The Old YMCA

A favorite spot for us kids.

Congratulations ~ Bruce Fratto BHS '78

Bruce wrote saying: "I had a bit of good fortune this past year. Out of 12,000 images from 13 pro's they chose my shot as the "Offical Poster of the 2006 Kentucky Derby". The winning shot has Barbaro with all 4's in the air, the jockey pumping his hand for the win along with the grandstand and famous spires in the background."

Kirpatrick's ~ For all our Sporting Needs

Loved the smell of leather and the Louisville Slugger bats, the quality fishing equipment, the fine baseball hats.

Merry-Go-Round ~ Stoughton's Beach

After leaving Alameda Park this carousel we loved went to Stoughton's Beach and after that it was on display at the Smithsonian in D.C. for about seven years and before it was moved to its present location, Old Tucson Studios in Arizona.

Our Children's Guardian ~

During her nearly 40 years as a school crossing guard, Doris Mary Riddle [† Sept 2006] helped thousands of children in the Butler area make it safely to school. She started working as a school crossing guard in 1950 and was assigned to Monroe Street, where she helped St. Paul School pupils cross the street.
In later years, she was assigned to a Mercer Street post to cross Broad Street elementary pupils. But the majority of her career -- nearly 30 years -- was spent at a post on New Castle Street helping West End Elementary School pupils.

We thank you, Doris.

Cummings Candy & Coffee Shop ~

Don't miss this when in town.

Troutman's Department Store

It was our shopping paradise.

Minor-League Baseball in Butler

Pullman Park City officials are hoping to again attract minor-league baseball to Butler. The city wants to spend about $5 million, about half of that from city coffers, to restore Pullman Park.
From 1935 until 1951, the ballpark housed a minor-league team affiliated with the Pittsburgh Pirates, the New York Yankees and several other teams. Mayor Maggie Stock said the city will try to find a marquee team to put in the park. (AP)

Our Old Junior High School ~ 1955

It was a handsome yellow brick school building with a pillared entrance.

Poem

Butler's Sculptor in Metal ~ Bill Secunda

Bill Secunda has become a prominent American metal sculptor. His works can be seen in museums, zoos, racetracks, a senator's office, or wandering across someone’s back yard, the possibilities are endless. 

From Our Little Theater to Louisville as Reporter for Wave3TV

Congratulations !

James Zambroski receiving the Emmy for Reporting

James Zambroski

Butler's Born Actor ~ Frederick West McCarren ~ BHS '69

✝ 2006

Fred McCarren was one of the brightest stars on Butler High School's stage. We remember him in My Fair Lady, Once Upon a Mattress, Little Me and other excellent productions.
Thank you, Fred, for your unforgettable stage presence and the delight you gave us.

We fell for you!

Welcome Visitor to Butler ~ The Bald Eagle

The Pennsylvania Game Commission reports that there are two active Bald Eagle nests in Butler County.
Greetings to you, High Flyers !

Stoughton's Beach ~ We Loved It

One of the best treats we had as kids was when we'd pack into the car and head up Route 8 to Stoughton's Beach.

Butler's Television Star ~ Josie Carey

† 2004
One of Butler's stars in the world of television was Josie Carey. Some Butlerites still know her as Josephine Vicari. She hosted WQED's long running Children's Corner and her name was immortalized for millions of children as that of Fred Rogers' puppet, Daniel Striped Tiger. She wrote lyrics for 68 songs for her show. Butler and Pittsburg cannot forget Josie Carey.

Saxonburg's Founder ~ John August Roebling

Saxonburg celebrates its founder's 200th Birthday Anniversary ~ John Roebling is the Inventor of Twisted Steel Cable that made it possible for him to build the famous Brooklyn
Bridge. Congratulations Saxonburg.

Photographer Don Carlson ~ BHS '38

HEADLAND'S LUNCH CAR - owned by Bob Headland and his wife, Etta, in the 1930s and 40s, it was situated on W. Cunningham St. just east of the Clinton Hotel and Sullivan Run (creek), next door to Ray Andre General Tire and across the street from Klugh's Market and Adolph's Drug Store. It serviced not only Butler residents, including many from Armco, and a lot of through traffic on the then busy Rt. 422. [Don Carlson, the photographer, and his brother, Bill, worked there in the late 30s for $12.85 a week plus all they could eat.]

- Don Carlson

Butler's Town Lake

This happens in Butler. Can you figure out what it is?
Old Wayne Street Viaduct
Photo: Sam Menchyk

Jefferson Street School

We would walk to school.

Butler Airport ~ Our Early Interest in Flying

BUTLER AIRPORT - small planes lined up at the old Butler Airport which was located along New Castle Road just across from Deshon Hospital and is now the location for a shopping center. Bob Headland was one of the early promoters of aviation in the Butler area. (I flew in and out of this airport and Pgh/Butler airport in the early 40s before enlisting in the Air Corps.)
- Don Carlson

Dairy Queen ~ Dan Joseph BHS '56

. . . and it wasn't far from our High School.
My dad built and ran the Dairy Queen at top of New Castle Street hill in the early 50's. I worked there when I was a teenager until I went to the Marines in 1956 just after graduating from Butler High School.
Dan Joseph
E-mail: itsmefolks@centurylink.net

Majestic Theater ~ Butler's Broadway

For us, Hollywood came here.

