This week, we go waaaaaay back to 1945, the year the first microwave oven was invented.
A United States bomber aircraft conducted a devastating fire-bombing raid on Tokyo, which was part of the U.S.’ strategic aerial campaign against Japan during the final months of World War II.
The median household income was $2,595, a gallon of gas cost 15 cents, eggs were 55 cents a dozen, average cost of a new home was $4,600 and minimum wage was 40 cents an hour.
Here is what was happening in our Valley, according to the microfilm edition of The Evening Sentinel!
Saturday, May 26, 1945
Pvt. Andrew Horischak Returns From Overseas After 38 Months’ Service
ANSONIA – Private First Class Andrew Horischak, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jospeh Horischak, of Clifton Avenue, Ansonia, who has recently returned from overseas duty, has reported to the Army ground and service forces’ redistribution station at Lake Placid club, New York.
Private Horischak entered the service on March 26. 1941, and was overseas 38 months with an artillery unit in the southwest Pacific theater of operations.
Ansonia Trackmen Compete in State Track Meet Today
ANSONIA – Coach Boots Jarvis has his Ansonia High School harriers in good shape to compete today in the state track meet at Yale Field.
Among the boys who are hoping to place in the events is Bobby DiGeorgi, high point man of the team, who is entered in the 100-yard dash, the 220 yard-dash and the running broad jump. Elmer Banno is entered in the shot put, the high jump and the discus. Duber Parker is entered in the half mile and the running broad jump. Kenny Wheeler is entered in the javelin and the half mile. Little Frankie Alue will compete in the mile. Billy Manley is entered in the quarter mile.
Several other Lavendar hopefuls will compete in the meet and the experience gained by them will do much to improve their ability in future meets.
Storm Engine Company Communion Breakfast
DERBY – The Storm Engine company’s annual Communion breakfast will be held Sunday morning at the Hotel Clark. The members will receive Holy Communion at the 7 o’clock mass in St. Mary’s Church, after which they will attend the breakfast.
Gets Souvenirs
SEYMOUR – Meyer Rogol, proprietor of Rogol’s clothing and shoe store on Main Street, has received many souvenirs from his son, Theodore Rogol, who is with the Army in Germany. The souvenirs include Army belts, coins, a German officer’s knife and cotton shirts. Mr. Meyer has placed the articles on display on a counter in the store.
Sunday, May 27, 1945
The Evening Sentinel Didn’t Publish on Sundays!
Monday, May 28, 1945
Reno Pigaty Is Liberated From War Prison Camp
ANSONIA – Mr. and Mrs. John B. Pigaty of Howard Avenue, have received a letter from their son, Technician Fifth Grade Reno Pigaty, stating that he has been liberated from a German prison camp and expects to return to this country shortly.
T/5 Pigaty has been a prisoner of the German government for the past 26 months. He was first reported missing in action on February 14, 1943 in North Africa.
Gifts Stimulate War Bond Drive
DERBY— Sales by retail merchants and clerks in the seventh war loan drive are mounting daily and the committee is confident that the city’s retail division quota of $180,000 will be met.
The clerks are trying hard to sell their individual quotas of $500 each and there is keen competition between the two divisions set up by the bond drive committee.
To stimulate the war bond drive, the merchants are giving away to the public a $50 war bond donated by the Birmingham National Bank and ten other gifts of merchandise.
American Legion Carnival Opens Here For A Week
SEYMOUR – The annual outdoor carnival of Emil Senger Post, American Legion, will open tonight at 7:30 at the Raymond Street grounds. In addition to the various concessions operated by the Legionnaires, there will be three rides – a merry-go-round, ferris wheel and terraplane. The public is invited to patronize the various booths. There is no admission charge to the grounds.
First Street To Be Closed To Traffic Wednesday Morning
SEYMOUR – There will be no traffic allowed on First Street, between DeForest and Bank streets Wednesday morning from 10 to 12 o’clock noon, during the Memorial Day exercises at the honor roll, it was announced today by First Selectman Harry R. Mannweiler.
