Let's Go Back for May 27, 2011

40 Years Ago, May 26, 1971

Historic St. Stephen restoration fund started

Feb. 16, 1972, will be the 110th anniversary of the first Mass in the original St. Stephen Church on Grand Island. Parishioners intend to have their old church fully restored by then.

Catherine Sheehan, chair of a restoration fund drive, noted that the first worship was in 1862. ...

In 1890 the present church was erected. In 1948 the building was doubled in size by an addition.

Miss Sheehan said there are several reasons behind the drive for restoration. It's the oldest church on Grand Island and a good example of a simple sturdy church of the past. As such it will give Islanders a sense of community, a link with the past, she said. It will also be a memorial to the Right. Rev. Msgr. Schwegler, a former pastor who is buried in St. Stephen Cemetery. And it will also have a very practical use - because the building is just the right size for weddings.

A variety show last November got the drive off to a $900 start.

30 Years Ago, May 22, 1981

Cable TV viewing due in summer

Cable TV is at last becoming a reality on Grand Island. The Town Board in 1980 approved franchise terms drawn up by a committee headed by Councilman Robert G. Swan. Then on Nov. 17, the board awarded the privilege of operating a station here to Island Cable Inc., with an option to renew the franchise for an additional five years in 1990.

Proof of the pudding can now be seen on Baseline Road near Webb, where a 12-foot tower has been erected, topped by an 8-foot microwave antenna to be used to import two New York channels, according to company president Michael Gast.

Another mode of reception is a 5-meter TVRO, which is an earth receiving station, he said, explaining, "It will be pointed at the satellite called WESTAR 3."

... "What we are doing right now is completing a 'make-ready' process," Gast said. It concerns attachments to utility poles. He said utility companies have given the company two complete crews to finalize the work in a hurry."

20 Years Ago, May 24, 1991

River Oaks court battle canceled

Need for a court battle to settle the River Oaks golf course problem appears to have vanished.

The Town Board Monday, without much explanation, let it be known that negotiations are continuing with the owners, Niagara Associates Group, and may be successfully completed this week.

The controversy started when the developers in February announced plans for converting the course into a private enterprise and set the opening charge for memberships at $3,500. The town questioned the legality of the charge, claiming the golf course and its lakes were shown as open space for public referendum on the original planned unit development approved for River Oaks.

10 Years Ago, June 1, 2001

Youth lax league nearing its inaugural season

The Grand Island Community Education is bringing the first-ever Youth Lacrosse League to Grand Island.

Steve Steck (JV lacrosse coach, Huth Road teacher) and Jenepher Banker (high school physical education teacher) will serve as directors.

The league will afford any boy or girl, in third to sixth grade the opportunity to experience youth lacrosse.