A
ts fe
FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 1956
-
and robins as harbingers of spring.
seaboard.
whose family has for three genera-
tions been engaged in show busi-
ness. =
The rotund, genial, general man-
ager of Reithoffer Shows was born
in Taylor but reared in Forty Fort
where he graduated from High
Bchool. Even as a youngster, Pat
dreamed of making the family show
the biggest and finest on the road.
Grandfather Started Business
In dreaming, thus, he was fol-
lowing the pattern established by
his grandfather Julius Reithoffer,
Sr., who after arriving in this coun-
try from Germany, established a
- a stand and concessions at Harveys
Lake. The experience at the lake
may have encouraged him to pur-
chase a merry-go-round with hand
carved horses. Anyway, the pur-
chase of the merry-go-round was
the beginning of a business which
was eventually to require fifty
Packard trucks for its tramsporta-
tion. The show was one of the first
to be transported by motor truck
rather than by rail. Those early
trucks had hard rubber tires. But
that's another part of this story!
Julius, Sr., died Jast October 5.
at the age of 98 in Philadelphia.
He owned an entire city block on
Eighteenth Street between Oxford
and Columbia.
Three Sons Work With Show
Three sons of Julius worked with
him in the show business, playing
a string of fairs extending from
Maine to Georgia. Patrick, Julius,
Jr., and Eddie had the show in their
blood from youth. Only Patrick Sr.,
is still active, giving his son all of
"the support to make the show tops
in its field. Right now he is in
Florida supervising the construction
‘of a ferris wheel that folds up like
an umberella for easier transpor-
tation.
The other two brothers are dead
having actually died on the lots
where the show was playing. Julius
(Uley) was stricken with a heart
attack while the show was at Old
Forge, Eddie died a year ago in
July of a heart attack while the
show was playing at ‘Selinsgrove,
Is it any wonder that the show
business is part of Pat's muscle,
mind and every action for even as
a boy, ie always had the welfare
2 the show in his mind. He recalls
the sad days after the death of his
devoted grandmother when old
Julius, overwrought with grief,
temporarily retired from the busi-
ness.
After a few years his eldest son,
Patrick, took the responsibility of
booking and managing the show,
the second brother, Julius assumed
charge of personnel and the third
brother, Edward, took charge of
transportation.
Those were the days when those
fifty solid tire Packard trucks were
no longer assets—but disheartening
liabilities. With the advent of pneu-
matic truck tires they were obsolete.
the elder Patrick was resourceful.
From those difficult days, came new
ideas and a mew phase in the show
business—the independent ride
operator.
By splitting the equipment into
smaller units and just operating
rides, the organization was able to
‘weather the storm and gain in
strength. This operation was so suc-
cessful, that the three boys. who
were now in complete charge, with
only the supervision of their father,
decided to remain as individual ride
* operatons with individual units.
During those fateful days, Pat
Junior travelled with the units in
summer. In winter he attended Har-
grave Military Academy in Virginia
i) later prepared for teaching at
Millersville [State Teachers’ College.
His thought, then, was to teach dur-
ing the winters and work with the
show summers.
But before that could happen, Pat
was asked to keep an appointment
with a rich uncle—Uncle Samuel.
For three years he flew a bomber
with the Fifteenth Air Force in Italy.
He confesses now that he “thought
about the show all of the time”’—
except when he was dreaming about
Bette Bowman, a girl who had quite
' an impression on him, while he
was in flight training at Rock Island,
Illinois.
Bette is now Mrs. Pat Reithoffer;
Jr. The couple has three children,
Patrick III, in third grade; Ricky in
first grade in Dallas Borough
Schools, and Jan, 2 years old. Their
home is on Luzerne Avenue during
winters but in summer they travel
the circuit with Pat in a beautifully
equipped trailer.
Pat Enters the Business
With the ending of World War
I, Pat completed his education at
Millersville and then went on to
the University of Florida, Gaines-
ville, for his Masters’ Degree. Along
the way he taught three years in
the Dallas Borough-Kingston Town-
ship School system.
