“If You’re Going To Shamokin” – a sonnet by Pete Wombach

May 9, 2021May 9, 2021 by jjtreese, posted in Local Newspapers, News Articles, Pictures, WISL Personalities

Pete Wambach courtesy of Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission

For Shamokin’s 125th Anniversary celebration, Pete Wambach was brought to town by WISL’s Tom Kutza to do what he did best, talk. For this special occasion, Pete chose to write a sonnet encompassing everything it meant live, breathe, eat and die in Shamokin. The sonnet was delivered by Pete at the 125th Anniversary Banquet on Friday August 25th 1989 and printed in the News-Item that weekend.

25 years later, as we celebrate the 150th anniversary of our city, it’s appropriate to bring back Pete’s wonderful words. A special thanks to Rose Broscius for locating and scanning these old newspaper clippings.

So please take the time to read, remember and learn about the incredible and colorful people, and places that made Shamokin the place we all know and love.

If You’re Going to Shamokin

(Editor’s note: Pete Wambach, speaker at Friday ‘s 125^th anniversary banquet, wrote the following sonnet which he presented to Shamokin as a gift from him and his wife, Rita.)

By Pete Wombach

If you’re going to Shamokin, come and see the town with me

I’ve been going to Shamokin since the early century

Took the late run up from Philly, took the early rattler back

With Winfield Scott Heil waving each excursion down the track.

—-

If you’re going to Shamokin you’ll get coal dust in your hair

And the greatest welcome in the world that you’ll get anywhere

You’ll get handshakes, hugs and love from every person that you meet

And meet everyone you ever knew on Independence Street.

—-

From Gowen up to Elysburg, Paxinos to the ‘Gap

From Kulpmont to the Irish Valley, that’s Shamokin’s map

Its here they come from everyplace to hassle and to greet

And get together Saturday on Independence Street.

—-

The Hegins farmers sell potatoes, apples, corn and pears

The stores and five-and-ten have discount signs to sell their wares

And after high school football games, you’re deaf from all the cheers

They’ve been cruising Independence Street for more than fifty years.

—-

Moskovitz and Hirsch’s shoes had soles that never did wear through

And Jones’ Hardware sold huge tractors and the smallest screws

And every merchant on the street was proud to treat you well

And after shopping you could lunch at Madison Hotel

—-

Look! That culm bank out yonder is our backdrop and design

The miners dug it out of hell from Anthracite’s deep mine

They blew those earthy seams apart, those hard and muscled men

And with heart and guts and black-lung, they went down there once again.

—-

There was history and culture, there was greed and labor grief

There was cave-ins on the mining men whose lives were young and brief

There was carbon black that burned bright red and gave the world its heat

And they struck, when striking sometimes meant that families could not eat.

—-

Johnny Mitchell, John L. Lewis came to town in ‘twenty-two

And we helped ‘em form the Union called the U.M. Double-U.

Say, there used to be a picture of that meeting at St. Ed

Now, those patriots of labor fights have all gone up ahead.

—-

Out from Luke Fidler Colliery Black Diamonds of all sorts

Were shipped down on the Reading to the long pierced Philly ports

And the world got finest Anthracite from Shamokin’s family

And Shamokin folks got worldly goods for their economy.

—

I remember greeting Senior Citizens at Mountain View

I bought my shirts at Cluett, and got fifty discount, too

And sometimes at the Ukie Club I hear an old time sax

You could bet your bottom dollar, it was Lou Polyniaks.

—-

You never had a better ride than on Shamokin’s trolley

San Francisco’s cable cars could not compare to it. By golly!

There were thousands who would come to town to dance into the dark

And get aboard that Toonerville with joy, for Edgewood Park.

—-

And they danced to Jim and Tommy Dorsey, oh! the sound was pretty

And they listened to the music of Les Brown from Tower City

And some spent their time while swimming in the biggest pool around

When Russ Morgan came from Wilkes-Barre and brought his big band sound.

—-

There was dancing at the Coal Hole, too; the young’uns jammed the door

And they rocked and rolled and hustled and got home at three or four

Or they cured their heads with breakfast at the Coney; light of day

You could smell those gold Greek onions up at Bear Gap miles away.

—-

And then along the sidewalk you’d hear Pete DeRito’s song

His harmonica played “Happy Birthday” when Pete came along

It was “Hello Friend” to everyone when he had played his tune

Harmonized with Old Shamokin’s Coll’iery whistle sound at noon.

