Coal Region Guestbook Archive
July, 1998

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Name: Pat L.
Website:
Referred by: Net Search 
From: Dublin Pa
Time: 1998-07-31 03:16:23
Comments: Hi! I'm back. I just read thru the whole of the guest book that was available, all 929 of the entries. This site is really great. It's nice to know that so many people are checking out the coalregion. By the way if anyone recognizes the names and railroad st. they can drop me an email at pmm@comcat.com

Name: Pat L.
Website:
Referred by: Net Search 
From: Dublin Pa
Time: 1998-07-31 00:48:42
Comments: Hi! I'm Vicki and Pete's daughter originally from Railroad Street in Centralia. If there are coalies out there who know us, drop a line. I will forward greetings or messages to my parents. Nice to drop a line to others of us out there. Coalies Rule! Later!

Name: Nancy sincavage
Website: sincavage kielbasie
Referred by: Word of Mouth 
From: NE. Phila
Time: 1998-07-30 16:44:06
Comments: My parents are from Shennandoah.And we are makeing kielbasie from the coal reigon. Please visit are website at Fortunecity.com/littleitaly/piza/199.we will look forward to hearing from you. Thank you The Sincavages

Name: Sharon Toman
Website: n/a
Referred by: Newspaper ArticleĘ
From: Scranton
Time: 1998-07-29 11:24:01
Comments: Great web site...continue the good work...enjoyed the recipes.

Name: Jim Devaney
Website:
Referred by: Word of Mouth 
From: New Jersey
Time: 1998-07-29 09:55:05
Comments: Originally from Wilkes-Barre. Have been in New York/New Jersey area since 1966.

Name: TOM WHALEN
Website:
Referred by: JustSurfed On In!
From: BARNESVILLE, PA.
Time: 1998-07-28 15:16:52
Comments: lOVE TO HEAR FROM ANYONE OUT THERE. CONTACT ME AT thalen@smlny>com. ORIGINALLY FROM MAHANOY CITY, PA. CLASS OF '55 IHHS, FOUNTAIN SPRINGS, PA.

Name: Dynise Balcavage
Website: beaver college
Referred by: Newspaper Article 
From: philadelphia
Time: 1998-07-28 12:26:45
Comments: I'm originally from from Shendo, SVHS Class of '83. This web-site really takes me back to the days of tappers, Sandy Beach, the Greenie, flitch, cruisin' and block parties. (They say nostalgia is history without guilt.) Good job! I'd love to hear from my old high school friends or teachers from SVHS.

Name: Nick Ketcha
Website:
Referred by: Word of Mouth 
From: PrincetonJct, NJ/Arlington, Va.
Time: 1998-07-27 17:16:33
Comments: I'm originally from Archbald, Pa. (Home of the World's Largest Glacial Pothole). Now spend my time in Washington, DC (during the week) and Princeton Jct, NJ (weekends). This site brings back a lot of fond old memories.

Name: oscar kwiterovich
Website:
Referred by: Net Search 
From: West Monroe, LA
Time: 1998-07-27 13:41:56
Comments: From 4th and Spruce, Wink's, Mt. Carmel. The old store is apparently now torn down. Good to go back on the net because I haven't been back physically in years.

Name: Karen
Website:
Referred by: Other 
From: Wilmington. DE
Time: 1998-07-25 21:18:46
Comments: Grew up in Ashland. Graduated from Ashland High in 1966. Love the web page. Enjoy reading about the region. The heart will always be there.

Name: Sue (Lincovich) Thrift
Website:
Referred by: Word of Mouth 
From: Gainesville, Fla
Time: 1998-07-25 10:56:59
Comments: I grew up in Tamaqua and graduated from TAHS in '74 and from Bloomsburg Univ. in '81. I've been in Fla. since. I've run into lots of Pa. people but only once has it been coalcrackers. My little sister turned me on to the page!

