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| Name: | ron corso |
| E-mail address: | weaselron007@aol.com |
| Location: | pittsburgh |
| Comments: | born in dormont 3311 w. liberty ave. 1938 went to kelton . |
| Name: | Bob Nale |
| E-mail address: | rnale@hotmail.com |
| Location: | Olympia Fields, Illinois |
| Comments: | My family used to live at 3252 Eastmont Ave., where both my brother Dick (now gone) and I were born. We both attended Kelton School and Dormont High School (Class of 1951). I went on to do my undergraduate work at W &J and my graduate work at Pitt. After a year of doing underwater archaeological research in Florida, we (Shirley (Gustavson) Nale from Mt. Lebanon) moved to Whithall where we raised our four kids.
We moved to Olympia Fields, Illinois in 1969. I was a supervisor for over 10 years at US Steel's Homestead Works and then in Sales management for over 30 years with the "now-absorbed by others" Harbison Walker Refractories Company. I retired from H-W after 31 years of service in 1995. I am currently running an independent archaeological research lab, studying the raw materials that prehistoric people's mad their stone tools from. I assist graduate students of archaeology identify stone tools for their graduate thesis projects and get involved in some forensic archaeology projects (bone identification). It was great to re-live many of my early experiences in Dormont during grade and high school. I used to work at A.B. Charles Hobby Shop with both Mr.Charles the elder and his son. I was a soda jerk at Meads & Dicksons Drug Store, delivered flowers for James Flower Shop, worked at the South Hills, Broadway and Denis Theaters, and delivered newspapers for the Press, Post- Gazette, and the local Liberty Ledger. During the holidays , I sold Christmas trees at the small gas station at the corner of West Liberty and Piermont which was right next to a cleaners on West Liberty where I also worked for a brief period. During World War II, I collected metal coat hangers from residents and sold them to the local cleaners for 1 cent each. I seemed to always be working at something for somebody and always had a few dollars in my pocket. Part of my sometimes "misguided" high school years were spent trying to hone my skiils with a cue stick at Nick's Pool Room. My grandmother and aunt lived at 2988 West Liberty Avenue, directly across from the Dormont Municipal Building I would love to hear any old fiends. Bob "Spike" Nale |
| Name: | Bill Swisher |
| E-mail address: | wrehsiws@gmail.com |
| Location: | MD |
| Comments: | An old Dormont friend of mine, Greg Overand, sent me about a dozen photos of Kelton Elementary before it was razed. I'd be happy to forward the file to you if interested. They are excellent photos of a grand old building. I went there K-8 before moving to MD. I like it so well I did gr 6 two times! |
| Name: | Bill Swisher |
| E-mail address: | wrehsiws@gmail.com |
| Location: | MD |
| Comments: | An old Dormont friend of mine, Greg Overand, sent me about a dozen photos of Kelton Elementary before it was razed. I'd be happy to forward the file to you if interested. They are excellent photos of a grand old building. I went there K-8 before moving to MD. I like it so well I did gr 6 two times! |
| Name: | Chris Massi |
| E-mail address: | sullivanmassi@gmail.com |
| Location: | London |
| Comments: | It's great to see some of the teachers listed from Kelton. I lived in Dormont from 1962 through about 1972 on Mississippi Avenue and remember walking to school when it was about five degrees - thought nothing of it. Miss Love was wonderful. Mrs Shapiro in first grade, not so much. Mrs Weals gave me piles and piles of books to read and is one of the best teachers I ever had. Mrs Newton, fantastic. Mr Daly - a bit scary. It's very easy to remember walking to the butcher's, to Dickson's (candy!)or to the world's best pizza, Campeti's. The hardware store, Martin's shoes where I always had to buy the dorkiest pair available. Someone mentioned swimming lessons at Dormont pool. Seriously, that thing could have supported icebergs during lessons. My lips turn blue thinking about it. |
| Name: | Hal Hayes |
| E-mail address: | hal.hayes@h3architecture.com |
| Location: | New York City |
| Comments: | I've loved Dormont since I was a child, staying with my grandparents at the corner of Hillsdale & Voelkel. My aunt still lives there, and I've had the pleasure of spending more time there recently while teaching at CMU, and hope to continue to do so. |
| Name: | Karen Bayer |
| E-mail address: | kbear522@verizon.net |
| Location: | Coraopolis, PA |
| Comments: | To any current and former residents of Dormont:
Someone else posted here recently that there is a Dormont Facebook page that is continually growing in members called "We lived in Dormont 15216" if you would like to check it out: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=34619321351&ref=ts There also is a Facebook group called "South Hills Theater" for former patrons and employees to exchange stories and memories: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dormont-PA/South-Hills-Theater/61601902833 |
| Name: | Christine (Vernacchio) Johns |
| E-mail address: | cjohns1965@embarqmail.com |
| Location: | Marietta, Pa |
| Comments: | I love reading all of the memories of growing up in Dormont. I was born and raised in Dormont. I lived in Dormont from 1965- 2005. I went to Kelton school, and there are so many fond memories.The teachers who stick out most for me were Miss Love, (K), Mrs Hazelbaker, Mrs. Dunbar. Mrs. Neff. I remember going to Mrs. Neff's house for a field trip!! Do you remember the penny candy store on Illionis Ave, aka the corner store?? I remember going there on Halloween for orange drinks they gave out. I lived on Tennessee so the business district is where we shopped alot. I remember things from Dickson's to Grabes, and rags to records, Jo- Lynns pizza. OMG, the list goes on and on.
I just bought the book on the history of Dormont and it is really a lot of fun to go through. Some of the dates I know are wrong in there though. Nonetheless, it is a great book. Someone asked about the Manny the Lifeguard from the Dormont Pool. I lived up the street from Manny for years. I remember going to the pool when I was very little for swim lessons. There was a day camp before the lessons that was above the pool in the rec room. I also took tap dance lessons there for a very short time!! Glad to see this site has so many who have remembered how Dormont was the place to be, growing up in the 60's,& 70's!! |
| Name: | Donna Pappas Kaiser |
| E-mail address: | bambinos@verizon.net |
| Location: | Cecil, PA |
| Comments: | Hi old neighbors! Grew up on Dormont Avenue across the street from the Sandoras and Babyaks right across from Dormont Park when the streets were still brick. Born and raised on Dormont Avenue until we moved in 2002. Fond memories of Dormont Park and the swimming pool. Easter Egg Hunts and Fourth of July grab bags that were big brown grocery bags full of treats. Buttermilk (ugh!) and fireworks and blocking our whole street off for them. Baseball games and catching fireflies with big old gallon mayonnaise jars (what were our parents thinking?). Anyone is welcome to e-mail. God bless, Donna |
| Name: | cathy blando |
| Location: | Dormont |
| Comments: | If you like reading these memories you should see the Dormont Historical Soceity bimonthly newsletter. A family/household membership is just $10 per year. |
| Name: | c blando |
| Location: | Dormont |
| Comments: | If you love reading these memories, you should read the Dormont Historical Society bimonthly newsletter. A family/household membership is just $10 annually. |
| Name: | Chauncey Ross IV |
| E-mail address: | cbr4@usa.net |
| Location: | Indiana, Pa. |
| Comments: | Dormont is a treasure. Couldn't think of a better place to grow up. Lived on Broadway, Waltham, Voelkel and Miles avenues at various times and attended all four schools: Hillsdale, Kelton, Jay Neff MS, KOHS.
Boy, do I remember the people. Fred Loeffler. Jerry Bodine. Lynn Kling. Irene Bryant (and Loppy). The Morelands. Better stop, the name-dropping could get out of hand. I was seven years old and in Helen Weals' 2nd-grade classroom at Kelton, sitting somewhere close to the back of the room, the day the principal, Marion Banks, came in and said Pres. Kennedy had been shot. Remember that like yesterday. We had Bible readings in class every day and said The Lord's Prayer. This was not a bad thing. I also was in Mrs. Weals' room when a classmate (let's just call him Phil) upchucked his lunch on the floor. He had tuna that day. I have never eaten tuna since then. Do you remember the other vintage 60s teachers in Dormont? Virginia Caulkett. Joyce M. Neff. Bernice Bachelor. Edwina Grove. Alice Lenhart and her sister, Miss Fulton. Again, I could go on. This does not even touch KO! Only regret about living in Dormont: lack of diversity. Don't get me wrong, there was no prevailing attitude of exclusion. I think it was more of an economic issue that Dormont was predominantly white. Some cultural lessons are best learned early. Love reading all your memories, too -- bless you all! |
| Name: | John Freed |
| E-mail address: | wb8tsv@yahoo.com |
| Location: | Raleigh, NC |
| Comments: | I was a drummer in the Boosterettes 1969 - 1971. It was a great experience going to all the local parades. What a great group of kids (and adults)! The drum section at the time was myself, John Erskine, Dave Martin, Tracy Franks, Ray Franks, Keith Morehouse, Margie Stanley. Mr Schmidt was the instructor. I also remember Mr Ufer and Mr Stanley. Don't remember many of the girls as most were younger, except for Debbie Zahm and Estelle Sirakis. Anyone know what became of these guys and girls? Any other former Boosterettes here? Drop me a line sometime! |
| Name: | Clrk Llewellyn |
| E-mail address: | revllew@yahoo.com |
| Location: | joliet, IL |
| Comments: | My grandfather Earl Llewellyn was a sheriff of dormont as a young man; he was also a bricklayer and his home was at 1251 Wisconsin ave. We live in the upstairs with him when I was a tot around 1946-1950.
I have been searching for archives about the family to verify some of our history. |
| Name: | Scot Fleming |
| E-mail address: | radioscooter@yahoo.com |
| Location: | Greentree, PA |
| Comments: | So many stories and memories from my days growing up in Dormont. I want to let everyone here know there is a strong Dormont contingent on Facebook. Just type the word Dormont in the "groups" search field and you'll see us there.
Mrs. Moreland, I may or may not have mentioned some of this to you when I've seen you at the Boro building, but it bears saying here as well. I have many memories of Mrs. Moreland's 6th grade English classes. One of the first teachers ever in my life whose manner, methods and skills transformed the curriculum into relevant material that has lasted with me to this day. The storytime periods where she would read to us have always been nearest to my heart. The Green Knowe books, The Spaceship Under The Apple Tree, Mr. Pudgins et al - these books are a staple of my family's current "curriculum" and my 8 year old son loves them. I must relate that a month ago, I had the opportunity to read to his 2nd grade class at St. Margaret's in Greentree and I brought Mr. Pudgins out with some trepidation wondering how the 60+ year old narrative would stand up to the DS-obsessed group of today's 8-year-olds. It went over amazingly well. Last week, as I picked up my son from after school care, another boy in his class came up to me and unprompted said "I love Mr. Pudgins!" So, thanks to Mrs. Moreland for the gift of storytelling and unmatched teacher-ship. It left me with a penchant for literature and writing that led to my current career and drives our family activities nightly. -Scot Fleming (Hillsdale School '74/'75) |
| Name: | Scot Fleming |
| E-mail address: | radioscooter@yahoo.com |
| Location: | Greentree, PA |
| Comments: | So many stories and memories from my days growing up in Dormont. I want to let everyone here know there is a strong Dormont contingent on Facebook. Just type the word Dormont in the "groups" search field and you'll see us there.
