Fireside History presented by Luzerne County Historical Society

Anthracite Mining Heritage Month continues on season 2 episode 11 of Fireside History presented by the Luzerne County Historical Society. Mark Riccetti, Jr. and Michael Ward talk about the economic conditions, the protests, and the violence that took place on September 10, 1897. Mark and Mike also go over the trial, the national news coverage, and new research that recently came out. Sit by the fire and listen to "The Massacre at Lattimer." We would like to thank our show sponsors for this episode The Luzerne County Bar Association and C&G Tutoring!

Don't put your Christmas sweaters away just yet. In season 2 episode 10 of Fireside History presented by the Luzerne County Historical Society, Mark Riccetti, Jr., and Michael Ward borrow Santa's sleigh and travel through time to learn about Christmas throughout history. Beginning in the late 1700's all the way up to the present, Mark and Mike talk about how the residents of Northeast Pennsylvania celebrated the holiday. Including traditions, decorations, food, and customs. Get one final use out of that Santa hat, sit by the fireside, and listen to "Ghosts of Christmas Past." We would like to thank our show sponsors for this episode The Luzerne County Bar Association and C&G Tutoring!

Dust off the record player, because on season 2 episode 9 of Fireside History presented by the Luzerne County Historical Society, Mark Riccetti Jr. and Michael Ward will be making you nostalgic for hits from the past. From Eddie Day and the Starfires or Eddie Day and TNT, Joe Nardone's All-Stars, The Buoys, Breaking Benjamin, and even WARM 590, Mark and Mike talk about music in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Join them by the fireside and get ready to Rock and/or Roll! We would like to thank our show sponsors for this episode The Luzerne County Bar Association and C&G Tutoring!  

Dim the lights and gather 'round the fire as Mark Riccetti, Jr. and Michael Ward tell some of the darker stories of Wyoming Valley history. In season 2 episode 8, Mark and Mike talk about a massacre in 1763, an axe murder in West Pittston, the hauntings of the Augustus Lanning and Smurl homes, and the legend of the Suscon Screamer. Thank you to the Luzerne County Bar Association for being the show sponsor!

Ever wonder where the city got the name, Wilkes-Barré? Who is the Franklin from Franklin Street? A late night talk show poked fun at Forty Fort, did you know the origins? What's Daniel Edwards connection to the westside? In episode 7 "What's In A Name?" of Fireside History presented by the Luzerne County Historical Society, Mark Riccetti, Jr. and Michael Ward finally answer the question, Bear, Berry, or Bare and explain where many other significant names in Luzerne County came from. Thank you to the Luzerne County Bar Association for being the show sponsor!

Hop on the bus and head in to town with Mark Riccetti, Jr., and Michael Ward in season 2 episode 6 of Fireside History Presented by the Luzerne County Historical Society! Mark and Mike get nostalgic about some of the downtown Wilkes-Barre stores of the past such as, Lazarus, Pomeroy's, Fowler, Dick, & Walker, and Percy Brown's. This will surely bring up memories for our listeners. Thank you to the Luzerne County Bar Association for being the show sponsor! Become a Patron https://patron.podbean.com/firesidehistory Shop on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/tbyb/huc?tag=1821studiosne-20&linkCode=ur1&pf

Mark Riccetti, Jr. and Michael Ward return to the Giant's Despair Hill Climb for part 2 of "Bringing the Giant to Its Knees". In this episode of Fireside History Presented by the Luzerne County Historical Society, Mark and Mike talk about how the underground mine fire effected the race, the decline in popularity during the 1960's, how Oscar Koveleski dominated the race in the 1970's, and what the race is like now. Thank you to the Luzerne County Bar Association for sponsoring Fireside History Presented by the Luzerne County Historical Society!

In part 1, Mark Riccetti, Jr., and Michael Ward talked about the build up of Hurricane Agnes and devastation that hit Luzerne County on June 23, 1972. Fireside History Season 2 Episode 4 "Agnes at 50: Part 2" goes over what came next. From cleaning the mud, living in a trailer, the Flood Recovery Task Force, and the long term impact the flood had on where people lived, worked, and even shopped, was discussed by fireside in the first ever video podcast. 

June 23, 1972, is a day that many residents of the Wyoming Valley have burned into their memories. People evacuated, water rushed the streets, homes and businesses disappeared, and life was never the same. In episode 4 of season 2, Mark Riccetti, Jr., and Michael Ward take us on a journey of events leading up to and a timeline breakdown of what happened that day on Fireside History presented by the Luzerne County Historical Society "Agnes at 50: Part 1."  Be sure to join us for Part II, covering the aftermath and clean-up, LIVE on Zoom, Tuesday, June 21st at 7pm. No reservation necessary, simply use the Zoom link below to join us for a slideshow and live recording.   https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81427157874

One of the world's most famous opera singers grew up on South Franklin Street in Wilkes-Barre. She wasn't famous for being a good opera singer, however. In season 2 episode 3 of Fireside History presented by the Luzerne County Historical Society, Mark Riccetti, Jr. and Michael Ward discuss the life and legacy of Florence Foster Jenkins. Hear an actual aria from the collection and compare the Florence who grew up in Northeastern Pennsylvania with the Florence portrayed by Meryl Streep in the 2016 movie. 

