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Retrospective

Retrospective

Thirty years ago — 1993 Strong objections from several neighbors were heard during a public hearing in Dunkirk on a $500,000 proposal to replace the Country Fair store at 150 Lake Shore Drive West with a new building. The company wants to build a new structure near the back of the existing lot and install gas pumps in the front of the lot. Officials said the company needs to modernize the store and install gas pumps in order to remain competitive. Neighbors’ concerns centered around the installation of gas pumps, with 22 residents signing a petition objecting to that. Forty years ...

Retrospective

Thirty years ago — 1993 A “Do You Remember?” photo submitted by Peter Russo of Dunkirk was taken at the OBSERVER picnic back in 1951. All in attendance posed for the picture. Only one person shown in the photo, Jerre Mitchell of Fredonia, is still employed at the newspaper. Forty years ago — 1983 The Pine Valley Teachers Association recently amended its constitution to include the “David Dunning Memorial Scholarship” award. Scholarships will be given in memory of the late David “Mick” Dunning, a Fredonia native and formersocial studies teacher at Pine Valley Central ...

Retrospective

Thirty years ago — 1993 Brocton Central High School’s new principal, Richard G. Thom, isn’t a stranger to this area. He was raised in Dunkirk, the son of Gordon and Florence Thom, who live at 780 Park Ave. A 1964 graduate of Cardinal Mindszenty High School, he earned a bachelor’s degree in history at Fredonia State and taught social studies at Panama Central School for 22 years. Forty years ago — 1983 A student strike has been scheduled for all day at Fredonia State University College to protest the governor’s proposed staff and funding cuts in the SUNY budget for ...

Retrospective

Thirty years ago — 1993 Various city of Dunkirk officials have been invited to attend a presentation by a California firm interested in converting Cedar Beach into a showcase for the sunken steam ship Atlantic. The steamer Atlantic sank in 1852 off Long Point with more than 250 people aboard. The Mar-Dive Corp. located the wreckage, obtained the salvage rights, and now would like to move the perfectly preserved wreck from its present location under 200 feet of water to a display area at some site along Lake Erie. Forty years ago — 1983 President Ronald Reagan said in a speech ...

Retrospective

Thirty years ago — 1993 Student of the Week is Jesse Loomis, son of Mr. and Mrs. Steven Loomis of Westfield, and a senior at Westfield Academy and Central School. A member of the National Honor Society and captain of the High School Bowl team, Jesse also participates in band and the school’s select choral ensemble, the Westwinds. He has lettered in basketball, track, soccer and golf. Following graduation, he plans to attend Allegheny College in Meadville, Pa. Forty years ago — 1983 Retired after 17 years at the M. Wile Co. plant in Dunkirk, Mrs. Leo (Helen) Krzyzanowski was ...

Retrospective

Thirty years ago — 1993 A state plan to build a $3 million day care center for mentally retarded adults on the campus of the Chautauqua County Home in the west town of Dunkirk wasn’t exactly dead today, but it was definitely on life support. The prognosis for the project became doubtful after bids for the structure — designed to care for 100 mentally disabled adults — came in $1 million over budget. With the apparent collapse of the project, county legislators’ main concern is how to get back title to the plot of land adjoining the county home which they had sold to the state ...