—-

At the movies, “The Majestic,” we saw Pete Smith’s bouncing ball

And Fitzgerald’s Travel Talks, and Gunga Din, and that ain’t all

Errol Flynn, the Light Brigade; another wartime charge by Pickett

All of this and much, much more for just a sevenpenny ticket.

—-

The favorite place they’d go for treats was Marty’s Ice Cream parlor

You could buy a lot of double-cones and get change for a dollar

And the taste of it was Paradise-in-your-mouth, to say the least

The biggest ice cream cone they served in the entire East.

—-

I remember Covaleski and the way that Polsky hurled

And I’ve eaten at St. Stan’s, the “Platsky Capitol” of the World

And I’ve lectured out at Lourdes and eaten Gerty Snyder’s cake

And I’ve spoken at the Wayside, and I’ve been there for a wake.

—-

I’ve been on TV with Bernie Romanoski’s sports-for cancer

I’ve enjoyed the morning radio with Kutza’s “What’s the Ansers?”

And I’ve listened to myself at five-of-nine on I-S-L

Saying that the day was “Bee-youtiful,” when it had rained like hell!

—-

If you’re going to Shamokin, wave to folks for me again, ‘n

Say hello to “Bull” and Tom, is every Irishman named Brennan?

If you say a word ag’in’ that pack, you’ll surely have to fight ‘em

But you’ll get a nice obituary in tomorrow’s News Item.

—-

Ah, those firemen Sunday picnics out at Fairview to the west

And the breakfasts, dinners, suppers, were the most and were the best.

And Ed Helfrick or Bill Zurick would each buy a half of beer

And that became the signal that election time was near.

—-

I remember in Shamokin Doctor Linnet and Doc Knox

The brothers, the Konopkas, one-the Mushroom; two- the Fox

Why, the one could spot a fungus; cook it, edible and done

And the other, politician, I once beat him two to one.

—-

I remember Artie Sherman, I remember old John Shroyer

And they tell me now the mayor is a Democrat named Boyer

And if Henry Lark had been alive, that would have been “no deal”

Then, we wouldn’t have known Kelly, and we’d not known Pete Krehel.

—-

At election time you’d buy the drinks at fifteen bars a night

And I didn’t think that it would help, but they said it was right

And a man I never say before picked up the tabs, he did

And when we stopped again, he said-”you’re gonna win it, kid!”

—-

I campaigned at every church bazaar as no one had before

And I beat the nearby hustings and I knocked on every door

Herman Schnebelli stayed in Congress, rest his soul, he’s gone away

But, I won both Shamokin and Coal Township on that day.

—-

Oh, those church bazaars, we loved ‘em during all our summer breaks

With halupki, burgers, blinis, hot dogs, powdered funnel cake

And the wheels of chance, while judges and the DA strolled about

With the never-ending kegs of beer and pork and sauerkraut!

—

Oh I’ve heard the Welsh folks singing like you’d lifted heaven’s lid

Singin’ “Men of Harlech in the Hollow,” holler? they sure did!

I walked in with Mayor Thomas for a Sunday singin’ shout

And with fifty tenors there, this old bass singer could blast out!

—-

Yes, I’ve heard the Sunday hymn-sings at the churches, Glory be!

And I once attended services at Holy Trinity

Tho’ I didn’t see the apparition some folks said was there

Like the people of Shamokin I know God is everywhere!

—-

I remember perfect Bloody Marys mixed by Woody Jones

And I wondered at the energy within that skin-and-bones

I recall the St. Ed’s fire-all was finished. God forbid!

But he told the Bishop “we’ll rebuild!”, and by God, they sure did!

—-

I know the sound; the Slavic liturgy of Byzantine

And the domes of Orthodox are Shamokin’s prettiest scene

On the quiet Sabbath I’ve heard First United or Grace bell

And I’ve heard soft sounds of ancient Hebrew from Beth Israel.

—-

Hey, come into Old Shamokin, have one at St. Francis Club

Where my old friend Sheriff Kearney once enjoyed the beer and grub

I remember punch boards at the Moose, and spent a fortune tryin’

Where you’d better watch your manners, or get tossed by Willie Ryan.

—-

If you’re going to Shamokin call O’Brien and the bunch

Tell Frank Fendt, Duke Maronic, the old Eagle’s in for lunch

Call Rosini, Romanoski, they can argue things with Pete

Or we’ll smell the flowers, or watch the grass grow out on Market Street.

—-

Say hello to Leon Misco, with that big hat on his ears

Say hello to Pete Swoboda, union man for many years

I knew Rumberger and Dietrick, I knew Snyder of renown

And the Appichelli family lived in every nearby town.

