Other Times

100 Years Ago – 1922:

Appreciation of good music by Chester people was clearly demonstrated Saturday night when an audience, estimated to number 1,300, in response to invitations extended by the Kiwanis Club, in observance of Music Week, assembled in the Armory at Eighth and Sproul streets for the concert by the Chester Choral Society, directed by Karl W. Nocka and assisted by Henri Scott, noted baritone soloist and formerly connected with the Metropolitan Opera Company, and Miss H. Marie Wilkins, soprano soloist and pupil of Mr. Scott.

75 Years Ago – 1947:

Delaware Countians shivered this morning and the Weather Man reported that the May 8 cold record was broken. Up until this morning, the coldest May 8 was back in 1989 when 40 degrees was recorded. Today it was 36 degrees at 5.40 a.m. in Chester.

50 Years Ago – 1972:

The sun shone brightly Sunday, providing the proper setting for the 125-year-old PMC Colleges cadet corps’ final Mother’s Day salute.

And the approximately

275 members of the corps looked a little bit like modern remnants of knighthood as they marched into the stadium for an inspection by Brig. Gen. James N. Robertson, president of the Reserve Officer Association and other special guests. For 26 young men in the ranks it was an extra special day as they receive top awards of achievement, in various categories. Six others won promotions to corporal.

25 Years Ago – 1997:

The Sun Valley Senior Post-Prom Party will be held tomorrow night immediately after the prom at the high school. The seniors will be entertained from 1 to 4 a.m. with Laser Tag, a DJ, “casino” gambling, palm reader, among other surprises.

10 Years Ago – 2012:

Alfred L. DeSerio, a 42year veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps who served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam, died Saturday at the age of 105. He was believed to have been the oldest living Marine in the country. DeSerio moved to the St. Francis Country House in Darby Borough in 2002. He was a longtime member of the Upper Darby Marine Corps League Detachment No. 884, which named him Citizen of the Year in January. Before he turned 18, he lied about his age to enlist in the Marines. Eventually attaining the rank of master sergeant, DeSerio served in the Pacific Theater of World War II and in the Korean War and did two tours of duty in Vietnam.