Twenty years ago — 1997

“Rebuild the Marauder Drive Playground.” That was the message delivered to the Dunkirk Common Council as a petition containing about 200 signatures was presented to the council. A group of parents and children also attended the meeting to present their case in person. Lucas Avenue resident Lynn Dorler said a creative wooden playground, such as the one recently built at School 5, would be ideal. The council has done its part by approving an $8,000 resolution for the purchase of equipment in 1996. However, no equipment has been purchased in light of impending layoffs of city personnel.

Thirty years ago — 1987

Shannon Mosher is the winner of the Drug Abuse Slogan Contest sponsored by the New York Telephone Pioneers. Shannon won a $50 savings bond for her slogan “Drugs — Winners Choose Not To Abuse,” which was made into bumper stickers to be distributed to the public. Shannon, who will enter the seventh grade at Silver Creek Central School this fall, is the daughter of Lynda Mosher of Jackson Street, Irving. The winner of the contest was chosen by Michael Licata from the Educational Division, Erie County Sheriffs Narcotics Division.

Forty years ago — 1977

Vincent J. Polowy, son of Mr. and Mrs. James Polowy of 191 East Second St., Dunkirk has been awarded a full and renewable scholarship for study at Mount Carmel Prep Seminary in Niagara Falls, Ontario. A June graduate of St. Hyacinth School, he began the fall semester on Aug. 29.

Fifty years ago — 1967

Clouds of smoke pouring from the stack at the Westfield plant of the Welch Grape Juice Co. Inc. will be a thing of the past this fall, despite the fact that the plant will process a record tonnage of grapes. The plant will practically eliminate the discharge of air-polluting effluents by converting from coal to gas as a source of heat in the boilers.