Let's Go Back for Dec. 21, 2012

40 Years Ago, Dec. 20, 1972

Crowd enjoys festival

Several hundred people visited the Historical Society's second annual "Hanging of the Greens" program Sunday afternoon (Dec. 17) at River Lea in Beaver Island State Park. Those attending the program enjoyed the works of Mozart and Vivaldi as performed by the Grand Island High School string ensemble. The audience was moved by the vibrant performance of Charlene Aird who appeared as solo performer under the direction of Nicholas DeAngelo. The High School's senior choir, under the direction of Mary Hitrick, led the assembled group in the singing of traditional carols. Cyrena Dixon accompanied them on the reed organ which once stood in the Island's Congressional Church and which since has been given to the Historical Society by the DeGlopper family.

30 Years Ago, Dec. 17, 1982

Daly co-sponsored drinking age bill

State Sen. John B. Daly co-sponsored legislation which raised the state's legal drinking age for drinking from 18 to 19. "I supported this measure," said the senator, "primarily because I believe it can reduce the carnage we see on our highways year after year." According to state statistics, drink driving is the leading killer of young people in New York state and accounts for more than 44 percent of deaths among 18-year-olds, he said. The senator added that more than half of the automobile crashes involving 18-year-olds are alcohol related. "Although I realize that 18-year-olds are considered in every other way to be adults and may take exception to the bill, I do believe that it is in their best interest and in the best interest of the people of New York state," Daly concluded.

20 Years Ago, Dec. 24, 1992

Thruway Authority announces plans for I-90 reconstruction

The Thruway Authority has announced it received three bids for a four-mile Niagara Thruway (I-90) reconstruction project that will require the division of some traffic onto Niagara Street. Oakgrove Construction Inc., with a bid of $29.1 million, is the apparent low bidder for the project, scheduled to begin April 1993. "It will be one of the largest construction contracts awarded since the Thruway was built 38 years ago," said Executive Director John H. Shafer. "More importantly, about 300 construction jobs will be created."

10 Years Ago, Dec. 20, 2002

Mesmer Airstrip saga continues

During the opening portion of Monday night's Grand Island Town Board meeting, board members listened to attendees as they once again voiced their concerns regarding the ongoing Mesmer Airstrip saga. At an Aug. 19 meeting, board members approved a site plan for the airstrip, upsetting many residents. This past Monday, many of those same residents were out in force attempting to put a stop to the next phase of this project-the construction of a 44-by-49-foot hangar. "The Zoning Board of Appeals has denied two previous requests for a large hangar," argued Kristine Lavango. "The most recent the same size as this request."