—-

When the mines were out our needle-working women showed their worth

And they say the Eagle was the largest silk mill on the earth

And for all its goods, it’s Eagle’s baseball team Shamokin knows

Which was good enough in any year to beat the nation’s pros.

—-

Sport? Why everybody well knew, Shamokin High would shine

Mel Paul coached champion wrestlers every season, more than nine

And Johnny Barr was All-American on Penn State’s five

And then played NBA as well as any guy alive.

—-

I think I’ve mentioned Stanley Covaleski’s Hall of Fame

His brother Harry was as good as pitching any game

And if the fighters in the East were looking for abuse

Johny Smetra fought ‘em all, and dropped ‘em–at the Moose!

—-

But football was the zenith of all sport, and it is still

Jim Thorpe himself once ran amuck up there on Bunker Hill

And now when sport fans sit around and want to let off stream

They talk of Johnny Butler and his undefeated team.

—-

When any other schools came in- the Lourdes Shamokin crowd

Are in each other’s stand and dating-cheering mighty loud

And when they play Mount Carmel, they’re together to a “T”

But when they play each other, that’s the end of unity!

—-

For they gather in the twilight; how they struggle in the mud!

As they smash each other s lines, these former pals are out for blood

Up in the stands there’s a thunder-heaven help the school that’s beat

For there’ll be no cruisin’ for them-down in Independence Street.

—-

So listen to mule drivers who sit by Glen Burn mine

And Mary Madden (Richardson) was here in ‘thirty-nine

To Macks and Reeds and Arvey’s Restaurants lift up your beers

To Bill Good all who never missed a game in fifty years!

—-

Take me back to old Shamokin where the neighbors were all good

Don’cha wish they still made F&S to wash your lunchtime food?

Where the folks are still a ‘living, loving, laughing all the time

Where people welcome strangers, and not smilin’ is a crime.

—-

If you’re going to Shamokin, shout “hello” to it for me

And tell ‘em all there’s no place on the earth I’d rather be

Where the fixing up of “Sixty-One,” I guess, is never done

In that valley, under slate-rock hills, a bit past nine-o-one.

—-

Well, when my time has come, I’m sure that I will surely meet

That good old gang of mine who cruised on Independence Street

The merchants, miners, sportsmen, teachers, lawyers (just a few)

Who proved that what we heard about God’s mercy sure was true.

—-

I won’t see spots of coal-dust intermingled in that blue

It might not be Shamokin but I guess ’twill have to do

I’ll see Johnny Mitchell, Woody Jones and Zupicich up there

And know I’m in Shamokin, ‘cause I’ll see God everywhere.

—-

So, as you celebrate the town’s fifth quarter-century

That’s why I’m here-to reminisce this anniversary

Just pray that old Shamokin will forever be as fine

As on this August twenty-fifth in nineteen eighty-nine.

—-

Image Exhibits:

Original Clipping from The News-Item – August 1989

1968 WISL Transmitter Fire

May 9, 2021 by jjtreese, posted in Advertisements, Equipment, Local Newspapers, News Articles, Newspaper Advertisements

Fire tore through the WISL Transmitter site located on Big Mountain on February 17th 1968 completely destroying all equipment and forcing the station of the air for a brief period of time. Below is an article published in the Shamokin News-Dispatch on February 19th 1968, the Monday following the fire. Thanks to Heather Sharp-Makal for uncovering this newspaper clipping.

Shamokin News-Dispatch Story February 19th 1968

On the same day that this article was published WISL also ran a nice sized ad proclaiming that the station would be back on the air shortly and thanking the listeners for their support and patience.

WISL AD from the Shamokin News-Dispatch February 19th 1968

Amazingly within days of being taken off the air by fire, WISL resumed broadcasting at 9am on February 21st 1968. A new transmitter building would be built in the coming months and would serve the station for more than three more decades. Below is the article from the Shamokin News-Dispatch announcing that WISL has returned to the air.

Shamokin News-Dispatch Story February 21st, 1968

Annie and Willie’s Prayer

May 9, 2021January 17, 2022 by jjtreese, posted in Audio, Special Audio, WISL Airchecks

Tom Kutza has always loved the Christmas season, and being on the air at WISL he had the opportunity to share with his listeners the sentimental side of the holiday. Each year you would be guaranteed to hear songs such as Johnny Cash’s “The Christmas Guest”, Kate Smith’s “Happy Birthday, Dear Christ Child” and many others. There were also spoken word pieces such as John Facenda’s reading of “The Nativity” and “The Story of Small One” but the Christmas tradition that was most dear to Kutza, came from his own heart; his own reading of “Annie and Willie’s Prayer.”

