Sunday, December 20, 2009

Junior 6 History Club


I was planning on doing a Christmas blog but changed my mind...bah! humbug!

Instead I found this photograph from the 1967 yearbook featuring Junior 6.
I have no idea who anyone is other than Sister Alacoque. I never even heard of the American History Club. Who is the person talking on the telephone?
If you were wondering where in the blazes the name Alacoque came from then click here:
If you aren't interested in that and prefer some uptempo '60s christmas cheer then sit back in your easy chair, grab your egg nog and watch the Beach Boys:

Merry Christmas to all of you who watch the blog either intentionally or accidentally.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

November 5, 1967: a day that will live in history (sort of)

NATIVITY ENDS LONG LOSING STREAK!
4th QUARTER RALLY TOPS MARIAN!
November 5, 1967 (courtesy of the Pottsville Republican 11/6/67)

The win famine has ended.
After 27 consecutive losses the Nativity Hilltoppers rallied for two touchdowns in the last quarter to break a 6-6 deadlock and topple the Marian Catholic Colts by a 18-6 count, Sunday afternoon at Lansford.

Nativity out to end the slump dominated the play throughout the game, as they chewed up yards on the ground while their spirited defense limited the Colts to a mere 23 yards rushing. The big win for Nativity was directed by their quarterback, Dave Toth, and was highlighted by the fine running of Jim Franklin and Joe Ferris.
The last win for the Hilltoppers was against Marian, on November 7, 1965 when they handed the Colts a 31-0 setback. The losing streak began the following weekend when the Hilltoppers were dumped by Notre Dame 32-6.
Neither team could mount an offensive thrust during the initial 12 minutes of play as the entire quarter was played between the two 30 yard stripes, except on the last play of the frame, when Dave Toth's booming punt put the Colts back on their own 15 yard line.
Early in the second frame the Hilltoppers advanced to the Colts 43 yard line and with fourth down and short yardage needed for the first down, Dave Toth faked a punt, but his pass fell incomplete. On the first play of the series, Mike Bimler picked up ten yards, but the Hilltoppers were called for a personal foul and the penalty, from the point of the foul, gave the Colts a first down on the Hilltoppers 30. Three running plays were stopped at the line of scrimmage, by the Nativity defenders, but fourth down, quarterback Tom Andregic pitched a flat pass to Mike Mazur on the 19 yard line and the big fullback tight-roped his way along the sideline, breaking two tackles, and covered the remaining distance for the score. A pass by Jack Pieracini from a fake placement, fell incomplete and the Colts jumped into a 6-0 lead, and the 7:57 mark of the second quarter.
Following the kickoff, the Hilltoppers drove to the Colts 23, where they lost possession on downs. The Hilltoppers regained possession on the third play of the next series, when Mike Bimler fumbled and Mike Coleman recovered for Nativity on the Colts 39. Three running plays gave the Hilltoppers a first down on the Marian 8. Joe Ferris shot over his right tackle and was stopped at the one, from where Dave Toth carried into play dirt on a quarterback sneak. The Colts stopped Ferris short of the goal line on his run for the go ahead point and ths score was deadlocked at 6-6 with 1:57 remaining in the first half.....
Ferris picked up three on the first play of the final frame, but then Toth was dropped for a one yard loss. On the next play, Toth sent Joe Ferris through a gaping hole over his right tackle and the speedy fullback romped untouched into the end zone. Toth's attempted pass for the extra point was batted to the ground, but the Hilltoppers forged into a 12-6 lead, with 10;57 remaining to be played.
Midway through the final frame, the Colts gained possession on their own 47 yard line and drove to the Nativity 16, in three plays, where the drive came to a sudden halt when Mazure fumbled and Ed Muldowney recovered for the Hilltoppers. Nativity was held for downs, but Toth's punt was fumbled by Frank Kane and recovered by Pete Cherrybon, on the Colts 47. Ferris picked up one yard on the first play. Jim Franklin iced the victory on the next play as he shot through a hole, between right tackle and end, cut the sideline and outraced the Marian secondary to the end zone. Toth missed on a drop kick attempt, but Franklin's 46 yard jaunt gave the Hilltoppers a 18-6 spread, with only 2:11 left in the game.
The Colts made on desperate attempt to hit the scoring column for the second time, following the kickoff, but Pete Cherrybon's second interception of the day killed the drive, giving the Hilltoppers a 18-6 victory.



