110 YEARS AGO – 1898

The cold weather has demonstrated to members of the Chester Board of Education the need for the best systems of heating and ventilating for all the schools in city. Temperatures at the Howell Street building could not be raised above 49 degrees and the pupils, some of whom were clad only thinly, shivered throughout the day. Parents want their children sent home if the schools are too cold. T.H. Thompson of the Eighth Ward, a member of the board, said all heating systems in the schools will be inspected and upgraded if necessary.

75 YEARS AGO – 1933

Forced to vacate their home because of arrearages in their building and loan assessments, a Lester couple and their children of Wyandotte Street were compelled to take up their residence in a cow shed. The man and his wife are “old country’’ folk and after he lost his job he was unable to keep up with loan payments. Chester welfare authorities have been providing the family with food.Mr. and Mrs. Richmond Ferguson and their family of Essex Avenue, Lansdowne, left to spend the winter at their home in Coral Gables, Fla., They plan to return to Lansdowne in May.

50 YEARS AGO – 1958

The milk drinking burglars have shifted operations to Springfield. Four homes in the same section have had milk stolen. Previously homes in Ridley Township Ridley Park, Tinicum and Prospect Park were hit. Now homes on Springhaven Road, Springfield, were victimized.Three of Delaware County’s best-known citizens have undertaken a campaign suggesting everyone in the county mail their Christmas cards and packages early. The three are Chester Mayor Joseph Eyre, Pittsburgh Pirate Manager Danny Murtaugh and Cleveland Indians first baseman Mickey Vernon.

25 YEARS AGO – 1983

The 2,600 students at Cardinal O’Hara High School in Marple boycotted lunch in the school cafeteria because they do not like new rules instituted. New rules dictate that students must sit in assigned sections and their food is served table by table. School officials declined comment on the rebellion.Three youths have been held for court in the stabbing death of a Collingdale man in September.

10 YEARS AGO – 1998

Two security guards from the Boscov’s Department Store at the Granite Run Mall in Middletown suffered minor injuries in a scuffle with a suspected shoplifter. The shoplifter from Prospect Park was charged with theft and simple assault.

---- LEN CASTERLINE

To contact Len Casterline,

e-mail: lencas1038@verizon.net

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or call (610) 565-4298