On with the Show!
On a roll.. or fun with a bun... in the Late 1980's
WMBT
The show must go on...
New Businesses of the late 1980's
100
Back in the day, theaters ran shows continuously, this is the time they would close the theater and the bleary eyed all-day patron would have to leave.
What is 11:00 at night?
100
In the 80's, he was still loading his unparalleled hoagie rolls with deli meat down on West Center Street. He stayed open till the one dollar, wrapped, deli delicacies would sell out each day. His shop was a favorite stop for football greats such as Mt. Carmel's Jazz Diminick, as well as Philadelphia Eagles' of the 1960's Pete Retzlaff, Tommy McDonald.
Who is Joe Romanelli?
100
Tune into this frequency to listen to WMBT.
What is 1530 AM?
100
From town, you'd hop on the train to get to these two local sites that packed in over 3,000 into their massive dance halls. They featured such nationally renown orchestras such as Woody Herman, Louis Prima, Guy Lombardo, Kay Keyser, Stan Kenton, Harry James and of course the Dorseys.
What are Lakewood and Lakeside?
100
In 1988, this business opened up on Main Street.... and still today... probably has more walk in customers each day than any other uptown store. Quite a prescription for success!
What is Rite Aid?
200
November 12, 1883, Shenandoah's great fire will destroy the first version of this theater. Ironically December 28th, 1965 will bring Shenandoah's second most famous fire and destroy a direct descendant of this theater upon the very same site.
What is Ferguson's Opera House?
200
In 1988 this long standing Shenandoah business was sold to Jerry and Theresa Alshefski of West Hazleton.
What is Harris' Bakery?
200
For two weeks in August of 1963 the nation was able to listen in personally to this serious unfolding story as 19 year old WMBT engineer, Phil Margush... on his first week of the job... jury-rigged a long microphone by splicing extension cords one after another at this tragic site.
What is Sheppton?
200
He'd have told you that his May 23rd 1887 show in Shenandoah was the "greatest" ever seen here. He claimed superlative excellence to much greater geographical expanses... and most people seeing his sow would tell you it wasn't hyperbole, but factual truth.
Who was P. T. Barnum?
200
This business, begun by two brothers, started out on Vine Street in October of 1985. It is in its newer, larger, location today.. sadly only one brother survives to run the business.
What is Pet Bros?
300
First, it was the site hosted Ferguson's Opera House, then it was O'Hara's Opera house finally it was The Strand. Back in the day.... you would enter Ferguson's Opera House from this street.
What is the first block of East Oak Street?
300
This Main Street establishment owned by Sylvan and Rosalie Lehran was remodeled and re-opened for business in 1988.
What is King Kruller Donut Shoppe?
300
He was the long time morning man who hoped you were up and "bright eyed and bushy tailed for his show... "AM with _____________."
Who is Jerry Anthony. "AM with Anthony." AM as in moring and on the AM dial at 1530.
300
Annually in March...through the 1970's... down in the patch, this genre of stagecraft still filled all the seats. It featured serious singing as well as blackface characters with names such as Cornpone, Rastus, and Eightball who worked their comedy through the Master of Ceremonies known as Mr. Interlocutor.
What is a Minstrel Show?
300
Sylvia and Joe Finkleman post the "Going out of Business Sale" signs in their windows in November of 1988. Sylvia's father began the business back in 1913.
What is Berson's Jewelry?
400
Located on the second block of North Main, it was first known as Robbin's Hall, then Gorman's Hall before it became this famous Hall which featured.... according to the advertisement... "the finest dancing in Pennsylvania."
What is Maher's Hall?
400
Retirement of the eponymous owner in 1989 will end the run of this long time establishment on West Center Street. They did not sell hoagies.
What is Sawka's Bakery?
400
She tirelessly worked the business end of the WMBT station up in Weston Place... on rare occasions she'd be heard on the air.
Who is Nancy Love?
400
The Shenandoah Community chorus under the direction of this lady performed classical and religion songs with challenging 4 part harmonies. She directed over 100 voices in the chorus's prime. She also was brought in each year to prepare the seniors of West Mahanoy Township for the music of their graduation ceremonies.
Who is Patty Karosas?
400
Oddly, the name of the this Shenandoah Main Street store was determined by the business that preceded them. In 1987 the store opened an extension next door. Both are now defunct.
What is Bargain Anney and Bargain Anney Annex? The Anney in the name was created by the Annex sign of the Tobias Annex.. they cut off the bottom right leg of the "x" making it into the final "y" of Anney. It was run by Jim and Kathy Kufro.
500
The old Black Diamond Theater had a nasty reputation. Respectable customers going there often found that ruffians had spit tobacco on their shoes. "The Blackie" often advertised just as "The Diamond", had two famous, massive town structures build upon its original sites.. name either.
What is the Columbia Brewery or the Shenandoah Hi- Rise?
500
It is most likely that more rolls went out of this newly built establishment in 1989 than Harris's or Sawka's bakery combined had sold in their final years of business.
What is Burger King? Now in its 29th year.
500
Why was it named WMBT? .. all but a few rare stations east of the Mississippi begin with the W... the M, B and T of the call letters represent the original owners. Name 2 of the 3.
Who are: M for Louis H. Murray, B for Dr. Naysh Brennan, and T for Attorney Frank J. Toole.
500
June 21, 1898 featured this major extravaganza. The parade to the show grounds featured Cossacks from the Caucuses, Bedouins on their Arabian steeds, Lancers, Chasseurs, and Cuirassiers from crack Cavalry regiments of Europe, Uhlans, South American Gauchos, US Cavalry and Artillery with batteries of field guns, jaunty Mexican Raralles, Vaqueros, Czikos, dashing Cowboys, Western Scouts, Frontiersmen, Texas Rangers, and the old Deadwood Mail Coach. Its show-tent was able to hold 20,000! It was not a circus!
What is Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show?
500
In 1988, long time Shenandoah restaurant, Vernalis', added to its revenue by also offering this?
What is Trailways bus tickets? Susquehanna Trailways.
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