In 1957, the city of Hazleton marked its 100th year of incorporation with a Centennial Celebration. From July 4th through July 13th, the entire community was encouraged to participate. According to the Standard-Speaker newspaper, there were parades with bands, a talent contest, a beard contest (judged by Skitch Henderson from the Steve Allen Show), a “Fireman’s Battle”, fireworks display – and of course, a Centennial Queen was crowned.
An unusual Centennial Celebration proclamation by mayor, S. Thomas Capparell, was published on June 15th, 1957 in the Standard-Speaker: “I hereby proclaim: That each and every person, both Male and Female, from Head-Size Four to Head-Size Eight in Cranical Measurements, begin on this Date of June 12, to wear the Official Centennial Headgear. This Mandate shall apply to Bearded, Bare-Faced and Bald Men, as Likewise to ALL of the Ladies and the Younger Swains and Belles in our Domain and the Surrounding Outposts. The Official Headgear, derbies or high hats for the Male populace and bonnets for the Ladies both bearing the Official button, are to be worn in memory of Our Pioneer Forefathers of Various Nationalities who combined Together to Found our City a Full Century past. Also it is intended that these head coverings shall create a truly Medieval Atmosphere for the coming Festivities. Those who fail to appear in such Official Headgear (except members of the Clergy or the Military in Uniform) either when riding in their Carriages, Surreys, Victorias or Buckboards on the highways or the lanes or when strolling in the park, on the Mall on the Public Square or other flagstoned portions of the Market Places (except it be for Assembly at the Meeting Houses on the Sabbath) may be apprehended and be confined to the Stockade and/or Ye Old Stocks, there to suffer the pangs of humiliation and be exposed to condemnation on the part of the Horrified Multitude.”
Obviously this proclamation was a fun promotional “tongue-in-cheek” stunt created by the Greater Hazleton Centennial Committee. In the spirit of the celebration, local department stores: Deisroth’s, Bon Ton, and Moody’s Men’s Shop, advertised derbies and high hats for sale.
Genetti’s Sav-Way Markets and the Tyrolean Room also participated in the fun. Below is a photo of the staff at the Tyolean Room, bedecked in period clothing. The manager, Joseph E. Genetti, sports a derby, official centennial bowtie and mustache.
The Genetti businesses also commemorated the Centennial with a brochure (click link below to see the PDF), telling the family story of the markets founding in 1901 by Damiano Genetti. On the first page is a photograph of the original horse and carriage Meat Wagon used to deliver the family’s wares, including traditional Tyrolean sausage and imported cheeses. Damiano and Oliva Genetti stand on the front porch of their home, which also served as their original place of business. The couple are flanked by their five daughters and youngest son, Costante (Stanley). Standing center in front of the horse, is their eldest son Leon. In the back of the wagon is son Augusto (Gus) and at the reigns is son Albino (Albert). Since Oliva and six of their children immigrated later than Damiano in 1906, my guess is the photograph dates to about 1910.
The back of the brochure is an advertisement for the Tyrolean Room featuring entertainment by Freddie Houser on his organ and old fashioned songs. I’m sure many of you have fond memories of Freddie! Enjoy this walk through memory lane!
Genetti 1957 Centennial Brochure (click to open).
Our thanks to Nicole V. Cook who has a shop at Hal’s Antique Flea Market in Sybertsville, Pennsylvania. Nicole had this brochure in her collection of ephemera and was kind enough to ship it to me in New Mexico.
The Genetti Family Genealogy Project 