Twenty years ago — 1998

John J. Michalak has been named the grand marshal for this year’s Fredonia Farm Festival Parade. Born and raised in Dunkirk, he completed a 25-year career with the U.S. Postal Service. He also was the co-owner of the Dunkirk Taxi Service. Mr. Michalak also founded Johnnie’s Waffles, a family-owned concession trailer, and has made waffles at the Chautauqua County Fair for the past 30 years. Johnnie’s Waffles also is a mainstay at the Fredonia Farm Festival. Described as a hard-working and dedicated man who takes pride in his work, himself and his family, Mr. Michalak is a life member of Murrary Hose Co. No. 4.

Thirty years ago — 1988

Halter tops, too brief shorts and T-shirts with raunchy designs or advertising alcohol and beer products, will not be permitted in Gowanda school classrooms. The restrictions will be spelled out in the new student handbook as a direct result of some incidents which occurred during the past school year, the Gowanda School Board noted. The incidents pointed out there is an apparent need to specifically define the kind of garb which is totally inappropriate for class attendance. Without an established and well-defined policy, school officials have no authority to bar the offending student from coming to class.

Forty years ago — 1978

Purchase by the city of the First Church of Christ Scientist was discussed by the Dunkirk Common Council. Legal questions involving the acquisition of the church for use by the Dunkirk Historical Society include the legality of the city’s purchase, the historical background of the building and whether or not the city can lease the building to the Historical Society. The purchase price of $50,000 is already in the city budget.

Fifty years ago — 1968

The founder, organizer and director of Sing-Out Dunkirk-Fredonia, Brother Isidore Van Boxalaere, CP, of Holy Cross Seminary, Dunkirk has received notice from the Passionist Fathers of his transfer from the Lake Shore area to Hartford, Conn. Brother Isidore’s few short months in the community has been an inspiring influence to the youth in Dunkirk and Fredonia. Starting with only a handful of enthusiastic young people in late 1967, Brother Isidore formed Sing-Out Dunkirk-Fredonia, whose members now number about 175.