie, checked out vpike! Love it! Great site, thanks for sharing! – Jim

Name = John Popp                                                                                                                        When did you live in Duquesne? = 1940 -1985                                                                      Where are you now? = Antioch, California                                                                                 Your Email Address = biggpopper@sbcglobal.net

Questions, Comments and Feedback =

Been in California since 1985, got transferred here by U S Steel after they shut down Duquesne, retired now and enjoying life would like to hear from people who Graduated from Duquesne in 1957 take care and keep up the good work.

Maiden Name = Cathy Cardilla
Married Name =  Gallucci
When did you live in Duquesne? = 1942-1959
Where are you now? = Irwin, Pa
Your Email Address = cgallucci@verizon.net

Questions, Comments and Feedback =

This is a new email address. My old email was hacked and I hade to get a new account. Is there someway you can get this information out there.
Thanks……… Cathy

And from Facebook – we received the following: 

Craig Kocak Aug 24

I also remember a small full service bakery next to sun drug, but can’t remember the name, the name Davis comes to mind. The same owner opened a 2nd location in Duquesne Plaza on the Blvd near Revco. Can anyone remember the name of the pizza shop on the corner of Commonwealth across from Palchak Drug Store, near the Bel-Air Lounge. There also was a Loblaws in the building which later occupied the boat store on Kennywood Blvd. across from the Duke Lounge.

Now don’t forget, let us know what’s going on in your life! Just click the link below:

CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR INFORMATION AND WHERE ABOUTS!

Posted in Feedback From Our Friends | 3 Comments

Getting Ready

Posted on August 26, 2011 by Jim

Hey, everyone! I just wanted to let you know that I haven’t forgotten to write. I have been busy preparing for the arrival of Hurricane Irene. She’s expected to hit on Saturday at 5 p.m. and hang around for 24 hours!

Things around here are getting very hectic to say the least. Any tourist visiting the beach will be gone by 5 p.m. today, Friday 8-26, 24 hours before the expected hit. Just like with an impending snowstorm, store shelves are about bare, and supplies have quickly been gobbled up. It is pathetic to see people carry out enough provisions to survive a nuclear war, denying others their share. Fortunately, my wife and I were able to get what we might need a few days ago, so we’ll be in good shape.

Judy and I had the “pleasure” of witnessing first hand, the effects of a major hurricane, so we at least have a vague understanding of what to expect. In 1988, in what was to be a celebration of our 10th year of marriage, we treated ourselves to a week in Cancun, Mexico. We only managed one day of sunshine, when another visitor decided to make their way to Cancun….. Hurricane Gilbert!

Hurricane Gilbert was the second largest hurricane in history to hit the area, and slammed Cancun with Category 5 winds, with 185 mph winds. We were evacuated to a school located in an inland area, and spent three days sleeping on marble floors without the benefit of blankets or pillows. Aside from being crowded into a room with 60 people and the fact that the windows kept on shattering and blowing into the room, we survived without too much trauma. It was certainly one for the history books and will be an exciting story to tell my grandson.

Our home is in Ocean Pines, so we are not directly on the beach. I am sure I have somehow convinced myself that we won’t be affected a great deal, but you never know. The picture below show’s where my home is located in relation to Ocean City and the shore. When I looked at this picture this morning, I began to get a little nervous, but I’m confident that we’ll be o.k. We are about 3 2/3 miles from the beach as the crow flies so wish us luck! I’ll keep you posted……

Ocean City Initiates Phase Three of Emergency Plan

Updated: 3:15 p.m. 8/25/11

Ocean City Emergency Management officials will initiate phase three of the hurricane action plan in preparation for Hurricane Irene. Phase three will go into effect at midnight tonight.

Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan has signed a proclamation declaring a local State of Emergency.

All persons other than identified emergency personnel are ordered to evacuate. Visitors are asked to return to their principle residences. Ocean City residents are asked to seek shelter elsewhere.

Utilizing the authority under a local State of Emergency, the Mayor is banning the sale of all alcohol in Ocean City and requests that all businesses close beginning at midnight.