Now was the time Pat thought
to form an organized show in ad-
dition to the ride units. This wasn't
an easy job! But the fond belief
that there is always room for a
clean, healthy show i him
Third Generation
Both Pat’s wife and mother want-
ed him to use a picture without a
hat, but a born showman like a
newsman is without a hat only
when he is asleep . . . and good
showmen aren’t often asleep.
to make plans. With a highly skil-
led and completely loyal staff, he
started the organization on its path
of building its own mammouth show
fronts and collecting the finest rides
in the country.
A new winter quarters and shop
in addition to those at Honesdale,
Forty Fort and Reading, was estab-
lished along Route 115. Here many
of the forty-three rides and seven
shows are developed and refurbish-
ed during the winter.
Today the Reithoffer Shows have
three complete units on the road
all summer long and most of the
tractions are continually being de-
veloped so that long ago Pat gave
up the idea of any other profession
or vocation than show business.
Alert to the realization that a
modern show has to be as clean as
a whistle and twice as bright, Pat
found that his policy paid off in
February when after years of plan-
ning, he and his dad signed the
play Bloomsburg Fair this fall under
their own banner. That means that
all the units will be consolidated in
one mammouth production.
That’s a real feather for Pat but
it will mean even more for Blooms-
burg, for here is a fellow who has
enthusiasm, initiative, and practi-
cality. Combine those attributes
with high ideals and youth — and
you have a combination that is
hard to beat.
Many New Features
There is pounding of hammers,
the whine of saws and the sparkling
sputter of welding machines these
winter nights at the shop headquar-
ters on Route 115.
New rides and new shows are
being perfected. Only a week ago
Pat bought a Japanese two man
submarine and a Japanese suicide
boat to become a part of the show.
There are plans for a portable deisel
power plant, cook wagon and other
rides and equipment. *
One of the newest features being
developed there is the “Land of
Make Believe” with ten different
rides for children up to 10 years of
age. It is a complete enclosure with
separate rides for the little fellows
extending thirty-five feet across the
front and 12 feet high, guarded by
all the colorful animals and charac-
ters of childhood.
It takes 70 Dodge and GMC trucks
to transport the show now, but
more than that will be required soon
if Pat continues his dreaming.
. and the Reithoffer shows
really wear well. They have played
the Honesdale Fair for more than
40 years. A tribute to old Julius,
Patrick, Julius Jr., Eddie and Pat
Jr., who have kept the Reithoffer
banners up there shining!
Sherman Harter, Chosen
For Board Of Trustees
Sherman Harter, Trucksville, was
named trustee of The White Church
on The Hill to complete the unex-
pired term of the late Thomas Carle
at a meeting of the Board of Trus-
tees held at the home of C. S. Hem-
enway, Hillside Farm, last Wednes-
day night.
Mr. Carle was elected to the
Board for a three year term in 1955.
Tapped For Honor Society
At University Of Idaho
Robert Hillyer, University of
Idaho, on an NROTC scholarship,
has been tapped for Scabbard and
Blade, national honor society for
the armed services. He is also on
the Dean’s List. Hillyer is the son
of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hillyer,
Machell Avenue.
Bird Club Lists
Spring Arrivals
Horned Larks, Doves,
Red-Polls In Area
Bird Club members reported early
spring arrivals at a, meeting held
Thursday night in the Library An-
nex. Horned larks, Edwin Johnson,
president, reported, were seen at
Lehman February 19. Robins have
been in the area since January.
Recent arrivals are blue-birds,
widely reported; gulls, at Harveys
Lake; fox sparrows and red-winged
blackbirds, meadowlarks, West Dal-
las, Lehman, Pioneer Avenue; red-
polls, March 8, New Goss Manor;
Crossbills, Lake.
Crows are everywhere. Song-
sparrows have arrived, and mourn-
ing doves are cooing. Harry Allen’s
Oregon Junco still visits his feeder
at the Lake, and Frank Jackson has
a variety of birds, both winter resi-
dents and spring migrants.
Members compared notes on dis-
couraging squirrels. Mrs. William
Pethick catches them in a trap
which does not injure them, and
sees that they are released in the
one occasion, she immured the pris-
oner in the leg of a pair of coveralls
tied at both ends, and had to drive
like crazy to reach the woods be-
fore he chewed himself out.