Mrs. Moreland, I may or may not have mentioned some of this to you when I've seen you at the Boro building, but it bears saying here as well. I have many memories of Mrs. Moreland's 6th grade English classes. One of the first teachers ever in my life whose manner, methods and skills transformed the curriculum into relevant material that has lasted with me to this day. The storytime periods where she would read to us have always been nearest to my heart. The Green Knowe books, The Spaceship Under The Apple Tree, Mr. Pudgins et al - these books are a staple of my family's current "curriculum" and my 8 year old son loves them. I must relate that a month ago, I had the opportunity to read to his 2nd grade class at St. Margaret's in Greentree and I brought Mr. Pudgins out with some trepidation wondering how the 60+ year old narrative would stand up to the DS-obsessed group of today's 8-year-olds. It went over amazingly well. Last week, as I picked up my son from after school care, another boy in his class came up to me and unprompted said "I love Mr. Pudgins!" So, thanks to Mrs. Moreland for the gift of storytelling and unmatched teacher-ship. It left me with a penchant for literature and writing that led to my current career and drives our family activities nightly. -Scot Fleming (Hillsdale School '74/'75) |
| Name: | Mike Emeigh |
| E-mail address: | MWE55inNC@gmail.com |
| Location: | Raleigh NC |
| Comments: | I grew up in Dormont, attended Kelton and Keystone Oaks (proud member class of 1973, the first to go all four years in the then-new building!). My dad and brother still live in Dormont. |
| Name: | Muriel Moreland |
| E-mail address: | mrm1958@comcast.net |
| Location: | Dormont |
| Comments: | Reading all your messages is a pleasure indeed! Having lived in Dormont all my life, I, too, think it is the best of places.
Have you visited our Historical Society in the former Hillsdale School building? If not, please try to do so when in this area. You will be amazed at all that has been given to us - two whole roomsful! Membership in our Society is but $10.00 a year and entitles you to bimonthly newsletters full of different kinds of items, and names you may remember. Hello to all of you I have known through the years! Mrs. M. |
| Name: | Lynn Tortorelli Tanis |
| E-mail address: | lynntanis4433@aol.com |
| Location: | Arizona |
| Comments: | I grew up on Potomac Avenue during the 60's and 70's and have always cherished my childhood in Dormont. As with most viewing this guestbook, I have "tons of" memories, but I thought I'd bring up one for this time of year : the 12th night festivities at the pool parking lot. As a kid we'd say, "Are you going to the Christmas Tree burning"?....I remember the huge mountain of Christmas trees torched to burn into the night, the Dormont fire department close at hand, having an excuse to be out and about at night with snow and sledding possible. There are images and feelings that I am able to conjure up; I am almost there again, even as the flowers bloom and the sun warms me beside cacti here in Arizona. |
| Name: | Leonard A. Lies |
| E-mail address: | dreamcatchers2@verizon.net |
| Location: | Mt. Lebanon |
| Comments: | A 1973 graduate of KO. Our class was the first full graduating class from KO. Guinea pigs we were as Yoda might say. I live in Mt. Lebanon with my wife Filomena and four sons, Leonard, Giancarlo, Nicholas and Francesco. I have my business Dream Catchers Films, Inc. in Dormont. It's nice to see the community base is still here. Though as a film producer it pains me to no end that the Hollywood and South Hills theaters are dark. Both of those theaters are full of great memories for me. I remember going to a double feature with 10 friends to see Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and Patton. |
| Name: | Connie Pike Boyd |
| E-mail address: | cjbelvis@yahoo.com |
| Location: | Dormont |
| Comments: | Hi everyone. I found out from my sister Bobbie about this website, & I think it is amazing. I lived in Dormont, first on Arkansas Ave until I was 14 yrs old, then on Kelton Ave until I married in 1968 to my high school boyfriend, Clayton Boyd.
I attended Kelton grade school & then Keystone Oaks, the original one. I was sorry I never got to attend the new one. But my memories of Dormont & all my many friends growing up are the best ever. I try to attend all my high school reunions. I think I only missed one. We celebrated out 40th last year in 2007. I look forward to seeing all my old school chums. My best friends back then were Sharon Vetrano, Nancy Joseph, Barb Hines, & Lynn Hasley. But there were so many other friends I spent time with as we grew up together discovering life. My dad was Chester Pike, a policeman for 30 years for Dormont Borough. This meant I could not get away with murder. My dad was fairly strict with us girls, but I admired him very much. And he died much too young, at age 55, just 6 months after he retired from the police force. I had 4 children, a daughter, and 3 sons, 2 of them twins. We moved to the Murrysville area where we lived for about 29 yrs. We retired at the end of 2005, & moved to Florida, about a half hr from Daytona. My 3 sons & 2 grandchildren live down here, but my daughter Candy lives in Baldwin with her 2nd husband & 2 kids. I visit her once a year usually in Sept. I try to look up as many friends & relatives as well as former work buddies as I can. I worked for 28 yrs at #1 Cochran in Monroeville. I enjoyed growing up in Dormont when I did. You could walk everywhere, to the pool, the park, the movie theaters, the stores, school, church, & Campetti's Pizza Place after the football games & dance on Fri nights. Also I really miss the drive-in movies. There must have been 5 or 6 of them in the area. And ice skating out at South Park, bowling at Mt Lebanon bowling alley. And do you remember when they use to have an all day affair for Labor Day in the parking lot across from the old Borough Bldg? I could go on & on remembering the fun I had growing up in such a wonderful town as Dormont. It seems so different now when I pass through it. So may of the stores are gone, my school is gone, & most of the kids I grew up with on Arkansas or Illinois Ave are gone. I would love it if anyone who came from the old neighborhood would email me. It would be fun to reminisce with them as well as classmates who knew me then. The years pass by so quickly. I will be turning 60 next summer, but I still feel like that same shy kid I was back then. I am related to the Sandoras, & I have already lost 2 cousins, & several Aunts & Uncles from Dormont, the last one being my Aunt Marcie Sandora. I enjoyed reading the other written memories of Dormont residents past or present, some of whom I knew & can identify with. They sure were great times. I hope Dormont remains the same wonderful town it always was forever so future generations can experience those years the same as I did. |
| Name: | Dan Parker |
| E-mail address: | dparker@uniones.com |
| Location: | Pittsburgh |
| Comments: | Thanks to all the Historical Society members for your efforts.
I have enjoyed reading the comments and have actually become reaquainted with a few old friends as a result. |
| Name: | Dan Justus |
| E-mail address: | danjustus1@hotmail.com |
| Location: | potomac ave. |
| Comments: | I moved to dormont about two months ago and have nothing but good things to say about this community and its residents. I relocated here from columbus ohio and couldnt have picked a better area of pburgh. |
| Name: | Cheryl Peyton-- Jenkins |
| E-mail address: | cap0821@comcast.net |
| Location: | Carnegie, Pa |
| Comments: | Class of '67. everything said "kohs", but still graduated from old Dormont High. even though I lived in Banksville, I was allowed to attend Dormont, . Hung out in Dormont all the time & reading this site, remember things now that I forgot. Names come up , as well as different streets. Knew family on Phildelphia Ave (ddpiper@aol.com), and graduated with Connie Pike (cowboy_cstp@yahoo.com. ) just alot to be thankfull for, growing up in the area. I still have lunches with so many of my classmates, from high school & Banksville Elementry. So many people just can't believe that I am still in close contact with soooooo many of friends from that era. afterall, we have "history". |
| Name: | Nancy (Carr) Bonito |
| E-mail address: | indybaby73@aol.com |
| Location: | Indianapolis, IN |
| Comments: | This is such a wonderful way to remember days gone by!
I grew up at 3246 Piedmont Ave with my 5 siblings. We went to St. Bernard's and then to KOHS. We moved from Dormont in 1978 to the North Hills. My mom still lives in the North Hills. Sadly, my dad passed away this year (Sept 2008). The 6 of us "Carrs" and our kids/grandkids are scattered all over the USA now...from Connecticut to Florida...from NEPA to Georgia..from Michigan to Indy...from upstate NY to North Carolina and the few still in the Pgh area! I had the opportunity to drive through Dormont earlier this year, after being away for over 25 yrs! It was great to see that, although some has changed, the Dormont we all know and love is still the same! I was only there for 1 night, so I didn't get to see much, but I did get the chance to drive past the house I grew up in on Piedmont Ave and saw my wonderful lifeling friend Janet (Fabus) Burke! I would LOVE to reconnect with some old friends! If any of you remember my siblings and I...PLEASE e-mail me! Thanks! Nancy (Carr) Bonito indybaby73@aol.com |
| Name: | Dana Boettger (Curry) |
| E-mail address: | boettgerd@aol.com |
| Location: | Irmo SC |
| Comments: | Reading these messages brings back alot of memories. I love Dormont. It was a great place to grow up. |
| Name: | Lois Grant Johnston |
| E-mail address: | loloken@embarqmail.com |
| Location: | Cape Coral, Florida |
| Comments: | To the 1979 graduating class of Keystone Oaks High School, a 30th reunion is in the planning stages. We, Lois Grant Johnston and Jackie Hughes Marsico are organizing the reunion and we need to hear from our classmates who would want to attend a reunion. Please go to Classmates.com and view the Reunion/Events tab to see what has been planned so far. There is an area on the website where you can RSVP either yes, maybe or no. You can always email me with any questions you may have. I have so many great memories of Dormont, although I was raised in Castle SHannon, I still spent alot of time in Dormont and have many wonderful memories. To my classmates, I am looking forward to hearing from you. Our 30th Reunion, I know I can't wait to see everyone. Lois
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| Name: | Carl Stigers |
| E-mail address: | carstenstigers@verizon.net |
| Location: | New London CT |
| Comments: | Greetings all. After many years being away from Dormont I am poised to return to the place of my childhood. I am so looking forward to coming back to Dormont. I grew up on eastmont ave and will be living on peermont. in the house my grandparents lived in all their married lives. So I will be third generation in the area. Really looking forward to returning. |
| Name: | Judy (Simon) Gross |
| E-mail address: | judy.gross@comcast.net |
| Location: | Irwin, PA |
| Comments: | Hello
My siblings and I have been exchanging emails lately fondly remembering our times in Dormont and Hillsdale school. Dances in the gym, Miss Grove, Green stamps and taking naps in kindergarten were all discussed. We lived on Espy Ave next door to the school so we saw it all! We are planning a trip to tour the municipal building before Thanksgiving when we all are in town. Is anyone in touch with any member of the Suriano Family? When we moved, we sold our house to them and as far as I know, they still live there. We would love to see that old house as it brings back so many childhood memories. Anyone with a lead, please email me judy.gross@comcast.net PS Hello Mrs. Moreland - We all recalled you very fondly. Mom says hello! |
| Name: | Yvonne Vagianos Cywinski |
| E-mail address: | von117@hotmail.com |
| Location: | Bethel Park, PA |
| Comments: | The "Images of America- Dormont" is truly a blessing!!! I thank the Dormont Historical Society for this publication. I also encourage all to peruse this book as it will stir wonderful memories and feelings of our homestead, Dormont!! Thank you for this opportunity! I have already taken a few orders for your book and will contact you shortly about purchasing them through the historical society. Thank you, Mrs Moreland, for your gracious manner and your love for our Dormont community. You are truly an inspiration!!
