Published: November 26, 2006 10:13 pm            

HISTORY: GI history for week of Nov. 27-Dec. 1

50 YEARS AGO

n Islander Dick Prange suffered serious burns to his head and hands when he was injured during a fire-fighting demonstration at his New Jersey Coast Guard base.

Fortunately, the 17-year-old would not have permanent scars, his parents on Stony Point told the Island Dispatch in its Nov. 21, 1956, edition. Young Prange had also been released from the infirmary, and his xpectations to play the bugle at the presidential inauguration were still on track.

n "The Sandy Beach School" ceased building for the winter, but Kaegebein’s construction continued. Roswel E. Pfohl, who designed both buildings, said steel had been acquired and crews were hoisting it up.

Other projects around town included completed steel work at the gymnasium/auditorium at St. Stephen’s Church and as well as the plaza project at Baseline and the Boulevard.

n After 22 years of working mostly the south bridge -- which is the whole of its existence -- Elmer Werrick was getting transferred by the Thruway Authority to Syracuse. Elmer said he enjoyed knowing "island people," but he has been unable to keep up with the "new influx."

25 YEARS AGO

n "The bridge toll issue is still alive and well," the lead sentence reads from the Nov. 27, 1981, edition of the Island Dispatch. This time it was about toll increases, and a hearing was set in Buffalo at the Federal Office Building on West Huron. Attorney Sharon Osgood would represent Grand Island residents at the meeting.

n Was Christmas getting downsized on the island in 1981? That’s what the Dispatch was wondering – with budget and employment cutbacks -- and whether "fewer material goods for Christmas would make it a happer or a sadder season."

10 YEARS AGO

n Members of the Grand Island Business Council openly debated whether Grand Island needed a professional development director at its Nov. 14 meeting, according to the Nov. 22, 1996, edition of the Island Dispatch. Any expenditure for that position would have to be put to a referendum, said councilman Dick Crawford.

Although that matter was unsolved, the efforts of the council encouraged Andy Chambers to take down a "GR. Is. GOV. hurts GI Business" sign after having it up for more than a year at his Chambers Radiator Repair.

        

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