We use words to convey meanings, but in so many cases a single word can be understood to mean several non-similar things. Crossword puzzles sometimes use that to really confound us. The same word, even in the same sentence, may mean something very different. A turn right, may not always be a ...

As an American veteran, I am outraged by the alleged conduct of an elected official toward an Army nurse who was stationed overseas caring for those who were injured in battle and also those who were deceased. When this hero returned home to Dunkirk, she was involved in the church choir and ...

Editor’s note: Former State University of New York at Fredonia professor and OBSERVER columnist George Sebouhian was preparing to write his life story when he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2013. He died three years later, having left behind hundreds of pages of research notes, poems and ...

Valvo candies has been in business for 100 years. What an icon in our community. How many kids have been rewarded there for good grades or good behavior? How many trademark boxes of Valvo candy have been sent out of town all over the country even the world to family, friends and ...

Today the United States is far from united. Only partisans unite on their side of an issue. Votes in Congress are often strictly along party lines, the result is a nation fractured along ideological lines. Unfortunately, ideology is an all too reflexive substitute for reason, thinking, or ...

For the good of our country all Americans should have good health care. A healthy society is a productive society. But healthcare is expensive. Most Americans need insurance. Under the current U.S. health-care system there is a gap in health care insurance coverage. Only certain Americans ...

The other week I ran into a friend of mine. In the course of the visit, l told him I was looking for a whizbang and did he know where l might find one. He said he happened to have one and would sell it reasonable. l gave him the money and we agreed that the next time I was in his ...

Billionaire Jeffrey Epstein is among the sleaziest of perverts, if federal authorities are to be believed. Given his 2008 guilty plea to charges he had sex with minors in Florida, there is no reason to discount charges he faces now in New York. Outrage already has been expressed over the ...

Talk about temptation! Catalogues are much worse than a visit to a greenhouse. The latter is a one-time occurrence while I can leaf through the tempting pages day after day. Plus catalogues are full of gorgeous pictures — flowers, fruits, even trees. So much promise there! My three ...

How many people in the past have rented and enjoyed the old Hose 4 grounds at the Point? Thousands I’m sure. Well those days of enjoyment are gone! The city of Dunkirk now owns and runs the grounds and I’m sure one of the biggest benefits of reserving the grounds was the Koch beer cooler ...

I hope that some OBSERVER reader can tell me what has happened to a rock from my childhood. From 1933 to 1937 my family lived in the town of Sheridan on King Road about a quarter mile west of Walnut Road on property now owned by Falcone Farms. Among the wonders of this farm was a big stone ...

Democrats need a better strategy for finding the best challenger to get in the ring with the Trumpster. What they have right now is a flawed bunch that could be easily exploited during the presidential debates. If the Dems want to win, they’re going to have to fight fire with fire, to brawl ...

We are blessed with fertile farm lands. And the area of which I am most familiar, is our Chautauqua-Cattaraugus-Erie county area. Many of our neighbors and friends are directly involved in agriculture. What a contribution they are making to the local economy and to the health and well being of ...

The headline on the Sunday front page (July 7) over a picture of a swastika, reading “Symbol of Discontent,” is shameful. Even a casual search in Wikipedia would find the following: “To Jews and the enemies of Nazi Germany, it became a symbol of antisemitism and terror.” The enemies ...

On behalf of the 1891 Fredonia Opera House, I want to extend our sincerest appreciation to all those who supported the Bach & Beyond Baroque Music Festival — our 24th — in June. Because of the support from organizations and individuals, our visiting musicians were well-housed and fed, ...

This is a sad story that is bound to be repeated many times before November 2020. No doubt you’ll be hearing the shrieks of horror all throughout your neighborhood. Unless you’ve been in a cave the past few months, you know that an election is coming next year. We still have 15 more ...

The OBSERVER’s June 13 edition listed a web poll asking, “Should special education students be integrated into regular classrooms?” Of respondents, 55% answered no; 45% answered yes. I’ll address the poll itself first. The question was ill-conceived and offensive. First, obviously the ...

Marina safety efforts lauded Editor, OBSERVER: After reading the article on July 3, I felt compelled to respond. While I agree it should be the responsibility of the marina to repair and maintain the docks I applaud Mayor Wilfred Rosas for putting public safety first. On June 1, I took a ...

This coming week my high school class reunion takes place. Fifty years ago I graduated, wide-eyed and idealistic, ready to change the world. Certainly a lot has changed; some for the good; some not so much. But there’s no denying that 1969 was a year for the history books. I decided to take a ...

A recent column appeared in the OBSERVER which caught my attention and compels me to respond. The column’s author, with whom I seldom agree, nonetheless always find interesting. His opinions are often provocative but sometimes I wonder if he is playing a joke on readers or as the English say, ...