Happy New Year Looking back on 2011

First of all I would like to thank everybody who has supported our organization.  The key people who make this work give passionately of their personal time and effort.  The work is thankless except for the personal gratification that  they get for giving  and sharing with you so selflessly what they have acquired over the years.

Why would someone want to get involved?  Well, perhaps you enjoy collecting historical memorabilia, or tracing back your ancestry or remembering those before you who work so hard in making this country, even as imperfect as it maybe, as great as it is today. Perhaps you would just like to reminisce  about a time when life was a little slower and simpler. Or even to recall a time when life was much harder but still brought a deeper joy into your life because of the people you were with. Maybe you enjoy being a part of community involvement, or embracing an opportunity to  hone a skill set. What ever motivates you in doing what you do, you do it simply to share with others what you have accomplished and enhance and better our community.

Let me further add that none of us do what we do professionally, receive monetary compensation or are without flaws or room for improvement. In some cases we may incur uncompensated expenses. Yet we continue to endeavor to improve constantly.  I recently handed out some cards to promote what we do at local gathering of friends and neighbors when one gentlemen rudely scoffed and smirked.  Criticism, Sir, is cheap, plentiful and amply abundant we have sufficient supplies of that.  What we need is your input, contribution, help and support.   In absence of that, your silence would be equally appreciated.
Just as on the buffet table, if we are not to your taste  move onto something else.

So what have we done?

There have been countless hours of gathering, year books, vintage newspapers, countless old photographs, research in libraries, old telephone directories, walking the streets of Nanticoke documenting and photographing old buildings or sites where key events in the city have at one time taken place. We have published a variety of books.  We have a postcards, calenders and much more. Which, the proceeds keep our lights on and doors open.


Having been with the Historical Society for little more that a year,  I can only speak  for what I have seen in my short time with them.  First of all let me offer greatly appreciated thanks to Mr. Nicholas Pucino who has contributed so much in the past.  Nick has posted stories and photos for the Historical Society for a number of years on his site NanticokePA.com.  Due to health reasons Nick has given up his site and domain name to enjoy a more reclusive life style.

Since then the Historical Society has put up their own site.  In the Fall of 2010 I ventured out to observe a cerminony commemorating the 100 years anniversary  of the Hanover Fire Company Engine #4 Nanticoke Fire Dept. There I met an old friend and veteran member of the company where I explained that I had retired from my job of 19 1/2 years and returned to college to study some courses in  web design.  His wife, our president Julianna asked me to do the site for them. 12 junior college credits does not not make me by any sense of the word a professional, but it has given me an opportunity to practice what I have learned and I have learned so much more from these people than you can imagine and much more than just from in the class room.

We are on Facebook were I will announce new articles on this blog and our Web Site. On this blog I try to keep a mix of current and new things in our community as one day it will be history.  And by some fluke of the imagination maybe historically note worthy one day. Sometimes looking for something new to post can be a challenge, so your contributions can be a big help.


 We have done 13 blog posts in 2011:

• Rich Rynkiweicz's Classic Cars
• The Kline Cannons
• The Flood of Sept. 8 2011
• 911 Ceremony at Luzerne County Community College
• The Fall Harvest Festival (postponed)
• The Fall Craft Fair Luzerne County Community College
• The Grove Theater - Honky Tonk Angels 
• Our Book signing Open House Oct. 29 2011
• The Halloween Hot Dog Block Party
• LCCC Tree Festival
• Flamenco Ballet at GNA
• Barnes & Noble Book signing Area Hub Plaza
• Memories of a Forgotten Island

Stories on our Web Site:

Millionaires in Nanticoke	2011 Festival of Trees
How We Started	Flamenco Ballet @ GNA
The Samantha Mill House

An American President	Automobiles in Nanticoke
Hanover fire Co. Engine 4: 100 Years	Nanticoke's 400 Club
Theatres In Nanticoke	Castle Cloths
Horror Hall	Television In Nanticoke
Help!	Our New Book

Thank you for Supporting the Nanticoke Historical Society and have a Happy & Healthy New Year!

