Twenty years ago — 1998

An article in the spring edition of Woman Engineer magazine covers the ascending career of Jennifer Bradley, salutatorian of the Class of 1992 at Dunkirk High School. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Bradley of Middle Road, Dunkirk. The article mentions that Jennifer decided against a military career and chose aeronautical engineering instead. She became the first female engineer at Calspan’s NASA Ames Research facility in California as well as the first female wind tunnel test engineer. A December 1996 graduate of Clarkson University, Jennifer gained professional experience working summers for the Chautauqua County Department of Public Works.

Thirty years ago — 1988

Michael Ricketts, a member of the Cassadaga Area Jaycees since 1983, has been elected the 59th president of the New York State Jaycees. Mr. Ricketts, the Chautauqua County director of probation, has been a member of the Jaycees since 1973, beginning his Jaycee career as the charter president of the Wellsville Jaycees. The following year, he became charter president of the Jamestown Area Jaycees, a position he held until 1976. As a member of the Mayville Area Jaycees from 1976-79, he held many regional offices. Mr. Ricketts has received many awards for his service, both at the local and state levels.

Forty years ago — 1978

Standing at the top of the academic ladder in the Silver Creek Central High School’s Class of 1978 graduating class is Joseph Bonasera with a 94.1 average. The son of Mrs. Sarah Bonasera of Silver Creek, he spent a summer in Ecuador as an AFS student. The valedictorian was also the recipient of a National Merit Scholarship Letter of Commendation. Salutatorian Tim Newton, son of Mr. and Mrs. Norman Newton of Irving, was selected as a student intern in the state legislative intern program and spent time with Assemblyman Rolland Kidder and Sen. Jess Present.

Fifty years ago — 1968

The surgeon who operated on Sen. Robert F. Kennedy to remove an assassin’s bullet said a difference of less than half an inch in the point of impact of the bullet made the difference between life and death for him. Dr. Henry N. Cuneo said the bullet from the .22-caliber pistol “would have just bounced off” if it had hit the thick bone behind Kennedy’s ear, adding that is the thickest part on your head. The bullet hit the mastoid instead and sent bone fragments all over the brain. The brain damage to Sen. Kennedy was so extensive that had he lived, his future would have been disastrous, the doctor noted.