Decendents of 1850s Family To Hold Reunion
- 2008
Left photo: This old photo could be a confirmation at St. Stephen's Church before it was remodeled. Note that the Bishop is shown in the back and three boys are wearing boutonnières and two girls are wearing veils.
Right photo: Circa 1950 - front left: Agnes Stack, Betty Stack Dunbar, Bernice Stack Dinsmore, Cecilia Stack; back: Ed, John, Jim, Gene, Charlie, Bill, Pat, and Paul --
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Click photo for names and a larger view
Patrick and Catherine Stack
Most of the Stack children pictured above attended one- and two-room schools on the Island and continued on to high school, taking the ferry across the river. Cecilia, Paul, and Bill attended Charlotte Sidway School and went by bus to high school on the main land.
The descendants of Grand Island, New York's Patrick and Agnes Stack family will hold their 10th quad annual reunion on July 4, 2008 on the site of the original family farm, currently the homes of grandchildren Mary Dunbar-Daluisio and Denise Stack Dewey at 1320 and 1308 Whitehaven Road.
The festivities, which are expected to draw 125 family members from at least a dozen states, will begin at approximately 1 p.m. after Grand Island's July 4th race and parade. The day will feature swimming, volleyball, badminton, card games, and games for children, and will conclude, following a big family feast, with a bonfire and fireworks as darkness falls. The family reunion will continue into the weekend with a variety of activities such as a golf outing, Stack History tour, tall family tales, Sidway School Reunion, Mass at St. Stephen's, and brunch on Sunday.
The Island Stack clan traces its settlement on the Island to Patrick Stack's father and grandfather who moved here from Ireland in the 1850s to farm 40 acres along East River near Staley Road and Winkler Drive. It was these men who built the Stack homestead, still standing on the corner of Staley Road and East River. A blacksmith shop was also set up on that corner when a ferry service was started near there. The current reunion encompasses the 11 children of Agnes and Patrick, born between 1914 and 1935. Of the original children, those attending include Island resident Bernice Stack Dinsmore, who will be celebrating her 89th birthday, and Bill Stack, Cecilia Stack, and Paul Stack. At last count, there are 47 grandchildren, 89 great grandchildren, 37 great great grandchildren, and one great great great grandchild.
Firefighters Celebrate 70th Anniversary of the Grand Island Fire Company - 2008
By Teddy Linenfelser
The first Grand Island Town Hall, built in 1875, became the fire hall in 1938 and was torn down in 1953.
Today's modern Fire Headquarters is located in in the same place on Baseline Road between Whitehaven Road and Grand Island Blvd.
The barn to the left was originally built in 1903 as a shelter for horses and wagons.
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Known for years as the "new fire hall," this building was completed in 1953 and the photo showing an additional two truck bays was probably taken in the early 1960s.
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The fire hall, circa 1953, was not only enlarged but received a new, and modern facelift in 1982.
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Grand Island Fire Company's first fire truck, completely restored and on display inside Fire Headquarters.
Oldest members of the Grand Island Fire Company posed for this photo at an old-timers party in the fire hall in July 1977. The longtime volunteer firemen, all deceased, are (front) Joe Kean, Bob Campbell, Abe Milner and Art Wade; (back) Art Mitchell, Fred Redinger, Don Hawley, Ted Klingel, Herman Reichelt, Cy Diebold and Ken Maurer.
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The Grand Island Fire Company turns 70 years old this month and members and guests will celebrate the occasion with a dinner dance at Harry's Harbour Place Grill.
Bucket brigades! Grand Island's barn fires, house fires, hay fires, - and fires of all other kinds were fought by men with buckets and their source of water was most often the property owner's well. If it was necessary to bring men and their equipment from the mainland to fight a fire, the cost to the town was $75 per fire. And by the time the off-Island firemen and their apparatus arrived by ferry boat, it was usually to late. With the opening of the Grand Island Bridges in 1935, this help was able to arrive at the scene of a fire much faster. The need for our own fire company was apparent. Discussion of organizing a company took place at a meeting in the home of the late Supervisor John L. Mesmer on February 10, 1938. The state granted a certificate of incorporation on April 13 and the first meeting of 53 charter members was held May 18 of that year. First officers of the Grand Island Volunteer Fire Company were President Edward L. Kruse, Vice President John L. Mesmer; Recording Secretary Norman Badina; Financial Secretary Raymond Young; Treasurer Horace French; and Fire Chief Thomas Benton.
The Fire Company took over the original town hall when School #9 on the site of the present town hall was turned over to the town officials. The first fire truck was delivered to the Company in July 1938. A small truck house was built on the right side of the Fire Company's hall by the men to house the truck and equipment.