This poem was written by Sophia P. Snow and was first published in 1884. It’s the story of two young children on Christmas Eve whose stern father had sent them to bed early after telling them that Santa Claus did not exist. Their mother had passed away and since then their father had lost Christmas in his heart. Annie and Willie knelt at their bed and said a prayer. As the story goes, their father overheard their prayer. Their wishes touched him so that he set out to make sure their Christmas prayer came true.

Kutza began reading this poem on the air at WISL Radio in the 1960’s and continued presenting it at Christmas time until his departure from the station in the late 1990’s. Presented here are two readings of this poem by Kutza. The first was recorded in 1969 in the parlor of his home on Race Street in Shamokin, and was the voice-over cut that was played on the air at WISL for many years. The second cut was recorded and produced in 2005 for the “Christmas Eve with Tom Kutza” radio program.

Please take a listen and enjoy a very special WISL Christmas tradition, “Annie and Willie’s Prayer.”

AUDIO EXHIBITS

Tom Kutza reads “Annie and Willie’s Prayer” on WISL in 1969

The “Christmas Eve with Tom Kutza” edition of “Annie and Willie’s Prayer” recorded in 2005

Annie and Willie’s Prayer

By Sophia P. Snow

‘Twas the eve before Christmas. “Good night,” had been said,
And Annie and Willie had crept into bed;
There were tears on their pillows and tears in their eyes,
And each little bosom was heaving with sighs,
For tonight their stern father’s command had been given
That they should retire precisely at seven
Instead of at eight – for they troubled him more
With questions unheard of than ever before:
He had told them he thought this delusion a sin,
No such creature as “Santa Claus” ever had been.
And he hoped after this, he should never more hear
How he scrambled down chimneys with presents each year.
And this was the reason the two little heads
So restlessly tossed on their soft, downy beds.
Eight, nine, and the clock on the steeple tolled ten,
Not a word has been spoken by either till then,
When Willie’s sad face from the blanket did peep,
And whispered, “Dear Annie, is ‘ou fast as’eep?”
“Why, no, brother Willie,” A sweet voice replies,
“I’ve long tried in vain, but I can’t shut my eyes,
For somehow it makes me so sorry because
Dear papa has said there is no ‘Santa Claus.’
Now we know there is, and it can’t be denied,
For he came every year before mamma died;
But, then, I’ve been thinking that she used to pray,
And God would hear everything mamma would say,
And maybe she asked him to send Santa Claus here
With that sackful of presents he brought every year.”
“Well, why can’t we p’ay dest as mamma did den,
And ask God to send him with p’esents aden?”
Four little bare feet bounded out on the floor,
And four little knees the soft carpet pressed,
And two tiny hands were clasped close to each breast.
“Now, Willie, you know we must firmly believe
That the presents we ask for we’re sure to receive;
You must wait very still till I say the “Amen,”
And by that you will know that your turn has come then.”

“Dear Jesus, look down on my brother and me,
And grant us the favor we are asking of thee.
I want a wax dolly, a teaset, and ring,
And an ebony workbox that shuts with a spring.
Bless papa, dear Jesus, and cause him to see
That Santa Claus loves us as much as does he;
Don’t let him get fretful and angry again
At dear brother Willie and Annie. Amen.”
“Please, Desus, ‘et Santa Taus tum down tonight,
And b’ing us some p’esents before it is light;
I want he should div’ me a nice ‘ittle s’ed,
With bright shinin’ ‘unners, and all painted red;
A box full of tandy, a book, and a toy.
Amen, and then, Desus, I’ll be a dood boy.”

Their prayers being ended, they raised up their heads,
With hearts light and cheerful, again sought their beds.
They were lost soon in slumber, both peaceful and deep,
And with fairies in dreamland were roaming in sleep.

