Read about the amusing antics of a preteen gang growing up in a brawling Pennsylvania mining town during the Great Depression. Relive their youthful enthusiasm, as Patrick Canfield, Slim and Eddie Berrang, and Alex Pautenius steal pigeons from the church tower and sip the altar wine. They hated and continually had conflicts with their arch enemies, the Lithuanians, better know as the “Brollies”. The hatred between the Irish and Lithuanians led to the riot of 1929.

Follow the stories of life in a parochial school, and Blythe High School, where fixing school records and having an outstanding football team, was as important as maintaining the high standards of education.

Enjoy the life of Robert “Butts” Canfield and his teenage buddies, who loved the life of pool hall, gambling, dancing, and tipping a few beers, rather than following the dictates of the nuns who preferred them to take music lessons and lead the good life. It was during the time of the Great Depression and a buck was hard to come by. As a result, Butts and his friends took part in fixed boxing matches which had the approval of the parish priest. Three dollars for the winner, two for the loser, two for the manager, and a dollar for gas.

Front: U. S. Congressman Tim Holden, Reed Middleton. Back: Author, Patrick; his sister, Mary Frances Pattay

Enjoy the excitement of the great pigeon matches, which were part of the culture in Schuylkill County. The pigeon matches were often hilarious and at times, bloody. The pigeon shoots, depict the laid-back, hard-drinking lifestyle of many residents of the Pennsylvania coal region. Relive the stories of Patrick working on the WPA, a federally funded work program during the Great Depression. Attend the dances at Charlton Hall in Pottsville, where the youth of the Great Depression danced to a 10-piece band for the outrageous price of eleven cents.

The most lovable character in the book is Eddie Kelly. He lived the life of a man who celebrated New Year’s Eve almost every day of his adult life. His weekend began after supper on Friday night when he departed his home to return on Monday morning in time to change into his working clothes and report to his job as a “Mucker,” an underpaid laborer, in a bootleg coal mine. His weekend was a spree of attending chicken fights, pigeon matches and drinking more booze than any of his friends. To quote Eddie, “I never got sick because always ate something when I drank, and I never missed a shift in the coal mine because of my drinking.” On one occasion as we were sipping a beer, I asked Eddie if he was satisfied with his lifestyle. He thought for a moment and spoke in a soft voice, “I always wanted to be a priest.”

Visit Shenandoah, the roughest and toughest town in the coal region and the home town of Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey. Read about the “Margie Trick” where the home town boys in the bars would pull the famous coal region trick on unsuspecting visitors, especially members of Tommy or Jimmy Dorsey’s band. What is the “Margie Trick”? If you want to know more about the famous trick, read the book. The Dorsey brothers knew Senator John F. Kennedy was making a swing through Pennsylvania during the final days of his run for presidency. Starting in Pottsville, they made their way on Route 61 toward the cities of Tamaqua and Hazleton. The motorcade had to pass through the town of New Philadelphia. As it neared the Holy Family church and residence of the pastor, a total of 30 nuns and priests were seated on the porch awaiting the arrival of Senator Kennedy. Across the street were 300 students from the Holy Family and Scared Heart schools assembled to greet the senator. Two state troopers leading the caravan were stopped by Skip Schneider, a crossing guard. The troopers were upset. ȁGet out of the way or we’ll run you over.” Skip never moved a muscle. ȁThese children, priests and nuns have been waiting for nearly two hours; and if the senator wants to win this election, he better stop and wave. And remember, “I’m not movin’.” One of the troopers wheeled his motorcycle around and went back to the car in which the senator was riding. After a conversation which lasted about a minute, the motorcade proceeded and stopped in front of the rectory. Senator Kennedy stood, waved and bowed to the priests and nuns seated on the porch. The school children approached and showered the senator with flowers and good wishes. Senator Kennedy was elected president, all because of the determination and foresight of Skip Schneider, the crossing guard.

Front Row: My brother Thomas Canfield, my Dad Patrick S. Canfield, my Mother Mary D. Canfield, and my brother Robert (Butts) Canfield. Second Row: Tom’s wife Alice Keating Canfield, Patrick and my wife Rose Teoli Canfield, my brother Dr. John Canfield and his wife Elizabeth (Bess) Coyle Canfield, my brother-in-law Joseph Pattay and his wife (my sister) Mary Frances Pattay, Butts’s wife Helen Dowling Canfield

If you would like to enjoy a few relaxing moments, read Growing Up With Bootleggers, Gamblers and Pigeons which has already sold over 20,000 copies.

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