That fire hall was torn down when a new hall, built by the members, was completed and first opened in 1953.. Several additions have been constructed over the years. The Grand Island Fire Company has been the forerunner in the Western New York area and in the state for many innovations. Grand Island started with a basic first aid course, eventually acquired an inhalator which saved lives, and moved on to the instruction of Emergency Medical Technicians and then the giant step, paramedic level training which began in 1978. Grand Island, in 1986, began its own dispatch operation and the 911 emergency calling system became a reality for the town with company dispatchers serving as its operators. All calls to 911 are now handled 24 hours a day in the main headquarters on Baseline Road.
This brief history doesn't come close to telling the story of the numerous Grand Island Fire Company heroes who have put their all into the Company. These dedicated men and women are volunteering for the community nearly every hour of every day. Congratulations Grand Island Fire Company and thank you.
Bedell House Saloon Burned 20 Years Ago -
Grand Island, New York - 2008
Posted March 27, 2008 By Teddy Linenfelser
Barbi Lare Photo - Click for larger view
Bedell House Annex 1800s Bedell House 1987 (Jodi Robinson photo)
Click photos for larger view.
It was 20 years ago, near midnight on Palm Sunday, that the first fire alarm was sounded to alert Grand Island volunteer firemen to the blaze that completely destroyed the Bedell House Saloon, built in Ferry Village around 1877. The tavern had been open for the last time on that evening of March 28, 1988. Firemen arriving on the scene knew immediately that they had their work cut out for them when they saw flames shooting towards the sky and knew the fire was out of control. A mutual aid request was immediate and Kenmore Fire Company brought an engine company and Sheridan Park, an aerial ladder truck.
The volunteers worked through the night, however, firemen were called back to the scene "time and again Monday and Tuesday and remained on duty in crews all Tuesday night and Wednesday," according to an Island Dispatch story by Marion E. Klingel. The rekindling was due to the unusual structure of the century old building, constructed on pilings over the riverfront. Sheridan Park's aerial ladder was utilized to draft water from the river.
Assistant Fire Chief Ray Pauley said at the time, that the fire was completely under control at about 1:30 a.m. but that due to the unusual construction of the building, firemen remained the rest of the night to watch for rekindling. Peter McMahon, in his sixth year as fire chief, was out of town attending a Fire Service Conference on Safety.
Tons of debris were hauled away on Wednesday by heavy bulldozing equipment to enable the men better access to the source of rekindling.
Incorrect history of the Bedell House Saloon often states that this was its third fire, however, this was its only fire. The Bedell House Hotel, built in 1877, burned in 1887, was rebuilt, and was demolished by fire in 1935.
It was a sad day, and an end of an era, leaving so many memories for those who knew the place and knew it well. For more history and photos of the Bedell House, see Bedell House Saloon - Grand Island, New York
Zonta Club Of Grand Island Formed 50 Years Ago - 2008
(left) Easter Bonnets 1964 (Eleanore Campbell, Lottie Suchocki, Vera Riener) - Crystal Beach Day 1969 (Joe McMahon, Bud Pritchard, Clerk Elsie Stamler, Zonta Club President Betty Beach kneeling, Henry Schenck and Jim Kennedy) - Zonta Installation 1977 (Betty Plazio, Kay Harrison, Ann Landel, Edith Godfrey, Martha Newman (installing officer), Joan Hein, Judge LaMendola, and Zonta President Catherine DiVizio)
Carolyn's House Project, 2008 (Zonta President Debbie Taylor Spencer and Zonta Service Project Chairman Linda Kutzbach)
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Town Clerk Elsie Stamler hosted a meeting in her home in March 1958 when the Zonta Club of Grand Island, NY was formed. Miss Veronica Connor, school district supervisory principal, was elected temporary president of the 31-member charter club. Also serving as temporary officers were Vice President Deane Long, Secretary Betty Wheeler, and Treasurer Mrs. Stamler. The ideas and potential of Zonta International membership were explained at the group's first meeting. The new Zonta Club was sponsored by Kenmore Zonta and first elected officers in 1958 were President Kay LaBrake, Vice President Deane Long, Treasurer Mrs. Stamler, Recording Secretary Frances Meyer, Corresponding Secretary Gertrude Dobbins and Directors Shirley Dixon and Edith Godfrey.
Zonta International seeks to:
• improve the legal, political, economic, health, educational and professional status of women through service and advocacy;
• work for the advancement of understanding, goodwill and peace through a world fellowship of executives in business and the professions;
• promote justice and universal respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms;
• be united internationally to foster high ethical standards, implement service programs, and provide mutual support and fellowship for members who serve their communities, their nations and the world.
Charter member Veronica Connor served as toastmistress for the celebration of the Zonta Club's first anniversary June 6, 1959 in Creighton's Edgewater Park Hotel on East River Road.