Team Roster
Ends- Cherrybon, Rada, Toomey
Tackles - Leininger, Wollyung, Brown, Forney
Guards - Dougherty, Coleman,
Center - Egan
Backs - Toth, Franklin, Ferris, Muldowney, Boris, Mootz, Haffey, Clark, Wabby, Pavalko
A great sigh of relief fell over the area but soon the celebrations began.




Wednesday, October 28, 2009

go phillies!



Click here for the 1968 Phillies Roster



Shindig's version of "take me out to the ball game" featuring Jerry Lee Lewis and Neil Sedaka (and, of course, the Shindig dancers).











Sunday, October 4, 2009

half-time


Who could forget those half-time routines by the Nativity Band.
I studied this photograph for some time and I think it is a salute to the state of Tennessee.
I am referring to the photograph on the bottom :)


Wednesday, September 2, 2009

The Other Side





The Other Side


The Other Side was the premiere psycheledic-oriented local rock band in the late 1960's.


Here is the Website for The Other Side


Here is a photo of one of the places you could hear the band: Rokosz Hotel, Sunbury St., Minersville.

Monday, August 17, 2009

Gerry Wargo







August 14, 2009
Gerald C. Wargo, 58, of Spring Mills, died Friday at his residence.
Mr. Wargo was born in Pottsville, Aug. 16, 1950. He was a son of Anna Klizas, Saint Clair.
He retired from the Hamburg Center as a supervisor.
He was of the Catholic faith.

Gerald was a graduate of Nativity BVM High School, class of 1968, and Penn State University.

Surviving, in addition to his mother, are two sons, Nathaniel Wargo, Hamburg, and Joshua Wargo, Hamburg; two grandchildren, Lucas and Trent Wargo.

A visitation with the family will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday and a memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Geschwindt-Stabingas Funeral Home Inc., 25 E. Main St., Schuylkill Haven, with Deacon John Pogash officiating. Interment will be in St. Casimir Cemetery, Port Carbon. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice. Geschwindt-Stabingas Funeral Home Inc., Schuylkill Haven, is in charge of arrangements. Condolences can be sent to http://www.gsesfuneralhomes.com/.


Gerry attended the 40th reunion at Sweet Arrow Lake in October 2008. He never minded his old nickname, 'frog,' in fact he liked the name.

Requiescat in pace

Friday, August 7, 2009

Father McKenna's history lesson



The second week of August 9th – 16th is chock full of history:

On August 9, 1974 Richard Nixon resigned from office and Gerald Ford was sworn in as president. On August 9, 1995 Jerry Garcia died.

On August 10, 1943 Ronnie Spector was born; in 1963 Stevie Wonder’s “Fingertips Part 2” reaches Number 1 on the charts.

On August 11, 1965 the Watts Riots began in earnest;

On August 12, 1965 Ian Fleming died; not much else happened;

On August 13, 1995 Mickey Mantle died; in 1965 “I Got You Babe” hits Number 1.

On August 14, 1950 cartoonist Gary Larson is born;

On August 15, 1965 the Beatles perform at Shea Stadium; on August 15, 1969 the Woodstock Music & Arts Aquarian Exposition began in earnest. "We must be in heaven, man!"

On August 16, 1977 the King of Rock and Roll dies; in 1931 Eydie Gorme was born.

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Still another Pop Quiz


Pop Quiz:
The above photograph depicts the following:
1. Try-outs for the Quiz Show, "The $64,000 Question."
2. Interpreters attempting to deciper the lyrics to "Louie, Louie."
3. Girls trying on ear muffs at a Pomeroy's Winter Clearance Sale.
4. The Language Lab
5. Traffic controllers at the Pottsville Bus Terminal.
6. All of the above
7. I give up. I don't know that answer. I should have paid attention in French class.
8. Nuremburg War Crimes Trial Interpreters honing their skills.
9. Prehistoric early Chat Room.
Happy Bastille Day. Yes, Happy Bastille Day.

