I received the following email this week, and I am hoping that we can help to provide some information about Holy Trinity. The fact that they may consider demolishing the structure is very disturbing. Considering the condition of the building, it is understandable why its demise is a real possibility. If there is any way to save, preserve, and restore Holy Trinity, I pray that it happens.
Hello, My name is Paul Bench, I represent a historical architecture preservation society called Preservation Pittsburgh. It has recently come to our attention that the old Holy Trinity Church on First Ave, might be slated for demolition. In effort to better understand the situation and historical value we are turning to the community for any information regarding HT’s history, stories, traditions, etc. Any information you might provide could be helpful, especially if you happen to know the current owner or any current plans. If you know anyone who might be able to provide more information about this beautiful building I would appreciate their contact information. Thank you for your time, and any information you can provide.
Best, Paul Bench
If you have any information that might be helpful to Paul, please, leave a comment. YOu help will surely be appreciated!
Ok, it’s time to get even more nostalgic than I have before. I freely admit to the fact that I will be crossing the “sappy” line with this posting.
I was thinking about the impact that Kennywood had on my days as a teenager. Having attended Serra Catholic High School when it was an all-boys school, we never had the opportunity to form any relationships with any young ladies within the four walls of the school. Of course, when we had a dance, game or other public event, it was a different matter entirely. However for the most part, even though we did not attend either Duquesne or West Mifflin high schools, most of the guys from Serra dated and/or “went with” the fine young ladies from our neighborhoods. And THAT my friends, was a very good thing!
With all of that said, Kennywood became an integral part of our “Young Love” love life. I suppose Kennywood served the same purpose as today’s shopping malls do for teenagers. It was the place where we would go to see girls, meet girls, and/or date girls with or without parental knowledge or permissions. I am VERY confident that the same strategies that guys had at Kennywood were shared by the girls as well.
Kennywood at night was a magical place. The lights, sights, sounds and smells provided a perfect environment for walking hand in hand with your latest “significant other.” Somehow, the smell of freshly tarred timbers along the walkways combined with the smell of freshly popped popcorn and the fragrance of the park’s many flowers created a mystical aphrodisiac or sorts for high schoolers. Perhaps it can be best described as “Kennywood Musk!”
When you had made arrangements to meet a particular girl at the park, the meeting place was always a particular ride, and one that was usually located very close to the tunnel at the park’s entrance. The Roll-O-Plane, The Old Mill, Laff-In-The-Dark, The Rotor, The Turnpike, or perhaps the Penny Arcade were some of the typical meeting places. If you were “going-with” a special girl, you never wanted to waste any time getting the evening’s tryst started. You would begin walking hand-in-hand or with your arm around your special girl’s shoulders, providing an incredible source of pride, honor and accomplishment. It practically made you feel like an adult!! If however, this was your first meeting with a girl, the protocol for the evening very differently and you would NEVER be so presumptuous to begin holding hands or draping your arm around her shoulder! Just the fact that the girl showed up for the evening was enough to sustain and encourage the young man to move forward with the date.
One of the more difficult parts or making your arrangements for meeting a girl or boy was doing so without cluing in Mom and Dad. I think this was especially difficult for the girl. Cellphones and computers weren’t on the scene, so the ability to discretely call, text or email that boy and/or girl wasn’t a consideration. Unless you were able to set-up an arrangement with someone who would somehow manage to get a message to the other person, you actually had to use the telephone. The phone was always seemed to be strategically placed in as “non-private” of a location as possible in most homes. Ours was located in our dining room, and of course, everyone could hear my conversations. The ringer on the old black desk phones was always set at ear deafening levels, so you couldn’t be discrete about getting a call, even if you tried. But I digress……
Kennywood, in my day, provided the best “cheap date” around! There were no admission fees, hand stamps, turnstiles, metal detectors, etc. to contend with. You simply walked, took the bus, rode with a friend, or drove the family car to the park and made your way through the tunnel under Kennywood Blvd. into the park. Whenever I visited the park in recent years, that very familiar echo that I heard while walking through the tunnel, created the same air of anticipation in my mind as when I was a kid.