All incoming traffic to Ocean City, Maryland, will be limited to emergency personnel. No other vehicles will be permitted entry to the island, except by approved authority (Mayor, City Manager and Emergency Services Director).

Ocean City Municipal Transportation System is providing transportation for special needs individuals. For special needs transportation, please call Ocean City Transportation at 410-723-1606. International student workforce evacuation continues and will be completed by tomorrow morning.

The Ocean City Government Cable Access Channel 4, the Ocean City website http://www.ocmdemergency.com, recorded emergency management line, 410-723-6666 and Ocean City advisory radio station 1670 AM will remain operational for further advisories.

Ocean City is expected to receive a significant impact from Hurricane Irene.

Easterly gale force winds should start affecting the area on Saturday, August 27 at 5 p.m. with hurricane-force winds arriving around 4 a.m. and lasting for a period of eight hours. The highest wind speeds from Hurricane Irene should occur near 9 a.m. when top sustained winds, from the north, could reach 90 mph with gusts near 120 mph. Winds should decrease below hurricane force shortly thereafter.

Sustained winds will fall below gale force after 3 p.m. and generally be from the north during this period of decreasing winds. Expect gusts above gale force level for several more hours thereafter.

The total rainfall for the Ocean City area over the next three days is forecast to be 9.5 inches. This can vary significantly as tropical storm and hurricane rainfall is very difficult to predict.

Storm surge is expected to be six-feet above normal high tide cycles resulting in significant flooding in low-lying areas.

Posted in Miscellaneous | 8 Comments

I Need Your Opinion!!

Posted on August 20, 2011 by Jim

I keep on changing my mind about what represents Duquesne better than any other symbol. I’d love to get your opinion. Please take a minute or two and give me your opinion. In case I forgot something, there’s a spot for you to enter your thoughts and to make comments at the end of the poll.

SO……. which is it?

Posted in Duquesne Buildings, Surveys and Opinions | 3 Comments

Duquesne Village Shopping Center

Posted on August 20, 2011 by Jim

“All change is not growth, as all movement is not forward. “

– Ellen Glasgow

I came across a photo of a rather iconic sign in our hometown area. Of course, we are all familiar with Kennywood’s very familiar yellow arrow, but there is yet another yellow arrow that became very familiar to a lot of us.

 Whether you lived in Duquesne or the area immediately surrounding it, I’m sure that you were all familiar with Duquesne Village Shopping Center. I realize that Duquesne Village Shopping Center was not located in Duquesne, but nonetheless it was part of my life growing up in the area.

I will be the first to admit that I thought it was kinda strange that the center was named Duquesne Village when it fact it was in West Mifflin. I couldn’t find any information that would explain the mystery. I researched The Duquesne Times and The Pittsburgh Post Gazette to no avail. Finally, in desperation, I called Dom Toretti at Dom’s TV, which I always thought moved from Duquesne as soon as the center opened. Dom set me straight and said he moved his business there in the early 60’s. He suggested that I try to contact Stanley Levine at Levine’s Hardware in Homestead. I called Mr. Levine and he was able to share a great deal of information.

I was very surprised when Mr. Levine said that Duquesne Village opened in 1956! Mr. Levine talked about how his family decided to develop the shopping center in what was then, a slag dump. I vaguely remember when the center was being build. We passed by the area when we would visit my grandfather each week. He lived on Duquesne Ave. Come to think of it, Duquesne Ave. is in West Mifflin too! (I think I’m spotting a trend here.)

He described how the first Levine Bros. Hardware opened in downtown Duquesne in 1922 and remained there until the early 60’s when it was forced to close as a result of the “Redevelopment” and eminent domain. Prior to that time, the family opened the Duquesne Village location along with a host of other merchants.

I asked Mr. Levine if he could help to recall some of the stores that were initial occupants of the center in 1956. Some of the names were familiar to me, yet others were only shadows of a memory. For instance, who remembers LOBLAWS? It was apparently a Canadian based grocery store that was in the space currently occupied by Foodland. I googled the heck out of it, and found some verification that there were some stores in the United States and specifically in Pennsylvania.