Harry Allen, a faithful stand- by, |
of the organization, was absent be- |
cause of a cold. Present were: Ed-
win Johnson, ‘president; Mr. and
Mrs. Arnott Jones; Mrs. William
Pethick, Mrs. Ellis Weaver, Mrs.
William D. James, Frank Jackson,
and Mrs. T. M. B. Hicks.
Open House At
Rural Supply
Two-Day Program
Starts This Morning
Rural Supply Company, one of
the outstanding inland supply stores
of the State, will hold its annual
Spring Open House today and to-
MOrrow.
The latest in home and farm
equipment will be on exhibition
with factory representatives pre-
senting demonstrations. There will
be motion pictures, music, prizes,
and a free lunch.
The program today will start at
9 am. and continue until 9 p.m.
Tomorrow's program will be from
9 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Rural Supply Company’s big mod-
ern store is located on the main
highway between Muhlenburg and
Harveyville,
Clarence Benscoter established
the business in 1938. It is interest-
ing to note that the location of the
store was once known as Roosevelt.
The post office located there was
named in honor of Teddy Roosevelt.
The postmaster at that time was
Theodore Wolfe.
There have been great changes
since then and one would hardly
expect to find such a completely
stocked modern store in this rural
setting. Location is just a short
pleasant trip from all parts of the
Back Mountain area.
Spring. Open House, which Mr.
Benscoter has conducted for many
years, will find hundreds of neigh-
bors as well as old and new friends
in attendance, '
Services Today At 2 For
Dan Robinhold’s Mother
Dan G. Robinhold, Camp Hill,
former resident of Machell Avenue,
Dallas, lost his “mother Tuesday
night. Mrs. Bertha Tripp Robinhold,
wife of Dr. D. G. Robbinhold, Forty
Fort, died in the Hillcrest Concales-
cent Home, Huntsville. She had
been incapacitated since a fall down
the stairs in her own home five
years ago. Services will be conduct-
ed today at 2 from the Hughes Fun-
eral home, followed by burial in
Forty Fort (Cemetery.
Nieces and nephews include two
local residents: Mrs. Catherine
Boote, Trucksville, and Clifford W.
Space, Dallas.
Fractures Collar Bone
Mrs. Thomas Hillyer, Machell Ave-
nue, is wearing her left arm in a
sling since breaking her collar bone
on Friday. Dr. Harry Smith, bone
specialist, reduced the fracture. Mrs.
own yard, falling on the point of
her shoulder.
LIMITED NUMBER
Discontinued
9 x 12
Rugs
$2.95
Floor Covering Stop
Main St. Dall
Operating As Single Unit
Red Units.
PAGE THREE
'WCTU Institute
Tuesday, Dallas
Rev. Charles Frick
Will Be Speaker
| Dallas WCTU Institute will be
held March 20 at the Dallas Metho-
dist ‘Church, carrying out the theme,
| “Go Set a Watchman.” The morn-
| ing program will start at 10:30 with
| devotions by Mrs. H. C. Riley, greet-
| ings by Mrs. William Heapps, and
| response from Mrs. Hill, Forty Fort.
# | Miss Bess Coughlin, Luzerne, will
|lead the Salute to the Flag, and
ladies from Idetown will sing, fol-
lowed by reports from treasurer and
directors and a solo by Mrs. Harry
Dymond.
Mrs. Edward Keen, Luzerne Coun-
ty president, will hold a parliamen-
tary drill, and Mrs. C. S. Hildebrant
Children's Home
Needs Donations
Mrs. Norman Patton
Speaks To WSCS
Dallas Methodist WISCS members,
meeting Tuesday night at the
church, were asked to bring to the
April meeting donations for a box
intended for Hollywood House, a
children’s home in Hazleton hous-
ing children from 4 ‘to 14.
Needed are: cash gifts, clothing,
records, viewmaster discs, facial tis-
sue, metal foil, bean-bags, pillow
cases, clothes for a boy doll, diapers,
handkerchiefs, dungarees, clothing
for large women. Mrs. William Cairl,
Jr., read the letter describing the
need, written by Mrs. Schmerer.