Club members in 1972 organized and ran their first antique show and sale, a major fundraiser for 35 years. Betty Trianda served as chairman and Miss Connor was honorary chairman for that inaugural event held in the Beaver Island Casino. The Club's last show was held in River Oaks Clubhouse in 2006, when it became apparent that the antique dealers were in permanent display headquarters and not participating in area, weekend shows as they had in the past.
The local Zontians have taken on many projects over the years. A favorite was the Easter bonnets the women collected (as many as 300), and decorated with ribbons and flowers for distribution to women and children in Buffalo hospitals. Members of the local Zonta Club took an active part in Grand Island's annual Crystal Beach Days, a joint effort with the Kiwanis and Lions clubs, and were also in attendance at the annual inter-club dinners held in the Buffalo Launch Club with the same groups. The Zonta Club, perhaps somewhat ahead of its time, created a recycling program in the early 1970s and took their recyling "monster" to a July 4th community event at the high school. Few members today will remember the record hop in the Sidway School gym sponsored by their Club in 1964 when the live music of the "Isletones" kept the teens on the dance floor! In the 1970s the ladies donated and wrapped approximately 1400 Christmas gifts to be distributed at Buffalo State Hospital, as their holiday "Packages for Patients" project.
The Zontians are very generous with funds raised through their projects that also include poinsettia sales, garage sales, hot dog sales, Chiavetta's Chicken Dinners, "Beef N Weck" Dinners, and most recently, a lottery. It was the Zonta Club that contributed the major portion of funds in 2002 for the construction and erection of a foot bridge over the creek that runs through Marion Klingel Town Commons.
The Zonta Club's most recent project was the donation to "Carolyn's House," a facility with temporary apartments for abused and economically disadvantaged women and their children who are making a new start to a better life. The Club provided personal grooming packages for each of the 19 women in the program.
The Zonta Club provides services and monies to various charities in the area, however, their major donations go to women young and older, in the form of scholarships each year.
Those first meetings 50 years ago were held in the homes of members, and then in a room in the new bowling alleys, built later that year on Whitehaven Road. The club also met in the Grand Motel on Grand Island Blvd. and later, in the Buffalo Launch Club and Del & Herb's. Today the Zonta Club meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month at the BLC. Current president is Debbie Spencer.
See "Zonta Club Presidents List"
History of Maccabee Hall, Now the New Dick & Jenny's Bake & Brew - 2008
Maccabee Home and Relief Association certificate made out to Sir Knight Peter DeGlopper of Tent No. 132 on June 19, 1917 - New "Dick & Jenny's Bake & Brew" photographed February 20, 2008
Click photos for larger view.
By Teddy Linenfelser
Maccabee Hall was built and opened around 1890 by the Maccabee Life Insurance Policy Holders. The building belonged to members of the Maccabees, the Fraternal & Benevolent Policy Holders in the Maccabees Life Insurance of America, a farmers' alliance of insurance that was started on Grand Island at that time.
Its original location was on Baseline Road, midway between Love and Staley roads. When that area was claimed for the proposed New York Central switching yards in 1920s, the building was moved closer to Love Road. According to an old-timer who remembers the second move, Maccabee Hall was moved to the corner in the 1930s when Clem Scheuerman took it over and eventually opened it as a restaurant in 1936. It was on May 16, 1936, a Saturday night, that fish fries were served for the first time.
The longtime favorite eating place had a total of four owners over the years, including Siegried (Ziggy) Gromm ("Ziggy's"), Del and Herb Haller ("Del & Herb's Grand Island Grille."), and successful real estate broker Ilona Lang ("Cathy & Jim's Del & Herb's"). The new "Dick & Jenny's Bake & Brew," opening Tuesday, February 26th in the former Maccabee Hall, is the dream come true for Island residents and new owners, Dick and Jenny Benz.
Editor's note: The following article was written for historical records by Mabel DeGlopper French in 1981 from her recollection as a youth.
"The Maccabees, begun in the 1890s, was probably the oldest organization on Grand Island. It was primarily a life insurance group of persons carrying their own insurance but it became a social organization as well. The men's group, called Knights of the Maccabees, (KOTM) was headed by Will Webb while the ladies' group (LOTM) was headed by Elizabeth (Mrs. Peter) DeGlopper. Among the names of policyholders were: Bell, Dinsmore, DeGlopper, Geschwender, Grehlinger, Howard, Simons, Vanthoff, Webb, Young, and others not remembered.