Mr. Levine and I tried to recall the various stores that were in the center when it opened in 1956. The list below is what we came up with. If you recall more, please share with us!

  •  Loblaw’s Supermarket
  •  State Store
  •  Kirby’s Shoes
  •  Woolworth’s 5 & 10
  •  Kadar’s
  •  Sun Drugs
  •  Beverage Carnival
  •  Newmeyers
  •  Isaly’s
  •  Levine Hardware
  •  A & P Supermarket

I asked Mr. Levine about some other businesses, but neither of us were able to recall the names or if in fact, whether they were part of the center when it opened. I hope some of you who have a ‘photographic memory’ out there will be able to recall the facts:

  • There was a bank that was in the center close to Levine’s. Was it a Pittsburgh National Bank (PNB)?
  • Near Isaly’s, there was a florist shop. Was it White Oak Florist?
  • I believe there was a card shop in the center as well. Hallmark?
  • Not sure when it opened, but who could ever forget THE VILLAGE LANES!
  • Although the company was not even inexistence in 1956, sometime in the late 60’s a  Fotomat became part of the Duquesne Village landscape
  • Not sure when the Village Car Wash opened either. I believe it was the mid-60’s.

The three stores that I remember more than the others are; Woolworth’s, Levine Bros. and of course, Isaly’s. I remember that Woolworth’s had only a few registers at the front. One was basically all they ever used. There was a Luncheonette on the right had side of the store and I LOVED eating there. Their hot dogs and fries were the best! (Of course, Jim’s Hot Dogs beat them.) I recall that the toy department was at the upper end of the lunch counter, in the right hand corner of the store.

I remember they had a Pet Department to the left/rear of the toy department. I used to go and play with the critters that had cages that you could get your fingers through, like parakeets, hamsters and such. Of course, there were always the fish tanks that you could tap on and drive the fish crazy! To the left of pets, I think they had gardening items, followed by blinds and curtains. Their clothing areas were on the left hand side of the store and if I’m correct, they had a record department in the front middle of the store near the windows.

What I recall more than anything else about Woolworth’s was how they decked themselves out at Christmas. Just like the like from Perry Como’s “It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas,”

“It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Ev’rywhere you go;

Take a look in the five and ten, glistening once again

With candy canes and silver lanes aglow.”

The store typified the lyrics of the song. Adding to the ambiance was their large windows that always seemed to be frosted or sweating due to the warmth inside.

Levine’s, for this little hunky boy, was like a modern day Home Depot, minus the orange aprons. I recall spending lots of time there just perusing all of the items they had to offer. Aisle after aisle of the “stuff” that dreams are made of! I rarely bought anything, (sorry Mr. Levine), but it provided hours of entertainment nonetheless. I remember one sales associate in particular whom I think worked at the Duquesne Store initially. I think her name was Audrey(?). She was a diminutive young lady who was nothing short of an index of information about ANYTHING that you were looking for. What a dynamo!!

Isaly’s was laid out as they typically were. I remember that there was seating in the store on the right hand side near the back. The ice cream counter was on the right hand side as usual. The delectable cardboard tubs of ice cream were lined up in rows in the freeze in all their glory. The thick glass “window” and counter protected the ice cream from inquiring fingers, and, the glass always had little fingerprints on it from the little hands that had indicated their choice. The cones themselves were Isaly’s skyscraper ice cream cones that featured a long, tall and pointed scoop of ice cream instead of the typical scoop you’d find elsewhere. They always had the slicer running, churning out pound after pound of chipped ham, and the lunch counter offered hot ham barbeque sandwiches for their customer’s dining pleasure.

Like the majority of the area, Duquesne Village has suffered through some very difficult times. A few of the original stores remain, but for the most part, the face of the center has dramatically changed. Just as seeing some vestiges of “Old Duquesne” while driving through the downtown area will help you to recall the better days, so too will a visit to Duquesne Village. Stop by and tell Dom Toritti I said hi!

