1945: ST. JOACHIM BASKETBALL CHAMPIONS

Here's the 1945 St. Joachim basketball team which has earned a spot in the Hamilton LIbrary's Local History "ST. JOACHIM" and "CHAMBERSBURG" folder. Quite a number of prominent Chambersburg names here.

Over the years, I have written numerous columns dealing with the Italian-American experience including St. Joachim Church, or as I called it in a column I wrote long ago, "The Jewel of Chambersburg." Here's an article from my files describing the celebration of the laying of the cornerstone on this historic and legendary church.

1937 ST. JOACHIM GRAMMAR SCHOOL CLASS OF 1937

Crystal clear, thanks to PhotoShop tweaking. Here's they are, the class of 1937 from St. Joachim Grammar School. In the 1960's, I made numerous visits to that incredible parish when I was part of Kay Chirello's vaudeville group, "Kay's Follies." I was completely enamored by the old school and the church; they are truly Chambersburg treasures, and should be given National Historic Site recognition.

1915: THE PANTALEONE FAMILY MUSICIANS

Recent changes in the demographic makeup of the Chambersburg area has become a very important part of my historical research for the Hamilton Local History Collection. The history of that section of Trenton is a fascinating chronology of the immigration experience. From what was once an area of orchards and cornfields, and eventually evolved into English and German residents, then the Italian incursion in the late 19th and early 20th century and up to today when the area has again undergone a sea change with an increasing Hispanic incursion. What a fascinating history! I remember when my brother Len was courting his wife to be back in the 1940's going with him one day to the Bucca home and as we drove the quaint steets of the "Burg" we would pass an occasional man or woman washing the front steps of their row home, or sweeping out the gutters and front sidewalks. How great it would be if today such diligence in cleanliness was the rule. The above graphic fascinates me in a personal way. Way back in the early part of the 20th century, Dr. Raphael Pantaleone was recognized as one of the most prominent and respected members of what was then known as "the Italian Colony." Dr. Pantaleone's boys in the above graphic went on to become very talented musicians. Back in the 1980's my son Tom, Joe Kildea, Joe Bogner and an incredibly talented Eddie Pantaleone formed the very talented group known as "Valhalla." These guys were destined for fame, but unfortunately they didn't know the right people and didn't have the financial ability to make the "big time." Young Eddie Pantaleone was a standout as the group's bass guitar player; indeed, Valhalla was an incredibly talented group of guys. Eddie's dad lived on Greenwood Avenue near South Olden and he too was a talented musician and guitar teacher.

1937: ST. JOACHIM GRAMMAR SCHOOL CLASS OF 1937

"Chianese, Laurenti, Ricci, Gervasio......" There are many very familiar family names in the St. Joachim class of 1937. Back in the early years from the teens through the 1950's, the Trenton Times was noted for their wonderful photo spreads showing the graduating classes from schools all over their circulation area. The above photo is one of those pristine examples; preserved here for posterity.

A NOTE FROM TOM:
Some computer graphics present a challenge. Many of the class photos in my collection were rolled up and very long in physical size. In order to bring the best possible recognizable facial image to the screen, a bit of Photoshopping is required. On the other hand, the above image is a proverbial "piece of cake.' The original offset photo image from the Trenton Times allows for digital enhancement that allows the viewer to see his or her relative in one high definition scan. On the other hand, those very long rolled up class photos with 70 to 100 people in the photo usually call for a dual scan. Half the class from the left, the other half from the right, resulting in two images.

RALPH LUCARELLA said...

HI TOM...THERE ARE QUITE A FEW NAMES IN THAT PHOTO THAT SURPRISE ME. FRANK AND MARIO LAURENTI ALONG WITH RAYMOND AGABITI WERE FRIENDS I THOUGHT WENT TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 1937 WAS MY GRADUATION YEAR AT TRENTON HIGH BUT I WASN'T ABLE TO FINISH. I WAS LOOKING FOR WORK TO HELP OUT AT HOME AT A TIME WHEN THINGS WERE PRETTY TOUGH. REGARDS.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Hi Ralph: This also happened in the Glover family. Due to the depression, my sister Dorothy had to leave school in the 8th grade to get a job to boost the family income. She went to work at Circle F. My brother Len was drafted out of Hamilton High School in his senior year and inducted into the U.S. Army Air Corps. He received a diploma even though he didn't finish his senior year.