Name: Jeff Brown
Website:
Referred by: Word of Mouth 
From: Hartly, DE
Time: 1998-07-25 07:12:03
Comments: I'm happy to find this page since I'm always looking for more information about Tower City and the surrounding coal region. All of my ancestors were either miners, tunnelers or farmers and they all came from the Tower City area. I'd be especially interested in anyone doing family research on the Browns, Kesslers, Minnichs or Hochs of Tower City/Hegins or the surrounding area.

Name: Chip & Lorraine
Website:
Referred by: Word of Mouth 
From: Texas
Time: 1998-07-25 00:51:51
Comments: Originally from Plymouth, Pa. (Luzerne County).Chip graduated from Plymouth High School in 59 and Lorraine in 60.Would like to hear from you if you are from that area and time frame of graduation.., Really do miss Plymouth, Pa. Try to get back that way every other year. E-mail me if you are from the area.

Name: Joe Mack (Makutonovich)
Website: Joe Mack
Referred by: Word of Mouth 
From: Shanadorah to Pottsville
Time: 1998-07-24 22:37:21
Comments: It breaks my heart to see all this trash moving into and ruining the region and hardcore Schuylkill County in particular. I stayed after I graduated form Moravian College. Everyone stay. Keep the region hardcore, and hard coal. America's oldest is still America's Best. That's right, I'm a proud former employee of the Yuengling Brewery. I am a half Polock, half Lithuaniun with heavy coal mining roots. If you get a chance, stop by Twentieth Street in Pottsville, PA and say "What's up, butt?" Hail to the Blue Devils and a special hail to the Crimson Tide. Shamokin is hardcore. I'd like to dedicate this message to the loving memory of Joseph M. Kretulskie (my grandfather) and Regina Makutonovich (my grandmother) who served the region with everything they had. Coal ashes to coal ashes, coal dust to coal dust.

Name: Bob Moncavage
Website:
Referred by: Word of Mouth 
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Time: 1998-07-24 20:50:17
Comments: Originally from Mount (in coal region-ese, Marnt)Carmel. Actually, the thriving megolopolis of Strong. It even HAD its own post office...and ZIP Code.

Name: Alison Shiloh Handy
Website:
Referred by: Just Surfed On In!
From: Windber, PA
Time: 1998-07-24 15:08:06
Comments: Windber Coal Heritage Center is a great place to learn about coal history!

Name: Matthew Fries
Website: Matthew Fries Jazz Piano Page
Referred by: Word of Mouth 
From: NYC
Time: 1998-07-24 15:05:41
Comments: My grandmother (Grammy) is originally from Scranton and refers to Barbecue as "Wimpies". Anyone else heard of this?

Name: Bren Kalman
Website: Kid Sites
Referred by: NewspaperArticle 
From: Van Nuys, California
Time: 1998-07-24 00:28:09
Comments: I am orginally from Shamokin PA and I absolutely loved this site..and as a matter of fact have passed it on to many others that I know...I got a good laugh...you guys did a wonderful job!!! Keep up the great work!!

Name: Monica Hunsicker
Website:
Referred by: JustSurfed On In!
From: Nesquehoning, PA (carbon county)
Time: 1998-07-23 14:24:44
Comments: Finally, something I can relate to! This site is so exact to the way people in the coal region really are... I love the dictionary, simply 'cause that's the way I talk, along with all the other hicks around here! (ha,ha) Anyway, great job, this place rocks! Monica Hunsicker

Name: Charlie and Lydia Brennan
Website:
Referred by: Newspaper Article 
From: Mansfield, PA
Time: 1998-07-22 23:28:52
Comments: Charlie and his brother Bill, originally from Frackville, graduated from Cardinal Brennan in 1972. Charlie now lives in Mansfield with his wife and four children (that's what happens when your Irish-Catholic). Lots of great memories about the area, the people and the food (except flitch says wife Lydia - not from the coal region). Loved the site and look forward to hearing from old friends. P.S. Charlie has almost completely lost the accent... 3 is now three instead of "tree".

