Twenty years ago — 1998

The Rev. Michael J. Parker, a Dunkirk native, has been named pastor of St. Hyacinth’s Church, effective July 15. He succeeds the Rev. Richard M. Poblocki. Father Parker is a graduate of St. Hyacinth School and Dunkirk High School, Class of 1975. After being ordained to the priesthood in July 1983 by Bishop Edward Head, he celebrated his First Mass of Thanksgiving on July 10 in his home parish. The son of Mrs. Ursula Parker of Dunkirk and the late Raymond Parker, Father Parker noted, “St. Hyacinth’s Parish has nurtured, supported and encouraged my vocation to the priesthood. In my leadership role as pastor, I now have the opportunity to return what I have been given.”

Thirty years ago — 1988

Actual construction work on the Niagara Mohawk Power Corp.’s new $3-million crew facility at 385-401 Water St., Fredonia has begun. At the peak of construction, there will be about 30 crew members working at the site. The new facility will replace the old one on Norton Street, which company officials said they are growing out of and in need of larger quarters. It is expected that Graf Realty will own the new 34,000-square-foot facility and lease it to Niagara Mohawk. The old facility will be sold once the company moves out of it.

Forty years ago — 1978

More than 150 senior citizens were welcomed to the dedication ceremonies for the Senior Citizens flag and flagpole held recently at the Dunkirk Senior Citizens Center on Franklin Avenue. Fred Boast, co-chairman of the event, introduced Jack Shuster as representative of the AL Tech Specialty Steel Corp., which donated the flagpole. The flag was given to the senior center by Irene Palmer. It had been a gift from Congressman Stanley Lundine and had been flown over the Capitol. The flag was raised by Louis Unmack, oldest veteran in the city, and Mrs. Palmer.

Fifty years ago — 1968

Recreation Director Donald Rozumalski announced that the bathing beach at Wright Park will remain closed and will not reopen until further notice. The beach area was closed a week ago following tests made by the county health department which indicated a high bacterial content in the water along the beach. Two main factors reportedly responsible for the high reading taken by health officials are pollution reaching the Dunkirk shores from Buffalo and also decomposing algae and seaweed along the beach.