Nanticoke Woman was connected to History of Stone Lake Manitowish Waters WI

 Post from  Koller Library Manitowish Waters Blog Spot

Read more about Beaumont's Island Manitowish Waters WI
Beaumont's Resort

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Memories of a Forgotten Island 

 Mitzi & Eleanor 1970 Three Sisters Women's Apparel  Shop Wisconsin Ave Milwaukee WI 

 

Reprinted from the Lakeland Times, January 2, 2009, by Joyce Laabs.

Editor's Note: Memories fade, but some are captured to be renewed. This was the case of Beaumont's Island on Stone Lake in Manitowish Waters. The following appeared in The Lakeland Times in July 1978. We thought our readers would enjoy a piece of forgotten history.

Comment posted by myself on Koller Library Blog Spot Page

Geneb53 said...

Both my parents were born and raised in a small coal town in NE Pennsylvania, Nanticoke. Dad, after the war, relocated to Milwaukee to earn a living as the life of a coal miner was hard, dangerous and without sufficient means to raise a family. In the mid to later 1960’s my mother Eleanor worked with Mitzi in Milwaukee in a women’s apparel shop on Wisconsin Ave. by the name of Three Sisters. They became good friends and we got invitations to visit them on Beaumont’s Island where my father got the opportunity to fish for the Wisconsin game fish, the Muskellunge. When I was in my later teens and early 20’s I would take him up to Manitowish Waters for summer trips from Milwaukee. If memory serves me correctly the big bell was on the property of the Coffee’s, which they referred to as the Coffee grounds. The Coffees were the daughter and son in-law of the Beaumont’s. Ed and Mitzi would tell them of our intended arrival and would ring the bell for Ed to come out for us on his pontoon boat. Mitzi’s husband, Ed, always had a big cigar in his mouth. I remember Mitzi banged out rag time on an old out of tune upright piano. Ed banged out a rhythm on the drums and I played on a bass made from a bass string, a stick and a garbage can. The “Lodge” had a stuffed bear and the walls had game fish mounted. Ed and Mitzi would tell us stories of the loggers that would walk across the frozen lake in the winter and drink in the Lodge. The Lodge had old tables. Mitzi told us that came from the Schlitz Brewing Company. The Company would provide the tables and chairs to those who sold their product and where engraved with the Schlitz logo in large letters in the backs of the chairs. The cabins had the old gas light fixtures in them that still actually worked. Ed had a gasoline electric generator and in the summer months he would run it for about an hour or two in the cabins and the lodge. If memory serves me correctly, I believe Ed and Mitzi eventually got utility power out to the island, probably at considerable expense. All my old pictures where on transparency slide film and were lost. As real as it was, after 40 years your blog posting was like a miracle as my memories where almost a dream. I’d thought the island was on Spider Lake and could not find anything at all on the web. Ed and Mitzi’s stories of Vilas County, Little Bohemia and Dillinger’s hang out were some of my best times ever. Both My parents are now gone, but you have given me back some precious memories I had thought were lost forever. Gene Bojarski http://www.Nanticokehistoryonline.org

August 29, 2011 11:12 PM

MW Library said...

Hi Gene- Thank you so much for sharing these memories with us! Janelle & I are thrilled that the blog has made a difference for you. Please let us know if there's any more info we can help you with!

August 30, 2011 10:53 AM

Barns Noble Books

Book signing at Barnes & Noble Area Hub Plaza Wiles-Barre Township Dec. 17, 2011


First of all let me offer an apology for any inconvenience I may have inadvertently have caused.  My sources had informed me that Chet was to be at the Wyoming Valley Mall, where I had walked for half an hour looking for Barns & Noble at the Mall rather than at the Arena Hub Plaza.  Having lived in the area for 30 years, I should  have known better.  And, for those who may have been in town for the Holiday and wanted to meet Chet and could not find him well I hope you found him as I did.  The error was understandable as the Area Hub Plaza is just across Mundy Street from the Mall. Having said that my bustling Saturday afternoon at the Mall was hurried and exhausting.  The Mall crowds were unbelievable.  With the economy still in a shambles, it is amazing that people find in their hearts the spirit of the season.