Name: Sharon Weikel
Website:
Referred by: Other 
From: Ashalnd, PA
Time: 1998-07-22 18:57:42
Comments: I am from Ashland, PA and I love the dictionary......I laughed my butt off reading it beacuse I am guilty of saying about 90% of the words and phrases!!! This a very cool web site and I will probably visit often........."Yous guys are da best!!!" Sharon

Name: Jack Edwards
Website:
Referred by: Just Surfed On In!
From: Houston
Time: 1998-07-22 14:10:47
Comments: Fifteen minutes of Web searching answered my question below. It was written by author William Kotzwinkle. He is from Scranton and attended Penn State. Should be listed under "Famous Coalcrackers".

Name: Tom Chesney
Website:
Referred by: Word of Mouth 
From: Shamokin
Time: 1998-07-21 19:18:27
Comments: What a great site. Humor, after all, is the best medicine.

Name: Jack Edwards
Website:
Referred by: Just Surfed On In!
From: Houston
Time: 1998-07-21 15:03:55
Comments: I watched a movie on TV last night called “The Book of Love”. It is about a boy named Jack growing up in a small town in Pennsylvania in the late 50's. Jack attends Central High School, goes to the Fair, steers clear of a tough guy named Angelo, ends up taking Angelo's sister Gina to the prom and then parking at a spot that looks just like the overlook near the Wise (Potato Chip) mansion in Berwick. I kept thinking that this has got to be about someplace close to Bloomsburg! When they graduated there was a button factory to work at (Magee Carpet?). The band at the senior prom was "The All-Stars" (Joe Nardone?) It even occurred to me (well, for just a second) that perhaps someone had made a movie about me! Does anyone know anything about this movie, or who wrote it?

Name: Kathie Dower
Website:
Referred by: Word of Mouth 
From: Reading, PA
Time: 1998-07-19 23:38:45
Comments: Originally from Mahanoy City, sister Jayne, brother Harry, sister Mary Jo.

Name: Tom Kistler
Website:
Referred by: Just Surfed On In!
From: New Jersey
Time: 1998-07-19 22:12:15
Comments: Hi, found your site while searching for an "A-Treat" soda web site. My Dad's family is from the Tamaqua area. Can't wait to show them your coalspeak dictionary. Thanks.

Name: Joe Pizzoli
Website:
Referred by: Word of Mouth 
From: Lindenwold, NJ
Time: 1998-07-19 16:24:39
Comments: Originally from the ATLAS "PATCH" across the viaduct from Mt.Carmel. Mt. Carmel Catholic class of '62. Lindenwold, NJ is just south of Phila. Always nice to hear from the local foke!

Name: Donna Marie Shustack Hiddemen
Website:
Referred by: NewspaperArticle 
From: Wilmington, DE
Time: 1998-07-19 10:13:48
Comments: My mother was born in Ringtown and my father in Shendo. My grandfather on my dad's side worked the mines until health gave out. Dad came to Delaware to work at GM and the family moved down thereafter. Mother's family still in the region. Would love to hear from other Shustacks who see this message! Love the webpage!

Name: Aimee Bashus
Website: The Wedding Doctor
Referred by: Advertisment/Brochure 
From: Charlotte NC
Time: 1998-07-18 15:19:51
Comments: I am originally from Frackville, Pa. I moved in 1986 when I was 12 years old. I would have graduated in 1992 from North Schuykill. My parents are Joyce Hostler from Frackville, and Allan Bashus from Shenandoah. I also have family in Mahnahoy City.

Name: Heidi
Website:
Referred by: Word of Mouth 
From: Ky
Time: 1998-07-18 13:26:16
Comments: Hi.
I can't exactly say that I'm from your reigon of the country, but I do enjoy your site... My Mum is from up around Buffalo, Ny and it's odd to see that all of the stuff (slang, food, etc) on here that I use and get weird looks for is just common stuff around there. It's nice to get a look and see what I'm missing (considering that I miss Ny terribly), and even if the site isn't from around there, it's still a peice of work. *smile*
Keep up the good work and all that jazz...