Mrs. Vern Groff presided. Mrs.
William Baker, Sr., and Mrs. Percy
Love, led devotions on the theme,
Christian Decipleship. Mrs. Niles
White introduced Mrs. Norman Pat-
ton, who spoke on Status of Women
in the world.
Women’s classes were asked to
name representatives to serve on
the Mother-Daughter banquet com-
mittee.
Mrs. Wardan Kunkle and Mrs.
Sheldon Drake were received as
new members and a visitor, Mrs.
Crews, was introduced.
Mrs. William Heapps reported on
groups studying the five spiritual
classics. The next session will be
on Monday at 1:30, with Mrs. Zel
Garinger, ‘the final study group
March 26 at the church.
-Hostesses were Mesdames John
Hildebrant, Grace Klees, Homer
Moyer, William Higgins, and Earl
Weidner.
YMCA Drive Workers
Plan Report Meeting
Charles Eberle and Robert Yost,
co-chairmen of Back Mountain
YMCA Financial Drive, announced
this week that a report meeting of
all workers will be held at the “Y”
building in Shavertown at 8 p.m. on
March 21.
The goal for this year, an in-
crease over last year’s budget, will
enable the Back Mountain Y to
expand the present program which
now includes such services as Hi-Y
and Tri-Hi-Y clubs at the schools,
the Teen Club, and the Day-Camp.
Post Office Change
Thomas “Merl”
FRANTZ
Your Back Mt.
Representative for
New or Used
AUTOMOBILES
TRUCKS
Representing
BONNER
CHEVROLET CO.
Phone BU 7-2118
Y Career Day
Is Discussed
School Principals
Meet With Secretary
Career Day sponsored by area
high schools and the Back Mountain
YMCA will be held again this year
at the Central YMCA, Wilkes-Barre.
This decision was reached last
week at a meeting of the Guidance
Teachers from the Back Mountain
schools.
John Rosser, Dallas-Franklin High
School; Anthony Marchakitus, Leh-
man-Jackson High School; Frank
Trimble, Westmoreland High School,
discussed with George Schlager,
Back Mountain *- YMICA secretary,
the plans for this years Career Day
which will be held in April.
Career Day offers each student
the opportunity to talk to experi-
enced personnel in the particular
field in which the student is in-
terested.
With the aid of such counseling
the student will be able to prepare
himself, through the proper selec-
tion of high school courses, for his
chosen vocation.
Last year more than 250 students
discussed with the warious coun-
selors the vocations, remunerations
and job possibilities. More than 300
are expected this year.
STARK BROS.
Fruit Trees
Dwarf Fruit Trees yioee
Shrubs Perennials
Shade Trees _ Bulbs, ete.
Add $1,000.00 or more
to the value of your
“home.
Let me show you actual color
photographs of Stark Exclusive
Leader Varieties. No obligation.
Telephone or write
E. R. Kerlin
Dallas 4-2013
KUNKLE
will lead noontide prayer.
Speaker for the afternoon session,
1:30, will be Rev. C. H. Frick, Hunts-
ville Christian Church. Mrs. Ira But-
ton will lead devotions, and Mrs.
Mathers will give a flannelgraph.
Mrs. E. R. Parrish will preside at
sessions, and Mrs. Homer Middleton
will accompany.
Mrs. Hugh Gebheart
Directs Production
Members of Orange MYF will
give a Lenten Drama on Thursday
evening at 7:30 at the Orange Me-
{A Piper Brace Truss)
“Are Ye Able ?”, is under the direc- |
tion of Mrs. Hugh Gebheart. Mem-
bers of the cast, supported by the |
Junior Choir, are: Narrator, Dais-
ette Gebheart; Pianist, Geraldine
Miller; Choir Leader, Mary Hess;
Right or Double. gs
Side $395
Fiting
Required
A strong, form-fitting washable sup-
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Clinton Hess; Choir Boy, Robert pad. No steel or leather
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sbdemen, state right, left side, double.
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Dallas 4-3888
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No Foolin’
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