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Let's Go Back for Oct. 21, 2011

by Olivia
Fri, Oct 21st 2011 02:50 pm

40 Years Ago, Oct. 20, 1971

Island honors dead

Members of Grand Island Post 9249, Veterans of Foreign Wars, will render honors in memory of all veterans on Veterans Day, Oct. 25. Ceremonies will be conducted starting at 11 a.m. in DeGlopper Memorial Park.

Veterans Day this year is being celebrated on Monday, Oct. 25, rather than on its traditional date in accordance with the Monday Holiday Act.

Any other Island veterans or organization desiring to participate in the ceremonies are cordially invited to attend. Further information is available from Parker Eldridge, senior vice commander of the post.

30 Years Ago, Oct. 16, 1981

Fire alarm system here in good hands

Grand Island residents and business people are continuing to receive the same excellent service as they have in the past and will in the future.

Presently final arrangements are under way between the City of Tonawanda and the Grand Island Fire Co. to have the city fire department handle all Island fire alarm and emergency calls. The Tonawanda Common Council has approved the arrangement, and attorneys for both the company and city are readying a contact, which will put the new system into permanent operation by end of the month. The cost? That will be announced as soon as legal work has been completed.

Meanwhile, Grand Island calls are being received and Island firefighters and equipment dispatched through the Amherst fire alarm office on an interim basis, Norman Mrkall, chairman of the company board of directors, said.

20 Years Ago, Oct. 26, 1991

Illegal entry tried here Sunday

It was called "smuggling" long before the Grand Island bridges came into use in 1935: attempts by the Chinese, often unsuccessful, to enter the United States via Grand Island.

The term was recalled here over the weekend when two Chinese men tried to enter the country illegally by crossing the river in a small boat from Canada.

According to the Border Patrol, one man was dropped off on shore while the other attempted to return to the Canadian side of the Niagara in a motor-equipped dinghy. Border Patrol seized the men and their boat. Suspicious activity in the Whitehaven/West River Parkway area had previously been reported by an area resident.

10 Years Ago, Oct. 19, 2001

Young hero meets fire chief

When 4-year-old Ricky Stawarz called 911 to summon help for his unconscious mother, Amanda Stawarz, late last December, he never expected that his life-saving action would lead to a personal invitation to meet with Grand Island Fire Chief Skip Mrkall.

Nevertheless, Ricky was the center of attention when Mrkall presented him with a special commendation and gift certificate during the fire company's fire prevention open house on Oct. 13.

Eight-year-old Emily DePronio was also recognized for her actions when she called 911 and then helped evacuate her family during a furnace explosion in her home in December.

Valuable lessons learned at a prior Grand Island Fire Co. fire prevention school presentation helped her prepare for this sudden emergency, she said. "Both youngsters demonstrated outstanding ability to take on grown-up responsibilities, in service for others," Mrkall said.

 

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