Dear Friends: My apologies for a serious omission in my posting on Memorial Day. I neglected to mention our large Jewish Community and my many Jewish friends like Dr. Mermelstein who served in WW-II. Let us all remember and pray for those from and living in McKeesport who were victims of the Holocaust in Germany. Do we have any current residents or former McKeesporter's who survived the Holocaust? If so get their history, ask the local rabbi's for information - their story and arrival in McKeesport is another part of our rich history that shouldn't be forgotten nor neglected. Marc M. G. Stauffer

Dear Jim: Sam's father was Willard Douglas - it was he who committed suicide. I don't know if Sam is still living or not. I said everything I wish to share for now in my post on the subject. Marc M. G. Stauffer

An FYI to all - McKeesport has 2 zip codes - 15132 is McKeesport. 15131 is White Oak - this might help on street maps after zip coding was introduced. My original address was RR #1, Box 575, McKeesport, PA. Who else remembers or had a RR, Star Route, etc from McKeesport. Our mailman was Bill Bathe, husband of Mrs. Bathe who taught at White Oak School. If you didn't have a stamp you put your letter in the box with 3 or 5 cents there - the mailman would stamp it for you and send it on its way. Or if you needed a number of stamps - just leave an envelope with the money and the next day the mailman delivered your mail and your stamps - with change if necessary. Yes - like house calls, there was good mail service including twice a day service to all homes at Christmas time. Marc M. G. Stauffer

