Let's Go Back for Feb. 25, 2011

40 Years Ago, Feb. 24, 1971

Fast growing recreation program

The 1970 annual report of the Grand Island Recreation Commission indicates Robert Zuchowski's first full year as recreation supervisor has been a successful one. In the 23 winter programs and the 21 summer programs, participation has increased 35 percent over 1969 figures.

The recreation commission has been working to improve and increase recreational areas on the Island. This interest in forward planning has resulted in acquisition of a 54-acre site that will ultimately provide a park for passive and active recreation.

Positive steps are being made toward development of the town's leased site in Buckhorn State Park, the commission reports. The budget for town recreation for 1970 was $51,524 as compared with $38,171 for the previous year.

30 Years Ago, Feb. 20, 1981

Board to decide kindergarten issue Monday

The much discussed kindergarten issue is expected to be decided by the school board at Monday's meeting in Huth Road School.

Double sessions (morning and afternoon) will be a thing of the past if the board approves the morning only classes, recommended by Superintendent Robert C. Courtemanche at the meeting Wednesday attended by about 100 parents.

Rather than full-day programs discussed at length by some at previous meetings Courtemanche recommended either 3- or 3-1/2-hour morning classes, explaining it appears the current 2-1/2-hour program (double sessions) has "all the interruptions of an early childhood situation and does not provide sufficient time for children to experience the total kindergarten program. ..." He also recommended eliminating all present full-time kindergarten positions and hiring seven or eight part-time teachers to provide supervision and instruction.

20 Years Ago, Feb. 22, 1991

River Oaks Golf Course to go private

Plans are well under way for converting the River Oaks Golf Course into a private enterprise. This was the message conveyed by its owners at meeting of about 250 golfers Monday in the River Oaks Restaurant at 201 Whitehaven Road.

The golf links and club were acquired last year by Niagara Associates Group as part of 527 acres it purchased from Baeder Neruda Associates of Houston.

The facility is an 18-hole championship course, which has been opened to the public since its inception.

A brochure ... praised the location of the 7,300 yard links, adding, "If you want to play all you have to do is join," referring to the membership charge of $3,500 initially and $750 annual fee. ...

10 Years Ago, March 2, 2001

Martin's Fantasy Island receives new thrill ride

Martin's Fantasy Island, 2400 Grand Island Blvd., will open a new thrill ride this summer that whisks riders up and down a 140-foot tower and generates intense G forces.

"This ride will appeal to our regular family audience as well as older teens," said owner Martin DiPietro.

The attraction will cost more than $1 million to build and should be open in time for Memorial Day crowds. The name of the new ride has not been decided and is known generically as the Sling Shot. The Sling Shot is the newest main attraction at the park since the wood roller coaster the Silver Comet debuted in 1999.