Eight, nine, and the little French clock had struck ten,
Ere the father had thought of his children again:
He seems now to hear Annie’s half-suppressed sighs,
And to see the big tears stand in Willie’s blue eyes.
“I was harsh with my darlings,” he mentally said,
“And should not have sent them so early to bed;
But then I was troubled, my feelings found vent,
For bankstock today has gone down ten percent.
But of course they’ve forgotten their troubles ere this,
And that I denied then their thrice-asked-for kiss:
But, just to make sure, I’ll go up to their door,
For I never spoke harsh to my darlings before.”
So saying, he softly ascended the stairs,
And arrived at the door to hear both of their prayers;
His Annie’s “Bless papa” drew forth the big tears,
And Willie’s grave promise fell sweet on his ears.
“Strange – strange – I’d forgotten,” said he with a sigh,
“How I longed when a child to have Christmas draw nigh.”
“I’ll atone for my harshness,” he inwardly said,
“By answering their prayers ere I sleep in my bed.”
Then he turned to the stairs and softly went down,
Threw off velvet slippers and silk dressing gown,
Donned hat, coat, and boots, and was out in the street,
A millionaire facing the cold, driving sleet!
Nor stopped he until he had bought everything
From the box full of candy to the tiny gold ring;
Indeed, he kept adding so much to his store,
That the various presents outnumbered a score.
Then homeward he turned. With his holiday load,
With Aunt Mary’s help, in the nursery was stowed.
Miss Dolly was seated beneath a pine tree,
By the side of a table spread out for her tea;
A workbox well fitted in the center was laid,
And on it the ring for which Annie had prayed,
A soldier in uniform stood by a sled,
“With bright shining runners, and all painted red.”
There were balls, dogs, and horses, books pleasing to see,
And birds of all colors were perched in the tree!
While Santa Claus, laughing, stood up in the top,
As if getting ready more presents to drop.
And as the fond father the picture surveyed,
He thought for his trouble he had amply been paid,
And he said to himself, as he brushed off a tear,
“I’m happier tonight than I’ve been for a year;
I’ve enjoyed more pure pleasure than every before;
What care I if bank stock falls ten percent more!
Hereafter I’ll make it a rule, I believe,
To have Santa Claus visit us each Christmas Eve.”
So thinking, he gently extinguished the light,
And, tripping down stairs, retired for the night.

As soon as the beams of the bright morning sun
put the darkness to flight, and the stars one by one,
Four little blue eyes out of sleep opened wide,
And at the same moment the presents espied;
Then out of their beds they sprang with a bound,
And the very gifts prayed for were all of them found.
They laughed and they cried, in their innocent glee,
And shouted for papa to come quickly see
What presents old Santa Claus brought in the night
(Just the things that they wanted,) and left before light:
“And now,” added Annie, in a voice soft and low,
“You’ll believe there’s a ‘Santa Claus’, papa, I know”;
While dear little Willie climbed up on his knee,
Determined no secret between them should be,
And told him in soft whispers how Annie had said
That their dear, blessed mamma, so long ago dead,
Used to kneel down by the side of her chair,
And that God up in heaven had answered her prayer.
“Den we dot up and prayed dust as well as we tould,
And Dod answered our prayers: now wasn’t He dood?”
“I should say that He was, if He sent you all these,
And knew just what presents my children would please.
(Well, well, let him think so, the dear little elf,
‘Twould be cruel to tell him I did it myself.”)

Blind father! Who caused your stern heart to relent,
And the hasty words spoken so soon to repent?
‘Twas the Being who bade you steal softly upstairs,
And made you his agent to answer their prayers.

The Story of “Letters To Santa”

May 9, 2021January 23, 2022 by jjtreese, posted in Advertisements, Audio, News Articles, Newspaper Advertisements, Trade Magazines, WISL Airchecks

Letters To Santa Graphic from Guinan’s Advertisement (Shamokin News-Dispatch, December 2nd 1951)

Growing up in the Shamokin and Mount Carmel area, it’s likely that when you hear someone say “Letters To Santa” it brings a warm feeling to your heart. It may bring back memories of preparing your letter for Santa, probably with the help of your Mother or Father, and then either mailing it to WISL Radio (a.k.a. The North Pole) or going with Mom or Dad to drop it off at a local business, who would make sure it would get to Santa, then racing home from school, or maybe waking up extra early to hear Santa Clause read your letter live on WISL Radio.

“Letters To Santa” article (Broadcasting Magazine December 12th, 1949)

The program was “Letters To Santa” and was arguably the longest running program on WISL Radio. While it’s difficult to track down the exact details of the show’s origins, we do know that it dates back as far as 1949, one year after WISL Radio signed on. According to an article written in the December 19th, 1949 edition of Broadcasting Magazine, the program drew “thousands of pieces of mail from every community, both urban and rural, in the area” and featured two announcers who would alternate reading the letters live on the air. The program ran 15 minutes in length and was usually sponsored by one local business.