Love, Yvonne Vagianos Cywinski Keystone Oaks High School- 1970 |
| Name: | ron humphrey |
| E-mail address: | ron9@windstream.net |
| Location: | hudson ohio |
| Comments: | I am looking for Joann Wells . She lived om Greenmont Ave about 1960's |
| Name: | Cynthia |
| E-mail address: | cteysko@cox.net |
| Location: | San Diego, CA |
| Comments: | My late, dear father was born in Dormont in 1910. I have yet to visit the area and am looking forward to one day searching out the area |
| Name: | me |
| Comments: | There is now and never has been, a greater love than that between Nini, ('67) and her forever love. All those who knew us, knew that. Check of pics of the pillars of the old stadium. |
| Name: | Mike Brunt |
| E-mail address: | abby.george@verizon.net |
| Location: | Wausau, WIsconsin |
| Comments: | Pleased that my classmate, Harry Lotis, brought this site to the attention of my and my classmates of 1957. Last year had our 50th reunion although I couldn't attend. Enjoyed growing up in Dormont. Lived at 1106 Kelton Ave., right across from the gradeschool. I actually was late for school a couple of times. Recently did find out that independent presidential candidate, Ron Paul, was a year or so ahead of my class in HS. Thinking back I can remember him as he sometimes came to things driving a milk truck from his father's business in Greentree. All for now. |
| Name: | Bobbie (Pike) Keesee |
| E-mail address: | Keesee1014@verizon.net |
| Location: | Dormont |
| Comments: | I found this web sight by accident and I am glad that I did. So many fond memories that I had forgotten. There were a few names that I remembered and graduated from Keystone Oaks the same year as I did 1969. It was a great town to grow up in. I now live in California and have been away from Dormont for about 30 years. There are many of my relatives that still live in Dormont. My father was Chester Pike Chief of Police in Dormont and we sadly lost him many years ago in 1977. Really loved the web sight. Keep up the good work! |
| Name: | Jean Willmering ZInsser |
| E-mail address: | Georjean@usachoice.net |
| Location: | Kennerdell, Pa |
| Comments: | George and I would like to hear from any of our old
friends from Dormont High..We live in the country and enjoy it very much....He was class of '49 and I '48 |
| Name: | Ben Van Balen |
| E-mail address: | bvanba15@gmail.com |
| Location: | Dormont |
| Comments: | I Heart Dormont |
| Name: | Kristy Byers |
| E-mail address: | belle883@comcast.net |
| Location: | Dormont |
| Comments: | What a wonderful neighborhood! Can't wait to check out the historical society! |
| Name: | Tom Grindem |
| E-mail address: | grindem@wowway.com |
| Location: | Michigan |
| Comments: | We recently moved my grandma out of her house and I found her high school yearbook: Dormont class of '30. Inside were saved some pictures, letters, and fliers for some type of concert. I will be passing through town Monday. Is there any interest in seeing these items?
Tom Grindem, grandson of Helen Pascoe Sutton and great grandson of Miles and Edna Sutton |
| Name: | Karen (Kilchenstein) Bayer |
| E-mail address: | kbear522@verizon.net |
| Location: | Coraopolis, PA |
| Comments: | This is my 2nd entry here...
If anyone has any memories they would like to share with me about my late stepmother and her mother (both long-time Dormont residents until their deaths), I would love to hear them! Ora Leech Thomas (1915(?) - 1994), who used to live on Espy Ave. and also worked for the Borough of Dormont for many years. I'll never forget how Ora made me an ankle length "country-style" dress to wear on stage while performing the musical "Oklahoma" at Keystone Oaks. Wendy T. Kilchenstein (formerly known as Wendy V. Thomas) (1943 - 1998) - who used to live on Belrose Ave. before marrying my father and joining our family. Wendy was a graduate of Dormont High School (perhaps in 1961?). When I moved to Dormont in 1979 after my mother's death, Wendy introduced me to the Dormont Pool, Dormont Day, and so much more. She gave me the idea to apply for a job at the South Hills Theatre (where I worked for 4 years). She also encouraged me to transfer to Keystone Oaks as it had so much more to offer than the small high school I was attending before I moved to Dormont, even though I was hesitant to do so at first. Ultimately, I'm so glad I listened to her advice and attended K.O. as I have fond memories of my time there, including a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Spain and Africa with the Spanish Club. So I guess I owe a lot of my fond memories of Dormont to Wendy! |
| Name: | Dave Pickles |
| E-mail address: | dj.pickles@ntlworld.com |
| Location: | Liverpool, ENGLAND |
| Comments: | Trying to get in touch with Danny Parker, and Jill Machesky. Please help if you got there addresses. Email. Thanks |
| Name: | Rod Fleck |
| E-mail address: | rodfleck@olypen.com |
| Location: | Forks, WA |
| Comments: | http://www.bakercityherald.com/news/story.cfm?story_no=6758
Just wanted to share with folks associated with Dormont the obituary for my grandfather William "Bill" Knechtel who lived there in Dormont until 1944. He was a graduate of the high school in 1944, member of the track team, and then entered the Army Air Corps. He talked about Dormont High and his days there with a great deal of delight. He went by the nickname Knute in school. His wife, Dorothy Lorenz, of nearly 62 years grew up in Castle Shannon and Mount Lebanon. Obviously, would love to hear any stories folks might have. |
| Name: | Karen Seibel |
| E-mail address: | pinkmetro@msn.com |
| Location: | Dormont |
| Name: | Carroll (Schlueter) Banker |
| E-mail address: | carroll_1126@comcast.net |
| Location: | Dormont |
| Comments: | I loved the memories that everyone has posted and the trip down memory lane. It's wonderful knowing that people still think so highly of our borough. A heartfelt thank you to all of you.
|
| Name: | Rebecca Johnson Mousa |
| E-mail address: | rjmousa@yahoo.com |
| Location: | Texas |
| Comments: | I posted here last summer in the hopes of finding some of my relatives or of hearing from some people who know/knew my family: George Mesina, owner of George the Tailor. Wow! The response I received and continue to receive overwhelmed me!! I am so deeply appreciative.
Now I am looking for my aunts (George Mesina's daughters): Frances Dickey and Edie Kohut (married to Peter). From what I can tell they still live in the area. I will be traveling to Pittsburgh this summer and would love to visit the historical society, if there is a storefront for it. THANK YOU to everyone who has or will respond to me. Warmest regards, Rebecca Johnson Mousa |
| Name: | Bill Swisher |
| E-mail address: | wrehsiws@gmail.com |
| Location: | MD |
| Comments: | I tried to post this before but it didn't seem to appear. For all of you Burghers away from Dormont, there is an outstanding opportunity to travel up and down the streets of Dormont for free by going to google, using the map function and then selecting the street view. Several weeks ago I "drove" through all of the old routes and took a trip down memory lane. Truly neat feature for those of us away from the area. I lived there until the mid 60's and went k-8 at Kelton. |
| Name: | Michael J.Pike |
| E-mail address: | cowboy_cstp@yahoo.com |
| Location: | NLR,AR |
| Comments: | This will be my second entry to this page.I have read the whole thing and found it very interesting.My name is Michael J.Pike and I am one of the Pike family that grew up in and around the Burgh.At one time many of us Pikes were there but nowadays not so many.My dad was Raymond D. Pike,worked for the US ARMY CORP OF ENGINEERS,Uncle Freddie L.Pike worked in the steel mills and Uncle Chester M.Pike was the Dormont chief of police.All this was after WWII ended and they all returned home safe.There was 9 of us born between the 3 brothers.I am the youngest one.Our branch of the tree was raised in Bethel Park,there off of Sarah street.Sure miss the old house.As kids I remember Isleys,South Hills Village mall,Kennywood Park,riding the street car.So many things come to mind.My favorite year in sports was 1979.We were Super Bowl and World series winners.Sadly Uncle Chester passed away in 1977,Uncle Freddie in 1980 and my Dad in 1986.I remember goin to a shoe store there in Dormont with Dad,cant recall the name just now.Think I will end this now.Anyone that knew the Pike brothers or us kids Joyce,Jean,Barbera,Connie,Bobbi,Charles,Jack,Nancy or me please respond. Thank you Michael J. Pike |
| Name: | Don Stitzenberg |
| E-mail address: | destitz@yahoo.com |
| Location: | Weehawken, NJ |
| Comments: | The article on the 1950's Musicales in the March-April Newsletter brought back a fond memory of my days as a member of the St. Bernard's Boy's Choir.
As I remember it, there were about 20 Grade School age boys in the choir but the only really strong voice that could be heard throughout the church was Paul Palmer's. We used to wait anxiously each Sunday for Paul to arrive so his magnificent voice could lead us through the Latin Mass. Thanks for all you do to keep our fond memories of Dormont alive. Best regards Don |
| Name: | MICHAEL J PIKE |
| E-mail address: | cowboy_cstp@yahoo.com |
| Location: | NLR, AR |
| Comments: | I AM ONE OF THE NEPHEWS OF CHESTER PIKE,ANYONE THAT KNEW HIM PLEASE GET BACK WITH ME. 501-758-7743 |
| Name: | Joe Hodson |
| E-mail address: | jbhodson@unionreal.com |
| Location: | Green Tree |
| Comments: | I couldn't begin to list the great times i had growing up in one of the best communities to grow up in , Dormont. Back in the 70's there were two movie theatres, two bowling alleys, Dormont Park, Dormont Pool,baseball fields etc.etc. ALL within walking distance . It was a kids paradise, we were out the door at 8 AM and didn't return home until the street lights came on. Pick up baseball games, swimming, climbing trees in the park, going to the AB Charles Hobby Shop on West Liberty . Checking out the aerial photograph of Dormont in the old Police Station. Sled Riding on the hill by the pool . Could go on forever. And the people of Dormont were and still are great people, all my closest friends today are the closest friends from back on New Haven Ave. So many that did not grow up in Dormont can't quite understand the excitement and emotion i get talking about those days. My wife and I still go to Campiti's regularly. And as an old employee of the Hollywood Theatre, i am glad to see it back in operation, we try and frequent the theatre as much as possilble. I remember changing the movie marquee that used to hang out over Potomac Ave on Thursday nights, no matter what the weather, we'd be up on that old metal ladder reaching over to pry a frozen letter off the marquee which was likely built in the 30's. Couldn't imagine anyone doing that today. I remember the old Christmas decorations that hung across Potomac and West Liberty Avenues. The old trolleys running through town. The Memorial Day Parades, the Library, i could go on forever.
Truly a great neighborhood. Thanks to Mrs. Moreland for this Historical Society. ( A great teacher by the way ). Dormont truly is a Pittsburgh treasure. |
| Name: | Tim McGrogan |
| E-mail address: | martymog2@verizon.net |
| Comments: | How many Dormont people does it take to park a car in winter?
Two, one to steer and one to first move the chair outa the way. [Only those of us who grew up there and have fond memories are allowed to tell that joke] |
| Name: | jack mansfield |
| E-mail address: | jmansfield@thevillages.net |
| Location: | The Villages, FL 32162 |
| Comments: | I always enjoy reading the Newsletter. I look for familiar names. Guess what, I saw my own name regarding playing ball with Milly in the back alley. Yes, that brought back memories -- "the alley gang" --- the Sheppard boys (Don, Bill and Jim ) , George Curry (deceased) , Jim McMahon, Milton Kilmer, George Miller, and several others that I can't recall their names. We played in the alley between Park Blvd and Greenmont Ave. I lived next to the Greenwalds you ouwned and operated Ben's Place at the trolley stop at Dormont and Dell Avenues. Ben's Place then moved to the Corner of Kelton and West Liberty and later became Cip's Corner. Frankie Cipriani was in my graduating class.
Dormont was a great place to grow up. Thanks for keeping the memories alive. On our next trip North I will search through some old boxes for more pictures and stuff. Jack |
| Name: | Joe Little |
| E-mail address: | maurchon1@aol.com |
| Location: | Quarryville PA |
| Name: | Patricia (Welsh) Daino |
| E-mail address: | lvdazl@aol.com |
| Location: | Las Vegas, NV |
| Comments: | What a wonderful way to stay connected. I really enjoyed reading your latest article.
Thanks, Patty |
| Name: | bill whalen |
| E-mail address: | stillbillcwhalen@msn.com |
| Location: | Glendora, CA |
| Comments: | Outstanding Stuff. I stumbled across this site and enjoyed reading through the comments, and rekindling some old memories. My maternal grandparents lived on Mattern avenue until 1932, my paternal grandparents lived on McFarland rd. My mother and father graduated from DHS in ’33 and we, my sister Pat and I, lived at 1465 Kelton ave from ’41 thru ’52. I attended Hillsdale school, “graduating” in ’50. I went to DHS through Feb. ’53 at which time my family moved out to Scott Township, ohmygod was that painful. I was over halfway through my junior year!!
