I have decided to offer a short history of Barker Commons. ORIGINAL GRANT Originally the land in the center of the village, known as Barker Commons, was owned by Hezekiah Barker and his wife, Sarah Barker. On April 18, 1825, the Barkers deeded the land that is now Barker Commons to Zattu ...
A 16-year-old student from southwestern France has arrived in Fredonia to spend the 2026-27 school year experiencing American life, making new friends and becoming part of the local community through the Rotary Youth Exchange program. Pia Derreumaux, of Anglet, a town of 43,00 in southwest ...
The Benjamin Prescott Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution held their annual "Picnic in the Cemetery with Founder, Jennie Prescott" on Aug. 26 at the Forest Hill Cemetery in Fredonia. Eight members were gathered at the grave of Prescott. The group brought ...
It may seem odd to some people that I am complimenting Fredonia Trustee Paul Wandel on his efforts in overseeing operations at the village’s water treatment plant. I have been critical in this column of Wandel’s support of the village’s current plan to join the North County Water District. I have also been critical of the inaccurate statements and misinformation that Wandel often spreads about this ill-advised water project. But credit should be given where credit is due. In THE OBSERVER’S VIEW of Sept. 1, water plant upgrades made a difference in the village, the editor ...
Camp Gross will celebrate an incredible milestone in 2029 — 100 years of existence! In 1929, Robert Gross of Dunkirk generously donated the property to the Lake Shore Council of the Boy Scouts of America, which later became the Allegheny Highlands Council. His vision was for the property to be used as a camp for Boy Scouts. In 1988, the Allegheny Highlands Council was no longer able to maintain the property. A not-for-profit corporation was then established, and the Camp Gross Foundation was incorporated to preserve Camp Gross as a camp for youth. Over the years, Camp Gross has ...
As a part-time writer, musician and non-tenured teacher, I might qualify as a struggling artist (as if there were any other kind). The struggle has been real, and throughout my life I’ve periodically relied on house painting to make ends meet and facilitate my other, sometimes less lucrative ...