Radio Listings as published in the Shamokin News Dispatch December 23rd, 1954, Notice “Letters To Santa” airs at 4pm

The program continued throughout the 1950’s, airing at various times during the day, sometimes at 11am other times at 4pm. The popularity of “Letters To Santa” grew and by the early 1960’s was being hosted by WISL News Director Jim Riley. The format was fairly the same, letters would come to the station and would be simply read on the air by Riley. However, in 1961, that format would change and WISL’s “Letter’s To Santa” would take on a whole new meaning to children in the area.

Tom Kutza has always loved the Christmas season and has even considered himself to be one of Santa’s helpers. When he joined WISL in 1961, he said to himself, if he had anything to do with the “Letters To Santa” program, he would arrange to have Santa read the letters to the children. It wouldn’t be long before Tom got his wish. Jim Riley accepted a job with WHLM-AM radio in Bloomsburg, PA, and upon his departure Tom took over the “Letters To Santa Program.”

From this point on, not only would children get to hear their letters read on the air, but WISL Radio would “fire up their connection to the North Pole” so that Santa himself could read the letters live on the radio.

Guinan’s Department Store Ad from The Shamokin News-Dispatch December 2nd, 1954, telling kids to drop their letters off in their Toyland section.

Over the years there were many sponsors of the “Letters To Santa” program. In the 1950’s there was W.C. Hack & Sons and Guinan’s Department Store, both of which showed their support in newspaper ads in the Shamokin News Dispatch. Kutza said that during the 1960’s Reed’s Dairy was one of the major sponsors, and that kids could give their letter to the Reed’s delivery man to be read by Santa. Burger King was also a sponsor over the years, and kids could take their letters to the restaurant to get them to the big guy.

W.C. Hack & Son’s Ad from The Shamokin News-Dispatch November 24th, 1953. Note the mention of “Letters To Santa” at the bottom of the ad.

Kutza said that it has been interesting to see how toys have changed through the years. When he took over the program the children would “write for dolls and tinker-toys, but today it’s all computers and high tech gadgets.” The program has brought it’s share of heart breakers to the air as well, Kutza said that there were many letters asking Santa to “please get Daddy a job for Christmas” or “bring Daddy back from the war.” He shared with us a couple of the memorable happy stories from over the years:

Father Herbert Skurski from St. Stephen’s Church was loved by the children. Known as “The Magician” it saddened many when he was sent by the Archdiocese to a church in Nova Scotia. The Father was well known in the Shamokin area, so it wasn’t surprising when one youngster wrote a letter to Santa asking if he would please pick up Father Skurski in Nova Scotia on his way to Shamokin and bring him back for Christmas. Well, as luck would have it, Father Skurski was headed back to Shamokin for the season. Can you imagine how happy that youngster was to find that Santa had honored the wish and delivered Father Skurski to Shamokin, just in time for Christmas Mass?

Another story takes us back to the days of the Vietnam War. A young boy wrote to Santa “if it’s possible, could you bring daddy home for Christmas?” Kutza said that these letters were always the saddest, knowing that all this little guy wanted was his daddy home for Christmas, and that nothing could be done to make sure his wish came true. However in this case there was a little Christmas magic in the air. Christmas morning came and the little boy came downstairs from his room, hoping to see his daddy standing there. He looked and looked and there was no sign of his daddy. Sad and disappointed that his daddy was not there on Christmas morning, he looked at his mother and said “I guess Santa couldn’t bring daddy home.” What the boy didn’t know was that in the early morning hours, while he was sleeping his father did come home and was asleep upstairs. The boy’s mother said he should go look upstairs, maybe Santa had left him up there. Needless to say, Santa delivered, and their family was reunited for Christmas.

In 1998, Kutza left WISL and “Letters to Santa” came to an end, at least in it’s original form. Five years later, in 2003 the News-Item approached Kutza, who at the time was the Tourism Director of Northumberland County, about bringing the program back, this time through the magic of the world wide web. Kutza agreed and now children from anywhere in the world can send their letters directly to Santa and hear them read by him nightly through the News-Item’s website.

The tradition also continues on the WISL internet stream weekday night at 7pm through the month of December. Kutza said he is so thankful that the News-Item saw the value in this wonderful program and brought it back to life.

We were able to locate a couple vintage “Letters To Santa” programs from the 1990’s, they are presented here for your enjoyment. We are always looking to add to the archives, so if you or anyone you know may have recorded a “Letters To Santa” program on WISL feel free to email us at [email protected]. We will be happy to pick up cassettes or reel to reel tapes, transfer them to a digital format, return the originals and provide a digital copy in return. We would love to be able to share more Christmas Magic from “Letters To Santa.”