Tom Glover

Mack said...

Wonderful Tom:) With every list that contains old Burg names as I read along I know some family of a few and can remember some names being called by teachers at attendence in my school days:)

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

1924 (Ca 1924) HONORING ST. ANTIM0

Thanks to Father Jeff Lee, Pastor of Our Lady of the Angels-Saint Joachim parishes for the correction Father Jeff sent in the comment below. My dear departed friend Bob Immordino who passed on at age 92 said he thought the photo might be of one of Chambersburg's Feast of Lights celebrations. Father Jeff set the record straight. When I received Father's comment, I opened the graphic and "Photo Shopped" it and enhanced the faded background. Lo and behold, that isn't the Virgin Mary in the back of the photo. It is obviously a male who is presumably St. Antimo. Many thanks, Father Jeff; my aim is to correct any and all errors I make in recording historical material.

Jeffrey E. Lee said...

Thanks for the posting. However, I believe that this photo is also in the Our Lady of the Angels-Saint Joachim parish's Centennial Hall and it represents the procession in honor of Saint Antimo. take a closer look at the image among the people. in the early years there were many processions in honor of the blessed virgin particular to towns of origin as well as processions in honor of the saints. thanks for keeping the memories at the forefront.

Peace.
Jeffrey E. Lee, Pastor

Friday, September 23, 2011

Mack said...

What a wonderful little corner of the world it was. And what a nice picture this is. Thanks Tom:)

Friday, September 23, 2011

Ralph Lucarella said...

HI TOM....THE FEAST OF LIGHTS AS I RECALL WAS TO HONOR THE MADONNA OF CASANDRINO. THAT WAS ALWAYS ON BUTLER ST ALONG WITH THE PROCESSION THROUGHOUT CHAMBERSBURG. I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE THE FEAST IN ITALY WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS WITH DELTA AIRLINES. OUR RELATIVES IN CASANDRINO WERE VERY ACTIVE IN THE FEAST AND I WITNESSED THE CELEBRATION WITH THEM. REGARDS. ALSO TOM, IN THAT PHOTO ABOVE, I WAS JUST ABOUT FIVE YEARS OLD AND ONE OF THOSE KIDS COULD HAVE BEEN ME. GOD BLESS THE OLD BURG.
Saturday, September 24, 2011

1904: SPEAKING OF ST. JOACHIM'S CHURCH AND PARISH........

Unfortunately, many of the old graphics from the early 20th century were still not as clear as those of today. The art of offset printing was still in its infancy. The above graphics attest to that fact. However, the text is quite readable and this one takes us back 107 years ago to the cornerstone laying ceremony of that historic church.

Mack said...

Hi Tom:)
Great stuff. And Ole Saint Joachim's still looks magnificent to this very day:)

Tuesday, August 02, 2011

Thia from Ralph Lucarella:
HI TOM....I CAN CLEARLY RECALL HOW IMPORTANT THAT CHURCH MEANT TO PEOPLE OF CHAMBERSBURG. IN THE 20'S, MY GRANDMA AND MANY OTHERS ATTENDED MASS EVERY DAY AND MADE SURE THE KIDS WENT TO CATECHISM FOR THEIR HOLY COMMUNION. I RECALL FATHER PALUMBO AND THE NUNS WHO TAUGHT THE KIDS NOT PUTTING UP WITH ANYTHING BUT GETTING THAT DONE. HAVING VISITED CASANDRINO IN ITALY SEVERAL TIMES I ALSO SAW WHERE IT ALL BEGAN. GOD BLESS ST. JOACHIM'S AND ALL THOSE WHO WERE RESPONSIBLE IN ESTABLISHING THEIR FAITH IN THE BURG. BEST REGARDS.

Tuesday, August 02, 2011

1903: CORNERSTONE OF TRENTON'S ST. JOACHIM PARISH

 Below is an interesting view of the home in which Monsignor Pozzi lived during the very earliest years of St. Joachim parish before there was a rectory.The corner building shown on the lower left on the corner of Dye and Genesee Streets with "100" superimposed is the location of Monsignor Pozzi's abode.

