Twenty years ago — 1998

In celebration of the upcoming 150th anniversary of the incorporation of the village of Forestville in 1999 and the 150th anniversary of St. Rose of Lima Church in 2000, the ladies of St. Rose of Lima Church have created a beautiful limited edition, commemorative 50-by 70-inch coverlet depicting various landmarks throughout the 150-year history of the village. It will be available the first week of August and will be on display at the St. Rose of Lima Lawn Fete Aug. 9. A booklet describing each landmark will be included with a purchase of the coverlet.

Thirty years ago — 1988

From City Shorts ….. The Passionist Fathers submitted the lone bid of $423,000 at a mortgage foreclosure auction for their former Holy Cross Seminary property on West Lake Road. The property was purchased from the Passionists in 1983 by Empire Developers for a $17 million project. That project never got off the ground, however, and earlier this year, the Passionist Fathers foreclosed on the mortgage they were holding due to non-payment. Attorney Clarence Snyder, who represented the religious order, said the bid represented the amount owed on the mortgage plus assorted legal costs. He said he assumed the Passionists would now put the property back on the market.

Forty years ago — 1978

Efforts of the Valley Historical Society and John and Ruth Smith, in particular, to have the Town of Charlotte declared a Bicentennial Community, have come to a successful conclusion. The presentation of the Bicentennial Award recently took place in the Sinclairville Village Park with New York State Senator Jess Present making the presentation.

Fifty years ago — 1968

A “Do You Remember?” photo shows a group of Dunkirk couples from the 1920s and 1930s who would meet regularly and play cards, holding dinners and dancing parties chiefly among their own circle of friends. Once they all got together and staged a costume party at the spacious Henry Droege garage on Canary Street. Of those pictured, only a woman identified as Mrs. Owens is still living.