Ambridge memorabilia: Evans' Market account book

Many neighborhood market owners trusted their regular customers enough to let them buy "on credit." How did small market owners keep track of what they were owed by customers who didn't have enough money to pay for their groceries in full? 

Before there were "charge cards," there were account books. This book is from Evans' Market, one of the many small mom and pop markets that once were found in just about every Ambridge neighborhood.

Account book
Evans' Market
312 First St.
owned by Bob Mikush

Note the "Amb. 6" phone number.

Ambridge policewomen 1953

Ambridge employed its first women police officers in October 1950, when five women were hired at a time when "lady cops" were still a rarity in the area. When the borough hired these women, with pay of $60 a month, it was primarily to act as school crossing guards. But when a woman was in police custody, they also were expected to assist with transporting and searching her.

I'm not sure what the November 1953 photo below of the women officers with Burgess Walter Panek and a small girl is about. I'm going to guess some kind of charity drive was involved, since those white cylinders look like collection canisters.

Ambridge women police officers, Mayor Panek, and unidentified girl
November 1953
photo courtesy of Bob Mikush
used with permission

The women aren't identified in the photo, but I think that they are, from left to right:

Doris Pastrick, Mary Fazar, Kay Kokoski, Doris Tarquinio, Helen Gebet, and Mary Dobrosielski.

Fazar crossed Divine Redeemer and First Ward students at 3rd and Merchant Sts. Kokoski crossed St. Veronica students at 8th St. Gebet crossed Liberty School students at 5th St. and Duss Ave. I don't know about where the others were assigned.

If I got the name of any officer wrong, or you know the name of the little girl, the reason for the photo, and/or the crossing assignments for the rest of the officers, please leave a comment.

Spang-Chalfant Veterans Memorial

Today is Veterans Day, so it seemed like an apt day to post this:

Spang-Chalfant Veterans Memorial
Beaver Valley Times
July 15, 1954

Original caption:

SPANG-CHALFANT MEMORIAL -- John Delai, left, and Lawrence McCandless, right, read the inscription on the new memorial bronze plaque erected in honor of employes of Spang-Chalfant Division of National Supply Company, Ambridge, who served in the U. S. Armed Forces.

According to the article that appeared with this photo, this memorial was a replacement for one that had been erected during WWII, but had deteriorated due to weather.

The new memorial, designed by two employees of Spang's industrial relations department, Lee Crane and William Cramer, was designed to withstand weather and be a "perpetual memorial." The bronze plaque was mounted on a wall 10 feet high and 8 feet wide built with 1,500 bricks, topped with a limestone slab, and resting on a concrete base.

The memorial plaque, minus its wall, is now in Ambridge's P.J. Caul Park on 11th and Merchant Sts.

Spang-Chalfant Veterans Memorial
P. J. Caul Park
March 22, 2014
credit: Nancy Knisley

The plaque's inscription reads:

SPANG

    This tablet is dedicated
    in sincere tribute to our employees
    both living and dead, who anwered
    the call of duty to serve in the armed forces
    of the United States.
    * * * * * * * * *
    Let us cherish the sacred memory of
    their struggle to preserve our American heritage, that government
    of the people, by the people,
    for the people shall not
    perish from the earth.

    Spang-Chalfant
    Division of the
    National Supply Company

Update November 12, 2015:

The wall that the plaque was on still stands on the property of the Ambridge Regional Distribution & Manufacturing Center. The photo below was provided by Debi Leopardi, Managing Director.

Spang-Chalfant Veterans Memorial Wall
Ambridge Regional Distribution and Manufacturing Center
November 12, 2015

Ambridge Memorabilia: Franklin Flower Shop

1927 calendar
The Franklin Flower Shop
551 Merchant St.
owned by John Domansky

The calendar is 6 1/2 inches wide and 11 inches long.

WWII: American Bridge Company War Loan Drive Rally

"7th War Loan Drive Rally"
American Bridge Company Ambridge Plant
Fabricating Division
April 24, 1945
photo courtesy Borough of Ambridge
used with permission

The number of surviving members of WWII veterans is rapidly falling.

Do you recognize any of the men in the above photo?

Remember Veteran's Day is next Wednesday, November 11.