I sure remember growing up there during WWII and the postwar years, thinking Dormont was surely the best home town in the world. Our house was located halfway between the Dormont and South Hills theaters and I could see Hillsdale elementary from my front porch – sweet! We were also very close to the Dell avenue stop on the ’42 line. Passport to the bigger world . I agree with most comments – loved the pool, dormont day and fireworks – yuk to the buttermilk – loved the hometown baseball games sitting on the old wooden bleachers or chasing foul balls down through the park , anybody remember the games against the old Homestead Grays or the House of David– the brand new (circa 1950) football field on the old hayfield. I remember the parades down W. Liberty avenue. I remember- with a heavy fresh snow and little traffic - stacking four or five of us on an old flexible flyer sled ( a gigantic 20’s version) at the top of Dormont avenue near W. liberty and screaming down the hill, smokin' fast, across the streetcar tracks, Dell avenue , Annapolis avenue and down along the park edge around the bend at windermere down to Dwight past the pool parking lot and onto Banksville. My god that was fun, but it was definitely dangerous and I would have never let my kids do it, but then we knew we were invincible at the time and our parents had no clue where we were. The down side was that it was a very long walk back up the hill for the next run Remember the great snow, thanksgiving 1950, with 3 feet of snow and calling out the national guard. All the cars for miles around looked like gigantic snowballs. Good times. I saw one entry from virdyn Caldwell, only name I for sure recognized. I was in his sister Barbara’s class ( oh yeah, she was hot). I remember him because I was a wretchedly skinny dude and he had this great physique, great abs and I so envied that. But then I was too lazy to do anything like workout so it was all fair I guess. The years have taken me far and wide, I now reside in Southern California but I always remember Dormont with fondness. |
| Name: | Pat Christen |
| E-mail address: | Patc4@cox.net |
| Location: | Phoenix Az. |
| Comments: | I lived in Dormont most my entire childhood. It will always be home. i have many fond memories there. We moved in 1964 to Arizona. I attended Kelton Grade school, and Dormont high graduating class of 1965. |
| Name: | Website Administrator |
| E-mail address: | admin@dormont-history.com |
| Location: | Pittsburgh, PA |
| Comments: | Please note that a few entries in our guestbook were lost during maintenance. A backup copy of those entries is below:
Tom Byran, Austin TX tdbyran@sbcglobal.net "Thanks to you folks for doing this. It's great." George Edwin Thompson Mesquite, (Dallas County), TX geothomp@earthlink.net "Although I have beeen a resident of Dallas County, Texas for twenty-eight years, every time people hear me speak they instantly say, Oh, you are from Allegheny County!!!" Colleen Maloy Rumble Bradfordwoods, PA 15015 crumble@zoominternet.net "Hello, I'm the daughter of the late Robert Hawthorne Maloy who was born and raised in Dormont." David Pickles England dj.pickles@ntlworld.com "To: Muriel Moreland. Didn't know where to put this, but my dad George Pickles, fried of yours and your husband Bill, and Greg Scorzefaze, died on the 17th of May from a heart attack, aged 83. He didn't make it to Dormont after all." Dana Neff Myers Kailua, Hawaii myersd002@hawaii.rr.com "I left Dormont right after graduation from Keystone Oaks High School in 1969. Some of my fondest memories of growing up in Dormont were of the many summer hours in the swimming pool and the great swings in Dormont Park." Lee Weber South Park lee144sw@comcast.net "Lived on Illinois Ave, when the "big snow" of 1950 happened (day after Thanksgiving). Remember playing hookey from Kelton School to see John Wayne (Flying Leathernecks) movie at the Hollywood Theatre. My mother graduated from DHS in 1934." Jim Velon Casa Grande, AZ jvelon@peoplepc.com "Lived on Alabama Avenue from 1943 til 1983, then moved west. Have great fond memories of Dormont... going to join your society. Keep in touch." Tracy San Antonio, TX youngly97c@aol.com "Charles Otto Wagener lived in Dormont in 1900, my grandfather." Bert Blair Patton Jefferson Hills, PA littlelulu1946@comcast.net "There is no place like Dormont. Growing up, we had the wonderful pool, rec dances, girls softball, 4th of July bags, fireworks that could not be beat. I love to ride thru and relive my bike rides and riding down the curb when it rained on Windemere." C.B. Gpldacker Davenport, FL satan433rd@aol.com "I lived on Grandin Ave from 1930 to 52 and my parents lived there til the 1980s. Many fond memories along with my wife came from Dormont. Keep up the good work." Harry Lotis Owings, MD harry.lotis@comcast.net "I grew up on Kelton Ave just south of the Post Office. We played DABA little league on the field where KO HS is now. Played bb every day behind Kelton Elem school. Went to DHS from 53-57 and we had our 50th reunion this fall." Mike V.V. Costantini 1435 Kelton Ave costantini4@comcast.net "Looking for information on Dormont Park history, especially the war memorials that are very hidden or vandalized." Elaine Travers Peters Twp. grammyto11@yahoo.com "Grew up in the last block of Peermont - rode my bike everywhere - even tried to go up Potomac Ave from Banksville. Remember - free gift bag on the 4th of July, free Buttermilk, the dance, and of course, the fire works!" Rachel rachie.piper@gmail.com "Born in Pittsburgh, PA in 1979. Lived in Dormont from 1979-1988. Any Dormont kids from the 1980s out there???? My brothers are Mark and Doyle Piper and I have a sister Michelle Piper. Take care!!!" Joanne McGall Toward Bethel Park, PA "If your DHS Alumni are in town, you must visit Dormont Historical Society at old Hillsdale school. Allow lots of time---amazing!" Bette Agnew Alburger Swarthmore, PA (Suburban Philadelphia, PA) bettealburger@verizon.net "Excellent website. I greatly enjoy receiving the newsletter, to keep in touch with my childhood/teen years in Dormont. I am mailing some memorabilia for your museum, c/o Muriel Moreland." John R. Beyer Altoona, PA jbeyer1@atlanticbb.net "Lived at 1249 Illinois Avenue from 1939 until 1942. Father was the Druggist-Manager of Sun Drug Store in Mount Lebanon." |
| Name: | Mary Alice (Vietmeier) Evan |
| E-mail address: | maevan46@comcast.net |
| Name: | Rob Troup |
| E-mail address: | rtroup123@aol.com |
| Comments: | We used to live on Tolma Ave and later in a Glenmore Ave twin close to Potomac. Even though we moved in the middle of my 3rd grade year I still consider myself to be from Pittsburgh and refer to "growing up" in Dormont. What a place to be a kid! The pool in the summer, the sledding hills in the winter (we used inner tubes). Mrs. Neff who was so patient and Miss McComb (2nd grade) who used to grab you by the collar and shake you if you didn't know the answer. I also remember the slot car track in the hobby shop and the older kids would pay me 50 cents to sit in the middle of the track and put their cars back on when they slid off. My first big screen movie - "The Blue Max" at seven years old, wow - Ursala Andress! Delivering papers with my older brothers in the early morining cold of January. I would have to agree with most that there wasn't a better place to grow up than in Dormont in the sixties. |
| Name: | Debbie (Beck) Scocco |
| E-mail address: | dscocco@hargray.com |
| Comments: | The best time of my life and fond memories. |
| Name: | James M Purdy |
| E-mail address: | purdyhstn@aol.com |
| Comments: | Was graduated from Dormont High School in 1944. |
| Name: | Greg Overand |
| E-mail address: | goverand@yahoo.com |
| Comments: | My parents moved from Etna to 1105 Biltmore Ave. around 55 or 56 when I was 4 years old. I attended Kelton School from K thru 8 and then went on to Dormont/Keystone Oaks High. I graduated in 1969. I think we were the first senior class to attend the new KO building. There was nothing on the walls of the hallways and it seems I spent the first half of the year trying to figure out where I was.
I delivered the Dormont News when I was 9 years old. It was a free weekly paper and I got paid 1 cent per paper. I later sold the evening edition of the Pgh Press at a paper stand in front of Isaly's and Mead's Drugs on West Liberty across the street from the benches at the streetcar stop. I also sold the Sunday paper on the corner of Piermont and West Liberty in front of the dry cleaners by Mineos. In the winter a guy named Roy would drop the papers off before sunrise. I would set them up and go huddle by one of the steam radiators in the stairwells of some of the apartments above the stores until the church crowd started going by. When I was 14 I lied about my age to get a job as an usher at the South Hills Theater. We got 50 cents and hour and all the popcorn we could eat. Back then we had to open and close the curtain with a rope and pulley set up and the area behind the screen still had all the trappings of a stage theater. There were dressing rooms and lots of apparatus on the ceilling for raising and lowering props. Most people don't know that if you stand behind a movie screen while the movie is playing you can see right through it. We used to go back there and watch the guys trying to put the moves on their girlfriends. I'm also pretty sure that I was the guy who let Paul Mcgough in the back door to see the Tingler. I also used to try to get to the high school football games early because the first six or seven kids or so would get to walk the stands selling refreshment. I forget what we got paid for that. We never lacked for things to do in Dormont. Of course all summer long there was the pool. It was our social center in Dormont and it still amazes my daughter and grandkids when we get to come back to Pittsburgh and take a look. I also remember the wonderful adventure playland we called Kelton Woods and the creek that ran out of the big pipe near the house that used to sit where the driveway to KO is now. (Rumor had it that in the dark recesses of that pipe there lived a spider large enough to eat little boys.) With an underground spring that bubbled up in two places to drink from and wild blackberries and strawberries we thought we could live in those woods. One time my friends Dave Rose, Jimmy Sampson and I actually used some sticks and a plastic sheet to build a tent and we spent the night Kelton Woods. There was also the famed Old Oak Tree on top of the hill on the other side of the Kelton School ballfields. In the warm months you could play on its rope swing but in the winter it was the starting point of a death defying sled run through the woods. If you managed to not hit a tree you would emerge victoriously onto the cinder driveway leading back to that lone house by the creek. I remember when AB Charles & Son Hobby Shop had a huge slot car track in the basement and we would all buy slot cars and supe them up for racing. I remember attending Wee Teen dances in the rec hall above swimming pool locker rooms. It was for 13 year olds. The girls all sat on one side and the boys on the other. When one of us would get up the nerve to go ask a girl to dance the pressure was magnified because all the other boys would be watching to see if you succeeded. It was pretty rough if you had to come back with your tail between you legs. I think George Miller gave me my first puff on a cigarette outside a Wee Teen dance. I got sick and had to go home. Later of course I spent many a Friday night at the Hillsdale Hop dancing to the classics from DJ Buzzy Beck. Man that was cool. I remember one night when some kids from Carnegie showed up and one of them asked Louie Falcone's girlfriend to dance. Big mistake! I also remember the summer dances at the wooden Pavileon in the park. What were they thinking when the replaced it with that steel/chainlink thing. I remember when the fire horn would sound out a 3 digit code. We would get out the book, figure out where the fire was and jump on our bikes to go see. I lived across the street from Fire Chief Artie Welch. He would often amaze us. We all knew him as the Welch girls grumpy old dad, (with 4 pretty daughters and us boys hanging around it's no wonder he was grumpy) but when he went into a fire he turned into Batman or something. I remember one day each year when we would hike from Kelton over to the high school to see the Varieties, an all day talent show. Do they still do that? I remember the 4th of July in Dormont Park with the giant tanker full of buttermilk. My brother Jimmy was the only person I knew who could actually drink that crap. And of course there were the fireworks with everyone sitting on the hill above the pool parking lot going oooh, oooh, aaaah as the fireworks went off. I remember one 4th when me and Joey DeFransisco each thought Sandy Rafeal was our girlfriend and we both stood their with our arms around her watching the fireworks. We must have looked like idiots. She was a cutie though. Head Boosterette. There was an alley across the street from Kelton school where all of the "meet me after school and we'll settle this" situations would end up. The best after school fight ever was Rennie Betris vs Tommy Davis fighting over Karen Bond. What a slugfest. I'm sure it was a draw but if I'm not mistaken Rennie still ended up with the girl. How does that work? I also remember that we were playing a version of king of the hill on the flagpool pedisdal in front of Kelton School when Mrs. Banks came out and told us that President Kennedy had been shot and we should all go home. Throughout my life I seem to have managed, just by blind luck, to end up in some pretty cool places. I spent four years in Southeast Asia, in Vietnam, the Phillipines, and mostly Thailand. I lived in California for 30 years and now live near Charleston SC. But my lucky streak actually started the day my parents moved to 1105 Bilmore Avenue and I had the great good fortune of growing up in Dormont. |
| Name: | Nancy (Carr) (Al-Saigh) Bonito |
| E-mail address: | indybaby73@aol.com |
| Comments: | Jeff...
