Virginia Surlas of Dunkirk has sweet recollections of former city restaurant and gathering place Candyland. Memories of her father, fortunately, are just as richly ingrained.

Surlas’ father, Gus, was co-founder of the store with his cousin, George Surlas. Candyland was in the heart of a then-thriving downtown at 318 Central Ave., which served as not only a hot spot for the younger crowd seeking out an after-school or evening treat, it also was where business leaders would come together for lunch during the week.

Because of this, it was considered a meeting place that served the city from 1919 to 1959. Gus Surlas was loved not only by his wife, Bessie, and daughter, but just as much by the community.

“He had so much personality,” said Virginia Surlas. “You’d walk in Candyland and he would greet you like he had been waiting all day for you to arrive. … It was the center of the city.”

Not only did Surlas have a well-run establishment, he also treated many of his workers like family. Many who graduated from high school worked part-time at the store. Around the time of World War II, many were leaving home for the war. All of those employees received a send-off from the Surlas family.

“When any of them went into the service, we’d have to go down to the train station,” Virginia Surlas recalled. “We’d be there to hug him, kiss him and wish him good luck and then wave goodbye.”

Christmas, of course, was a special time for the store. Back then, candy maker Jim Vlachos would create candy canes and ribbon candy during the holiday season in his distinct factory in the basement.

Besides candy, the restaurant had a full menu of food, including the Candyland Club, a chicken, bacon, tomato, lettuce and mayonnaise sandwich that went for 35 cents.

In 1945, when Virginia Surlas was a teenager, her dad died of a heart attack. For a day in March, the city was at a standstill to remember Surlas.

“His circle of friends was tremendous in size; almost as big as his heart,” noted an editorial in the OBSERVER. “He was solid; a good man and the friend of everyone.”

After his death, Candyland went through two more owners before it closed its doors in 1959. It will forever live in Dunkirk’s glory days – along with the legacy of goodwill and celebration that began with Gus Surlas.

Holiday helpings

In more than two decades at the helm, Kathy Peterson knows there is a need in our area during all seasons.

Even so, as executive director of Chautauqua County Rural Ministry in Dunkirk, she finds it reassuring that so many in the area do pitch in to help those less fortunate at the holidays. During Thanksgiving, the Friendly Kitchen served 76 meals while 110 baskets were distributed for the holiday.

Christmas will be just as busy. Peterson said 325 children will be receiving gifts from the agency. “Each child receives about three toys … some puzzles and some word games,” she said.

Some 165 families are expected to receive Christmas baskets as well, some of which will be delivered this weekend. “I still think the philanthropic giving is just so prominent in the Dunkirk-Fredonia area,” she said. “(Despite) the economy … there are still so many people who are so giving.”

To help Rural Ministry, call 366-1787.

Back to school

Dunkirk Middle School eighth-graders on Monday got a taste of what it was like to work in the probation department, as a firefighter or a radio disc jockey in a number of career day presentations by professionals.

Not only was it a great turnout by the professionals for the event, which lasted from 9 a.m. to about noon, students were well receptive as well. The day would have not happened if not for the efforts of Michelle Cerrie, home and careers teacher at the school.

Happy holidays.

John D’Agostino is the OBSERVER publisher. Send comments to jdagostino@observertoday.com or call 366-3000, ext. 401.