AUDIO EXHIBITS

Letters To Santa program from the early 1990’s

Letters To Santa program from 1995

WISL Hall Of Fame: Howard Hertzog a.k.a Scott Davis

May 9, 2021 by jjtreese, posted in Audio, Pictures, Studio Pictures, WISL Airchecks, WISL Hall of Fame, WISL Personalities

Howard Hertzog a.k.a Scott Davis in the WISL Control Room

Howard Hertzog was a very busy guy in the Shamokin Area. During his short life, he managed to pack in as much activity and good will as he could. Howard was an active member of the Jaycees and served on the committee that raised the money needed to purchase a heart monitor for Shamokin State General Hospital. Howard was also the co-chariman for the 1969 Shamokin Area Heart Drive. Remember LAREDO (the Lower Anthracite Regional Economic Development Organization)? He was also chairman for the 1969 Miss Laredo Contest. LAREDO was the organization that helped start the Glen Burn Mine Tour, Howard also served as a tour guide. He was President of the Shamokin Area Amateur Radio Club, and if that wasn’t enough he also worked at the Singer Store and at the Sun Ray Drug Store.

Howard was also a Disc Jockey at WISL using the name Scott Davis. He joined WISL in the late 1960’s and would work there until his untimely death in 1972. According to Hertzog’s daughter Angela, Howard struggled with heart issues his entire life. Scott Davis passed away while doing the night show on WISL on August 5th 1972, leaving behind his wife and two-year old daughter. He was only 33 years old.

We were able to get in touch with Angela last year and learn more about her father Howard. Angela was able to find some pictures of her father and even found a box full of old reel to reel tapes in the attic of her family home. Every time we are able to locate audio of WISL, it is a special thing, however this time the audio meant so much more. When her father passed away, Angela was only 2 years old. In conversation we learned that she had never heard her father’s voice. These tapes offered a very special window into the past and the chance for Angela to “meet” her father again. We were able to get a clean dub of the audio from the tapes she found, and what a treasure. We found radio shows, commercials, outtakes and sports broadcasts all featuring the voice of her father, Scott Davis.

Through the courtesy of Angela Hertzog we present to you Scott Davis!

AUDIO EXHIBITS

Scott Davis aircheck WISL 1971

Scott Davis Show for Scott Berkelson WISL 1971

WISL Saturday Line-Up Promo (Scott Davis Voiceover)

Shamokin Sunoco Stations – Inspection Commercial (Scott Davis Voiceover)

Pickwick Self Service Shoe Mart Commercial (Scott Davis Voiceover)

Alfie’s Boutique Commercial (Scott Davis Voiceover)

WISL Drop “Scott Davis Plays The Heavy Hits”

photo exhibits

Postcard from the Glen Burn Mine Tour – Howard Hertzog as a tour guide

Vintage Shamokin Equipment Jingle

May 8, 2021 by jjtreese, posted in Audio, Commercial Jingles

Google Street View of Shamokin Equipment Building

Presented here is a jingle created for Shamokin Equipment dated 1951. We recently stumbled across this acetate disc at an antique store in Lewisburg, PA. This is a great example of the early early sound of local radio at WISL. This jingle would have been used to set up a live announcer reading the advertised specials at Shamokin Equipment for the day. Before the wide use of tape machines, most radio stations would “cut” items such as jingles and promotional spots to acetate discs. These discs would then be used for future playback. This particular disc was most likely a “proof” that would have been sent to the advertiser for approval before the advertising campaign began. You can also tell that this was an “in-house” production, most likely with local talent as the musicians and singer.

Unfortunately, we have no other information about this jingle.

Shamokin Equipment Print Ad January 15th 1953

Shamokin Equipment Transcription Disc Label

We hope you enjoy this incredible find…

AUDIO EXHIBITS

1951 Shamokin Equipment Jingle Side #1

1951 Shamokin Equipment Jingle Side #2

WISL Advertisement – Broadcasting Magazine 1951-52

May 8, 2021 by jjtreese, posted in Advertisements, Trade Magazine Ads

When WISL radio signed on in 1948 there was quite a bit of money up for grabs in the Shamokin area. Independence Street was full of businesses, local jobs gave residents money to spend and WISL had the medium that could bring the consumer to the stores. WISL did not just target the local advertising market, they also looked to the national advertisers for revenue opportunities. However, being a fledgling station, WISL had to promote itself to the advertisers, otherwise known as the agency advertising buyers.

