Other Times

100 Years Ago – 1920:

Women of St. Michael’s Church, Chester, in their weekly meeting, were cautioned by the spiritual adviser, the Rev. Father Toner, against Ouija boards, characterized as heretical invention, and “pure bunk” mostly. Toner did not treat the subject as a serious matter, regarding the latest modern craze to be more of a play toy than an instrument of alleged spiritualization, but he advised his hearers not to become too interested in the boards.

75 Years Ago – 1945:

A plan to rehabilitate the Chester Police Pension Fund and establish it on the soundest possible financial basis, to which end a volunteer committee of industrialists, merchants, and professional men has been working quietly with Mayor Ralph F. Swarts and the police, was made public today. Initial response to a public appeal for funds indicated complete eventual success of the project.

50 Years Ago – 1970:

Chadds Ford artist Andrew Wyeth, the nation’s most celebrated painter, is “surprised” and “honored” that President Richard Nixon wants to exhibit his work at the White House. “It’s not so important for me as a person but the fact that it gives recognition to art and artists,” Wyeth said. “I’m going to get it on the chin” for accepting the invitation. He thought critics and some fellow artist might say “Oh, he’s tied up with Nixon.”

25 Years Ago – 1995:

For a group of football fans watching today’s 49ersCowboys playoff game, the final score may not be the most significant part of the day. Brian Haubert, a Boy Scout working toward the rank of Eagle, has arranged a football party at Grace Lutheran Church,

2191 West Chester Pike, Broomall, for approximately

60 homeless people living in Upper Darby. “The people we meet often are carrying all their possessions with them, don’t have jobs, and may not even know their kids,” said Haubert.

“Most of them are men and I thought they would enjoy watching the game on a big-screen TV.”

10 Years Ago – 2010:

If Bethel Supervisor Ed Miles has it his way, the current board of supervisors will be increased from three members to five. Miles said during a meeting that because of the increase in population, he feels it is necessary to have additional representation and input. “When I moved to the township 22 years ago, the population was about 2,500, and now there are more than 11,000 residents,” Miles said.