Now that I have reached a certain “mature” age in my life, I suppose it’s ok to admit to some of the “guy strategies” that we employed when we were with a girl at the park. I am not deluding myself by thinking that these strategies were foreign for the girls we were with, however just like a well-rehearsed script, we all knew the parts we had to play. Allow me to explain……
Certain rides were chosen based on expected responses from the boy and the girl. Early in the evening, you had the “Chapter One”, or the “ice-breaker” rides. These were the rides that did not call for you to be in the dark, provoke arm-clinging terror from the young lady, thrust you into provocative situations such as hanging upside-down on The Rotor or watching skirts be blown upward on Noah’s Ark, or rely on centrifugal force to be able to “press flesh” with your special partner. Rides such as the Turnpike, the Merry-Go-Round, or the Silver Rockets that swirled above the Lagoon served as perfect ice-breakers. Usually, evening had not fallen, so you we were not under the cover of darkness and therefore unable to show much affection.
After the litany of “ice breakers” had been completed, you would then move on to the “Chapter Two” rides. These were the rides that relied on simple physics to allow you to get “up close” with your date. Young men throughout Duquesne, West Mifflin, McKeesport and the surrounding areas should be eternally grateful to the forces of nature for providing the vehicle to snuggle with another person without being “fresh” or “presumptuous.” Centrifugal Force rides were those that when ridden, forced the person sitting next to you to slide across the slick leather seats and press against you for the duration of the ride. Attractions like The Kangaroo, The Whip, and The Turtle provide the very best use of centrifugal force in the park.
By the time that you had completed your list of “Chapter Two” rides, most new couples had advanced to the hand-holding stage. In most cases, night had fallen and it was now safe to offer your hand to one another. After all, you had just spent the last hour or so, pressed up against each other. So hand-in-hand, both of you would march off to the next phase of the evening, “Chapter Three” or a.k.a. the “You’re My Hero” Stage.
This phase called for evoking terror in your young lady of choice. This was a VERY important stage for the young man. It was the most “telling” chapter of the evening. The strategy was to place the couple side-by-side on a ride that could cause the young lady to make her date to be viewed as a hero in his and her eyes. Most girls from the area were accomplished thrill ride riders. They had grown-up climbing onto the “Henry” size rides with their parents or friends. That had long since passed the “I’m scared” period and had entered the “no big deal” period LONG ago. Truth be told, I am sure that ANY of these young ladies could out last and out ride many of the young men who they had now chosen to make feel like a hero. Now that a date was involved, with reckless abandon, girls became squealing little girls again who would cling to the arm of their date throughout the ride. It was if Dudley Do-Right was rescuing his girl, Nell Fenwick from an on-coming train after she had been tied down by Snidely Whiplash!!
The Racer, the Pippen and/or Thunderbolt, the Roll-O-Planes, and rides of that nature gave young boys and girls the perfect opportunity to cling to one another by choice and not by nature. As I indicated, this stage of the evening was the most telling. It allowed the young man to know if he should move onto the final chapter of the evening or not. A clinging girl as opposed to one who attempted to distance herself from him during the coaster ride meant “move forward young man!”
And so, we would arrive at the final part of the evening, Chapter Four! Assuming that Chapters One through Three had played out as they should, the couple was finally ready to move on to the “Up Close and Personal” rides at Kennywood.
The rides may have been inconspicuous during the light of day, however at night; they turned into “Lover’s Lanes” under the orange tinted, starry skies that loomed over the park. For instance, the innocent looking Ferris Wheel held a special treat for a romantic couple as they swirled through the evening air. This was especially true when they were in the car that stopped at the very pinnacle of the ride as the passengers in the car at the bottom were unloaded and new riders were seated and fastened in. The fella had to have his timing honed to perfection in order to steal a kiss before the wheel started turning again, but after just a few attempts, most guys managed this opportunity with an archer’s precision.
