Other Times

100 Years Ago – 1918: Mayor Wesley S. McDowell is one of the most enthusiastic war gardeners in the city. He takes a keen interest in his garden, growing all sorts of vegetables and spending all his spare time cultivating. Mayor McDowell arises early and devotes attention to the garden before coming to he city hall to engage in his official duties, and in the evening he takes advantage of the daylight program to work in the garden. 75 Years Ago – 1943:

A U.S. sailor nearly drowned in full view of about 500 other bathers in Chester Park on Saturday afternoon. The sailor, Stanley Bolling, 21, of Kansas City, Mo., was saved by 13-year-old Robert Kay of 405 Mercer Place, in the city. The boy plunged into the deep section of Ridley Creek when saw Bolling was in difficulty and pulled the sailor to the bank. 50 Years Ago – 1968: The people came – more than 50,000 strong from across the country – to show they care about the things that are happening in America today. From Chester, Media, Middletown, Morton and many other Delaware County communities, they came to Washington in a common cause of justice, quality and decency for all. A re-enactment of the 1963 march on Washington, this time it was billed as “the last chance.” That was something that kept popping up in speeches and conservation through the day, billed as “Solidarity Day:” in the Poor people’s Campaign. 25 Years Ago – 1993: Darby Borough officials are looking for volunteers to participate in No More Dumping in Darby Days. The weekend cleanups are an effort to clean up the trash dumped in the borough, which is sponsoring the event. Two workers from the county will be on hand and Con Cassidy of Cassidy Construction will provide the equipment. 10 Years Ago – 2008: One of the oldest taverns in Chester celebrates its 75th anniversary next week. It’s called Sloppy Joe’s at 6th and Harwick streets, a bar that has been at the same location since it opened. Joe Wesolowski opened Joe’s Bar on June 1, 1933, during the nation’s economic depression. His grandson Dave said that his grandfather had come to the U.S. from the Ukraine to work for General Chemical before he opened the bar that was originally a candy store. “At 86 years old and still going strong, my dad, Mike, invites all his friends to help him celebrate,” said Dave, of Concord. Mike left Sun Oil in 1952 to help his father operate the bar after his mother passed away and when Mike retired in 1985, his sons Joe and Dave took over running the place.