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Retrospective

Twenty years ago — 1998

Puerto Ricans have rejected statehood in a vote that appeared to reaffirm a desire to retain U.S. citizenship and federal aid while enjoying some of the trappings of an independent nation. Final results of the non-binding referendum gave 50.2 percent of votes to “none of the above” — the option adopted by the commonwealth party — while statehood received 46.5 percent, a trifle more than in a similar non-binding referendum in 1993 when commonwealth beat out statehood by 49 percent to 46 percent.

Thirty years ago — 1988

Two of the sponsors who “adopted” a utility pole this year as part of the Fredonia Chamber of Commerce’s Holiday Committee’s holiday decorations plan for Fredonia are the Kiwanis Club and the residents of University Park. This new venture consists of lighted wreaths purchased by individuals and groups for utility poles. Others taking part are the OBSERVER, D&F Telephone Co., Rooney’s, Joy Farms, White Inn and the Fredonia Fire Department. This year, decorations on the utility poles extend up west hill and down Water Street.

Forty years ago — 1978

Ms. Polly Castile, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Castiglia, 32 Rosalyn Court, Castile Heights, Fredonia has been signed by the Wilhelmina Models Inc. of New York City. Owned and operated by Wilhelmina and Bruce Cooper, the agency is considered one of the largest and most prestigious in the country. Within the past year, Ms. Castile represented a sportswear line in Andy Warhol’s “Interview” magazine and the Barbizon Hotel for Women, where she resides, on a television newscast noting the hotel’s 50th anniversary. Until recently, she was employed at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel.

Fifty years ago — 1968

The OBSERVER Student of the Week is Donna Eberly, 16-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Eberly of Main Road, Portland. A senior at Brocton High School, Donna is majoring in business. She is a member of the yearbook staff and a typist on the journalism staff. She has been accepted to Humboldt Institute where she plans to enter into the airlines field at the Minneapolis, Miss., school with the intention of becoming a stewardess.

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