Our featured exhibit is one of the print ads featured in Broadcasting Magazine during the years of 1951 and 1952. In the early 1950’s Shamokin was doing a booming business with a growing economy and WISL was spending money to make sure Madison Avenue knew where to send their advertising dollars. This particular print ad was published in the January 21st 1952 issue of Broadcasting Magazine.

WISL Advertisement from Broadcasting Magazine January 21, 1952

RCA Tube Advertisement

May 8, 2021 by jjtreese, posted in Advertisements, Engineering, Trade Magazine Ads

Here’s an interesting find; A trade magazine advertisement for RCA-866A rectifier tubes printed in a 1956 edition of “Broadcasting Magazine.”

When WISL was built, the entire operation, from studio to transmitter, was outfitted with RCA equipment. RCA was one of the leading manufacturers of radio and broadcasting equipment from the earliest days of broadcasting through the 1970s.

WISL was a happy customer and this sentiment is reflected in a testimonial provided by Chief Engineer Ray Willard on the dependability of RCA’s rectifier tubes.

Mr. Willard wrote;

“I thought you might be interested in the report of two RCA-866A mercury-vapor rectifiers we have been operating at WISL. They have already recorded 20,500 hours of continuous service and are still going strong… not a record, perhaps, for this type tube… but at any rate, the practicability of purchasing dependable RCA tubes is obvious.”

RCA Advertisement from Broadcasting-Telecasting June 25, 1956

A Big Mac Contest on WISL

May 8, 2021January 17, 2022 by jjtreese, posted in Audio, Contests & Promotions, WISL Airchecks

McDonald’s Big Mac TV Commercial 1975

This is how McDonald’s was getting the Big Mac sandwich into the minds of millions of customers in the Mid 1970′s. The original concept, “two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions – on a sesame seed bun” began as a simple single word heading designed for college newspapers, but quickly grew into a song, a television advertisement and a promotion that had radio listeners trying to say the ingredients as fast as they could for a chance to win prizes. While many still remember the slogan today, the original campaign was ended in 1976, after a mere year and a half run.

The local McDonald’s on route 61 in Coal Township caught the fever and called on WISL Radio to create some radio buzz over their signature sandwich. Here we find your favorite WISL DJ’s calling on contestants to say the Big Mac ingredients in three seconds or less for a chance to win their choice of a Big Mac T-Shirt or five Big Mac sandwiches. This was certainly a tall task, something even the DJ’s themselves had a hard time doing. Don’t feel bad though, even if they couldn’t get the words out in time they would still walk away with a coupon for a free Big Mac of their own. Everyone was a winner on WISL Radio!

Audio exhibits

Bernie Flynn Calls A Very Excited 7 Year-Old

Dave Leonard Gets A Winner!

Tom Kutza Calls A Contestant

Dave Leonard Tries For Another Winner

Tom Kutza Interviews Joseph John “The Polish Leprechaun” March 17, 1997

May 8, 2021May 8, 2021 by jjtreese, posted in Audio, WISL Airchecks

It was St. Patrick’s Day 1997 and Tom Kutza’s talk program on WISL hosted a very special guest for the holiday. His name was Joseph Shilpetski but on St. Patrick’s Day he called himself Joseph John “The Polish Leprechaun” and he was live and very much in color in the WISL studios at Rock and Sunbury Streets in Shamokin.

According to a 1991 article in the Allentown Morning Call, Shilpetski was born in Centralia, PA and left the area in 1952 when the last of the mines closed. He ended up moving to Lancaster County looking for work, but Centralia remained very much a part of him.

In the article Shilpetski was quoted:

“There are no other people like the people that came from Centralia, they’ll not be matched, I’m proud of them and this occasion (a reunion of former Centralia residents) fills my heart with joy.”

In this rare, uncut interview we are very privileged to get a glimpse into what life was like in Centralia before the mine fire and the relocation. Shilpetski sings a couple of Irish favorites and has a great time talking with Tom and former WISL owner Mick Haggerty.

“I’d like to tell all my friends up on Paxton Street, that I wish they could be my neighbors once more.”

The highlight of this clip features Shilpetski singing a teary-eyed rendition of “Give My Regard To Broadway,” rewritten as “Give My Regards To Centralia,” full of first-hand memories from one of Centralia’s own.

In honor of St. Patrick’s Day we present to you Joseph John “The Polish Leprechaun.

AUdio exhibit

Tom Kutza Interviews Joseph John “The Polish Leprechaun” March 17, 1997