Today in Delaware County history, Aug. 31

100 Years Ago, 1924: The fall term of the Sleeper’s Colleges opens Tuesday, Sept. 2, and, from enrollments already made the season promises to be a flourishing one. The reputation of the local institution is not confined to this city alone, as there are enrollments from Delaware, Maryland, Viriginia and even as far south as North Carolina. At least 90 percent of the graduating class of 1923 have been located in satisfactory positions.

75 Years Ago, 1949: Struck by lightning during the violent electrical storm which swept this area early today, a grocery store was wrecked by flames at McCall Heights, Brookhaven. A Brookhaven fireman was felled by smoke in the two hour and 25-minute battle to quell the blaze in a one-story frame building at Shepard and Dutton Mill roads. The victim, Francis Piestrak, 24, was taken to Crozer Hospital in the Parkside ambulance. He was treated for smoke inhalation and released. The store was operated by Thomas S. Winnemore, former proprietor of a service station at Ninth and Sproul streets.

50 Years Ago, 1974: Harrison F. Dunning, retired chairman and chief executive officer of the Scott Paper Co., Tinicum, died today at his home on Shady Hill Road, Moylan, Upper Providence. Dunning was 66 and had been ill for several months. Dunning retired from Scott Paper in 1971. In addition to his duties at Scott, he served as a commission of the Delaware River Port Authority, as a director of the Greater Philadelphia Movement, and as a member of A Better Chester. He was also a member of the American Management Association, a director of the Grocery Manufacturers’ Association and its chairman in 1968 and 1968 and a trustee of the Committee for Economic Development.

25 Years Ago, 1999: Change the familiar phrase to “Don’t smoke them, and don’t even have them.” For years, the smoking ban was only for students. Now, the Springfield School District has extended the prohibition of smoking and carrying smoking products to all staff members and even those just visiting schools for athletic and other events. Infractions of the policy carry penalties and fines which, Superintendent Joseph O’Brien said, the district is prepared to levy against teachers as well as students.

10 Years Ago, 2014: The Concord supervisors meeting scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Sept. 2 at Garnet Valley Middle School will be held 7 p.m. in the township building, 43 Thornton Road. The time and venue had been changed as the board anticipated addressing Vineyard Commons, but the item will not be on the agenda.

— COLIN AINSWORTH