It was very important to land an opportunistic seat on rides in order to be able to steal a kiss or two. The last seats in the Silver Rockets over the Lagoon and the very back of The Kennywood Express Train were prime examples of ideal positioning.
However, the rides that were the preferred and obvious choices were Kennywood’s “dark rides.” Rides such as The Old Mill, Le Cachot, Safari, and Laff-In-The Dark provided the best opportunities for young boys and girls to take advantage of the romantic air that settled over the park each and every evening. The dark interludes in between each animated scene on the rides allow ample time for a couple to demonstrate their “affection” for one another. You never had to worry about anyone seeing you since they were most likely involved in the same endeavors! When couples would emerge from the dark rides, they would most like have a big smile on their face and be sitting side-by-side as closely as they could manage.
I know that this all may sound somewhat surreptitious and calculated, but it was all done in with the spirit and innocence of youth. It was as if Kennywood would purposely adapt the evening environment with the specific intent of creating as romantic a mood as possible. The music that would float through the evening air changed from the daytime carnival music to tender love ballads. Lights seemed to dim a bit as the evening progressed, changing from glaringly bright to romantically soft. Girls and boys were content to stroll hand-in-hand with their date in the company of other couples just talking and laughing and perhaps sharing a giant sized box of popcorn or tearing off pieces of a freshly spun cloud of cotton candy.
It is difficult to imagine a more enjoyable time of our youth. What a fantastic venue for good, clean fun for young people. Kennywood provided a safe and non-threatening environment for kids throughout the area. Parents were comfortable in the fact that their kids were spending the day or evening there, whether working or just hanging-out. Innocence abounded and outrageously vivid memories were made. I would bet that each and every one of us would still get that melancholy feeling in the pit of our stomachs as the voice of Kennywood announced the closing of the park and we would hear the familiar strains of “Nighty Night” by Alvino Rey. What a wonderful time of your lives. Chapter Four, complete!
In 1868, Commander in Chief John A. Logan of the grand Army of the Republic issued what was called General Order Number 11, designating May 30 as a memorial day. He declared it to be “for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land.”
I cannot help but think about the hundreds of thousands of men and women who have either died or were wounded defending our freedom. I am saddened by the fact that for many people, Memorial Day has become “First Day of Summer Day,” or “Let’s Have a Picnic Day.” Although our brave soldiers were wounded or lost their lives in order to assure that we are able cherish and enjoy any day with family and friends, the good people of Duquesne have always been indebted to the men and women of the Armed Forces.
My friend, former Duquesne Place resident and former classmate, Bob Chermonitz, forwarded a story to me today that is so poignant. For some reason, the story reminded me of a forgotten soldier. It certainly make you think. So, as Bob suggests –
“Take 60 seconds to read this story. It will give you time to settle your brain, gather your thoughts, calm down and finish your week off on a positive note.”
Bring Potato Chips
A little boy wanted to meet God. He knew it was a long trip to where God lived, so he packed his suitcase with a bag of potato chips and a six-pack of root beer and started his journey.
When he had gone about three blocks, he met an old man. He was sitting in the park, just staring at some pigeons. The boy sat down next to him and opened his suitcase.
He was about to take a drink from his root beer when he noticed that the old man looked hungry, so he offered him some chips. He gratefully accepted it and smiled at him.
His smile was so pretty that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered him a root beer. Again, he smiled at him. The boy was delighted! They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling, but they never said a word.
As twilight approached, the boy realized how tired he was and he got up to leave; but before he had gone more than a few steps, he turned around, ran back to the old man, and gave him a hug. He gave him his biggest smile ever.
When the boy opened the door to his own house a short time later, his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face. She asked him, “What did you do today that made you so happy?”
He replied, “I had lunch with God.” But before his mother could respond, he added, “You know what? He’s got the most beautiful smile I’ve ever seen!”
