Twenty years ago — 1998

This week’s People in Profile features Robert Harris, a local historian and former Dunkirk Historical Society president. Mr. Harris played a vital role in the preservation of Dunkirk’s history and was one of the major players involved in helping to establish the Dunkirk Historical Society. He was a charter member and a part of a group of citizens who met in 1973 to discuss how to form a local historical society. Significantly, he also had a large collection of artifacts related to the history of Dunkirk that became the nucleus of the museum’s beginnings.

Thirty years ago — 1988

From Ad News ….. Lu Czarnecki, owner of The Foliage House Florist Shop in Silver Creek was recently named ” Friend of the Festival,” a title bestowed on her that makes her a charter member of the Festival of Grapes honor roll. Lu was honored for her outstanding and consistent efforts to maintain and enhance the Silver Creek Festival of Grapes.

Forty years ago — 1978

“Mission Possible,” the theme for the $500,000 Fredonia State University College fund drive, officially opened this past weekend with the help of Greg Morris, star of TV’s “Mission Impossible” show. Mr. Morris is honorary chairman of the first major fund drive in the college’s history. He is a personal friend of George J. King Jr., executive director of the Fredonia College Foundation. Their friendship began when Mr. King was executive director of the former Buffalo Braves basketball team. Mr. Morris, who participated in the college’s homecoming parade, had been named Los Angeles Father of the Year and TV Father of the Year.

Fifty years ago –1968

Pictured in an OBSERVER “Do You Remember?” photo is the first Fredonia High School football team. It was a tough one, what’s more one that held experienced Dunkirk High to a 0-0 tie in the ice and snow of a cold Thanksgiving Day back in 1922. Players shown are Burrows, Polina, Flagg, Barone, F. LaBar, Frank LaPaglia, Coke Lascola, John “Chick” Rathbun, S. Sali, J. Barresi, J. Barone, T. Ferrugia, S. Frost, A. Granata, C. Polvino, Coach Brice, J. Fitzgerald and T. Sullivan. The picture was submitted by Mr. LaPaglia, who with Barone, were co-captains.