Name: Aimee Bashus
Website:
Referred by: Other 
From: Charlotte, NC
Time: 1998-07-18 01:47:02
Comments: Thanks for the e-mail. The pic is about 5 miles from where I am from. Aimee

Name: Marty & Sue (Kaminski) Barrett
Website:
Referred by: JustSurfed On In!
From: 68 Mountain Drive, Mount Pocono,Pa. 18344-1751
Time: 1998-07-17 16:16:37
Comments: Marty is originally from Mansfield, Pa. ( Tioga County) and worked on then the new Mount Carmel High School. Susan is from Shamokin and graduated from Our Lady Of Lourdes,class of 1974 and Pottsville School of Nursing, class of 1977. We still travel to Shamokin to visit family and purchase our cars from B & L Auto.

Name: Gary Klem
Website:
Referred by: Word of Mouth 
From: Allentown, PA
Time: 1998-07-17 14:55:50
Comments: Born and raised in Frackville, graduated from North Schuylkill HS in 1968 Thought the CoalSpeak dictionary was a hoot! (although I was somewhat concerned because I actually thought some of those words were commonly used! Guess I still have some coal dust in my veins). My grandfather and father-in-law worked in the mines. My mother and brother still live in Frackville. My sister lives in Ashland (RD- near the old drive-in). She is a walking, talking CoalSpeak dictionary. John O'Hara is my favorite author; Appointment in Samarra is my favorite book. (By the way, Larry King commented to a guest that John O'Hara, in his opinion, was one , if not the best, of America's great writers.) I miss many things about the Coal Region, but what I miss most are the people who live there. Coal Crackers are real folks! They'll give you the shirt off their back and are willing to help anybody in trouble. Can't say as much for the rest of the places I have lived.

Name: Robert L Van Auken
Website:
Referred by: Other 
From: Weatherford, Oklahoma
Time: 1998-07-17 11:51:01
Comments: I am originally from Berwick, Columbia Co. Pa. When I was in my teens every saturday I would go to the mines in Nanacoke and load the truck with coal. How can I get information on people I knew that worked the mines?

Name: David and Brittany Pelachik
Website:
Referred by: Just Surfed On In!
From: Sayre, PA
Time: 1998-07-16 22:36:26
Comments: Would like to hear from anyone who lived in Excelsior, Brady (Renshaw, Marye's Hts. or Shamokin PA

Name: C. Mahmod
Website: Stonecrusher Internet Services
Referred by: Just Surfed On In!
From: Shenandoah, Pa
Time: 1998-07-15 18:04:46
Comments: Stonecrusher Computer and Internet services. Computer Upgrades Internet Access Setup Computer Sales

Name: Marty & Susan (Kaminski) Barrett
Website:
Referred by: JustSurfed On In!
From: Mount Pocono,Pa. (Monroe County)
Time: 1998-07-15 16:55:08
Comments: Marty originally from Mansfield,Pa., Tioga County Susan is from Shamokin

Name: george kriesher
Website:
Referred by: Word of Mouth 
From: Girardville,Pa ( Gun-town)
Time: 1998-07-14 21:56:17
Comments: I was up da a-hole and my kuzzints told me bout dis page!!!!!!!! born and raised in G-ville,,,,,,Girardville,,,,,,,jardville,,,,,,Guntown

Name: Stephen F Payer
Website: The Payer Page
Referred by: Other 
From: Linthicum, MD
Time: 1998-07-14 04:16:26
Comments: Steve Payer here. Originally from McAdoo, PA. Graduated MHS in 1956; Wife is from Hazleton, graduated HHS in the same year.. I signed in earlier this year at Record #497 or thereabouts. Even then I saw that McAdoo and the *really* North Schuylkill area was getting short shrift from you 'Chendovian' folk. LOL! So .... On my beginning Website please see a few of my comments and additions to 'CoalSpeak'. I link to your Guestbook on the (my) main page; Find my comments and additions at: http://www.erols.com/sfpayer/CoalR/commcoalr.htm ... I'll make improvements, additions, etc., over time, but for now this is enough. (G) I'd appreciate comments from any who care to give them, and from old regional friends. Am also looking for family history and related genealogical information.