Meanwhile, the old man, also radiant with joy, returned to his home. His son was stunned by the look of peace on his face and he asked, “Dad, what did you do today that made you so happy?”
He replied “I ate potato chips in the park with God.” However, before his son responded, he added, “You know, he’s much younger than I expected.”
Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.
People come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime!
My cousin, Marianne Volk, and Cindy Stanoszek Mitrik shared their friend William Lankenau’s story recently and I really enjoyed it. I thought I would share it with you to enjoy as well. I took the liberty of “embellishing” it and bringing it a bit closer to home for all of us. I hope you enjoy it!
Checking out at Giant Eagle, the young cashier suggested to the older woman that she should bring her own grocery bags the next time that she shopped because plastic bags weren’t good for the environment.
The woman apologized and explained, “We didn’t have this “green thing” back in my earlier days.”
The clerk responded, “That’s our problem today. Your generation did not care enough to save our environment for future generations.”
She was right – our generation didn’t have the “green thing” in its day.
We walked up stairs, because we didn’t have an escalator in every store and office building. We walked to the grocery store and didn’t climb into a 300-horsepower machine every time we had to go a few blocks. But then again, back then, neighborhood family owned grocery stores like Manns Bros., Isadores, Kennedy Meat Market (aka- Andys), Alexanders, etc., were just around the corner or up the street a bit. Supermarkets were not the first “go to” since the smaller “Mom and Pop” stores did not try to price gouge you but were honest and fair to all of their customers, neighbors and friends. But she was right …we didn’t have the “green thing” in our day.
Those same grocery stores bagged our groceries in brown paper bags that we reused for numerous things, most memorable besides household garbage bags, was the use of brown paper bags as book covers for our schoolbooks. This was to ensure that public property, (the books provided for our use by the school) was not defaced by our scribbling’s. Then we were able to personalize our books on the brown paper bags. But too bad we didn’t do the “green thing” back then.
Back then, we returned milk bottles, soda bottles and beer bottles to the store or to the beer distributors. They would send them back to the plant to be washed, sterilized and refilled so that the same bottles could be used over and over. So, they truly were recycled … but we didn’t have the “green thing” back in our day.
Back then, we washed the baby’s diapers because we didn’t have the throw-away kind. We dried clothes on a line, not in an energy-gobbling machine burning up 220 volts – wind and solar power really did dry our clothes back in our early days. Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not always brand-new clothing. But that young lady is right … we didn’t have the “green thing” back in our day.
Back then, we had one TV, or radio, in the house – not a TV in every room. And the TV had a small screen the size of a handkerchief (remember them?), not a screen the size of the state of Montana.
In the kitchen, we blended and stirred by hand because we didn’t have electric machines to do everything for us. When we packaged a fragile item to store in the basement or to send in the mail, we used wadded up old newspapers to cushion it, not Styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap.
Back then, we didn’t fire up an engine and burn gasoline just to cut the lawn. We used a push mower that ran on human power. We exercised by working, so we didn’t need to go to a health club to run on treadmills that operate on electricity. But she’s right … we didn’t have the “green thing” back then.
We drank from a fountain or even the garden hose when we were thirsty instead of using a styrafoam cup or a plastic bottle every time we had a drink of water. We refilled writing pens with ink instead of buying a new pen, and we replaced the razor blades in a razor instead of throwing away the whole razor just because the blade got dull. But we didn’t have the “green thing” back then.
Back then, people took the streetcar or a bus to McKeesport or Eastland. Kids rode their bikes or walked to school, their friends, the library or Little League practice instead of turning their moms into a 24-hour taxi service. We had one electrical outlet in a room, not an entire bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances. And we didn’t need a computerized gadget to receive a signal beamed from satellites 2,000 miles out in space in order to find the nearest pizza or hot dog joint. We ALL knew where Irene’s Pizza and Jim’s Hot Dogs were!
But isn’t it sad that the current generation laments how wasteful we old folks were, just because we didn’t have the “green thing” back then?
