As a professor of history, my research concentration has led to a more personal interest. This labor historian’s query involves any information your readers can provide regarding the Grove Silk Mill which was based in Dunmore.
The objective is to gather oral as well as written accounts of this business, its functions and something about employees there. My father, Andrew, was employed there prior to World War II before his own induction into the US Army.
Additionally, Professor Emeriti Bonnie Stepenoff of Southwest Missouri State University provides an in-depth analysis of silk mill workers from the late 19th-century to 1960. Her book, a regional study of Northeastern Pennsylvania in Their Fathers’ Daughters, has been informative but more primary source material would add to my own work on the subject. Thank you in advance for information that can be offered in the form of archival or personal stories.
Sincerely,
Mark A. Sleboda Eastern Michigan University msleboda@emich.edu
Dunmore native Robert Meehan, president of the Moosic Lake Audubon Club, searches diligently for rare birds migrating south through Pennsylvania in an attempt to escape winter. Bob-O McDougal draws intricate sketches and makes detailed notes of all their finds. The guys spotted several unusual birds, including a Kirkwood Black Malted Grouse and a Cream Genny Spoonbill.
Joe Rinaldi was inducted into the Keystone Chapter by President Frank DeFrank. Pictured from left are District Governor Cathy Bianchi, Keystone Membership Director Ann Summa, President DeFrank, New Member Joe Rinaldi, and Chapter President Mary Ann Coviello.
Binghamton, Carbondale and Keystone were recognized by UNICO National for their Chapter’s Achievements by President Dr. Frank DeFrank. Keystone was also recognized as having the second highest achievement score and for having the Best Local Special Project throughout UNICO National. Pictured from left are Keystone Charter President Mark McDade; Binghamton President John Barbieri; Keystone President Mary Ann Coviello; Keystone Past President Frank Coviello; PA II District Governor Cathy Bianchi; National President Dr. Frank DeFrank; Keystone High School Choral Competition Co-Chair Toni DiVizio; Keystone High School Choral Competition Chairman Michele McDade; Carbondale President Mary Lynn Brannon, and Carbondale Past President Terri Pettinato.
Pictured from left are UNICO National First Lady and President Frank DeFrank being presented with a PA II District remembrance gift from District Governor Cathy Bianchi.
Current and past District Governors present at the UNICO PA II District Meeting and pictured from left are Mark McDade, Keystone Chapter Charter President; Ralph Contini, National second vice president.; Past National President Glenn Pettinato; First Lady Linda and National President Dr. Frank DeFrank; PA II District Governor Cathy Bianchi, the first female District Governor in Pennsylvania; Dr. Peter Pettinato, National first vice president, and Past Eastern Regional District Governor Chairman Chip Calabro.
At the UNICO District PA II Meeting and pictured from left are Binghamton President John Barbieri; National second vice president. Ralph Contini; National first vice president Dr. Peter Pettinato; National President Dr. Frank DeFrank; PA II District Governor Cathy Bianchi; Keystone President Mary Ann Coviello; and UNICO National Administrator Sal Benvenuti. Carbondale President Mary Lynn Brannon is missing from picture.
UNICO National PA II District Governor Cathy Bianchi recently conducted the First Quarter District Meeting at Fiorelli’s in Peckville.
Dunmore’s Keystone UNICO served as host chapter. Along with the District’s Chapters, UNICO National president Dr. Frank DeFrank, first vice president Dr. Peter Pettinato, second vice president Ralph Contini, and National administrator Sal Benvenuti were present.
The evening included chapter presidents giving their chapter’s report and President DeFrank participated as the new member inducting officer and as the presenter of the Chapter Achievement Awards to the Binghamton, Carbondale and Keystone Chapters.All three received Achievement Certificates and Banner Patches.
Keystone was recognized for taking second place in the national competition. Keystone was also recognized for conducting the Best Local Special Project, which was their High School Choral Competition held in March at Lackawanna College.
District Governor Cathy Bianchi was congratulated by President DeFrank on conducting an excellent and informative meeting.
