Let's Go Back for June 13, 2014

40 Years Ago, June 5, 1974

Signs appear on town agenda

Temporary signs directing tourists and other interested parties to Fantasy Island were requested of the Grand Island Town Board by the company's vice president, Paul E. McCarthy, Monday evening. McCarthy explained that with the proposed work on Whitehaven Road this summer, it would be very confusing for Island visitors trying to make their way to the popular amusement park.

Holiday Inn already had such a request granted, and it was determined that the KOA campsite would suffer from the same inconvenience. It was determined that temporary directional signs, not to exceed five in number, could be erected during the amusement park's season, and that similar signs directing the way to KOA and Holiday Inn might be clustered adjacent to the right of way.

30 Years Ago, June 1, 1984

Fantasy Island prepares to wing it

Mayor James Griffin of Buffalo has declared June 25 through July 1 Chicken Wing Festival Week in conjunction with the 20th anniversary of a Buffalo culinary delight that is now catching on all over the country.

The festival ... will wind up June 30 and July 1 at Fantasy Island on Grand Island. There will be a recipe contest and cook-off, a 50-mile bike marathon, and a wing-eating contest. The festival will also include a chicken wing scavenger hunt, food sculptures made up partly of chicken wings and a race between waitresses and waiters running with trays of chicken wings. The Grand Island bicycle marathon, an annual event that benefits the Arthritis Foundation of Western New York, takes place at 10 a.m. July 1 from the parking lot of Fantasy Island.

20 years Ago, June 3, 1994

Memorial Day tribute recognizes Polizzi

Master Chief, Master at Arms U.S. Navy James R. Tornabene Sunday, May 29, presented four long overdue medals to his brother-in-law John Polizzi for his service in the U.S. Navy and active duty during the Cuban missile crisis 31 years ago.

For service in the Navy Reserve, Polizzi received the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, citing his active duty service and commitment while serving on board the USS Enterprise CVA (N) 65 during her service in the Cuban missile crisis.

In addition, Polizzi received the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Navy Expeditionary Medal. ...

Polizzi and his wife Judy raised their four children on Grand Island and have been residents here for 33 years.

10 Years Ago, June 4, 2004

Library releases 2003 annual report

The Grand Island Memorial Library has published its 2003 annual report.

In 2003, 93,237 people visited the library, 7,382 reference questions were answered, 3,713 children and adults were entertained and informed by 145 library sponsored programs; 1,851 people attended 90 meetings held by community groups in the library's meeting room and 4,872 individuals used computers.

Library Director Lynn Alan Konovitz said the numbers for the library change each year due to the advancements in technology. ... Konovitz said the library is retooling itself because of the technology. ...