In April, we all learned of Fr. Dennis’ health prognosis. It was at that time that I posted the news of his health issues and asked that we all join in on a deluge of prayers for Fr. Dennis. That particular post had more views than any other previous posting and I am confident that as a result, an overwhelming amount of prayers were offered up on behalf of Fr. Dennis.
I recently heard from one of my Holy Name classmates, Debbie Abbatangelo Stewart,of regarding a wonderful symbol of Hope for Fr. Dennis that is now available. Debbie is the secretary and bookkeeper for the parish and works closely with Fr. Dennis each day. Debbie wrote –
Hi Jim,
Please post something about the prayer bands. They can email office@christthelightoftheworld.org and I’ll mail as many as they want. If they want to make a donation they can make the check out to Christ the light of the World. They can also call the office at 412-469-0196. Donations are welcomed but not necessary. (Christ the Light of the World Parish – 32 S 1st St, Duquesne, PA 15110) We want to have as many people from all over praying for Fr. Dennis. He believes the prayers are working so far.
He saw the ALS specialist and as of now it is ” inconclusive” to say he has ALS. They will be watching his progress to see which direction it’s going in. Fr. Does not want to “embrace ” ALS at this time so he decided to give the donations to breast cancer. Any help is greatly appreciated!!
Debbie
I for one, am anxious to receive a band as a reminder, not only of Fr. Dennis, but of the power of prayer within a community of friends, neighbors, and the prayerful and compassionate people who read this blog. I will be requesting one for my wife and each of my daughters as well. The donation I’ll be make will also touch so many lives as well.
When it was first announced that the bands were available, the following announcement appeared in the Sunday bulletin:
When Fr. Dennis first told us of his health problem, he said, “If I go out of this life, I want to be surrounded by the love and prayers of family, friends and parishioners.” Picking up on that wish, green wrist bands, signifying the color for Hope have been designed, and on them is embossed, “Our Love Surrounds Fr. Dennis.” Fr. Dennis has asked that when you wear the band and think of him, say a short prayer – a valuable and vital concrete way to assist him. All donations will be given to the Susan G.Komen Cure for Breast Cancer.
Finally, I thought you might be inspired by latest offering “From the Pastor’s Desk:
Inspirational Anecdotes & Wisdom
* I’ve learned that heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences. * I’ve learned that your life can be changed in an instant by people you don’t even know. * I’ve learned that writing, as well as talking, can ease emotional pains. * I’ve learned that learning to forgive takes practice. * I’ve learned that there are people who love you dearly, but just don’t know how to show it. * I’ve learned that money is a lousy way of keeping score. * I’ve learned that sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you’re down may be the ones to help you get back up. * I’ve learned that I am getting more and more like my grandparents, and I’m kind of happy about it. * I’ve learned that when I’m angry, I may have the right to be angry, but that doesn’t give me the right to be cruel. * I’ve learned that maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you’ve had and what you learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you’ve celebrated. * I’ve learned never to tell a child their dreams are outlandish or unlikely. Few things are more humiliating, and they may believe it. * I’ve learned that no matter how good a friend someone is, they’re going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that. * I’ve learned that it isn’t enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself. * I’ve learned that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become. * I’ve learned that sometimes you have to put the individual ahead of their actions. * I’ve learned that you don’t have to change friends if you understand friends change. * I’ve learned that no matter the consequences, those who are honest with themselves get further ahead in life. * I’ve learned no matter how fast or far you go, you can’t out run God. * I’ve learned that love is not for me to keep, but to pass on to the next person I see. – Anonymous
I have been searching since I began this blog, and I have finally located a photograph (below) that I took when I was attending Community College of Allegheny County back in 1970.
I was taking photography classes and was given an assignment to capture “winter” in a single photograph. As I was standing in front of The Famous building, across from Kelly & Cohen, on 5th Avenue waiting for the bus home, the snow was falling pretty heavily. I saw a little old lady approaching with a very determined look on her face. I had been randomly shooting photographs of the snow event as I waited and decided to capture the moment as she passed in front of me.