Shelton Set For Ansonia In Game There On Tuesday
SHELTON – An improved team will face the Lavendar combine of Ansonia on Tuesday afternoon when the Shelton High School nine goes to the Nolan Athletic Field for a return game. The locals were defeated in the first encounter, 12 to 0.
Although Shelton was beaten by Derby 11 to 2 Friday, after taking the Red Raiders in their first game 7 to 6, the loss was attributed to a number of fielders’ errors.
Tuesday, May 29, 1945
Promoted To Corporal
ANSONIA – P.F.C. Dick Cottrell, son of Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Cottrell of Clifton Avenue, has been promoted to the rank of corporal.
He was recently graduated from the advance training school for B‑29 mechanics at Seattle, Wash., and is now back at his base at Pratti Field, Kansas.
Monument On Green Has Been Decorated
DERBY – The Soldiers’ monument, on the Derby Green, scene of the Memorial Day exercises, has been decorated with streamers of patriotic colors. The honor roll of men and women serving in World War II, also on the Green, has been decorated for Memorial Day.
American Red Cross War Fund Netted $10,494
SEYMOUR/OXFORD – A total of $10,494.82 was raised in the recent war fund drive of the American Red Cross by the Seymour-Oxford branch, of the New Haven chapter. Of this amount, $1,459.33 was raised in Oxford.
Parade, Services Planned For Memorial Day Observances Here
SHELTON – Plans have been completed here for the parade and services in the observance of Memorial Day. All veterans’ organizations of this city will participate in the observance this year, either by joining the line of march or taking some part in the services on the Derby Green at the conclusion of the parade.
Wednesday, May 30, 1945
Memorial Day, No Paper Published
Thursday, May 31, 1945
Meeting Of the Webster Social Committee Tonight
ANSONIA – The Webster Hose Company Social Committee will meet this evening at 8 o’clock at the hose house. Matt Costello, chairman, requests the presence of Jack Dobbins, Jack Comerford, Paul Shortell, Fred McGuire, John Blake, James Hughes, Joseph Moran, William Costello, Peter Beecher and William Tanner.
Hundreds Viewed Memorial Day Parade And Attended Services
DERBY – Derby and Shelton paid honor to their war dead yesterday morning. The parade formed at Cornell Street and Howe Avenue in Shelton, in which members of veterans’ organizations, the fire companies of Derby and Shelton, members of the Derby and Shelton police department, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, the Derby High School band, Derby grade schools’ band and Company F state guard participated.
Blue skies brought out hundreds of Derby and Shelton residents to view the parade and to attend services on the Derby Green. Adults and children in summer finery lined Elizabeth and Main streets and gathered on the Green to pay homage to the heroes who died in this war and previous conflicts.
Storms Tribute To Deceased Members
DERBY – Members of the Storm Engine Company, led by Captain Carl Boland, carried out an old tradition of the company on Memorial Day by visiting the various cemeteries and decorating the graves of deceased members.
The members assembled at the quarters on Elizabeth Street, and led by the Assumption School band of Ansonia, marched to St. Mary’s cemetery, Ansonia, and Oak Cliff cemetery. Upon the return to headquarters, delegations were dispatched to Mt. St. Peter’s and other cemeteries where deceased members are buried.
Dogs Upset Cans
SHELTON – Police today issued a warning against owners of dogs who let their pets wander the streets, knocking over garbage cans, digging up lawns and creating a nuisance in general.
Salvatore Papale, garbage collector, reports that much of the garbage is strewn over the streets when placed out for collection by these wandering canines. He asks that residents keep their garbage in a separate container from the ashes with a secure lid.
Meanwhile, Dog Warden William Rich is planning a roundup of these trouble-making pets and unless they are curbed by their owners, court action will result.
American Legion Carnival Was Well Patronized
SEYMOUR – The outdoor carnival sponsored by Emil Senger Post, American Legion, was well patronized last night at the Raymond Street lot off Second Street. All booths reported a brisk business, and the rides were crowded throughout the evening. The carnival will continue through the remainer of the week.