Remember This? ~ 10,000 Meter Race

In 1979 nearly one thousand runners competed in the annual Ten Thousand Meter Race. The winning time was 30 minutes 18 seconds. And the first prize was a silver bowl.

Photo: Jack Bowman

Sgt. Major Abie Abraham ~ Bataan

For generations of Butlerites since the Battle of the Pacific in World War II the name Sgt. Abie Abraham has been synonymous with the infamous Bataan Death March. While fighting a hopeless battle and surviving two and a half years of inhuman imprisonment Stg. Abraham showed the noblest human qualities. He was the only soldier who fought on Bataan to see the final Japanese surrender.

You have received many honors, Abie, but there is no Medal of Honor that can represent our pride or render adequate gratitude to you for the valiant spirit you have left us to emulate.

Butler Country Club ~ Butler's Lushest

Butler Country Club ~ First Fairway
Does the Butler area have the most golf courses? ~ 16

Aubrey's Golf Course
Conley Golf Course Resort
Cranberry Highlands Golf Course
Hiland Public Golf Course
Lake Arthur Country Club
Lake Vue North Golf Course
Mount Chestnut Golf Course
Pine Needles Par 3
Saxon Golf Course
Serene Valley Golf Course
Stoughton Acres Golf Course
Suncrest Golf Course
Butler Country Club
Armco Country Club
Krendale
Rittswood

Forty-Six Years Ago ~

Main Street, December 1960

Thanks: Brian Crouch

Jimmy Stewart ~ Butler's Kick Boxing Champion

Jimmy Stewart
Super Welterweight World Champion
International Kick Boxing Federation
Were' on our feet, Jimmy, and applauding!

Alameda Park ~ Coming Back to Life

Alameda Park 1901

Jump on the streetcar or ride out there on your bike and you were in a summer paradise. Will the new Alameda Park be like the one we had? 

[Carousel where the streetcar is parked.]

Oneida Dam ~

Oneida Dam
A beauty spot near town, and our local fishing haunt.

Broad Street School ~ School of Distinction

How many of us passed through these arches?

Acknowledgement

Thanks to Elizabeth and Robert Johnson BHS '53 for their help with these blog postings.

Butler, Pa. ~ Avant-garde Architecture

Playthings Etc.
New Toy Shop in Butler
Owners Todd and Nadine Shingleton BHS '75
Congratulations to both of you for your daring idea. You keep Butler forward-
looking.
Photo: Paul Johnston Jr.

Butler ~ Boy Scouts

Scouting was/is important. We started young.

Clinton Hotel ~

One of our former imposing buildings, a favorite hotel. Now sadly missed.

Melanie Buczko at Bucknell ~ Breaking Records

Our Melanie Buczko in her Senior year at Bucknell is breaking records. She set a new school record with a leap of 13'3 1/2 then shattered her own school record in a the vault at the NYU FastTimes Invitational soaring over the bar at 13'5 1/2" . Melanie has won Bucknell's first-ever ECAC indoor gold medal with a clearance of 12'9 1/2".

Melanie, we're all watching you, with fingers crossed. . . shoving, to get you up and over!

BHS '53 ~ Recent News

March 2006, Get-together

We had a lot of fun since Shirley Deal Shook brought a sheet of cheers she had found among her souvenirs:

A RICKETTY, A RICKITTY, A RICKETTYA RAH, RAH, RAH

[Who is that strange male among all those women?

Does that look like Dick Powers?]

Our Football Gem ~ Terry Hanratty ~ BHS '64

Terry Hanratty — our Butler High School star quarterback. Terry went on to become one of Notre Dame's outstanding quarterbacks, completing 304 of 550 passes for 4,152 yards and 27 touchdowns at Notre Dame. When he left ND in 1968, he held the all-time Irish record for attempts, completions and passing yards. He still holds the Notre Dame record with 63 pass attempts in a single game.Terry's pro football career was spent with the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1969-75 and Tampa Bay in 1976.
You made us proud, Terry.

Butler Senior High School ~ A Remembrance

. . . and once inside, I mounted the stately winding staircase.

From: The Butler Pennsylvania Poems

William J. Perry ~ Secretary of Defense ~ BHS '45

A onetime resident of Butler, William Perry is now a Professor at Stanford University. He is an expert in U.S. foreign policy, national security and arms control. He was the 19th Secretary of Defense for the United States, serving under President Clinton from February 1994 to January 1997.

Around Town ~

Do you remember this intersection?

A vague memory . . .

St. Fidelis Seminary ~ Cardinal O'Malley

A onetime seminarian at St. Fidelis Seminary near Butler,Pa. Sean O'Malley, has just been elevated to the office of Clardinal by Pope Benedict XVI. Cardinal O'Malley began preparing for the priesthood at the age of 13 in 1957 at St. Fidelis Seminary. Congratulations and to Cardinal O'Malley and the Capuchin Order from well-wishing Butlerites.

Student of Butler Teacher ~ Olympic Silver Medal

Stephanie Boehler and her German teammates win Olympic Silver in the Women's Cross Country Event. Stephanie was the student of Charles Cingolani at St. Blasien College in Germany.

Nixon Hotel ~ Butler, Pa.

Does anyone remember this elegant Butler hotel?