Following is an article that appeared in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in 2003. It relates some additional information about the Levine Bros. I thought you’d enjoy!

Wednesday, July 23, 2003

By Linda Wilson Fuoco, Post-Gazette Staff Writer

Levine Brothers Hardware was “going out of business” for eight weeks. Though the liquidation sale ended Saturday, the shop will continue to be a presence on Homestead’s main street.

Brothers Lawrence, left, and Stanley Levine in their Levine Brothers Hardware Store. Their going-out-of-business sale ended Saturday, closing the retail business, but Stanley will continue to operate the service center. (Tony Tye/Post-Gazette)

The business, which began in 1922, has soldiered on through the Great Depression, a devastating 1947 fire, the 1980s shutdown of Mon Valley steel mills, the closing of many neighboring storefronts in the once-prosperous Eighth Avenue business district and competition from big box and building supply stores at The Waterfront.

The family-owned business, at 337 E. Eighth Ave. since 1960, survived all of those challenges and more. Ultimately, the relentless march of time sparked the going-out-of-business sale.

Lawrence Levine, the brother who always wears a bow tie and usually sports a mustache, has decided he is ready to retire after 77 birthdays and 55 years on the job.

But is he actually retiring? And if so, when?

“My brother originally hoped to be out by July 25,” said Stanley Levine. “That’s the birthday of his wife, Claire. Now he’s telling people he’ll be around till the end of the year. I can’t tell what’s on his mind.”

Asked when he will actually retire, Lawrence Levine said, “When I get my work done. I figure at the end of the year. I had fun.”

Lawrence Levine, who lives in Oakland, plans to remain active in the Homestead Economic Revitalization Corp. and the Mon Valley Initiative. Both groups work to revitalize former mill towns.

And that’s about all Lawrence Levine would say in an interview. He turned to his younger brother, Stanley, and said, “I thought we agreed that you would handle this.”

Stanley Levine, who lives in Squirrel Hill, expects to work through the end of the year and beyond.

“I don’t want to retire,” he said. “You are as old as you feel.” He doesn’t feel old at 75, and he’s been working a mere 53 years.

The brothers are actually shutting down their retail business, for the most part, but Stanley will continue operating the service center that long has drawn customers from well beyond the Mon Valley.

They have eight employees and expect to keep most of them on the payroll. The rookie has been on the job six years and the most senior employee for 55 years.

Window screens are a big part of the draw. Levine Brothers repairs them and sells custom-made replacement screens. They will continue to reglaze old windows, cut keys, sharpen lawnmower blades and install hot water tanks. They’ll also continue with their small machine shop, which includes repairing lawn mowers and chain saws.

“I still hope to sell some plants out front,” Levine said, referring to the flats of flowers and vegetables that are a familiar Eighth Avenue sidewalk decoration each spring and early summer.

He may continue to sell bulk vegetable seeds because “people come a long way for that. We can ID little niches that there is a demand for.”

He’s looking forward to reduced hours and two-day, work-free weekends.

“My brother and I worked six days a week forever,” Levine said, which generally meant about 54 hours per week.

With the liquidation sale over, Stanley Levine expects to be open from 9:30 a.m. until 3 or 4 p.m. weekdays.

“We will be closed on Saturdays and we never opened on Sundays. Maybe we will have more hours in the spring. We are feeling our way and will fine-tune as we go along.”

Lawrence and Stanley Levine grew up in Squirrel Hill, the only children of Harry E. and Cecile G. Levine.

Stanley Levine described his father as “a real dynamo.” His parents came to the United States from Lithuania and Poland in the early 1890s.

Harry and his brother, A.W. “Chinners” Levine, had athletic talent that propelled them out of the working class and into the University of Pittsburgh. Stanley and Lawrence Levine’s father won a track scholarship and their uncle played basketball there. However, both of their college careers were cut short by World War I.