Thank you for your support and response.
The first printing was nearly sold out.  We weren't sure if Chet was even going to be at the signing as there may not have been any books to sign. Chet and the Nanticoke Historical Society may consider a second printing if the need is there.  So please,  if you could not get a copy and you would like one let us know.
http:///www.nanticokehistoryonline.org/

  If you are a history buff or are from the Nanticoke area and were looking for a present for someone or even yourself, this would have been the perfect opportunity. Not only was Chet there, but also the authors of several publications from Arcadia  Publishing.  Arcadia Publishing is the leading local  publishing company in the United States.  Many of the books available that day by this publisher were in a similar style and format as was Chet's.   A number of books about North East Pennsylvania are available through Arcadia and Barns & Noble.
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/arcadia-publishing-pennsylvania?store=ALLPRODUCTS&keyword=arcadia+publishing+pennsylvania  The link will take you their list of books  about our region.  The Publisher is out of Charleston, South Carolina and can be contacted by phone Toll Free: 1-888-313-2665 or on the net at http://www.arcadiapublishing.com/

Yes, yes, I know I should have gotten the names of the authors and their books.  As  journalism is not really my forte,  I try my best to get out a story for  The Nanticoke Historical Society  on occasion to let you know that we are out there to try to enhance and preserve our heritage and culture as well as promote our community. We try to be active in community events and encourage our friends and neighbors to contribute and get involved. We are always looking for help, so if you are a journalism student a columnist or any one with creative talents that can help us out please get involved.

It can be a lot of work, but we have great people in our organization.  Frankly, it really is a lot of fun.  I see on our Facebook page that we are growing and that  is great! So, come out and join us.  Let's help our community come together and thanks again for your support.

Flamenco Ballet Visits GNA High School

Flamenco Ballet, a professional production group entertained approx. 900 students and teachers at the Greater Nanticoke High School  on Friday December 2nd.Visiting schools from around the region came from as far as Susquehanna Common. The show exhibited cultural dances from Brazil, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Spain, Argentina, Columbia and other Spanish speaking countries and cultures. The music was superb, the dancing amazing, the costumes spectacular.  Narration was given in English and Spanish stories of the origin of dance such as the Rumba, Flamenco and Tango were explained. The Jota, a Spanish folk dance was performed and it's origins explained.  The show primarily intended for the Spanish students was mostly done in Spanish.  Simple exercises like counting to 20 in Spanish entertained the students as many already were beyond the fundamental basics.  Different countries brought to the culture the variety of dance and music.  They showed how music and dance could act as a conduit for knowledge and understanding of  other people's history and background. They showed students the many countries that speak the Spanish language, their differences and similarities, folklore, history and traditions .The experience was entertaining and educational. For More visit: Nanticokehistoryonline.org

Nanticoke Historical Society participates at the LCCC Tree Festival

The Luzerne County Community College is a nucleus of activity for our community it is for that reason among many that we embrace the opportunity to to be involved whenever we can. On December 2nd we attended and participated in the yule tide celebration. The Festival of Trees was held at the college in the Educational Conference Center off of Prospect Street on the college Campus. With us were Alden Manor ,Crazy Rabbit Paint Ball, Relay for Life, First Community National Bank, Educational Conference center, UGI Utilities, Choice One Community Credit Union, South Valley Chamber of Commerce, The International Assn. of Administrative Professionals and Classic Properties .  For a $1.00 donation to the American Red Cross you could vote for your favorite tree.

 Katy Sweeney, member - Nanticoke Historical Society worked hard and contributed effort in our fine tree.  We're not certain if we had won first place, but the container for the ticket votes was quite full. Our friends and neighbors The  South Valley Chamber of Commerce and Crazy Rabbit Paintball were with us to celebrate.  We are looking forward to a Paintball Competition and perhaps a spring festival in a few months.  Efforts for a Fall Harvest Festival fell short due to complications in the planning stage.  Hopefully all  the details have been ironed out.  The event having spanned more than one community complicated planning and time was need in order to be in compliance with regulations and ordinances of both communities. Being good citizens and respecting out neighbors comes first. We're looking forward to supporting them and participating with there efforts when the time is right and everybody is ready.

I'm am preparing a web story on our site and I am inviting you to come and visit us. We're looking for new and interesting ways to make your visit with us more enjoyable.  Your thoughts and contributions are always welcome and we can be reached on Facebook and comments on our blog.  Please feel free to join in. http://www.nanticokehistoryonline.org