Name: Marsha Miller
Website: MarciaMarshaMartia
Referred by: Word of Mouth 
From: da Foot(Mahanoy Plane)
Time: 1998-07-13 17:40:39
Comments: Everyone raves about this site, and I can see why. It's a great web page!

Name: Nancy (Blackwell) Gubala
Website:
Referred by: Other 
From: Ringtown
Time: 1998-07-12 01:03:01
Comments: I am from Mahonoy City...and grew up in the surrounding area....Brandonville, Zion Grove....Love the site...

Name: Dona Wilson
Website:
Referred by: Word of Mouth 
From: Vestal, New York
Time: 1998-07-11 22:58:50
Comments: I live in Vestal, NY now; however I was born in Philadelphia, Pa. I live 5 miles from the NY?PENN boarder. Real neat that the beautiful things about the Keystone State are being shared. Love,Peace, Prayers, Hugs

Name: Kristen
Website:
Referred by: Word of Mouth 
From: Shamokin
Time: 1998-07-11 21:02:08
Comments: Sup, loved your page, i laughed so hard i almost pee'd. thanks

Name: Stump
Website:
Referred by: JustSurfed On In!
From: Frackville
Time: 1998-07-10 20:18:01
Comments: tapper is another word used to describe an outdoor drinking party,a common term in Shenandoah. There are also various names for the outdoor "tapper" locations. i.e..."tree poles"(supposed to be pronounced "three poles"),"top of the world"(located near the "tree poles"),"the crane","square dam","king kong's chair","Ravy"(Raven Run),"the plateau". these are just a few , there are many more.

Name: Walt & Anita
Website:
Referred by: Word of Mouth 
From: Manassas, VA
Time: 1998-07-10 10:56:25
Comments: Originally from Shenandoah home of the Mrs.T's pierogies and the best kilbo on earth!!! Can you guess where we are talking about? This is a really good site. "There ain't nuthin' like the coal region! YO!"

Name: Beth Steward
Website:
Referred by: Just Surfed On In!
From: Marco Island, FL
Time: 1998-07-09 18:09:33
Comments: Love this site! Just a quick question. Are there any remaining structures, etc. from Edgewood Park?If so, how do you get to them? My grandma lived inthe 1200 block of W. Walnut and I vaguely remembercontinuing up the hill, out of town, but that's all.To Jack Edwards, yes, I remember Timothy, so we mustbe about the same age--do you remember a creepy songfrom about that time called DOA? Nobody else seems to! Can't wait to get back to the coal region at theend of August for some great fun, fabulous eating, and cool nights--if you think it's hot there, you should be in Florida in July!

Name: Jack Edwards
Website:
Referred by: Just Surfed On In!
From: Houston
Time: 1998-07-09 12:52:17
Comments: Another fun place similar to Knobels was Rolling Green, near Northumberland I think. There was a good band there sometimes, "Robin and the Hoods". Sans Souci Park had good bands too. I've still got a 45 rpm record of Joe Nardone's "Shake a Hand". How about a group from Shickshinny, Zone V with "Black Jacket Woman"? There was a group called Sundae Train that was very good too. Here in Houston, just the other day, I ran across a CD by the Bouys. Remember "Timothy"?

Name: Marybeth (Kerick) Sankus
Website:
Referred by: Other 
From: Flagstaff, AZ
Time: 1998-07-09 02:27:13
Comments: Originally from St. Clair. Signed in when the guest book had less than 100 comments. Who else out there hated St. Clair Area High? Comments welcome.