I asked around and I am hearing that Teresa Redic-Payne was living on Hillsdale Ave in the row houses. Good luck...take care.. Nancy |
| Name: | David Pickles |
| E-mail address: | dj.pickles@ntlworld.com |
| Comments: | Have just heard of the death of GREG SCORZAFAVE.My condolences to his family. |
| Name: | Sandy Walters |
| E-mail address: | legalsandy@aol.com |
| Comments: | John:
Since we talked the other night, I decided that I would like to work with the Historical Society on creating some kind of lasting memorial to Uncle Greg. I thought possibly my husband and I could fund an annual "Greg Scorzafave Award" to be given for ? Or we could donate money for a permanent collection of books or ? that would be the Greg Scorzafave Collection ? Or purchase something the Society needs and have a plaque or something installed? And then if we could make this happen by July 4, we would have a reason to come back to Pittsburgh for the "unveiling" and go to Flash's July 4 party. John: my no. is 407-328-8556. Please call so we can discuss this! Hello to Mickey " Cousin" Sandy |
| Name: | Jeff Fabus |
| E-mail address: | fabusjj@upmc.edu |
| Comments: | I am trying to locate an author named Terri Payne. She wrote some songs and had a book published called The Art of Feeling. If anyone knows Terri, formerly Theresa Redic, could you please pass along my e-mail info.
Thank you Jeff |
| Name: | Rebecca (Johnson) Mousa |
| E-mail address: | rjmousa@yahoo.com |
| Comments: | I am a granddaughter of George H. Mesina, Jr., deceased (1985). George Mesina owned George the Tailor and I believe it is still a family owned business. I am interested in talking with someone who (a) knew my grandfather or knew of him; (b) could tell me where he is buried or provide me with obituary information; (c) put me in touch with anyone running the business, if it is still in existence today. Thank you for any assistance!! |
| Name: | Greg Overand |
| E-mail address: | goverand@yahoo.com |
| Comments: | I often find myself giving thanks for the fact that I was fortunate enough to grow up in Dormont through the 5o's and 60's. Little did we know that much of the rest of the world was not nearly as idealic a place as our little town.
I also wanted to comment that I have been having some fun with the website. I fired of some contacts to a couple of old buddies, Paul McGough and Tim McGrogan. (I was the usher who let Paul Mcgough in the back door of the South Hill Theatre to see the Tingler) I got to share some pictures of Kelton School and catch up with Bill Swisher. I got to share a laugh with Ron Sakmar about a football game in which he failed to score an easy touchdown because his pants fell down. I also got to confess the 4th grade crush I had on Dana Neff. (The prettiest girl in Kelton 4th grade and probably the reason my grades started to slip around that time) It's a great website for those of us who want to reach back and recall those times. When I have more time I will post another entry to share as many memories as I can draw upon because when I reflect on growing up in Dormont, it was aaaaallll good. |
| Name: | Gail (Lickert) Homer |
| E-mail address: | honeygirl8@msn.com |
| Comments: | Sorry, I must have had a brain freeze. Well it comes with age I guess. I was in the first Keystone Oaks graduating class, not the last graduating class of DHS. |
| Name: | David Simpson |
| E-mail address: | dsimpson12@davtv.com |
| Comments: | Out of curiosity--Does anybody know whatever happened to the trophies from DHS athletic teams ie,l944 WPIAL Class A championship football team? I enjoy these newsletters. Keep up the good work |
| Name: | Virdyn R. Caldwell |
| E-mail address: | virdyn7@hotmail.com |
| Comments: | Class of '52. Brother of Barbara '54, Norman '60 I think. Played on the ' 51 football team that was undefeated in Class A competition but did not have enough points under the " Gardner " system to play for the WPIAL " A " title. The championship game was at the DHS field, newly opened in the fall ' 50 between New Brightion and Ramsey, I think and we were the ushers ! Living in Sunset Hills since " 62. |
| Name: | Edward L. Williamson Jr |
| E-mail address: | ewilliamson5@tampabay.rr.com |
| Name: | Dan Gothe |
| E-mail address: | ptanda343@aol.com |
| Comments: | Hello to all
My family as well as myself lived in Dormont years ago on Espy Ave.My dad Bob Gothe,My Mom Marjorie (Williams)Gothe,Uncle Don,Uncle Chuck, Aunt,Joyce (Gothe) Gingrich , Aunt Twyla (Gothe) Kernic. We moved to venango county when I was 18 months old so don't remember much.I have been back in the local area since Nov,1988.I am in Castle Shannon |
| Name: | Marilyn Wenzig |
| E-mail address: | marilynblanche@msn.com |
| Comments: | Just came back from a visit to Pgh, and Dormont. I lived at 1046 Biltmore, on the other side of the street from Paul McGough about a block up the street going to KO, I could remember everyones house. There were alot of vacant stores. What happened to Cip's Bar & Grill. I went to St. Bernard's and KO 71' then graduated from Penn State. I live in San Diego. I used to hang out with my best friends Kathy Horgan, Sandy Reich, Mary Ann Sharis. I ran into Frank Sappas at a hardware store in Upper St. Clair, where my mom lives. I have a sister who bought a house on Voelkel. It was a really special place to live, an unforgettable time.
Marilyn |
| Name: | Robert Glick |
| E-mail address: | rpglick@cox.net |
| Comments: | Hello Mrs. Moreland, I have a question for you. In October, I was on a Rhone River cruise and in Lyon, France I saw signs for Mont D'Or and couldn't help wondering if Dormont derived its name from that area. I would appreciate, if you could tell me how Dormont got its name.
Best wishes and happy Thanksgiving, Bob Glick |
| Name: | Michael Morton |
| E-mail address: | metalpressceo@yahoo.com |
| Comments: | My Dad was Bill Morton. The youngest of the nine children raised on the farm on (currently)Morton's Lane. Sam Morton (mentioned below) is (was) my uncle. I also had an uncle named Comfort, an aunt mamed Rose and a whole lot of other family. My Dad and My Uncle Larry Mackenerny (spelling?)(married to my mom's sister Bert) ran a bar in or near Dormont. I think they called it Larry's. Dad worked for Mathews Corp. and moved the family to Arkansas 45+ years ago. I would love to hear from anyone that knew my dad and /or his family. My Mother was from Dormont as well. Her name is Vivian. Her maden name was Moorehead. She has a sister named Bert (Roberta). Please post to this site or e-mail me. I would love to learn more about my history. |
| Name: | Susan Briscoe |
| E-mail address: | genepit@satlink.com.au |
| Comments: | Growing up in Hull, Yorkshire, England. I used to have a pen-pal for many years who lived in Dormont named
Ruth Ann Ries (Rees) this would now be roughly about 50 years ago..I remember she had a brother, but can't remember his name. We corresponded for a long time until I emigrated to Australia in 1969. Would really like to find Ruth Ann again. I just cannot remember her address? Regards Susan Briscoe |
| Name: | Rachel Piper |
| E-mail address: | rachie.piper@gmail.com |
| Comments: | Lived in Dormont from 1979 - 1988 on Philadelphia Ave.
My brothers are Mark and Doyle Piper and my sister is Michelle! I love Dormont. Contact me if you know me or my brothers and sister. Rachel |
| Name: | Susan Dennett Fiscus |
| E-mail address: | FPenelope3@aol.com |
| Name: | Vivian McLaughlin Trevor |
| E-mail address: | vtrevor@comcast.net |
| Comments: | I just moved back to Dormont this past April on Windermere. My sister Carol will be moving back from Florida this fall. All the McLaughlin sisters will be back in the area again. |
| Name: | Robert Dey |
| E-mail address: | rbdey@bellsouth.net |
| Comments: | Grew up in Dormont ..1538 McFarland Rd. Graduated DHS 1959.
Lots of great memories... Bob Dey |
| Name: | Aj |
| E-mail address: | ilsspuck@yahoo.com |
| Comments: | I live in Dormont, and we r awesome and I dont want to ever move and dont plan on it....SAVE DORMONT POOL! |
| Name: | Grant |
| E-mail address: | grant@shaw.ca |
| Comments: | My friend told me to visit your site because she said its beautiful. She really was telling that truth. Indeed, your site is amazing. Ill surely go visit here again. Keep up the good work! :D |
| Name: | Ethan James |
| E-mail address: | ethan_james_@terra.com.br |
| Comments: | Dont know if you remember me, but anyway very good work! Good luck to all from mexico. cu you all soon. |
| Name: | Dan Medis |
| E-mail address: | dmscal1@aol.com |
| Comments: | Today is the day that the pool opened, but this year I guess it will not. That is a shame, not only for the swimmers, but for all the people that bragged about the pool being one of (if not) the biggest in the state..
:( sad day... Dan |
| Name: | Gary Young |
| E-mail address: | g4everyoung@yahoo.com |
| Comments: | Thank you for your wonderful work. I am sending in my application for membership for the family.
|
| Name: | George L. Sieffert |
| E-mail address: | carbonlollypop@yahoo.com |
| Comments: | I worked at the Dennis Theater but substituted at the South Hill Theater when the need arose for $0.50/hr
when I was 16 yrs old. I also worked at Isaly's where we had our lunch's for free! I remember the Villa Cafe where a singing mailman would perform Tom Jone's "Delilah" which would make the hairs on my arms stand up. I lived on Alabama Ave and on Greenmont Ave. I attended Dormont High School in the last year as the High School....Does Batterby sound familiar? I had my first love and my first draft notice while living in Dormont. Some things in life one would choose to forget...I would live over and over my good times in Dormont. Teen dances, football, basketball summer league down the "rec" and fireworks! Thank you dreambook! It's been nice to look back. |
| Name: | Melissa Lee |
| E-mail address: | mlee321@adelphia.net |
| Comments: | I was wondering if the South Hills Theater and Hollywood Theater could be considered Historical Sites, qualifying for state funds for redevelopment. It's a sad situation that these buildings, which once played such a significant role in entertaining local residents, should fall into such extreme disrepair. We need to preserve these historic symbols of arts and entertainment and continue to promote creativity and talent of our children.
Thank you for listening. Melissa Lee |
| Name: | Casey C Fisher |
| E-mail address: | caseycfisher@hotmail.com |
| Comments: | Would any "Old Bulldogs" know if the class of 1956 is having a reunion in 2006 ???. |
| Name: | Barbara Magrini |
| E-mail address: | bmagrini@klng.com |
| Comments: | An old friend from grade schools days is looking for a picture of Kelton School. Do you know where/how I may find one for him?