She walked into and out of my life in an instant. I never knew who she was.
I attended photography classes in the building that was to the right of the Penn McKee Hotel on 5th Avenue. I believe it was/is the old YMCA. The college had a complete darkroom set-up available to their photography students, and so the day after my snow storm shoot, I proceeded to develop my film, hoping that I had captured an image that would appropriately represent the word “winter.”
As I reviewed all of the images on the roll of film that day, the photo of the little old lady jumped out. I immediately knew that she would be THE ONE to guarantee me an “A” for the assignment. I carefully cropped, composed and enhanced the black and white image, completed an 11×14 print, and submitted it to Mike Friedlander, the professor, for grading. The good news? I aced the assignment!
I kept the picture tucked away for years at my childhood home on Thomas Street. It wasn’t until 1999, as I was packing-up Dad’s house after his death, that I was reconnected with the image of the little old lady.
As I stared at her face, I realized that since it had been 29 years since the picture was taken, she had probably passed away. Perhaps it was due to the fact that I had just lost my father, but I began to stare into her face and wonder who this little “bubba” was.
With her babushka tied tightly under her chin, I imagined that she was making her way down the streets of McKeesport to Balsamo’s Market. The snow was pelting down on her, but she was determined to make it to the market to purchase what she needed to prepare a huge pot of stuffed cabbage for her family that would be visiting her the next day. Or, perhaps she was on her way to St. Peter’s Catholic Church to attend morning mass?
By posting this photograph, I hope that someone recognizes this precious little lady. I am certain that she was a VERY important part of a family’s life. She certainly has meant a lot to me. I haven’t forgotten her for over 40 years, and I don’t even know her name.
There is an old Serbian rhyme that pays tribute to one grand lady in all of our lives, our Bubba!
Stara baba stara je,
Kad se ljubi mlada je!
Tebi baba volecu,
Od ljubavi umrecu!
TRANSLATION
A bubba is old, But when she kisses you, she’s young! Bubba, I’ll love you, I’ll die of love for you!
When I was a kid, I remember that this time of year was almost as exciting as the Christmas season! I was FULL of anticipation and would be counting down the days until two MAJOR events would happen.
The first event that I’d start nagging my mom about was “How many more days till school’s out?” Granted, although the end of the school year was still 6 or more weeks away, it would have been difficult to maintain my excitement had it not been for the other MAJOR event that was just around the corner….. KENNYWOOD OPENING!!!!
Kennywood first opened as a trolley park 115 years ago and was called “Kenny’s Grove.” What is now the oldest ride in Kennywood, the Old Mill, was opened in 1901 and has gone through numerous major theme and structural changes throughout its existence. The idea that the Old Mill has been there for 112 years is amazing! Equally amazing to me is that one of my favorite rides has been operating since 1920, 93 years ago! Believe it or not, the Jack Rabbit is only 7 years shy of being 100 years old!
So, in an attempt to rekindle some of the old excitement that I felt and that you also probably recall, I would like to share a few things with you.
First of all, as I was rummaging through the numerous images I have of Kennywood, I thought it would be fun to pull together a short video of these moments in time. If you click the arrow on the video below, you’ll be whisked away to that time in your youth when you were getting as excited as I would about the approaching Kennywood opening!
Frank Mullen recently forwarded some pictures that he unearthed at his home. The year was 1957. This was just about the time that I was going full throttle nagging Mom to take me to Kennywood! The location of each of the photos is immediately recognizable to me. I’m sure many of us knew Kennywood like the back of our hands. THANK YOU FOR SHARING FRANK!
There is a YouTube series that has grown and grown in popularity, The Pittsburgh Dad. It appears that many people enjoy this internet series. I however, am not a fan. I think the “Pittsburgh Dad” is a bit “over the top,” making the character look more like and uneducated hillbilly than someone who actually lives in the area. I am reluctantly posting an episode about Kennywood simply to let you can catch a glimpse of what the park looks like today, and so that you can enjoy the sights and sounds once again.