Name: Marybeth (Kerick) Sankus
Website:
Referred by: Other 
From: Flagstaff, AZ
Time: 1998-07-09 02:27:27
Comments: Originally from St. Clair. Signed in when the guest book had less than 100 comments. Who else out there hated St. Clair Area High? Comments welcome.

Name: jen wagner
Website:
Referred by: Word of Mouth 
From: Germanville (hopefully for not too much longer)
Time: 1998-07-07 20:34:36
Comments: i thought there was something wrong with me when i went away to college and everyone made fun of the way i talked, now i know that i'm not alone. i'm proud to be from ashland, and when i move i will only have good things to say about the coal region.

Name: Jack Edwards
Website:
Referred by: Just Surfed On In!
From: Houston
Time: 1998-07-07 09:59:44
Comments: They sure don't have any clam bakes down here in Cowboyland. When I think of a clam bake I think of the boat club there on the Susquehanna near the Catawissa bridge. My mother never liked my dad going to clam bakes because often there was a fight. We had to go through Catawissa to get to Knobel's. I remember the time our little rock and roll band got a chance to play at the roller skating rink one summer evening. We came across the river bridge by the Bloomsburg airport and going up the steep hill on the other side the trunk lid popped open on my $25 Henry J and all the drums fell out and rolled back down the hill. Those were the days!

Name: Stephen Kowalewski
Website:
Referred by: Just Surfed On In!
From: Harrisburg, PA
Time: 1998-07-06 17:50:30
Comments: Hi - This is a great site, everytime I visit it I get homesick. I'm originally from Shamokin. For those of you who might be coming to Shamokin in August there is going to be an indoor clam bake at the club, sponsored by the St. Francis Society. If you know somebody who is a member, come join the fun.

Name: MARYANN (SWETRA) MUSKETT
Website: WAY DOWN SOUTH
Referred by: Word of Mouth 
From: SOUTH FLORIDA
Time: 1998-07-06 01:02:46
Comments: THIS IS GREAT! I'M ORIGINALLY FROM KULPMONT AND STILL HAVE MOST OF MY FAMILY THERE.I MISS THOSE MOUNTAINS.LOOK FORWARD TO VISITING AGAIN. LOOK OUT KNOEBLES HERE I COME AGAIN. SIGNED....HOMESICK!!!

Name: Lewis & Jacque Delbaugh
Website:
Referred by: Word of Mouth 
From: Berkeley Springs, WVA
Time: 1998-07-05 23:24:45
Comments: Born and raised in Shamokin, PA. Live in West Virginia now. Still have family in Shamokin so get back quite often. If you're from Shamokin - contact us. We'd love to hear from you. Lew graduated 1956; Jacque 1957 from SHS

Name: Allison & Dave
Website:
Referred by: Just Surfed On In!
From: Summit Hill
Time: 1998-07-05 12:58:13
Comments: We love the food in the coal region.

Name: Allen Walters
Website:
Referred by: Word of Mouth 
From: Buchanan, VA
Time: 1998-07-05 11:45:43
Comments: love to visit Knoebels every summer.......originally from Philly......Sunny Hills Golf, Coney Island lunch, Knoebels for the evening....life is good there in Happy Valley!!!

Name: Sharon R. Tate
Website:
Referred by: Just Surfed On In!
From: Carterville, Illinois
Time: 1998-07-03 14:44:47
Comments: Don't really have a message. Just surfed in trying to find information on ancestors. Nice set up.

Name: The Weston Place Gang
Website:
Referred by: Newspaper Article 
From: Weston Place, Shenandoah
Time: 1998-07-02 22:19:36
Comments: We were happy to see our cousins in Baltimore enjoyed this Coal Region Site. Isn't it like a little visit back to Nana and Poppy's? We can't wait for both of you to visit in person!! It really is a wonderful area!! Miss you!

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