Many thanks. |
| Name: | Bernice Broniecki |
| E-mail address: | bsquared476@verizon.net |
| Comments: | After reading some of the posts about Dormont memories, I thought that I would add a few of my from my years spent there:
*remember the old 'peanut guy' that would sell peanuts at the ball field next to the high school before the baseball games in the summer and at the Friday night football games? I remember him from Forbes Field - always in a long black overcoat. *I remember the police cars cruising the streets of Dormont every half hour or so, I wonder if they still do. *And the fire whistle that had a location code and one could tell which street the fire was on by the number of blasts. *I remember playing dodge ball during day camp in the old tennis courts across from our house, then in the winter, whenn the borough would plug up the drains so that they could flood the courts with water to freeze, I would spend hours practicing on skates that my mom bought secondhand at the Trading Post which at the time was located beneath a gas station on Washington Rd. near St. Bernard's. I would also skate on the large frozen puddles down on the site that now hosts Banksville Plaza. *And remember the bump in the hill by the pool that added a little 'oomph' to downhill sledriding? *Then, after Christmas, the used Christmas trees were collected and a hugh pile was set afire on 12th night in the pool parking lot. Everyone came and celebrated the end of the season. I went to St. B's and Elizabeth Seton but in the summer of '62 I learned my 3 point turns in Dormont HS's driver's ed on the 'less busier' section of Annapolis Ave by Dormont Ave. In the summer there were dances at the old pavilion in the park, long afternoons at the pool after our daily chores were completed and playing on the "White Steps", the monument to war veterans on Memorial Drive (which at one time had another street name but I can't remember what it was). When we first moved to Dormont in '52, the street was two ways and Dad would have to park up on the sidewalk to avoid being hit by traffic, which we had a lot of because we were next to Dormont High and the street was a shortcut in the mornings to get to Banksville Rd - and some of those teenage drivers weren't the most experienced. It seemed that a lot of the neighbors had their cars sideswiped a bit too often. And in the summer we had to jockey the car from one side to the other for street cleaning. *I remember fondly the frozen Milky Ways at the pool's snack bar along with the ice balls, and places like Atria's for chocalate chip ice cream cones, Chip's, the Girl Scout cabin in the park, National Record Mart (my first job), Murphy's 5 & 10, and the library which was located in a tiny storefront on Potomac Ave near the theater before moving to its present location on West Liberty. How can one forget taking the old streetcars -was it the 42/Dormont?- into town and getting there in such a short amount of time. Or,if we preferred to take the bus, we could catch the old "Oriole" by the McFarland Rd. A&P or the "Bigi" bus by Isaly's on West Liberty, across from the 'junction'. We were fortunate to live on Memorial because it was like living in the country with the park and pool right next to our house. But, we had all the conveniences of the city. On weekends we could walk to any of the three theaters in the area, Hollywood, South Hills and the Dennis in the heart of Mt. Lebanon. Remember, also, Dormont had brick streets and sidewalks, both of which are not found in a lot of communities nowadays. |
| Name: | Jennifer Kirsopp-Reed |
| E-mail address: | JenMarieNo1@aol.com |
| Comments: | I am working on the history of the Kirsopp family. They resided in what was known as the town of Beadling, after immigrating from England in 1881. The road known today as Kirsopp ave. Which is located, near Banksville Road, was the families original homestead. I'd love anyone who wants to learn more about the family, or has wonderful stories to share to contact me.
Jennifer Kirsopp-Reed |
| Name: | Tami L. Cook |
| E-mail address: | tcook49@neo.rr.com |
| Comments: | I have been doing research on the Stevenson - Dodds family and my research has lead me to Dormont!I have a 1910 Census that shows Edward and Mary J.(Dodds) Stevenson living at 2634 Broadway Avenue in Dormont. In 1930 they moved to 2616 Broadway..they had 4 children; Dorthy A., Charles S., Margaret B., and Edward W. If anyone can help me locate relatives I would appreciate it. In 1900 they lived in Union Township, is Union Township now Dormont? Also at the time (June 1900) William Dodds lived with the Stevensons. Thanks for starting a historical society, it sure helps for us researchers. |
| Name: | Terry DeGiovanni |
| E-mail address: | vicardegiovanni@yahoo.com |
| Comments: | Lived in Dormont from 1952-1976 on McNeilly Ave. Went to Kelton, KO and graduated in 1971. I spent a year living in Montana and am presently living in Fort Wayne In. working on a Masters Degree. There indeed are many great memories of growing up in Dormont. It sure has changed from the days I grew up there. |
| Name: | Joe Kilchenstein |
| E-mail address: | jkilch8059@comcast.net |
| Comments: | I LIVED IN DORMONT FROM 1979 UNTIL 2005 AT WHICH TIME I MOVED TO THE COUNTRY, I LOVED THE BORO OF DORMONT, I HAVE BEEN RETIRED FOR THE PAST 5 YEARS FROM THE DRIVING SCHOOL THAT I OWNED AND HAVE MANY FRIENDS IN DORMONT, I SURELY MISS ED GOOD, HE WAS A GREAT FRIEND |
| Name: | Karen (Kilchenstein) Bayer |
| E-mail address: | kbear921@verizon.net |
| Comments: | Hello,
I lived on Piedmont Ave. in Dormont from October 1979 until January 1987. I am a 1983 graduate of Keystone Oaks High School. I was a Colorguard in the K.O. Marching Band and was also in the K.O. Choir. I also worked as a Concession Girl at The South Hills Theatre from 1982 until 1986. I have many fond memories from my days at K.O. and South Hills Theatre. I absolutely loved working at South Hills Theatre! It was fun, I could see the movies for free on my nights off, and my co-workers, Managers, and I were all friends, so it was a nice environment to work. I really wish the theatre were still open for business; it makes me so sad to see it in it's current condition today when I drive passed it. As I read through all of the guestbook entries, I see topics mentioned that spark memories of things or experiences that I haven't thought about in years, and I'm enjoying it very much. I've spent many hot summer days at the Dormont Pool. I remember the first time I saw that pool when I moved to Dormont in 1979, I said that is the biggest pool I've ever seen in my life! I've eaten at the Eat 'n Park on West Liberty more times than I can count as it was easy to walk to when I was a teenager. I loved sitting on a blanket in the grass at Dormont Park and watch the 4th of July fireworks, such fun! When I first learned at age 13 that I was moving from my childhood home in Cranberry Twp. to Dormont, I was really upset about it. However, I'm older and wiser now and am glad it all worked out the way it did as I have many fond Dormont memories and good friends from K.O., and I wouldn't trade any of those experiences in for anything! |
| Name: | Jaap Vermeer |
| E-mail address: | haccp@wanadoo.nl |
| Comments: | Hello,
I am looking for information about Albert Zimmerman, 1Lt in the USAAF in WWII, crashed in Holland on the 2nd of November 1944. P-51D nickname Pittsburgh Smoker. He was later a Lt/Col.Ret.USAF All info is welcome. Most regards from The Netherlands, Jaap |
| Name: | private krankenversicherungen |
| E-mail address: | matzik@kermana.ru.ev |
| Comments: | I just want to say hi. This site is quite nice. Have a wonderful day... thank you. |
| Name: | howard greenwald |
| E-mail address: | hjgpag@aol.com |
| Name: | Cliff Eighmy |
| E-mail address: | ceighmy1@msn.com |
| Comments: | I was born and raised in Beechview, but I spent my teenage years (mid 1950s) hanging out with my friends in Dormont. Eventually, as an adult, after living in Bethel and Mt. Lebanon, I bought a home on Earlsmere Ave. across from Dormont Park. Later, I moved to California, and eventually to Missouri where I am now.
But oh what memories from the 50s in Dormont. our gang hung out at Bard's on Potomac (until they threw us out for giggling too much), and we would cruise Eat N Park and scope the gals, but we also had many Big Boys and strawberry pies there too. And then there was Isalys. I used to end my love notes to my girlfriend 'ISALYS' for "I Shall Always Love You Sweetheart", remember that? Goes along with putting the stamp on upside down. I went to all the Dormont football games with my Dormont friends, and ended up at the dance down at D'Rec (Dormont Recreational Center) by the pool. There were always some pretty girls who took pity on me and danced with me. Heck, I fell in love many times there (where is my sweet Gloria now). Remember the 4th of July celebrations at Dormont Park where they would bring in a tanker truck of butter milk? That stuff is 'disgusting' and they had a whole truckload of it. But, the fireworks was absolutely great with many Ooohs and Ahhhs, and my girlfriend would squeeze my arm with fear (I usually angled this into a kiss). And Dormont Pool; I remember hearing stories that the pool was once a mud bottomed pool that eventually was lined with concrete. And, it's a huge pool. Remember when you had to swim across it before you were allowed to go into 9 feet? I actually chipped my tooth in the deep end when I dove in one time and hit the bottom (tooth fixed now). And what about the passes, and that chlorine foot bath, yuck! When I lived in Beechview I used to walk the tracks on Broadway when going to the Hollywood show, even over the trestles...scary. I also went to the South Hills show, imagine two theaters that close together. We used to smuggle pizza into the show under our shirts. Everyone would say "I smell pizza", and I went home with a greasy shirt smelling of anchovies. But, the thing that most impressed me is how the families of my friends in Dormont accepted me and made me feel so comfortable. They were good, loving, down-home people. Here's some other memories of Dormont: Remember Fibber McGee's and his dirt cheap fish sandwiches and 10 cent beers, how about the tavern on Broadway at Potomac (Broadway Grill?) where I heard Jimmy Beaumont and The Skyliners play several times? And I loved eating at the Red Bull Inn on West Liberty near the streetcar turn-around (pre-tunnel days). Well, I'm getting windy remembering the good ol' days. I hope I have brought back some memories to others. Love to hear from my old friends. Cliff Eighmy |
| Name: | Paul Williamson |
| E-mail address: | paulanzane@aol.com |
| Comments: | I just found and read the whole guest book. Yes, it took some time but worth every minute of it. In addition to the memories I had of old Dormont, the postings reminded me of others I had forgotten. I am looking forward to visiting the Historical Society this September when the DHS Class of 55 has it's 50th reunion.
As one famous fellow once said, "Thanks for the memories" |
| Name: | Mike Routh |
| E-mail address: | bluemask68@hotmail.com |
| Comments: | Heard about the site from a one time star Golden Eagle quarterback. I grew up on Eastmont Avenue and went through the whole system (Kelton-High School). I currently bore my son with stories of growing up in Dormont. I think I get more of a thrill out of reliving the old days. I tell him about going "up the street" to Mineos Pizza, playing Asteroids until my hands were numb, getting snacks at Isleys, and walking to Jay Neff (both ways!) The kids these days won't have the same memories of their neighborhoods. My son enjoys playing hi-tech video systems with all the newest games and gadgets. I on the otherhand had to earn my video game money~~On a dare I would eat handfuls of red peppers from the pizza shop just to get another quarter for PacMan. Well, I gotta go...the street lights are coming on and I have to go inside... |
| Name: | Kathi Papaleo |
| E-mail address: | k_papaleo@hotmail.com |
| Comments: | Lovely to read about games like "Shark" and the neighborhood adventures in Dormont. Here's hoping that you will have many more activities involving the young people of Dormont. Have you ever wondered what types of projects could happen involving teens in town and senior citizens in town? Do you think we could use our community rooms to bring these two diverse but important membership groups in our community together to help keep the young focused on the future and the more experienced members of our community in touch and offering support to the "new shooters" coming up in our commmunity? Let's start a chat about this topic! Keep posting!