The first Levine Brothers hardware store opened in 1922 in Duquesne rather than Squirrel Hill “because they went where the need existed,” Stanley Levine said. “My father sensed that one store would not sustain two families. When Nebo Brothers in Homestead went bankrupt in 1935, my dad and brother bought it. It was at 324 East Eighth Ave. That store did well, too, until we had a disastrous fire in 1947. We had a good landlord. He rebuilt the building and it reopened in August 1948.”

Lawrence Levine studied electrical engineering at Carnegie Tech, but his college career was curtailed by World War II. Stanley graduated from the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business.

“I started here in 1950 as a well-grounded businessman and Lawrence always handled the mechanical end of the business.”

Their uncle’s Duquesne store did well until the late 1950s or early 1960s “when we lost the building to eminent domain in some kind of redevelopment program. The building was razed.”

Meanwhile, the family had developed a shopping center in West Mifflin, “so our uncle moved his hardware store there and was successful for many years.” The family still owns the Duquesne Village shopping center on Homeville Road.

“Business was especially good during the war” when mills in Homestead and surrounding towns were supplying steel for World War II. “After the war everyone was building houses, the steel mills were still booming and business was very good,” Levine said.

Their father was only 57 when he died of Hodgkin’s disease in 1952. The sons carried on with the business.

In 1960, the Levine Brothers store moved to the present location. “To Lawrence’s credit, he thought this would be a better location. It had been a 5 and 10 store. We had a wonderful landlady, Mrs. Herron. We didn’t buy this building until about 10 years ago, when she died.”

The long-term survival of a small family business “is a bit of the survival of the fittest,” Stanley Levine said. “Other hardware stores closed in the mid- and late 1970s and we got their customers.”

After steel mill closings and local economic downturns in the 1980s, “business was not as good as it had been but it was still profitable. We didn’t start hitting the speed bumps until the mid-’90s. Maybe if we had been younger and more ambitious we might have done better” against competition from national chain stores.

Lawrence and Claire Levine have three children and seven grandchildren. Stanley and Patricia have four children and eight grandchildren.

None is involved in the family business “because Lawrence could not assure them there would be a viable future for them.”

For the past 25 years the brothers have done their part to help another small, family-owned business.

Every working day they eat lunch at Michael’s diner, directly across the street from their own business.

“But they never eat together,” said Kouhla Manolakis Goughnour, who with her mother operates the diner that her late father opened 25 years ago. “Ask them how two brothers get along so well for so long.”

Stanley Levine had the answer: “Our mother, Cecile, was a very astute, sharp lady. Early on she explained that the way two brothers get along is to have two wives who get along. And that’s what happened. Our wives are best friends to this day.”

Though Cecile never worked in the family business, she had a financial interest as well as a natural interest in how her sons were faring.

“My mother and I were almost joined at the hip. Until she died in 1992, I would talk to her daily on the phone. She called at 10 after 11 each morning. On several occasions she would say, ‘I don’t like the way you and Lawrence get along. We are going to talk.’ And we would and it would be settled,” Stanley Levine said.

“It’s hard to believe that it’s winding down. I have heard a lot of nice comments, including things I was not expecting. We really cherish what we have had here all these years.”

Posted in Food and Restaurants, Stores and Businesses | 98 Comments

Voices from Duquesne – August 15, 2011

Posted on August 15, 2011 by Jim

Once again, there was a super response, and many more of our friends and neighbors have sent in responses and let us know where they are and in some cases, their memories of Duquesne. As promised, I will continue to post completed forms on the 1st and the 15th of each month. We LOVE hearing from you.

Just click the red link below and you’ll be able to fill out an info form about yourself. I will post your response in the next “Voices From Duquesne” posting.

CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE A FORM AND BE PART OF THE NEXT “VOICES FROM DUQUESNE” POST!

What was your first and last name when you lived in Duquesne = Melissa “Mimi” Larkin

What is your married name? = Calhoun

When did you live in Duquesne? = 1976-1992

Where are you now? = Albuquerque, NM

Your Email Address = MelissaElizabeth13@hotmail.com

Questions, Comments and Feedback = I “grew up” in Duquesne, every weekend/summer at my grandma’s house on the corner of Kennedy Ave & Peter Street. I loved being able to be out in the neighborhood all day only to come home for lunch and dinner, eating it as fast I could. Getting a real ice cream cone from the ice cream man. Walking down all those steps on the way down to polish hill to go to the “big playground.” Hearing my name being called and running home, no cell phones needed. I went to The Hungarian Reformed Church. Kennywood is still, to this day my favorite place on earth.

