IT’S OFFICIAL: Joe Cucuzza phoned Thursday to report picking
Mayflowers behind the former Valley Hunt Club in Lewis Run – what
we always wait for as the bona fide beginning of spring. He was
with his children, Clayton and Michelle, and his “girlfriend”
Cheyenne (his pooch.)
EQUAL TIME: We conclude today with our report on East Main
Street stores and shops from the 1940s courtesy of Nancy Merry
Ezzolo and Cary Kaber:
“Starting back at the Cletrac tractor going south on East Main,
there was a couple of residences, and then we have Campbell’s Super
Market on the corner of North Kendall Avenue. In the early days,
this building was Pete Meldrum’s garage.
“South of North Kendall Avenue is Anderson’s Diner on the
corner, and next is Harvey and Patchen Gun and Sport Store. Next
was Chet Seaward’s Variety Store. Next is the Keystone Restaurant
and Hotel. In the early days, it was known as Fusser’s Tavern and
Hotel and beside it was a meat market until the Keystone got it.
First it was just storage until they made it into a dining room
where they had their hot dogs cooking in the front window.
“Next was Faxson’s Women’s Clothing Store. Next was Vic Digal’s
Barber Shop. Next was Jim Story’s Plumbing and Hardware. Next was
Chris Thomas’ Restaurant, and then there was the East Bradford Fire
House.
“Next was the Tarport Inn. Next to that was Spencer’s Grocery
Store, which came to be Fred Roemer’s Refrigeration Shop and is now
a Chinese restaurant. Next was Frank and Tony White’s Soda Fountain
and Drug Store. Next was a floral shop and then Frances Crook’s
Candy Store. Next was Norton’s Bakery, and then the Paris Dry
Cleaners. Next was Stan Odell’s Furniture and TV Store, and finally
the Asbury Church.”
BEST BAND: Jim DiMaria of Butler writes more about “The
Jesters,” noting that the bass player was ‘Mouse’ or ‘Mousie’ aka
Roy Gage – a real showman.
“The band big name was Billie Lehman aka Billie Lehman and the
Penman and Jesters. Lead and rhythm guitar was several guys
including Lee Markis (Olean, I believe), Junior Shank (Jamestown),
and John Capello.
“Later they added a sax player, Clyde Dickerson (Buffalo) and,
of course, on drums, from Bradford, my Uncle Tony DiMaria. I
carried instruments up more stairs in Eastern Pennsylvania than any
13 year old should and loved every minute.”