|
| Name: | Dr. David A. Bowlin |
| E-mail address: | dbowlin@efsd.net |
| Comments: | David Bowlin here. I lived at 1237 Arkansas Ave. I loved growing up in Dormont and miss many of my old friends. I would love to hear from all of you. I currently live in Peters Township |
| Name: | Hilary Brown |
| E-mail address: | habrown@pitt.edu |
| Comments: | Hello Muriel, Newt, Doris and Andy,
Thank you for all of your help and stories. I had such a wonderful time with all of you. I will let you know how the paper turns out. God Bless! Hilary Brown |
| Name: | Harvey Schoenman |
| E-mail address: | hschoenman@adelphia.net |
| Comments: | Wow! What a great web site. I grew up in Dormont from ~1945 to 1962 in the 1100 block of Tennessee Ave, in the house right next to the apartment building. I went to Kelton Grade School and DHS, graduating in 1958. There are so many things I remember about those years... teachers rapping my knuckles with a wooden ruler when I misbehaved, walking to school, in fact walking everywhere in Dormont, streetcars running down W Liberty Ave into town and south into Mt Lebanon, 10-cent skyscraper cones at Isalys, Mars Bros and Dixon's drug stores across the street from each other at Potomac and W Liberty, the soda fountain counter and stools at Mars, the big Sears store across from Dormont Appliance on W Liberty, Grabe Brothers Hardware store on W Liberty where you could buy anything and everything by the piece, Dormont Day (July 4th) in the park with free buttermilk, dances on Friday football nights in the rec center at the swimming pool, of course the swimming pool which is where we "lived" in the summer, the 10' high-dive -- long since gone, rubber-band duckpin bowling at the Lucky Strike lanes, drag racing on Banksville Rd (OK, so it's not Dormont but that's where we all were from), playing in "the field" at the end of the 1100 blocks of Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas. Wisconsin and Hillsdale, playing in Morton's field over by what is now KOHS, the community gardens at the end of Tennessee and Mississippi streets where everything, including water, had to be carried in and out, coming in late and trying to find a place to park on the street within a block or so of our house, "17 Cartoons" at the Hollywood Theater every Saturday morning, Boy Scout meetings at the Dormont Presby Church, the balcony seating at the Harris Theater, delivering the Sun-Telegraph daily and Sunday paper, which we used to go go to "Virgi's shack" (the garage across from the side entrance of the old Hillsdale School) to get, driving down Annex Ave from McNeilly and trying not to bottom out... and so much more. We now live in Mt Lebanon, just over the hill from Dormont Swimming Pool. I still drive by my old house on occasion with a great deal of nostalgia. My sister, Francine, also went to DHS and was in the class of 1962. She now lives in Brookfield, CT. |
| Name: | John Niznik |
| E-mail address: | niz@adelphia.net |
| Comments: | I loved growing up in Dormont. I graduated from KOHS in 80.The best place to grow up. The things you could in Dormont too much to list. Who could forget all the parades,4 of July, I remeber Mr. Lollyd my little league baseball coach Allyn's bicycle shop. The teacher's at Hillsdale Mrs. Moreland,Miss Fulton,Miss Keleen,Miss Hamilton,Mr.Daily,Mrs.Grove,Miss Bernard.The memories of Dormont are great. Thanks for the memories. |
| Name: | david pickles |
| E-mail address: | dj.pickles@ntlworld.com |
| Comments: | hello muriel my father does remember you.was your husband called Bill?could you please find any information about thje battle of CHICKEN HILLcirca 1959 or 1960.He said he was on duty the night greg scorozafay was shot.it was probably in the local paper.was it called the the LIBERTY |
| Name: | Marcella C. McGrogan |
| E-mail address: | m.c.mcgrogan@verizon.net |
| Comments: | Thank you for your generous help with our Historical
Society of Carnegie PA. We are close to reopening. New carpet, some new walls, new furnace, new hot water tank, new (donated) furnishings, new resale shop almost ready. Hope to have a reopening Celebration and Annual Meeting soon. |
| Name: | Mike Wasylik |
| E-mail address: | mjwaz1@aol.com |
| Comments: | graduated from KOHS in 1970; first class to complete a full school year in the current high school building; grew up on Dwight Ave, where my parents lived for over 60 years; recently we sold that house upon my father's death. went to Hillsdale, Myrtle for 9th grade, the old high school for 10th and part of 11th, then the current high school for our senior year. currently reside in Westerville, ohio a suburb of Columbus; being in city government I try to watch one goes on in Dormont and was very glad that Hillsdale was saved. Still a pittsburgher in my heart!! |
| Name: | david pickles |
| E-mail address: | dj.pickles@ntlworld.com |
| Comments: | I lived in Dormont from 1956-1965 when we then moved to Liverpool England. We lived in 3246 piedmont ave till 1964 then moved to Illinois Ave untill we moved over here.My father George worked on the desk at the police dept.He is still alive aged 81 but mom died in 1999.Her name was Josie.i have a sister also JOSIE and a brother Steve
one day i will see Dormont again. p.s. hope you are ok muriel |
| Name: | Frederick M. Collins |
| E-mail address: | freddybear71@msn.com |
| Comments: | Do you have any history of the Dormont Police Dept., and specifically about a former Chief of Police, Chester Pike? |
| Name: | Virdyn R. Caldwell III |
| E-mail address: | virdyn7@hotmail.com |
| Comments: | Spent the day clearing out the place with a bunch of things to give to the Society. As a '52 grad, living in Mt. Leb. since l962, driving through Dormont often, it keeps my brain active with all of the memories. Does anyone remember playing "shark" at the pool. What a contest. Four or five on a team. One side, in the water, on the wall next to the steps near the lifeguard chair and the other team on the bank, lined up 20 or 30 feet away from the wall. Then someone would yell SHARK. The team on the bank would run like hell, hit the water all at once try to touch the wall high or low, while the wall team tried to keep them from touching the wall by drowning, tackling, pushing away etc. The teams were not allowed to go beyond the ladder near the high dive. For a moment of two there was so much frothing of water, kicking, yelling, etc., that it looked like some one had just about knocked a fire plug off of its stand. That pool was the envey of many a community. At one time it had wood planks before concrete? |
| Name: | Carole Robinson Shinn |
| E-mail address: | cshinn1@aol.com |
| Comments: | So heart-warming to read the Guestbook! I graduated from DHS in 1956 and the guestbook took me down memory lane! I presently live in Huntington Beach, California. I look forward to my next visit to Pittsburgh & visiting the Dormont Historical Society! |
| Name: | David Fischer |
| E-mail address: | dfisch@earthlink.net |
| Comments: | Sorry I missed the reunion as I understand it was a real hit. I was in the class of 57 and went on to Pitt and then Koppers Corp and Mobil Chem Co for about 15 years and ever since been on my own in the plastic business. I live in Northern NM and hope to make the next reunion.
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| Name: | joanne mcgall toward |
| E-mail address: | milky183@yahoo.com |
| Comments: | beverly vause watters '52 donated her cheerleader's megaphone to dhs . their lifelong small family car repair business destroyed by ivan flood in oakdale. no flood insurance but 1926 building remains after water rose to within 6 inches of ceiling . emission testing machine,computer,auto parts,records lost.both working with son (partner) to try to go on .I personally witnessed the devastation and was amazed at the optomistic outlook of these two seventy+ wonderful people. home at 4500 battle ridge road mcdonald pa 15057 safe and sound. jo mcgall toward '52 |
| Name: | Denny J Huber |
| E-mail address: | djhuber@lycos.com |
| Comments: | Attended DHS 'till '53 & my brother Dave graduated then. Lived at 1210 Hillsdale. Have met only l student, Ed Scroth. Will be a reunion, Oct2. |
| Name: | Joe Shuler |
| E-mail address: | joealert@optonline.net |
| Comments: | I am trying to locate a classmate of mine from DHS 1951, Lyle Peck. He has a brother Dick who graduated in 1952 or 1953. Please email me at joealert@optonline.net if you know of Lyle or Dick. Joe Shuler |
| Name: | Candace Campbell |
| E-mail address: | emailcandacec@yahoo.com |
| Comments: | Hi! My husband and I live at 3234 Eastmont. It is my understanding that your organization has dated photo(s) of our home. We would LOVE to see these pictures and to learn the history of our home. |
| Name: | Justin Miller |
| Comments: | Hello. I am a up-coming 8th grader at Keystone Oaks Middle School. This information is very interesting! It's good to live in Dormont! |
| Name: | Randi Hall |
| E-mail address: | randihallcm@aol.com |
| Comments: | I am taking a class at CCAC and some of the information I found about Dormont was very helpful. Thank you for preserving our history and our heritage! |
| Name: | Colin Montgomery |
| E-mail address: | col32@prodigy.net |
| Comments: | This is a good site and I think there should be more of them dedicated to Dormont. The Historical society was a good idea. You should expand your place and you shouldn't be cooped up down there. WELL THATS ALL THANKS |
| Name: | gomer evans |
| E-mail address: | gomerp@chartermi.net |
| Comments: | kelton class of 1937, dormont high school class of june 1941.would be interested in hearing of people from those classes. |
| Name: | Dan Medis |
| E-mail address: | dmscal1@aol.com |
| Comments: | I just recieved some information about an "Alumni Gathering" of all DHS grads and friends. It will be on Oct. 2 2004. From the info I got, you did not have to graduate from there to go, just have gone to school there. Contact Betty Smiley Chrise 243 Lilac Drive Monroeville, PA 15146
E-mail chrise243@cs.com for more info Hope to see you there. Dan Medis |
| Name: | paul sutter |
| E-mail address: | paulsutter@cei.net |
| Comments: | Hi,
I lived on espy ave. from 1953 to 1970. although our part of espy ave. was still considered the city dormont was always just one step away, literally. i have a question? would anyone remeber if there was a coal mine where the existing wenzell court was and all the double-duplex homes were located?? i enjoyed those years(late 1950's to the 1960's). Thank you, Paul |
| Name: | Doyle C. Piper III |
| E-mail address: | ddpiper@usfamily.net |
| Comments: | Unless you've lived in Dormont, you won't understand. Things have changed, but growing up in the 70's and 80's there were the best. I grew up on Philadelphia Ave. and who could forget those parades coming down Potomac! I remember when Bernies was torn down - it used to be where the trollie runs through now...I also remember running up the steep hill of Potomac and dropping my basketball and only to watch it roll all the way down onto banksville road! Anyone familiar with phily ave. drop me an email. |
| Name: | Linda Hudson (Morton) |
| E-mail address: | lindahandh@aol.com |
| Comments: | Even though I grew up in McKees Rocks, my mom (Susan Morton Class of 65) is from Dormont. I have very fond memories growing up in Dormont at my grandmother's (Rose Marie Morton)house on Kelton Ave. My Mom had 8 brothers and sisters and we were always surrounded by family.(Jimmy, Johnny, Bobby, Ricky, Rosie,Barbara,Marcia)I remember going to Isaly's and getting a skyscraper cone with my cousin Ed McAlliser. His cone would always droop and fall and I would laugh and he would cry. Our family had a farm on what is now "Morton Lane" On any given day you could go up to West Liberty Avenue to any bar or store and "bump" into a Morton family member. When I was a little girl I would spend at least one night over at my Gram's house. Me and my cousin "Ed" would play on the front porch on Kelton Ave., we would ride our bikes, play in the yard of Kelton School, go to Isaly's, and go to the little candy store that was located by my cousin Carl Morton's house on McNeilly. My Grandfather was a Dormont fireman, and his brother Sam Morton owned "Sam's Bar" still on West Liberty Ave. On occasion me and a couple of my cousins still frequent "Sam's" I love to go there and spend time with them since most of the older generation is no longer with us. Oh yeah I forgot about all the summers at Dormont Pool too!! Too many great memories to write about so I'll leave it at that! |
| Name: | KATHY WIEDT |
| E-mail address: | KWFULLEN@AOL.COM |
| Comments: | ST. BERNARDS SCHOOL IN THE 1950'S WAS COOL!!!!! |
| Name: | Dan Medis |
| E-mail address: | dmscal1@aol.com |
| Comments: | I moved to Dormont (901 Peermont)in 1943, and went to Kelton School till halfway thru 7 grade, then to Hillsdale when we moved to 2736 Voelkel. Grad of "52". Went to DHS for a year then to other schools. But till lived in the area (Beechview)
Remember the big snow of "47"? The schools were closed for about a week. Great time sled riding on Walthem by the woods. We would start at the top of Beacon Hill turn left on Albern then right on Walthem.. Great ride, but a long walk back up for the next ride. Reading all the other memories from other people, but no mention of sitting at the soda fountions of the many drugstores drinking "pink ladies" cherry lemonblends. Great memories of growing up it Dormont and great friends. Looking for a guy I went to school with, Jim Bedlinger, class of "56" if anyone knows of him, will you contact me.. Rest in peace Rick & Jed. Since I have lived in Calif since 1958 have lost contact with many of the people I grew up with, but would welcome your e-mail... thanks Dan |
| Name: | joannemcgalltoward |
| Comments: | have lots of school and political memorabilia for you and a good possibility that beverly vause watters '52 has that ch heerleader megaphone we mentioned at my visit april 1 will set up appointment probably in may sometime |
| Name: | Barry Wingard |
| E-mail address: | bdwesq1@aol.com |
| Comments: | Purchasing house on Kelton. |
| Name: | Yvonne Vagianos Cywinski |
| E-mail address: | ennov50@netscape.net |
| Comments: | Great to check out the site once again--and update my entry fr 6.22.03 which I dedicated to our father, Michael Vagianos. Dad since passed on 11.17.03. Dormont has such great memories for all of us and it seems more evident now recalling those days on 1641 Hillsdale. We were truly blessed.
