May 6, 1935
Campaign kicks off for new elephant
Children throughout Scranton and Dunmore are cracking open their piggy banks to help purchase a new elephant for the Nay Aug Park Zoo.
Queenie, the resident elephant at the Scranton zoo since 1924, died May 2 after being ill for a short time.
The Scranton Times once again started a campaign to purchase a replacement elephant. The Times started the first campaign back in 1924 that brought Queenie to Scranton.
Donations have started rolling in at the paper. Jimmy and Pat Dempsey of Dunmore hand delivered their $5 donation directly to the Times newsroom. Teachers in the Scranton Schools, both public and parochial, will start collecting donations from students May 8.
Youngsters are also writing short notes of their memories of Queenie with their donations. Dolly Early wrote in her note, “I loved Queenie better than any animal at the zoo and went to see her often. Don’t suppose there will be any more like Queenie.”
Nay Aug’s first elephant, Queenie, arrived in Scranton in June 1924. She was purchased for the zoo through a region-wide fundraiser that raised more than $3,000. Queenie is pictured here in her second anniversary at the zoo giving a ride to four youngsters. Times-Tribune Archives
Hobby Show at Masonic Temple
The Household Arts’ division of the Girl Scouts is hosting a hobby show at the Masonic Temple in Scranton on May 10 and 11.
The show will feature a fashion show each evening by the scouts. Other demonstrations include the making of rugs and the use of looms by the Lackawanna Blind Association and dress and blouse making by the students of the Johnson School (now Johnson College).
Shopping list
Whole smoked hams were 23 cents per pound, lamb chops were 32 cents per pound, 4 pounds of bananas were 19 cents, large grapefruit were 5 cents a piece, a large can of fruit cocktail was 22 cents, 2 cans of string beans were 15 cents, jumbo loaf of bread was 10 cents, a pound of coffee was 17 cents and a box of raisins was 6 cents.
Additional Content –
The Big Cats of Nay Aug Park Zoo also have a storied past – escapes, matricide cover-ups and a connection to the Tiger King – Joe Exotic.
Give a listen to our local history podcast to learn more about the lions and tigers that once lived at Nay Aug –
To read about the park’s connection to Joe Exotic –
Brian Fulton has been the librarian at The Times-Tribune for the past 15 years. On his blog, Historically Hip, he writes about the great concerts, plays/musicals and celebrity happenings that have taken place throughout NEPA. He is also the co-host of the local history podcast, Historically Hip. He competed and was crowned grand champion on an episode of NPR quiz show “Ask Me Another.” Contact: bfulton@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9140; or @TTPagesPast
