Did you know?
I always seem to come across lots of world class musicians who’ve paid visits and, of course, brought their musical talents to Fayette County.
My favorite find in that area was the October 1920 concert performed by John Philip Sousa at the Penn Theatre in downtown Uniontown.
But in early winter of 1976, there were major artists playing in smaller venues all over town.
On Nov. 14 of that year, Stan Kenton, a jazz legend, played for two shows at Uniontown’s VFW Post 47. He’d also played at the Melody Rink on Connellsville Street in September of 1955, just six days after he ended his work on a CBS-TV summer replacement program titled “Music 55.”
After Kenton’s 1976 performances at VFW Post 47, another jazz and blues legend, Woody Herman (“Caldonia,” “”Woodchopper’s Ball”), brought his orchestra to town for a four-hour dance on Dec. 5.
Like Kenton’s performance, Herman was segueing from another important engagement at the time. Herman had played New York City’s Carnegie Hall, just two weeks before playing at VFW Post 47.
By the way, Mel Torme, “The Velvet Fog,” sang for a show at the same hall in April of 1956.
The day after Woody Herman played in Uniontown, he was followed by the classic doo-wop group — the Coasters (“Along Came Jones,” “Poison Ivy” and “Little Egypt”), who sang for two shows at the Holiday Inn in Uniontown on Dec. 6.
But music wasn’t the only thing on the minds of local folks that year.
“Kevin McLee Paces Sugar-Bowl Bound Georgia,” said one of the headlines on the sports page on Nov. 15. While the story beneath that headline didn’t mention McLee, the Uniontown High School grad had set rushing records at the University of Georgia. He was later named an Honorable Mention All-American, and he was also a two-time Academic All Southeastern Conference selection.
That day, there was not one, but two, notable local athletes mentioned on the sports pages of the Uniontown Evening Standard. Laurel Highlands’ Tony Steratore had caught a pass in a game against Monessen, and that tied him for second place all-time in receiving yards behind only Rod Wheeler. Steratore, and his younger brother Gene, are now both NFL referees.
And there was a third mention of a local high school graduate who would have an impact on the national sports scene — Chuck Muncie.
The Uniontown High School graduate was shown stepping over a defender in a game in which his New Orleans Saints defeated the Detroit Lions, 17-16.
Irish poet Oscar Wilde once wrote, “Life imitates Art, more than Art imitates life.” I think I’ve found evidence of the former.
According to the Oct. 18, 1950, edition of the Evening Standard, there was a local four-year-old who had an experience not unlike those seen in movies or on television
“Dog Watches Over Tot On Lengthy Hike,” said the headline on the front page.
It seems little Billy Kostelnik, who lived on Crossland Avenue, decided he’d embark on “a perilous hike” to Little Brownfield to see his great aunt and her “delicious cookies.”
That meant a four year-old making a four-mile trek, and all alone, except for his “pal” Laddie, (a dog described in the story of being of dubious ancestry but with a “predominate collie streak”)
I guess, by now, you understand my reference to “life imitating art.”
“Lassie” came to life in a series of major motion pictures between 1943 and 1951.
Billy Kotstelnik’s “pal” Laddie, although of “dubious ancestry,” wouldn’t have made the front page of the Evening Standard if he hadn’t performed with the kinds of meritorious canine craftiness as his famous Hollywood cousin (sort of). Whenever Laddie saw a car approach, he’d leap into action. He’d simply push Billy Kotstelnik to the side of the road. If the child would “scream in protest,” the story said, Laddie would “wag his tail apologetically.” For four long miles, the pair walked, and for four long miles, Laddie would “shove the lad off the road.”
But the drama doesn’t end with Billy and Laddie reaching Little Brownfield. Billy’s great aunt, it was reported, wasn’t home.
While the two explorers began their return home, Billy’s grandmother “frantically started a feverish search for the youngster which lasted until Billy calmly made the last turn on the road and started towards home. Billy’s calmness was immediately replaced by bewilderment as he felt himself hugged and kissed and then suddenly soundly spanked,” said the report.
After it was made clear that Laddie had been in command throughout the dangerous trip, the story concluded with the dubious statement that “as for Laddie — probably no dog ever received such a sudden round of petting.”
I’m sure Lassie would claim otherwise.