JAHA holds mob-themed murder mystery fundraiser

Dave Sutor, The Tribune-Democrat, Johnstown, Pa.
Updated ·2 min read

Apr. 14—Modern-day flappers, gangsters and sleuths were spotted hanging out together Saturday night in Johnstown's Cambria City neighborhood.

They dined, enjoyed a few drinks and attempted to solve a serious crime during Johnstown Area Heritage Association's Roaring '20s-themed fundraiser, "Mobsters & Molls: A Murder Mystery at the Heritage Discovery Center."

Attendees traveled through the museum, questioning characters playing suspects who provided them with information about the murder of a local mob boss in a speakeasy.

"I think this was a really cool pull to bring people in and teach them the history of the area, get them excited about it, while also just having fun," said Cassidy Polacek, who played the character Candy Stealer. "It's a worthwhile event for a good cause."

Troy Smajda, who portrayed Candy Stealer's fiancé, politician Sly Shyster, said there is a "taboo-ness" to Prohibition times that appeals to people today.

"We can't image what that would be like anymore because we all like to have a drink or two," Smajda said. "I think there's something romantic about that. It wasn't romantic at the time, but looking back I think we've romanticized it."

There was a role-playing element to the event for many of the guests who wore period outfits.

"For a lot of us, it's the clothes," said Deb Winterscheidt, JAHA's development director. "The clothes are fun. There's something about old gangster movies. I don't know anybody who doesn't like an old gangster movie. Let's put it that way. There's something that's appealing to them."

Russell Shorto — author of the book "Smalltime: A Story of My Family and the Mob," which explored Johnstown's connection to the mafia — was the special guest.

Shorto said his participation was a way to thank JAHA, which helped him during his research.

When asked why people are still drawn to the era, Shorto said, "It was, I guess, a simpler time. There was not so much of a social safety net. What I explored in 'Smalltime' is the mob locally; they bent or broke laws, but they also helped people.

"Time and again, people who were of a certain age who remembered who I talked to — pretty much all of them are gone now — told me that's how they remember it. They remembered those guys helping people."