What was your first and last name when you lived in Duquesne = Cammy Airhart

What is your married name? = Vaughn

When did you live in Duquesne? = 1942-1970

Where are you now? = Trinity, Florida

Your Email Address = kemcammy@hotmail.com

Questions, Comments and Feedback = I have many wonderful memories growing up in Duquesne. We lived on Peter Street. Thanks to you, it is like going back. You have brought up so many special places, people and times that we can relate to past experiences. One that I can remember is walking from Peter Street out to the slag dump. I carried my father’s shot gun to take rifle practice. That would have been in the 50’s. Don’t think you would get past your front gate now carrying a shot gun. How times have changed.

What was your first and last name when you lived in Duquesne = Jacquelyn Liposky

What is your married name? = Jacquelyn Ando

When did you live in Duquesne? = 1959-1978

Where are you now? = Munhall Pa.

Your Email Address = jackieando55@yahoo.com

Questions, Comments and Feedback = Just correcting my last posting.

What is your first and last name? = George DeVirgilio

Where are you now? = Mesa, AZ

Your Email Address = cwhepkat@cox.net

Questions, Comments and Feedback = Although I did not live in Duquesne, my dad (George Divirgilio)and step mom (Margaret Ondechek) are buried in Duquesne in the Holy Trinity Catholic Cemetery at the top of the hill. A lot of the Ondecheks are interred there too. I lived across the river in McKeesport on Bowman Ave., just above the Duquesne bridge.

What was your first and last name when you lived in Duquesne = Denise “Dee Dee” Ponist

What is your married name? = Tovlin

When did you live in Duquesne? = 1951-2005

Where are you now? = White Oak–moving to Elizabeth next month

Your Email Address = dtovlin@comcast.net

Questions, Comments and Feedback = Enjoying this trip down memory lane. So jealous at how clear your memories are! Thanks for “refreshing” mine.

What was your first and last name when you lived in Duquesne = Sara (Sally) Cusick

What is your married name? = Brown, Sara

When did you live in Duquesne? = 1941 – 1967

Where are you now? = Santee, CA

Your Email Address = sarabrown2008@gmail.com

Questions, Comments and Feedback = I have always considered myself very blessed to have grown up in Duquesne…of course, I didn’t know it at the time.

What was your first and last name when you lived in Duquesne = Deanne Harris

What is your married name? = Seese

When did you live in Duquesne? = 1945-1978 and 1992-2008

Where are you now? = White Oak, PA

Your Email Address = dseese1150@comcast.net

Questions, Comments and Feedback = St. Joseph School, grad 1 thru 8 I was Edwina Harris. Grade 9 at Duquesne Jr. High I was still Edwina Harris. Grade 10 thru 12 I used Deanne Harris

What was your first and last name when you lived in Duquesne = Betty Pucci

What is your married name? = Rubinsak

When did you live in Duquesne? = 1950 thru 1964 then again in 1970 to 1977

Where are you now? = West Mifflin, Pa

Questions, Comments and Feedback = I love reminiscing about the “Good Old Days” in Duquesne. What a great place to grow up. I grew up in the 3rd Ward on Oak Street. Everyone knew everyone and you could go “downstreet”(That’s what we called going shopping down on 1st street) We walked everywhere and we were not afraid. Does anyone remember the dress shop that was located on the corner of 2nd St and Grant Ave?

It was not always Adler’s. The State Store was next to “Elsie’s” on Grant Ave in the 60’s. Lemon phosphates and cherry cokes at all the “drug stores” that had soda fountains. Schultz’s Restaurant had the best stew. My Gramma cooked there and I got to eat there as a small child. What a treat.