There are times that I really struggle with post ideas. It seems that I have covered every inch of my childhood memories. However, whenever “writer’s block” occurs, all I have to do is peruse a few issues of The Duquesne Times to discover new things about the city we love or to gain inspiration.
With that said, I started to dig into the 1954. 59 years ago, Duquesne was on the cusp of some dramatic changes, and hints of things to come were in the wind. However, life as WE knew it was perfectly normal. Little League was happening, Kennywood was open (made you check guys, didn’t I?), and some new fears had surfaced.
So, take a few minutes, place yourself in the 1954 frame of mind, and enjoy a quick trip to a moment in time………………
This tidbit of information took me by surprise. I never knew they were even considering a drive-in theatre in Duquesne!!
I hope you enjoyed reading through these bullets in time. Let me know if you would like to see more. I am to please!!! Many, many, many thanks to Jim Hartman from the Mifflin Township Historical Society for supplying me with copies of the Duquesne Times to use!
It appears that Spring 2013 has officially arrived. I’ve been busy clipping, racking, mulching and planting around my house, hoping to make it as neat and attractive as possible. Although the methods have changed in the last 99 years, the intention of making one’s home attractive as possible hasn’t wavered.
For instance, today if we are faced with a lawn full of dandelions, we’re able to trot off to the nearest Lowe’s or Home Depot and pick-up a bag or container of specialized weed killer to eradicate the whole population with one application. I recall fastidious little hunkys kneeling in their yards on weekends and patiently and meticulously digging out each individual weed. Once removed, they would carefully fill the hole with rich black soil and then lovingly spread grass seed over the bare spot followed by another thin layer of top soil. They were very diligent in the weeks that followed to assure the newly seeded patches were watered and nurtured into healthy areas of lawn. I remember that my Uncle Lou, whose house was on Martin Street next to the substation that runs along Mifflin Street, was relentless when it came to battling weeds in his yard! His yard was always pristine. My dad, on the other hand, felt that if God allowed something to take root in his yard, it was meant to be. His best defense was to mow it down each week and pray for the best! Understand that his point-of-view was nurtured by long hours of discussion with his friends each day at the G.B.U. or the Croatian Club!
Landscaping as we know it today was different for our parents. The majority of beautification efforts were centered around the creation of working gardens. In most cases, vegetables and flowers were cultivated from seeds that were planted in a patch of land in backyards throughout Duquesne. Tidy little roses of plantings would eventually emerge each Spring to eventually produce an array of vegetables that were used to cook or preserve and flowers that were often clipped and brought indoors to brighten up the home.
The US Steel Company, Duquesne Plant, used to hold a beautification contest for its employees each year in the early party of the 20th Century. I thought you might enjoy a retrospective look to the care, grace, dignity and pride the residents of Duquesne took in their city. The results of one such beautification contest were published in what was then, the local paper, The Times-Observer. The year was 1914, 99 years ago. Although the contest judging took place at the end of July, it was this time of year, 99 years ago, that the busy little hunky hands were readying the gardens and lawns throughout the city. The stark contrast in what some of the homes looked like then, what they evolved into during our youth, and then how the appear today is quite dramatic. Here’s to the prodder times!
The following are random pictures from the same timeframe of the various entries into the Beautify Duquesne Contest. Foliage, gardens and residences took on a much more natural look as opposed to the minimalistic and sculptured style that’s used today.
When I look at these photos, the one point that I find to be rather “haunting,” is the presence of a child or children somewhere in the photo. I wonder how many of these kids grew up to be our grandparents. It somewhat reminds of those eerie pictures that you occasionally see in a movie about haunted homes. I would be very interested if any of you know about these children and who they grew up to be!