"Meetings were held by the men in the evenings, and by the ladies in the afternoons, and by the combined groups, three or four times each year, in the evenings. These joint meetings were social events for the whole family. Food was served on long tables for twenty-five cents. This was to help pay for the expense of the hall. Later as the parents grew older, the hall was used by the younger generation. Well chaperoned dances were very popular and "a jovial man who made the party fun" was the caller for square dances, interspersed with the waltz, two-step and other round dances. An evening of fun and refreshments for 25 cents!
"The Maccabees meeting hall was built by the members of the "Fraternal and Benevolent Policy Holders in the Maccabees Life Insurance of America." It stood on the west side of Baseline Road about half way between Love and Staley roads. It was in the path of the proposed switching yards to be installed by the New York Central Railroad so the railroad moved the building to the corner of Love and Baseline roads.
"From a diary of Elizabeth DeGlopper we find these notations: "Jan. 7, 1920 - went to see how things were going at Maccabee Hall."
"Economics and deaths finally caused the Maccabee Insurance to close all activity so the hall was sold to Clement Scheuerman who remodeled and made it into a restaurant."
If you stop by the Dick & Jenny's "Bake & Brew", be sure to tell your hostest or server you read about their new business at Isledegrande.com!
See Dick & Jenny's "Bake & Brew" for business article.
"The Islander" - First Published and Sent To Troops Serving In WWII January 9, 1943 - 2008
Staff of the "Islander" newspaper sent to servicemen from 1943-1945: Dorothy Phillips Mesmer, Edna Schutt Delaney, Shirley Kreger Luther, Katherine Killian Long, Gertrude Cannon Wilson.
Edna Schutt Delaney, Katherine Killian Long, Gertrude Cannon Wilson, and Shirley Kreger Luther, "Islander" staff, pose with the June 1, 1943 plaque unveiling at town hall in honor of 113 Grand Island men and women who were in the nation's service during World War II. Ceremonies under the auspices of the Grand Island Emergency War Fund Committee were rescheduled to an early hour due to the driving ban, making it possible for people attending late church services, to take the short walk to the town hall.
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The women listed above were on the staff of The Islander from its inseption. Its first issue is dated January 9, 1943. Charles Kaegebein, a member of Trinity EUB Church, financed the start of the paper, published bi-monthly to supply our troops overseas with news about Grand Island and Islanders helping the USA win the war.
That first issue listed the "Service Roll," Islanders "over there."
1. Pvt. Andrew J. Alt
2 Pvt. Melvin A. Alt
3. Robert L. Altschaft
4. R.C.T. Joseph Anderson
5. Major Heber Ashley
6. Corp. Heber Ashley
7. Pvt. Woodrow W. Babcock
8. Pvt. Robert R. Brown
9. Pvt. Charles DeGlopper
10. Pvt. Melville A. Dinsmore
11. Pvt. Robert T. Dobbins
12. Pvt. Clarence L. Dohn
13. St. Sgt. William W. Drexler
14. Cpl. Lester Goodchild, U.S.M.C.
15. Pvt. F. C. William H. Henry
16. Pvt. Glen Huling
17. J. Dale Janes, U.S.N.
18. Allen E. Kaiser Jr., A.S.
19. Pvt. Laverne Kaiser
20. Pvt. Randal J. Kaiser
21. Pvt. Edward A. Kerr
22. Pvt. John L. Kerr
23. Pvt. Donald Killian
24. Pvt. Henry A. Killian
25. St/Sgt. Raymond Killian
26. Walter C. Killian, A.B.
27. Ralph B. Kreger, A.V.G.
28. Pvt. Eugene A. Kunkel
29. Ensign Elmer Long
30. P.F.C. Haravey S. Long
31. Pvt. Harold B. Long
32. Sgt. Robert J. Long
33. Francis P. Markle
34. Pvt. Kenneth H. Maurer
35. Corp. Donald W. Miller
36. Corp. Robert E. Oberkercher
37. Capt. Arthur A. Reed
38. Paul Ritter
39. Pvt. William L. Rhode
40. Corp. Lester Schutt
41. Charles Sherry 2/c U.S. Navy
42. Robert Staley 2/c U.S. Navy
43. Pvt. Alton Stein
44. 2nd. Lt. James Tower
45. Cpl. John Tower
46. Pvt. Kenneth Wagner
47. Arthur Webb, U.S.N.R.
48. Pvt. Norman Webb
49. Pvt. Paul Williams
50. Pvt. Raymond Yensan
51. Capt. Rolland H. Young
52. Pvt. William C. Roech
53. Pvt. Robert Zurbrick
The following Island residents lost their lives in WWII
Charles N. DeGlopper - Congressional Medal of Honor
Eugene F. Dinsmore
William D. Gillen
Francis King Goodchild
William L. Rohde
Howard W. Salton
Charles A. Smith
George E. Smith
Posted Jan. 17, 2008
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