In episode 2 of season 2 of Fireside History presented by the Luzerne County Historical Society, Mark Riccetti, Jr. and Michael Ward talk about how the ship of dreams became a nightmare for passengers with a Luzerne County connection. The Thomas's, the Frauenthal's, and a newlywed couple were on their way to Wilkes-Barre when the R.M.S. Titanic hit an Iceberg in April of 1912. Sit by the Fireside and listen to their stories in "Built by the Irish, Sunk by the British: Wilkes-Barre's Connection to the Titanic."

Everyone knows Mr. Peanut. But, did you know Mr. Peanut was born in Wilkes-Barre? From a small cart on Public Square to the global brand it is now, Planters Peanuts owes its success to an Italian immigrant who came to Luzerne County. Join Mark Riccetti, Jr. and Michael Ward by the fireside and listen to the season 2 premiere, "The Nutty World of Amedeo Obici and Planters Peanuts."

One year since the first episode, Fireside History presented by the Luzerne County Historical Society is going strong. In episode 12, Mark Riccetti, Jr. and Michael Ward talk about influential African Americans and their contributions to the Wyoming Valley. Hear the stories of American Revolutionary soldier Gershom Prince, businessman Samuel Wright, former diplomat John Henry Smythe, community activist Blanche Wright Morris, artist and sculptor C. Edgar Patience, and the “fastest human alive” in 1938 Ben Johnson. 

For miners, sometimes going down the mineshaft meant, they were not coming back. In episode 11 of Fireside History presented by the Luzerne County Historical Society, Mark Riccetti, Jr. and Michael Ward talk about disasters in the Twin Shafts, Avondale, Sheppton, and Baltimore mines.

Did you ever play at Hollenback Golf Course? Have you ever driven down Dorrance Street in Kingston? Do you know the story of the NEPA version of Ben Franklin? We have all heard the stories about the Fell House. In this episode of Fireside History presented by the Luzerne County Historical Society, Mark Riccetti, Jr. and Michael Ward discuss Matthias Hollenback, Charles Dorrance, Jacob Cist, and Jesse Fell. 

In Episode 9 of Fireside History presented by the Luzerne County Historical Society, Mark Riccetti, Jr. and Michael Ward discuss how Luzerne County prepared for WWI. From the fears of the residents in Luzerne County to the outpouring of patriotism, issues from a war across an ocean, were right here in our own backyard. 

In Episode 8 of Fireside History presented by the Luzerne County Historical Society, Mark Riccetti, Jr. and Michael Ward discuss some of the most famous breweries in Luzerne County. From Stegmaier to Lion to Bartel's to E. Robinson's Sons and current local craft breweries, you will be taken on a historical beer tour of Luzerne County. As Ben Franklin said, “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.”

Do you have memories of going to Hanson's Amusement Park in the summer? Did you ride the Laurel Line up to Rocky Glen Park? Can you remember the name of the garbage eating pig from Angela Park? Was attending shows at San Souci Park part of your teen years? If so, Episode 7 of Fireside History presented by the Luzerne County Historical Society is for you! Mark Riccetti, Jr. and Michael Ward talk about some of the summer activities of days gone by this month on the podcast.

The Giants Despair Hillclimb has been a tradition in Luzerne County for over 100 years. Do you know when it was started? Have you heard about some of the best drivers from all over the world that competed in the race? Ever been curious as to how the hill got the the name "Giants Despair"? In this episode of Fireside History presented by the Luzerne County Historical Society, Mark Riccetti, Jr. and Michael Ward take a look back at the origins, popularity, decline, and rebirth of the Giants Despair Hillclimb.

A battle of the American Revolution was fought in Luzerne County. In a place that many of us have gone by hundreds of times in our lives. On this episode of Fireside History presented by the Luzerne County Historical Society, Mark Riccetti, Jr., and Michael Ward, discuss the days leading up to and the massacre that was the Battle of Wyoming.

Global pandemics are nothing new. Typhoid, Scarlet Fever, Smallpox, and the Spanish Flu all hit Luzerne County. In this episode of Fireside History, Mark Riccetti, Jr. and Michael Ward discuss how people of the Wyoming Valley dealt with these epidemics and how it all sounds quite similar to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Everyone has probably driven past the Swetland Homestead on Wyoming Avenue in Wyoming. Have you ever wondered who lived in the home? On this episode of Fireside History, Mark Riccetti, Jr. and Michael Ward talk about Luke, Belding, and William Swetland, along with their relative, Payne Pettebone and the impact they had on Luzerne County. 

Have you heard the story of a young girl kidnapped by Native Americans? Do you know who the first woman elected to Wilkes-Barre Area School Board was? Do you know the two women of Luzerne County who fought for the rights of Breaker Boys and stood up the mafia? How about the first executive director of the Luzerne County Historical Society? In this episode of Fireside History, Mark Riccetti, Jr. and Michael Ward answer all of these questions as they talk about Frances Slocum, Mary Trescott, Ellen Webster Palmer, Min Matheson, and Frances Dorrance.

There is a Gildersleeve street in Wilkes-Barre, but do you know why? Hint; it has to do with the Underground Railroad. In the first episode of Fireside History, Mark Riccetti, Jr. and Michael Ward discuss William Camp Gildersleeve and his life dedicated to helping free slaves.