Dear Fellow McKeesporter's: I live on the 14th floor of a high rise apartment in Arlington, Va. I have probably one of the most spectacular views of our Nation's Capitol in the world. From my perch I can see all of our nation's sacred memorials. Each morning I watch the first glimmers of light on the eastern horizon, as the sun comes up I watch it start ring the Capitol Dome with light. My first thought is the question raised at the end of our national anthem. "Oh, does that Star Spangled Banner yet wave. O're the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave. The last line of our national anthem raises an important question. It's not about war, or glory but a simple question eloquently crafted - Does that banner still wave? Are you and I still keeping faith with the ideals upon which out country was founded? Are we still securing the rights of all people to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness? Are we still striving with this great experiment in democracy? I'm always gratified when I see our flag flying over the Capitol dome. As the sun slowly and gently fills the mall I watch the Washington Monument and then the Lincoln Memorial spotlighted by the sun. Last I look out my north window at Arlington National Cemetery and think of the poem "In Flander's Fields, row on row" as the stark white marble markers of heroes dead come to light. This past Memorial Day I read to myself the old hymn "For All The Saints Who From Their Labors Rest, Who by faith to the world expressed." I thought about my days as a child in McKeesport when the 5th Avenue was lined with thousands to watch the Memorial Day Parade and the Armistice Day Parade, (for the younger people that's Veterans Day.) At 11:11am all the church bells in the city would peal forth in remembrance. Even as a youngster I can remember my mother telling me that when the flag passed to put my hand over my heart and remove my cap. She said it was a mark of respect. I remember also on Armistice Day in my youth the sale of Poppies for the DAV. In more modern history this coming week marks the 20th Anniversary of the AIDS crisis. It has struck every city, every town and Boro. Tomorrow I will be reading part of a list of names of those who have died in a Memorial Service. I know some of you will have a negative reaction to my mentioning this. Being gay is not something that all families are willing to list on their family trees. Some families feel a stigma so they list the cause of death as cancer or some such excuse. I have two requests to make. I think this group can be trusted to take my message to heart. AIDS has cost the lives of McKeesporter's. They may be your relatives or friends - please remember them this Saturday. It may be their name that I read on Saturday in front of the White House. I am doing no less for these members of our community than I did when I placed a rose underneath the name of Jimmy Long at the Viet Nam Memorial last Monday. A friend of youth, snatched in a war that few understood. My generation has been struck twice - we lost so many of our friends in Viet Nam, remember the Deer Hunter and many Porter's like me have lost many, many friends of youth. Since 1981 I have lost 53 friends to AIDS. I would ask every member of this list who attends church to light a candle, say a rosary, offer a prayer - first for the veterans of all of our wars; second for those who have struggled to achieve freedom from Dr. King, Frederick Douglas Turner, the Waters family, Dr. Hadley. Do this for those friends and family and McKeesport's who have struggled for Gay Rights either in the wars, or in quiet persistence. Pray for all who know the question - Does that banner YET WAVE O're the Land of the Free and Home of the Brave? The following piece from a friend of mine sums up my feelings of this past Memorial Day and the one approaching. I hope you read it in the spirit in which it's meant. Marc --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gays and Lesbian's Remember On Memorial Day REMEMBERING OUR OWN by Scott Miller On Memorial Day, as we remember those who gave their lives in service of our country, the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered community have our own martyrs and heroes to thank and remember. In that spirit, I would like to suggest honoring our fallen brothers and sisters. This year, I am lighting 6 candles. Each candle holds special significance. With the first candle, we remember the members of our GLBT family who fought and died in service to our country. Despite the fact that our nation's military has chosen to create a wall of GLBT invisibility and failed to recognize that thousands of gays and lesbians have not only served, but died, to preserve freedom in a land that does not afford us civil rights, we light a candle in remembrance. We also honor those in the military who have died at the hands of other enlisted Americans, blinded by hatred and bigotry. We honor our fallen brethren, such as Pfc. Barry Winchell, whose only 'crime' was not being heterosexual. And, in lighting the candle, we recognize how doubly hard the sacrifices are for those in the GLBT family who not only serve proudly, but make sacrifices in their personal lives to be able to continue to serve, without intimidation or harassment. The second candle is lit in remembrance of those who have been killed and systematically murdered by their own governments, solely for their alternative sexuality. Let us not forget the thousands of gays who were slaughtered during the Holocaust. Let us never forget that after World War 2, when the concentration camps were liberated, incarcerated gays were left to continue rotting in prisons. Let us light a candle to remember the American gays who were executed for 'crimes against nature.' In certain other countries, not being heterosexual still carries a potential death sentence. Each day new horror stories emerge...from every corner of the globe. It is easy to lose track of the large numbers of those who still suffer persecution, while we go to fundraisers and cocktail parties safe in our ivory towers. But never forget those who suffer, merely because of who they are. The 3rd candle is for the victims of anti-GLBT violence. Matthew Shepard, Brandon Teena, J.R. Warren Jr., Danny Lee Overstreet....the list goes on and on. I would ask everyone to visit the list of gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered, who have been killed, just since the Shepard slaying. The stories need to be told. Eyes need to be opened. Visit http://www.usqueers.com/usQueers_murdered.html and light a candle in their memory. And don't forget the thousands of gays murdered before Shepard, when it seems that nobody cared, because it was decided that the life of a non-heterosexual was somehow worth less. As you light this 3rd candle, vow to never allow our slain brothers and sisters out of our thoughts and prayers. The fourth candle is for the forgotten victims....our gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered friends and family who have ended their lives by suicide. This candle remembers those, such as DJ Thompson, who ended his life, because he could not reconcile it with the daily messages of hate he heard from his church. We remember those children who chose to end their lives while very young, rather than confront the emotional turmoil of coming to grips with their newly emerging sexuality....and driven to their grave with taunts of 'faggot' and 'dyke' ringing in their ears. We remember those who chose to die before ever celebrating their sexuality or even possibly consummating a single relationship....choosing instead to end their lives because of the fear they were made to feel over who they were and what their bodies were expressing. We remember and honor you. The 5th candle is for those we have lost in another great battle....the battle against AIDS. Hundreds of thousands of precious lives snuffed out way before their time on this earth was meant to end. But though our brothers and sisters are gone, their loss sobered our community and made us more vigilant. There is now an organized strategy and fight, though there is such a long way to go. And many of those we lost were true heroes in the way they fought to retain their dignity to the very end. This, despite the many hurdles and obstacles they were faced with by a society that still tends to blame the victim for their predicament, instead of looking for creative solutions to prevent others from getting infected. For every smile we will never see again, or laugh we will share, or meal we will enjoy together, we light this candle in your memory. You will always be a part of who we are and what we have become. The 6th and final candle is lit for a different reason. The first 5 candles remember and honor those who died. The 6th is lit for hope and rebirth. Through the lighting of the last candle let us say a prayer for the death of homophobia and hatred. Let us remember those who died with a commitment to do our part to try and make this a world where our brothers and sisters no longer need to live their lives in darkness and fear. Through the lighting of the last candle let's do our part in transforming the horrors of the past into the promise and hope of a future filled with love, caring and commitment. Though we remember those that lost their lives, they live on through us, in the spirit and hope and courage we share as we strive to make this world a place free of bigotry and hatred. Yes, we remember our own who have fallen. And we vow to keep hope alive, so that their lives are not lost in vain." Copyright 5/24/2001 Scott Miller All rights reserved. Prologue Copyright 6/1/2001 M. G. Stauffer All Rights Reserved.

