Valley Oldies: Yesteryear’s TV stars, penny goodies provide sweet memories

By RON PAGLIA

Leave it to those ever- faithful 19 readers of this weekly offering to create a stir with trivial matters.

Today’s question from the spokesperson for the crew goes this way: “Someone told me the Lone Ranger was in Charleroi several years ago — without his horse Silver and his faithful Indian companion Tonto. We find that hard to believe. Can you solve the mystery in your spare time?”

According to the archives of The Valley Independent, silver screen and TV actor Clayton Moore brought his alter ego — yes, the Lone Ranger — to Al Barry Dodge in Charleroi on May 11-12, 1973. (The auto dealership was located where the Martinelli Eye and Laser Center has been housed for many years.)

Advance promotion of Moore’s presence at Al Barry Dodge proclaimed, “The good guys in the white hats ride again … Check in with us during Lone Ranger Days and get a better deal.”

The Lone Ranger was officially welcomed to Charleroi by borough council President Fred Briggs, who presented him with a traditional key to the city (or in this case, the borough). Also part of the welcoming committee were council members Fred McLuckie, Pete Celashi, Ted Breuer and Ed Fear; David Bosson, executive director of the Charleroi Chamber of Commerce, and state Sen. Austin J. Murphy.

To read the rest of this story, please see a copy of Monday’s Mon Valley Independent, call 724-314-0035 to subscribe or subscribe to our online edition at https://e.monvalleyindependent.com.