Twenty years ago — 1998

The Dunkirk and Fredonia Telephone Company will hold a Century Celebration Open House on Aug. 21 at their 40 Temple St., Fredonia facilities. Open to the public, the event offers refreshments, giveaways, a tour of the building and an antique telephone display. The Dunkirk and Fredonia Telephone Company was incorporated in February 1898 in Fredonia and the business started that August. Arthur R. Maytum was the first secretary and general manager. Today a new name, DFT Communications, has emerged to cover the multitude of communications being offered.

Thirty years ago — 1988

Lester Stonefoot of Webster Road, Fredonia is one honest man. He recently received a monetary award from Green Thumb and Lake Erie State Park officials for returning a lost billfold containing $600 in cash. Mr. Stonefoot is employed at Lake Erie State Park through Green Thumb, a support program for the elderly. Green Thumb workers handle jobs such as planting, clearing brush, landscaping, carpentry or painting. Mr. Stonefoot found the billfold, which belonged to an Ohio resident, while cleaning the restroom.

Forty years ago — 1978

When a CIA “spook” retires, where does he go? If his wife is a former Dunkirk resident, the Dunkirk-Fredonia area is a fine place for that retirement. After 27 years with the CIA as an operations manager, George Mallory has done just that. Interviewed at his home at 139 Chestnut St. recently, Mr. Mallory spoke about his early years in China, his career with the CIA and the turmoil that the agency has undergone during the Vietnam era and into the ’70s. He noted that the day of the “cloak and dagger” operatives may be ending.

Fifty years ago — 1968

Roosevelt Haynes, community developer for the Neighborhood Family Center, 325 Main St., Dunkirk today submitted his formal resignation effective Aug. 31. Mr. Haynes charged the center’s director with discrimination against him and also cited the lack of genuine concern of the center for the overall well-being of low income people, especially minorities, as the two reasons why he was leaving his post.