Your name? = Barry Long

When did you live in Duquesne? = 1935-1953

Where are you now? = Honolulu (7months), Kirkland, WA(5months)

Your Email Address = barrylong35@yahoo.com

Your name? = Anthony Chepanoske

When did you live in Duquesne? = 1945-Present

Where are you now? = Duquesne, PA

Your Email_\ Address = tony.chep@comcast.net

Questions, Comments and Feedback = Still belong to Christ The Light Of The World Parish (formerly Holy Name Church). I now do the flower display in front of the big sign since Mr. Valentovish retired.

Your name? = Jack (John) Berta

When did you live in Duquesne? = 1944-1963 and 1967-1968

Where are you now? = Trafford, Pa

Your Email Address = jbert2504@comcast.net

Questions, Comments and Feedback = Thank you Jim for doing this blog and thanks to all those who have responded to it. I grew up on Hill Street across from the Crawford School. Went to Holy Trinity Catholic School and graduated from DHS in 1962. Hung out at the Crawford School until it was torn down and then at the Duke upholstery shop at the top of Center Street on the corner of Crawford and Hill street. I always thought Duquesne was a great place to grow up. Never realized so many others felt the same or had similar memories. Some of you must remember the great fish sandwiches from Union Grill at the corner of Crawford and Fifth street. Each neighborhood had it’s special place for great food. On each corner there were bars or mom and pop markets or churches.

I enjoy reading about the memories all of you have shared.

The truly amazing thing is that this blog allows us to bring memories to it to share.

Duquesne, thanks for the memories!

Jim, thanks for the memories!

What was your first and last name when you lived in Duquesne = Gloria Adams

What is your married name? = now Garbart, before Yunn

When did you live in Duquesne? = 1945-1973

Where are you now? = South Fayette, PA

Questions, Comments and Feedback = Remembering passing Betty’s Bakery on Grant Ave. to go dancing on Friday nights at the American Legion. Also, remembering dancing at the Vets.

What was your first and last name when you lived in Duquesne = Dana Burda

What is your married name? = Hanna

When did you live in Duquesne? = 1972

Where are you now? = South Park, PA

Your Email Address = piccoladb@gmail.com

Questions, Comments and Feedback = my mom is Rosemarie Burda and my dad – the late Gary Burda. Best parents ever. Brother Joshua – best lil’ brother! My grandmother and great-grandparents lived in Duquesne. Mr grandother – Rose Fagan – 94 years old still lives in Duquesne. My grandfather – Salvatore “Sam”; Renda lived on Catherine Street. House is no longer there. Many family members that lived and still live in “The Duke”. I have many wonderful memories. Picking dad up from work – The Duquesne Mill – watching the train go by waiting for him from the night shift. Revco! Isaly’s! I can go on and on.

Your name? = Mel Monkelis

When did you live in Duquesne? = 1956-1968

Where are you now? = Bellingham, WA

Your Email Address = mmonkelis@yahoo.com

Questions, Comments and Feedback = I very much enjoyed growing up in Duquesne. It was still the time to know all of your neighbors, and I mean all of them. Veland’s was a favorite little corner store on Ferndale Ave., as well as a small candy store called “M & M’s.” Does anybody remember that candy store, on the corner of Aurilles Ave. and Wylie. If we collected a few “pop” bottles from the alleys in town, we could have candy for the rest of the day. Mr. Veland wound up buying our house on Cochran Ave. in 1968, the year I left. In those days, the city would block off streets to allow kids to sled ride.

Living on Cochran Ave., a winter pastime would be watching the cars try to make it up the hill, after the city spread coal on the streets to help on the ice. It was so funny watching these cars get about 3/4 up the hill, then start to slide back, sparks coming out from their tires that were spinning on ice, coal, and then broken tire chains!

I’d really like to connect with classmates from Holy Trinity Elementary School, which was on Whitfield St. between 3rd and 4th. If anybody has an idea of how to get a roster of classmates, that’d be neat.

