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Twenty years ago — 1993

Dave Kleparek is featured in the Evening Observer Sports Scrapbook. Dave graduated from Dunkirk High School in 1969 and Clarion University in 1973 with a degree in business administration and management. The 1968 First Team All-Southwestern Conference Football Team center and linebacker also ran track (880, shot, discus). Dave has coached soccer and Little League baseball and softball for the past 10 years.

Thirty years ago – 1983

This week is Discovery Week at Ludeman’s at 214 Central Ave. in Silver Creek with the grand opening of Ludeman’s new giftware, houseware and card departments. The new departments are located in the middle section of the store. The section formerly housed Borland’s Men’s Shop. Borland’s will soon be making its permanent home in a new downtown Silver Creek location.

Forty years ago – 1973

Joseph C. Restivo, a farmer for more than 40 years, found a heart-shaped potato at his farm on Alleghany Road, Silver Creek. The operator of Happy Joe’s Fruit Stand on Route 20, Mr. Restivo said he is donating $10 to the Heart Fund “because I’m so happy about finding this rare potato.”

Fifty years ago – 1963

Ralph S. Moch of Pine Street and Richard J. Pencek of Ocelot Street, Dunkirk were elected president and vice president respectively of the Holy Name Society of St. Hyacinth’s Church in Dunkirk.

Twenty years ago — 1993

Cassadaga resident Clarence “Abe” Abram is one of 10 World War I veterans living in Chautauqua County. Still living at his home on Mill Street, he recently received a commemorative medal awarded to all WWI vets by the U.S. government which marks the 75th anniversary of the war. Now 97 years old, Mr. Abram retired in 1968 at the age of 72 after serving 27 years as the manager of the Cassadaga Farmers Co-op Feed Mill, now Agway.

Thirty years ago – 1983

Parishioners of St. Hedwig’s Church in Dunkirk recently honored their pastor, the Rev. Msgr. Thomas E. Crane, who was named as Prelate of Honor by His Holiness Pope John Paul II. Presiding over the ceremony of investiture was the Rev. Msgr. Richard S. Amico, a personal friend. Parish trustees Joseph Kozlowski and Vincent Smoczynski read an English translation of the Latin papal document of appointment and presented it to the new Prelate. The Knights of Columbus formed a color guard. Msgr. Crane’s new robes were blessed during the ceremony.

Forty years ago – 1973

Daisy, the 10-week-old dachshund pet of Kimberly Welch, 9, and her 5-year-old sister Susan, is the “Pet of the Week.” The girls are the children of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Welch, 42 Newton St., Dunkirk.

Fifty years ago – 1963

Army Pvt. Leonard L. Pfleuger, 20, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin R. Pfleuger of Alleghany Road, Silver Creek provided support in Germany for a NATO field training exercise, a part of operation BIG LIFT.

Twenty years ago — 1993

At the annual meeting of Graf Realty Corp., Daniel P. Reininga was elected president. He replaces Perry F. Reininga who has been with the company since 1958 and will remain in an advisory capacity. Graf Realty Corp. was founded in 1941 by George H. Graf and Lester A. Graf, who also owned George H. Graf and Co., a furniture business founded in 1898. The store was sold in 1981. Unlike most real estate companies, Graf Realty does not sell real estate. The company is involved in the development, investment and management of real estate, most of which is located in Dunkirk and Fredonia.

Thirty years ago – 1983

Dr. John Glenzer of Fredonia became the first Republican in history to be elected Chautauqua County executive, defeating Democrat Robert L. Barber of Jamestown by almost 4,000 votes in what was billed as “the battle of the college professors.” At the same time, county Comptroller Joseph Lepkowski of French Creek kept the office he won four years ago by again defeating Legislature Clerk W. Ray Hall by some 5,000 votes.

Forty years ago – 1973

More than 300 New York State Jaycees and their wives have registered at the Holiday Inn on Bennett Road, Fredonia for the annual Distinguished Service Awards convention, a two-day event being held in the village.

Fifty years ago – 1963

The construction of a supper club on Route 5 opposite Shorewood Country Club golf course began this morning. Formerly The Meadows, a drive-in restaurant, the Dunkirk site belongs to C. W. Messina of Silver Creek and is being patterned after the Van Buren Bay Inn which was destroyed by fire. Mr. Messina also owns the Messina Lumber Co., Silver Creek and the Messina Motel on Routes 5 and 20 just outside the village.

Twenty years ago — 1993

Student of the Week is Stacey “Stella” Meyer, a senior at Dunkirk High School. She currently serves as president of the Student Council and is an active participant in WDOE Radio’s “High School Highlights.” Stacey participates in volleyball, basketball and swimming and is a member of the yearbook staff and Drama Club. The daughter of David and Donna Einstein of Martin Street, Dunkirk and the late David C. Meyer, she hopes to attend Clarion University to major in business management.

Thirty years ago – 1983

One Dunkirk resident had a taste of life in the closest thing to “tinsel town” in these parts and now says “it’s in my blood.” Suzanne (Mourer) Bialaszewski of 57 Leming St. was cast as a “background artist” by producers of “The Natural,” starring Robert Redford. Mrs. Bialaszewski, 31, and the mother of two children, says “they treated me like a star” during her 21 days of filming at Buffalo’s War Memorial and All-High stadiums where crowd scenes were shot for the upcoming film. As a dressed extra in the “stadium corps,” she received $30 per day with a $15 bonus for each of five days she worked a 16-hour shift.

Forty years ago – 1973

M&T Bank announced the promotion of Daphne G. Parks of Fredonia to assistant manager of the Fredonia office. A graduate of Brocton High School and Dunkirk Business School, she has been with the bank more than five years.

Fifty years ago – 1963

Fifth-grader Patricia LaBarbera, 212 Woodrow Ave., Dunkirk and eighth-grader Carol Logano won roller skates, the grand prize of the program sponsored by the city’s Recreation Commission and Dunkirk Roll-Arena.

Twenty years ago — 1993

In a “Do You Remember?” photo submitted by James Muscato of Dunkirk, the Dunkirk City Planning Commission is shown in 1959 as members were sworn in at the Common Council chambers in Dunkirk City Hall. Members are Mrs. Vaughan Meister, Jack D. Scott, Stephen Szczerbacki, Anthony Valentine, Walter Rys; Judge Joseph J. Ricotta and Mayor George T. Wheeler.

Thirty years ago – 1983

Several persons will be called as witnesses in a three-day hearing pitting the Dunkirk Teachers Association versus Dr. Robert E. Bennett, the superintendent of schools. The teachers have charged Dr. Bennett with more than 20 incidents of apparent improper labor practices and have brought the charges before the hearing officer for the Public Employment Relations Board.

Forty years ago – 1973

Demolition crews have razed the building at 423-425 Main St. in Dunkirk’s urban renewal district. The building formerly housed American Cleaners and Anthony’s Shoe Repairs.

Fifty years ago – 1963

The Seneca Nation Housing Authority will receive bids tonight on the construction of 35 new homes on the Cattaraugus Indian Reservation. Assisting in the project are Martin Seneca of Versailles, executive director of the authority, Atty. Robert Galloway of Silver Creek and Nelson Palmer, project architect from Dunkirk.

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