Who Was she? Jim Parmiter GeoJenk@aol.com wrote: > Greetings, > > THe answer is located at: > > http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1150295922 > > Blessings, > > George > > ==== PAMCKEESPORT Mailing List ==== > Be sure to visit Jenkins-Jeffries-Lee Family Page > http:/www.geocities.com/geojenk/ > Please take time to look at the latest McKeesport, Pa pics in the "All Things McKeesport" section. > > ============================== > Search over 1 Billion names at Ancestry.com! > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/rwlist1.asp

Ellen: Nobody likes a showoff! Jim Parmiter Ellen Ballas wrote: > No way was Green's the original store. > Before then we had Woolworth's & Murphy Co. In fact there was an old > Kressge (sp?) store down lower toward the river than where Green's was > later. > I remember the Woolworth Fire was I was very young besides the one at > the Green's location. > Ellen (ETHS) > > email: ellen@b-n-s.com > Visit my web site: > http://www.geocities.com/ellenj3 > > ==== PAMCKEESPORT Mailing List ==== > Did you know you can send money online with PayPal? > PayPal lets users send and receive money online. > Use PayPal to split restaurant tabs, collect club dues, pay > friends for movie tickets, or buy an item at an online auction. > PayPal charges the money to your credit card or bank account. > It's faster, safer and easier than mailing a check. > As soon as you sign up and complete the bonus requirements, > PayPal will automatically add $5 to your balance! > We're confident you'll want to use PayPal, but if not, you can > transfer the money to your bank account at any time. No strings > attached. > Click on this link to sign up and see for yourself: > https://secure.paypal.com/refer/pal=GeoJenk%40aol.com > After signing up, you'll get an email like this to send to > your friends and family. PayPal will give you $5 for each > friend you refer who completes the bonus requirements. > It's that easy! > > ============================== > Ancestry.com Genealogical Databases > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/rwlist2.asp > Search over 2500 databases with one easy query!

Hi, Speaking of Mable Means. She was the first wife of Dr. Means. Her mother was Cleona Helms if my memory serves me right. Also: I saw Ruth Richards, the librarian of the Carnegie Free Library mentioned. Ruth later became the Director of it. She retired from there & sits on the Board for the McKeesport Heritage Center & is also the Cataloging Librarian for the Elizabeth Twp. His. Society when new items come in & need to be carded. A lovely lady! Speaking of the library. My Uncle Mel used to get me books on his card when I was too little & then once I arrived at that ripe old age of 6, he took me to get my own card. We'd walk up the hilly streets from downtown 7th Ave., where I lived to go there. We walked everywhere in those days. Ellen (ETHS) email: ellen@b-n-s.com Visit my web site: http://www.geocities.com/ellenj3

No way was Green's the original store. Before then we had Woolworth's & Murphy Co. In fact there was an old Kressge (sp?) store down lower toward the river than where Green's was later. I remember the Woolworth Fire was I was very young besides the one at the Green's location. Ellen (ETHS) email: ellen@b-n-s.com Visit my web site: http://www.geocities.com/ellenj3

Dear Listers, I just received an e-mail from Norman with an attachment called Jerry.exe. My virus scan said it's infected so I did not open it & deleted it. Hope this helps someone who doesn't have the virus scan. Ellen (ETHS) email: ellen@b-n-s.com Visit my web site: http://www.geocities.com/ellenj3

Greetings, THe answer is located at: http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1150295922 Blessings, George

Marc: What was Sam's wife's name? Maiden if you know it? Perhaps I knew her as well. Jim Parmiter Marc Stauffer wrote: > Dear Jim: > > I remember Sam Douglass very faintly. His father was pastor of Coursin St. > Methodist Church. Rev. Douglass' wife was an invalid and required constant > care. > > It was a very tragic day in the life of our church when he committed > suicide in despair over not being able to care for his wife and serve the > church. My father felt horrible for years about Rev. Douglas. Rev. > Douglas knowing that my dad hunted stopped by our home and tried to give my > dad all of his rifles. Dad felt he couldn't accept the gift since it > involved very expensive, handmade rifles. It was less than a week later > that Rev. Douglas used one of those rifles to take his life. > > How hard on his family, church, and friends. Rev. Douglas was a dignified > scholar and excellent preacher and pastor. May he rest in peace. > > Marc > M. G. Stauffer