 

Over the past week or so, I have been delving into the illustrious past of St. Joachim Parish on Bayard Street in Chambersburg. The ever growing "CHAMBERSBURG" and the "AMERICAN-ITALIAN" folders have been a subject of intense interest to me in view of the fact that the area has gone through such massive change. The late Bob Immordino and I spent many hours working on a computer generated presentation on Chambersburg, detailing the borough from its earliest years, and concentrating on the Italian experience. The first version of the presentation was presented on screen at the Kuser Farm mansion theater during the period of time when the mansion was available for my nostalgia and historic programs. "Chambersburg: An intimate thumbnail sketch" was very well received. The "ASTOUND!" presentation software allows me to add subsequent photos and articles as they are found, and they are and will be added.

Lee Belardino said...

HI Tommy I spent 3 months in St. Joachims kindergarten before being transferred to Washington school.The nuns couldn't put up with me. Spent 3 years there then moved to Hamilton and went to Rowan,Willy,Lalor and 1951 to Hamilton and to the worlds greatest human being and music teacher. Life is strange. Lee

Monday, August 01, 2011

1904: BOYS SHOOTING CRAPS CAUGHT IN THE ACT

Whoa there, boys! This is a house of worship and certainly not the place to "roll dem bones." Note the headline that indicates that the boys would be arraigned. Wayward youth were not coddled in those long ago years, and you may be assured that the punishment fit the crime.

Mack said...
Hi Tom:)
I love it. Our Burg, spunky from the start LOL:)

Wednesday, April 06, 2011

THANKS MACK: Perhaps we should explain to those of our visitors who are not into computer shorthand, "LOL" is laugh out loud.

Tom Glover

SJBill said...

Am I the only one to wonder if young Peter Lorenzo grew to start the fine restaurant at 66 S. Clinton Ave?

Wednesday, April 06, 2011

1925: DECORATIONS AND RESTORATION AT ST. JOACHIM CHURCH

This beautiful and historic church in the Chambersburg section of Trenton has always held a certain fascination for me. Back in the 1960's I belonged to Ms. Kay Chiarello's song and dance group known as "Kay's Follies." We did old fashioned vaudeville singing and dancing acts to a number of local venues around Trenton and vicinity. A few of our programs were performed in the auditorium of St. Joachim's church. The sheer antiquity of the place was captivating. As one gazed at the walls, ceiling, windows and floors in that beautiful old building, one could imagine the incredible sacrifice the local Italians made as they labored for hours building the magnificent edifice. Those early parishioners went to back breaking day jobs and worked after hours to build the church.

1945: ST. JOACHIM SCHOOL CLASS OF 1945

Once again, there are many familiar names in the listing of graduates from St. Joachim's Grammar School: Salamandra, Battisti(a?), Gervasio, etc.

2009: God's eye view of St. Joachim Trenton

Here's an interesting view of St. Joachim Church as it would look from a low flying helicopter.

1909: The New St. Joachim's School - Trenton N.J.

I had been working for a number of years with my very dear friend, the late Robert Immordino. Bob was an expert on "Ethnic Americana," especially where it revolved around the American-Italian experience. Bob was one of the more knowledgeable experts on the history of the Italians in the Trenton area, as well as nationally. His passing left a very large void on the local scene. The above article is from a 1909 Daily State Gazette which I embellished with the colors of the country. St. Joachim Church and School is most certainly a candidate for recognition on the National Register. It has a glorious history, dating back to the early 20th century when Chambersburg men spent hours of back-breaking labor at their respective daily jobs, only to come home and volunteer for still more labor in building up St. Joachim's School.

1960: ST. JOACHIM PTA

Here's a photo from the 1960 St. Joachim"A Half Century of Dedication" which honors the 50th anniversary of the arrival of the Sisters Maestre Pie Filippini to America. I was tol by Msgr. McCorristin that I was the first male President of St. Anthony's PTA. I wonder if Mr. Apoldite, President of St. Joachim's PTA claims the same honor.

1932: ST. JOACHIM HOLY NAME SOCIETY

THERE ARE NUMEROUS OLD FAMILY NAMES IN THIS ARTICLE ON THE HOLY NAME SOCIETY AT ST. JOACHIM PARISH IN CHAMBERSBURG.