Your name? = Rick Burton

When did you live in Duquesne? = 1945 to 1970

Where are you now? = Meridian, MS

Your Email Address = rick.mtmusa@gmail.com

Questions, Comments and Feedback = We lived at 208 Wilmont Street until 1956 then we moved to 443 Catherine Street. Both houses were torn down the last time I was there in 2004. Graduated DHS 1964. So many good memories of playing with friends in the neighborhoods, at Polish Hill, Nickly Hollow and many other parts of town – until the street lights came on that is.

So sad to see what remains of the city when I visited in 2004.

Your Name? = Bob Cusick

When did you live in Duquesne? = 1946 to 1968

Where are you now? = Enfield, NH

What was your first and last name when you lived in Duquesne = Denise Rusnak

What is your married name? = Pommer

When did you live in Duquesne? = 1960-1985 2010-current

Where are you now? = Duquesne

Questions, Comments and Feedback = I grew up on Peter St. I have so many good memories from those days. Duquesne was a good place to grow up. I remember going to “Johnny’s”, Kennedy Meat Market, Kroger’s. Does anyone remember the playground on Goldstrohm Lane? There used to be concerts in the park, Halloween parades, just a lot of fun things to do. Your pictures remind me of things my father used to tell us about Duquesne. Keep them coming, the blog is great!!

Your name? = BOB MOMEYER

When did you live in Duquesne? = 1960-1985 AND 1988-1990

Where are you now? = PETERS TWP PA

Questions, Comments and Feedback = just learned of this site. i miss duquesne and all the friendly people. best childhood anyone could have.i wish my kids was so fortunate. all i see now is empty ball fields and playgrounds here. i was outside from morning till night. most of the kids had to be home when the st. lights came on. we had a game i loved we called tic tak,knock on people’s doors and run like hell. That’s about as bad as we got. from my window at night while going to sleep i could hear the trains hitching down in nickly hollow and kennywood’s knighty knight song. i hope the old gang from ross st tommy, marie, mike, ricky, joe, patsy and even my fav bully jimmy are all well and happy.

What was your first and last name when you lived in Duquesne = Audrey Rosenbusch

What is your married name? = Audrey John

When did you live in Duquesne? = 1935-1958

Where are you now? = Latrobe PA

Your Email Address = clancysix@yahoo.com

Questions, Comments and Feedback = More Remembering;

1. Roller skating on the sidewalks around St. Joseph’s Church.

2. Air Raid Drills during WW II. When the siren sounded, we had to turn all the lights off and go to the cellar with a flashlight (curtains were on the cellar windows) and wait until the “All Clear” siren sounded. Once at St. Joseph’s school we had an air raid drill during the day and we went into the tunnel between the school and the church.

3. Collecting tin cans for the war effort. The schools had boxes to collect them in. Aluminum and brass were especially wanted.

4. Ration stamps and the little red cardboard “point” used as fractions of a stamp. Also, the window sticker on cars, designating their priority to obtain gasoline. Our car had a “B” classification. Even tires were rationed. My aunt kept a hand written journal for me on the progress of the war. One of the things she listed was things that money could not buy, such as American made watches, alarm clocks, rubber boots, faucets made of brass or copper, no chrome or nickel plated items, sleds with steel runners, Christmas tree lights and wiring, nylon stockings, electric refrigerators, electric irons, canvas gloves and garbage cans. Candy bars and chewing gum, when available, were “one to a customer”. I also helped my aunt sell savings bonds in front of Murphy’s 5 and 10 during the war.

5. In 1950, The 30 inches of snow over thanksgiving week end, sledding from 6th Street down Kennedy Avenue, it was fun. Pulling the sled back up wasn’t.

What was your first and last name when you lived in Duquesne = Doris Kennedy

What is your married name? = Larsh

When did you live in Duquesne? = 1948-1986

Where are you now? = Edenton, NC

Your Email Address = dlarsh64@gmail.com

Questions, Comments and Feedback = Some of my fondest memories are going to Kennywood with my next door neighbor Claudia and my friends Phyllis and Virginia

Posted in Feedback From Our Friends | Leave a comment