George: That's my guess. I remember when it burned to the ground about 1948 or do. I bough a whole bunch of water-damaged books for 10¢ @! When they rebuilt, it was the most modern store in McKeesport. Jim Parmiter Dean wrote: > George, > Was it H. L. Green? > > Shirley > > ==== PAMCKEESPORT Mailing List ==== > Be sure to visit Jenkins-Jeffries-Lee Family Page > http:/www.geocities.com/geojenk/ > Please take time to look at the latest McKeesport, Pa pics in the "All Things McKeesport" section. > > ============================== > Create a FREE family website at MyFamily.com! > http://www.myfamily.com/banner.asp?ID=RWLIST2

Sam preceded me at MHS as Editor-in-Chief of "The Red & Blue". He was Class of '51, I believe. I heard about his demise at a Class Reunion, but I never knew the details. Do you have any insight into his suicide? I believe his father was the Pastor at Coursin Street before him, was he not? Jim Parmiter

It was H.L. Green Company! and I didn't cheat! LOL ----- Original Message ----- From: <GeoJenk@aol.com> To: <PAMCKEESPORT-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, May 31, 2001 11:00 AM Subject: [PAMCKEESPORT] Original 5 & 10 Store Quiz > Dear Listers, > > I came across an item on Ebay today that I found interesting. I will post the > picture later today. > > I always remember Murphy's as the only store in McKeesport that was known as > a 5 & 10 cent store. The item I found claims to belong to the "Original 5 & > 10" > > Here is the clue: __________________ The Old Original 5 and 10C Store, 243 > Fifth Ave. > > Fill in the blank..... If you go to Ebay to look you cheated...lolol > > George > > > ==== PAMCKEESPORT Mailing List ==== > Be sure to visit Jenkins-Jeffries-Lee Family Page > http:/www.geocities.com/geojenk/ > Please take time to look at the latest McKeesport, Pa pics in the "All Things McKeesport" section. > > ============================== > Create a FREE family website at MyFamily.com! > http://www.myfamily.com/banner.asp?ID=RWLIST2 > > >

Well if it was beofre Murphy`s, then it has to be an old store-- 200 block would be close to the Yough, I was going to say Helmsteaders but think that is too far up 5th..Maybe the Famous or the Union store --Donna

My guess is the D&K store .... --On Thursday, May 31, 2001 11:00 AM +0000 GeoJenk@aol.com wrote: ~ Dear Listers, ~ ~ I came across an item on Ebay today that I found interesting. I will post ~ the picture later today. ~ ~ I always remember Murphy's as the only store in McKeesport that was known ~ as a 5 & 10 cent store. The item I found claims to belong to the ~ "Original 5 & 10" ~ ~ Here is the clue: __________________ The Old Original 5 and 10C Store, ~ 243 Fifth Ave. ~ ~ Fill in the blank..... If you go to Ebay to look you cheated...lolol ~ ~ George ~ ~ ~ ==== PAMCKEESPORT Mailing List ==== ~ Be sure to visit Jenkins-Jeffries-Lee Family Page ~ http:/www.geocities.com/geojenk/ ~ Please take time to look at the latest McKeesport, Pa pics in the "All ~ Things McKeesport" section. ~ ~ ============================== ~ Create a FREE family website at MyFamily.com! ~ http://www.myfamily.com/banner.asp?ID=RWLIST2 ~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Melissa A. Kacik Assistant to the Department Head, Physics Wean Hall 7325 Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3890 P: 412.268.6681 F: 412.681.0648 E: physics+@andrew.cmu.edu W: http://info.phys.cmu.edu ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

George, Was it H. L. Green? Shirley

Rev. Douglass committed suicide in the garage behind the house I was living in. Needless to say my back yard was over run with police. Jim Loizes was chief then and I will never forget that he was carrying his very young daughter the whole time he was there. Rev. Douglass also had a daughter that wrote for the Daily News. I had attended the church for a short while. Shirley

Dear Listers, I came across an item on Ebay today that I found interesting. I will post the picture later today. I always remember Murphy's as the only store in McKeesport that was known as a 5 & 10 cent store. The item I found claims to belong to the "Original 5 & 10" Here is the clue: __________________ The Old Original 5 and 10C Store, 243 Fifth Ave. Fill in the blank..... If you go to Ebay to look you cheated...lolol George

Thanks Marc. My mother always claimed that there was a conspiracy involved in the raising of the plane at night -- she always said it was McKeesport, but she was tending a newborn (me) at this time so I doubt if she had much contact with the outside world. Jim Marc Stauffer wrote: > Dear Jim: > > The B-25 in question came down over the Homestead High Level Bridge and > landed in the Mon. As far as I know it has never been found despite > intensive searches for it. Some think the government found and recovered > it in secret, others have said that it is buried so deep in the mud at the > bottom that has made a recovery impossible. > > Marc > M. G. Stauffer