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Father Dagle


From the A.D. Times 6/25/09:


Rev. Harold F. Dagle, Pastor Emeritus of Immaculate Conception BVM, Allentown will celebrate his 50th anniversary as a priest with a Mass of Thanksgiving and dinner with family. He also celebrated before leaving Immaculate Conception last yea. Fr. Dagle is now Catholic chaplain at VA Medical Center, Lebanon and resides at St. Mary's, Lebanon.

He was born August 22, 1993 in Philadelphia, the son of the late Harold and Mary E. (Murphy) Dagle. He graduated from St. Helena School in Philadelphia in 1947 and completed two years at LaSalle College High School. Father entered St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Philadelphia in 1949 and received his bachelor of arts degree in philosophy in 1955. He recieved his master's degree from Villanova University in 1966. Father also did studies and supervision in marriage and individual counseling at Lehigh Valley Pastoral Institute, Allentown (1972-976), and was certified as a marriage and family therapist by the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists.

He was ordained in May 1959 in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. His assignments included assistant pastor, Annunciation BVM, Shenandoah (1959-1962); religion and math teacher, Marian Catholic HS, Tamaqua (1962-1965); religion and math teacher Nativity BVM, Pottsville (1965-1968); assistant pastor at SS Simon and Jude, Bethlehem (1968-1970), St. Joseph, Summit Hill (1970-1972), Holy Rosary, Reading (1972-1973); pastor St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Branchdale (1973-1980), Immaculate Conception, Allentown (1980-2008), and VA Medical Center chaplain (2008-present).

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

In Memoriam








Donna Marie Beverly, 59, passed away Friday May 1, 2009, at Grand Strand Regional Medical Center, Myrtle Beach, S.C. Prior to retirement, she was employed as an assistant manager for Giant Food in Maryland for more than 25 years. She moved to Myrtle Beach in 2006.

For more information or to make a donation in her memory see the donna beverly fund.
Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace. Amen.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

variety show contest

Contest
Name all of the participants in the 1968 Variety Show featured in the above photograph and win
a trip for two!

Official Rules
One entry per person.
One point is assessed for every name answered correctly.
Correct answer must include first, middle, surname and Confirmation name.
The contest is open to everyone with the exception of anyone who has graduated from Nativity High School or is or has been a faculty member.
To be eligible, entry forms must be submitted in person to Frankie's Smoke Shop.
Decision of the Contest Judge is final.
In the case of a tie, attendance at St. Patrick's grade school will be worth an additional two points.
The destination of the trip is left to the discretion of the Contest Judge
The prize cannot be redeemed for cash
Winner will be announced along the Burma Road on some late Friday evening yet to be determined.
Winner must be present to win.
By claiming the prize, the winner authorizes the use of his or her name and/or likeness for promotion of this blog.
In accepting the prize, the winner, and any guest, acknowledges that this blog may not be held liable for any loss, damages or injury associated with the trip for two (destination yet to be determined).
Good luck! and Don't Worry.

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Springtime means golf time

Spring is the time to bring out the golf clubs. Back in the 60s there was a school golf team.

David Letterman's top ten ways to make golf more exciting:

Locate at least one hole on median of the nearest Interstate Highway.
Each foursome must include at least one man wrongly acquitted of double homicide.
Instead of green jacket, Masters champion wins all the other golfers' clothes.
New hazard: Civil War re-enactments.
Instead of following golf ball in air, camera now pans crowd looking for dumbest hat.
Replace Tiger Woods with actual tiger.
One hour before tournament begins, each golfer must consume some spoiled tuna salad.
When somebody's about to putt, announcer screams, "Let's get ready to rumble!"
Replace sand traps with bear traps.
New rule: miss a putt, swallow a tee.

Saturday, February 28, 2009

some statistics


From December 1, 2008 through February 28, 2009 the top three most popular pages viewed have been:

1. Sister Nicholas Marie's History Lesson - 179 hits

2. St. Stanislaus, Minersville -120 hits

3. Sophomore 1 - 112 hits
Here is a 60s tribute