For nine consecutive years, Forestville Central Schools and its high school volleyball teams have brought both awareness and donations in the battle against cancer. At a recent school board meeting, district athletic director Scott Hazelton noted just how successful the Hornets’ Spike Out ...
Discipline means mental and moral training, obedience to rules, training, chastisement. My question today is: how many parents are in that category when it comes to discipline? Let’s look at what today’s parents are responsible for toward their kids. Some are responsible only for ...
Twenty years ago — 1999 The Gowanda Area Chamber of Commerce announced the 1998 Spirit of Gowanda award recipients as Mark Schindler for business and Cynthia Constantine and Bryan Bradley for community service. Mr. Schindler is the owner of Schindler Funeral Home, Southern Tier Monument ...
In the dark — without public scrutiny — Dunkirk Common Council and other city leaders made a decision to break a law. After approving the resolution in the spring for a public referendum on increasing council members’ terms from two to four years, it happened. Council members and the ...
Accolades for a loved one Editor, OBSERVER: Heavy rain did not prevent the community from remembering Gary Grobaski at a memorial service held Thursday evening, Dec. 20. Gary, a unique individual was friendly, warm-hearted, and wildly known for his “one liners.” He owned German ...
I was in my ninth-grade math class when I felt my cheeks get hot — almost as hot as the tears of embarrassment running down my face. I had been asked to step out of class: I was showing too much shoulder skin and had to go change into an old gym shirt, or I would have to be sent home. At that ...
While it is looking like 2019 will be ringing in breaking news bulletins even faster and more furiously than 2018, with tweets by the source from which all news flows flashing in cyberspace like a strobe light, it is very hard to develop a commentary on current events. Upon the day of this ...
In a recent Publisher’s notebook (Nov. 30), John D’Agostino chastised local towns for not doing enough to improve efficiencies through participation in shared services with other towns. From my perspective — as an elected official in the town of Arkwright — I see that unless you border ...
Recently I watched and listened to Betsy Devos, the current United States Secretary of Education being interviewed on Fox News. The wealthy Devos is an outspoken critic of public education, particularly the disparity in funding and state test results for inner city school districts such as ...
Twenty years ago — 1999 There’s sticks. And then there’s Setterstix. When it comes to the lollipop, nobody in the United States can make a stick like this village of Cattaraugus company. The concept of the paper lollipop stick was born in the village of Cattaraugus more than 100 years ...
Here are some of the best — and worst — of the week: BEST PARK GRANT — Sheridan Bay Park recently was awarded a $100,000 grant. It will be used to redo different facilities at the park including water, electric, drainage, campsites and more. Sheridan Bay Park is an under-utilized park ...
Editor’s note: This is the second of two parts. The first was published on Dec. 29. I have sometimes been accused of being too tough on people in group or individuals. No one has ever cared more about helping people than yours truly, however, in group, it is my classroom. When I ask you ...
Twenty years ago — 1999 In an OBSERVER photo, New York State Senator Pat McGee shares conversation with Mayor Robert Kesicki of Dunkirk. Mayor Kesicki and Senator McGee joined Northern Chautauqua Chamber of Commerce representatives and county, town and city of Dunkirk officials at the ...
It is an unusual sight: seeing an area Department of Public Works crew out doing leaf pick-up in early January. But with no snow on the ground, it is a perfect time notes Fredonia DPW chief Tony Gugino. “With the weather, we’re taking advantage of it,” Gugino told the OBSERVER’s M.J. ...
Because of the demands on the human voice, “Semiramide” was revived by the Metropolitan Opera only after a quarter of a century. Happily, the Met filled every role with an exceptional singer who could also act. Set in ancient Babylon, the scenery was as stupendous as one might hope. ...
Twenty years ago — 1999 The Northern Chautauqua Chamber of Commerce wishes to congratulate owner and operator Dr. Estelle Crino for her outstanding hospitality at a recent luncheon for the NCCC and the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation staffers. Pinewood Cottage offers an eclectic ...
On a summer day back in 2008, I became reacquainted with Mac Nelson, English professor emeritus at the State University of New York at Fredonia. We both arrived at the Shorewood Country Club parking lot in anticipation of a Rotary Club meeting where he was going to speak about his book ...
In our community and with area schools, Sylvester Cleary has always had a song to sing. Recently, the Forestville resident and school board member hit a new milestone — his first album. “Love is the Way” is an anthology of 22 songs that he and his fellow musicians recorded throughout ...
“NY State Police investigating after cows thrown from moving vehicle.” This headline beamed at me through my phone while scrolling through Facebook. I was not surprised to see anger pouring out of the comments section on Facebook: “When you see them, feel free to shoot them first and ...
Twenty years ago — 1999 Gail Black of Westfield is clearly one of the most passionate advocates for treating tourists visiting Chautauqua County with genuine rural hospitality. She fiercely believed in promoting local businesses and area attractions. Not only does she host visitors at her ...