The power of prayer in itself is remarkable. I think we all believe that as part of our very being. However, the power of Duquesne prayer has proven itself to be very powerful. It was just 7 days ago that we all learned about the news of Fr. Dennis’ diagnosis. After the call for a Duquesne Deluge of Prayer, this blog saw its highest EVER viewing of a post since I first began the blog two and a half years ago. The post calling for prayers was viewed over 2500 times in less than one week!
I was thrilled when I saw an announcement on Facebook that announced a “Flicker of Hope” regarding Fr. Dennis’ diagnosis. I am posting his “From the Pastor’s Desk” column from Sunday’s bulletin. We need to continue with our prayers to assure that the “flicker of hope” turns quickly into a deluge of hope for Fr. Dennis. We did it once, so let’s not stop the momentum!!
From the Pastor’s Desk – April 14, 2013
Last weekend, when the “bomb” on my most recent health diagnosis was dropped, an immediate volcanic eruption of love and prayers for me was released into the universe. I truly believe that this eruption has caused the “Flicker of Hope” that I received on Monday afternoon. On my visit to my primary care physician, he informed me that I have “lower body muscular neuron disease.” He informed me that the disease takes on many forms or personalities and sometimes masks itself as another disease. A definite diagnosis is confirmed only after a series of elimination tests. He told me at this point, based on the results and evidence “It is inconclusive that I have full-blown ALS/Lou Gehrig’s Disease.” This news is a “flicker of hope.” He was at a loss why the neurologist diagnosed me last Thursday with get your affairs in order, tell your family, you have 3 to 5 years. I believe that the eruption of prayers and love caused this flicker. The positive energy caused by the love and prayers is real and present. After one year of visiting various doctors and not receiving any positive results, I am going to hold on to this “good news” as a hopeful sign. I am going to live life to the best of my ability and to its fullest. When the time comes for my final diagnosis, then I will deal with it as best as I can.
Good things and blessings from this have already happened. People are talking to each other, people are praying more than they have in quite a while. Much more is there to be learned on this transitional journey.
Thank You: for the outpouring of love, prayers and concern….for the cards, emails, gifts, flowers, food, etc….for anyone who has offered help and assistance….I am humbled and grateful for your love and prayers.
The Next Steps: The next step in this ongoing process is that I have an appointment with the ALS Clinic and Dr. Lacomis in Pgh. on May 6 for testing, recommendations, etc. On June 10, I meet again with my PCP to go over the results and decide on the next steps and a course of action if necessary.
Prayer to St. Jude
O Holy St Jude!
Apostle and Martyr,
Great in virtue and rich in miracles,
Faithful intercessor for all who invoke you,
Special patron in time of need;
To you I have recourse from the depth of my heart,
And humbly beg you,
To whom God has given such great power,
To come to the assistance of Fr. Dennis Colamarino;
Help him now in his urgent need and grant my earnest petition.
I will never forget the graces and favors that you obtain for him
And I will do my utmost to spread devotion to you. Amen.
St. Jude, pray for us and all who honor you and invoke your aid.
(Say 3 Our Fathers, 3 Hail Marys, and 3 Glory Bes after this.)
Hello,
If you have any information that might be helpful to Paul, please, leave a comment. YOu help will surely be appreciated!
In 1868, Commander in Chief John A. Logan of the grand Army of the Republic issued what was called General Order Number 11, designating May 30 as a memorial day. He declared it to be “for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land.”
My cousin, Marianne Volk, and Cindy Stanoszek Mitrik shared their friend William Lankenau’s story recently and I really enjoyed it. I thought I would share it with you to enjoy as well. I took the liberty of “embellishing” it and bringing it a bit closer to home for all of us. I hope you enjoy it!
I for one, am anxious to receive a band as a reminder, not only of Fr. Dennis, but of the power of prayer within a community of friends, neighbors, and the prayerful and compassionate people who read this blog. I will be requesting one for my wife and each of my daughters as well. The donation I’ll be make will also touch so many lives as well.
The Duquesne Hunky 