Looking for members of the class of '62....a family member will celebrate a 'special' birthday in March..grad of '62.. Vangie worked @Murphy's 1960-1962....Any former G C Murphy employees around? Please contact me. Thanx! Thank you for this opportunity to enjoy this site! |
| Name: | Barb Batchelder |
| E-mail address: | babz4@juno.com |
| Comments: | Just discovered your site and read with interest about life in Dormont where my great grandmother, Maryann Bridge, lived. She died in 1921 and is buried in Mount Lebanon Cem. |
| Name: | JACK PEARCE |
| E-mail address: | CANDYMANHH@AOL.COM |
| Comments: | GRADUATED IN 1945. WORKED DURING MY HI SCHOOL YEARS @ THE FAMILY CANDY & ICE CREAM STORE "PEARCES" WITH MANY CLASSMATES AND MEMBERS OF CLASSES BEFORE AND AFTER 1945. OUR CLASS HAS REGULAR 5 YEAR REUNIONS AND ALSO A "PICNIC" MOST YEARS IN BETWEEN. I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM ANYONE WHO REMEMBERS ME, VIA E-MAIL. I HAVE RUN INTO A NUMBER OF PEOPLE RETIRED HERE IN SOUTH CAROLINA FROM DORMONT AND MT. LEBANON WHO REMEMBER HAVING A "PIGS DINNER" AT PEARCES AND ITS ALWAYS INTERESTING TO TALK WITH THEM. STAFF--KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK RUNNING THE SOCIETY. |
| Name: | Jim Cuff |
| E-mail address: | jimmargecuff@earthlink.net |
| Comments: | Born in Pittsburgh but moved to Dormont in 1930. Attended St. Bernard School, then St. Mary of the Mount and Dormont HS. Left in August 1942 for the US Navy and served there for 24 Years. Had many fond memories of Dormont and many great friend that I will always cherish. Jack Rago, Bob and Ralph Stoker, The Twin Dittman brothers, Eugene Dolfi, Steinhelpher. Any one remembering me, I now live in Arlington, Texas and my last trip to Dormont/Pittsburgh was this past spring. Give a call. This was a wonderful find as I was surfing tonite to find this Historical Society of Dormont. Keep up the good work. |
| Name: | C. Blando |
| Comments: | For many great old and current pictures of Dormont buy a 2004 Historical Society calandar for $5.00 + 1.50 postage or the past 3 years calendars for half price, $2.50 each + $1.50 postage. For news past and present become a member for only $10.00 annually and receive the newsletter bimonthly written by Mrs. Moreland! |
| Name: | Manny |
| E-mail address: | bolivia@alltel.net |
| Comments: | Hi,
I bought a 1929 Dormont High Year Book at a yard sale in Ohio. So I was just curious if there is anybody that had relatives that went to that school. Also if there were any people from that school that made a name for themselves. Thanks |
| Name: | Dolores Hurley Breslawski |
| E-mail address: | terryanddoe@msn.com |
| Comments: | What a trip down memory lane! I lived in Dormont from 1957 to April, 1973 when I moved with my parents' to my mother's hometown in upstate NY (Oneida). I attended Kelton for kindergarten, St. Bernards until grade 8 and then KOHS for the beginning of my freshman year. We lived on Gaylord Ave. I still tell people about Dormont Pool and the 4th of July celebration, grab bag, foot races, and fireworks, plus the trolleys, Isaly's (does anybody remember them having some cookies with a pink icing on them?), Mead's drugstore, Esther's dancing school, Mineo's pizza, the Dormont Track Club, Dormont Park.....I remember going with friends to see the Pirates play (we all loved Richie Hebner....). I haven't been back much but took my mother back about 13 years ago for her only visit since she had moved away. She has since passed away but always remembered Dormont and Pittsburgh with great affection and I think regretted moving away. We had two of our three children then so they got to see their mom's childhood neighborhood and school. We actually went to the door of the house I used to live in and the owners at that time very graciously invited us in and then kept in touch with my mom for several years. I would love to hear from any old acquaintances who see this post and remember me! I'll be sure to check back at this site. Some old pictures and current pictures around Dormont would be great!!!! |
| Name: | Betsy Brown Eighmy |
| E-mail address: | ceighmy1@msn.com |
| Comments: | We saw your website and thought you would like to hear about our three generations in Dormont.
The Schmitt family moved to Dormont in the early 1900s and raised eight children in their Broadway Avenue home. Marie and Richard were my grandparents and their youngest daughter Dolly was my mother. My children, Michele and Barry attended Dormont schools until we moved in 1981. We all have lovely memories of Dormont Day, park and pool activities, Jose and Tony's Restaurant, roller skating down Park Boulevard and Hillsdale and Kelton Avenues, trolley rides to work, a community so safe that we never worried about where our kids were, and where they had the freedom to go "Down Street" together in the best little borough in the Pittsburgh area. |
| Name: | DUANE W READY |
| E-mail address: | READYDW@KIPIN.COM |
| Comments: | I LIVED IN DORMONT FROM 1957 TO ABOUT 1971
AFTER BECOMING AWARE OF THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY , I WROTE A 3-4 PAGE PIECE ON MY DORMONT MEMORIES AND WILL GET IT POSTED HERE SOMEDAY I GUESS IT ATTEMPTS TO COVER A WHOLE LOT OF GROUND FROM THE TODDLE HOUSE TO KELLY'S POOL ROOM TO MARS DRUG STORE AND ISALY'S TO THE PIZZA PALACE AND TED& BELLS, CULBERTSONS , CIPS ,NICKS THE SPORTS SPOT I COULD GO ON I DIDN'T REALIZE HOW GOOD IT WAS AT THE TIME BUT I DO NOW I AM TRULY AMAZED AND IMPRESSED AT ALL THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE SUCH FOND MEMORIES OF DORMONT SO LONG FOR NOW |
| Name: | Paul McGough |
| E-mail address: | PMCGOUGH@woh.rr.com |
| Comments: | Does anyone remember the novelty shop that was across from the old Toddle House...on the same side as the library? As as kid, I would spend hours there dreamin' about what I could do with the whoopi cushions, rubber snakes and fake vomit. Also, we used to buy whiffle balls at a hardward store just down from the Toddle House...same side. Does anyone remember pea shooters....a brass piece of small diameter pipe you could buy at AB Charles and then pick up a bag of navy beans at the "Select Market" on West Liberty. You could shoot the beans out of your mouth in rapid fire...sounded like a hail storm when they hit a metal awning or glass window. Oh the memories. |
| Name: | Denny Pine |
| E-mail address: | pinedrivein101@aol.com |
| Comments: | From 1961 to 2002, my grandparents (Bill and Fran Bradford) resided at 3263 Waltham Ave, between Peermont and Albern. Many, many wonderful memories! The two Isaly's stores (one across from Red Bull Inn and the other next to Dickson's Pharmacy), bowling duck pins at Lucky Strike Lanes (now Dormont Lanes, but all the duck pin lanes are gone) and the long gone Recreation Lanes (now occupied by Lighting by Erik), movies at the South Hills Theater (turned into a pathetic four screen mini-cinema, ARGH!) and Hollywood Theater (to be hopefully revived in the future), Dormont Pool, Mead Pharmacy, those little "Mom & Pop" stores on Illinois and Dell Avenues. Where have all those good times gone? |
| Name: | Ron Sakmar |
| E-mail address: | VRRMMMM@aol.com |
| Comments: | Good ole Dormont. Hillsdale dances on Friday night. Fourth of July in the old pavilion in the park. Taking your date to the movie at the Hollywood or the South Hills. Revvving your motor to show off at Eat'nPark. Shyly smiling at Paula Czajka in reading class in the 6th grade at Hillsdale. Watching the band march along Annapolis Avenue to the football games. It was a wonderful time. I am lucky to still live in Pittsburgh (South Park area) and my parents still live in Dormont...but it is just not the same...I think it was all the wondeful friends we had at the time that made it so special. Everyone take care. |
| Name: | maggi kelly |
| E-mail address: | mmkelly26@hotmail.com |
| Comments: | I'm a philadelphia ave kid. just wanted to say hello to all of dormont. missing all of what makes dormont so special! have a safe,healthy, and most of all happy holiday season |
| Name: | Irene Willmering Loar |
| E-mail address: | iloar@medsynergies.com |
| Comments: | Visited the society a couple weeks ago while in Pgh. visiting my sisters. Newton Blair from my class of 55 was there and it was great to see him and Andy Dressel and spend time looking at all the artifacts. I couldn't wait to get back to Orlando to go through my "memory box" to dig out old Dormonitors and other goodies to send to them. They have done a fantastic job, wish I lived here to help them. Those of you who remember the "Willmering Girls" might like to know that Jean ('48) is doing well after beating cancer and lives in Kennerdell with her husband of 53 years George Zinsser ('49). Ann ('52)has been a widow for several years, lives in Scott Twp. and still sees her old classmates once a month for lunch. {I was fortunate to be able to have lunch with them a couple weeks ago). Lois ('50) died a little over three years ago and is still missed. Hope to return to visit the society again next year. |
| Name: | Bob Kienzle |
| E-mail address: | mbkienzle@earthlimk.net |
| Comments: | At Kelton School from 1938 to 1946 and at DHS during 46 and 47. |
| Name: | Caroline Kelly Sarin |
| E-mail address: | csarin@williamblair.com |
| Comments: | I would just like to say Hello to Mrs. Moreland. I was one of her students at Hillsdale back in the 70's. I am living in Chicago now. My parents were back in Pittsburgh last name attending a Steelers game and they caught up on some news of Dormont and told me you were associated with the Historical Society. I was wondering has Ollie the Owl retired as well? Best Wishes to Mrs. Moreland and the Dormont Historical Society! |
| Name: | Mary Alice (Vietmeier) Evan |
| E-mail address: | maevan@adelphia.net |
| Name: | Harry and Kathleen Robson |
| E-mail address: | granmakat1@comcast.net |
| Name: | COLLEEN ENDRESS |
| E-mail address: | colaik2@yahoo.com |
| Comments: | I am a teacher and would like information on the history of Dormont to read to my class.
Thank-you |