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Let's Go Back: Our Island Dispatch Through the Years for Aug. 3, 2012

by Alex
Sat, Aug 4th 2012 07:00 am

 40 Years Ago, Aug. 9, 1972

Jenny's back in town

After almost 900 man-hours of rebuilding, the Buffalo Historical Museum's World War I vintage "Jenny" airplane was rolled out of the main hanger at the Niagara Falls Air Base. The rebuilding was done as a volunteer project, in off-duty hours of three members of the 914th Tactical Airlift Group's aircraft maintenance section. The plane is set to be displayed at this year's Erie County Fair in Hamburg. Hengerer's Department Store, Buffalo, provided the money for rebuilding. The cost was $1,200 for supplies, which included 80 yards of man-made cloth for covering, wood for framing, wire for control and bracing cables, metal piping for the landing gear, 40 gallons of fire retardant compound and a few hundred TV dinners. However, the Jenny is not flyable, as it would need an new frame.

30 Years Ago, Aug. 6, 1982

Town Hall may install computers, acquire River Oaks plant

The Grand Island Town Board is taking a long, hard look at installing a computerization program in most town departments. A consulting firm is to be brought in to survey the situation and give the town options as far as the products available. Also under discussion is the possibility of acquiring the package sewer plant built in 1973 to serve what was then considered to be the first phase of the 1100 River Oaks complex. The River Oaks development, which now includes a golf course, golf club, a group of condominiums, as well as the Holiday Inn owned by Commonwealth Holiday Inns of Canada Inc., is now a part of a recently developed Sewer District 4 and could be served by its facilities.

20 Years Ago, Aug. 7, 1992

Outstanding Isle recreation plan unveiled

There will be no lack of recreation facilities on Grand Island within the next few years. In fact, the start of improvements in Veterans Park, in some aspects are already under way and five Little League baseball diamonds are in use. Recreational needs to be developed throughout the Island include community and neighborhood parks and bike trails circling the town as well as an estimated $5 million worth in leisure and athletic time equipment and athletic facilities in the 100-plus acre Veterans Park. A gymnasium and pool are in the plans for Veterans Park. So are soccer, football and softball fields as well as additional Little League facilities. Priority is recommended for a road through the park with water, sewer and lighting built at the same time. Landscaping and a bike trail also will be included.

10 Years Ago, Aug. 9, 2002

New welcome sign sure to catch eyes

The Town of Grand Island has been in need of a new welcome sign for a while now. The wait is over.

A group of local politicians, town employees and Grand Island Chamber of Commerce President Jim Sharpe unveiled a new sign to the media. The sign, which will be located a couple hundred feet past the Grand Island Boulevard exit along the Thruway, was initiated and funded by the Chamber of Commerce. The chamber also received additional funding from Erie County Legislator Charles Swanick.

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