Twenty years ago — 1998

Burlington Coat Factory recalled hundreds of winter parkas from its stores after discovering they were trimmed with the fur of dogs slaughtered in China. The Burlington-based chain, which operates more than 250 stores nationwide, said it was duped by an Asian vendor who told the company the fur was coyote fur. “We are very upset about it,” said a company spokesman. “It is not our policy to sell domesticated animal fur.” The switch was uncovered after an investigator for the Humane Society of the United States went to China to probe the fur trade.

Thirty years ago — 1988

Dorothea Schibetta Janczak of 60 Sahle Place, Fredonia is retiring after 42 years of service as a registered professional nurse and 26 years as a county employee. She has worked at the Chautauqua County Department of Health since April 1962. She was recruited into the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps during World War II. Mrs. Janczak also worked in a 1948 polio clinic in California as a Red Cross volunteer. A Fredonia native and the daughter of the late Charles and Josephine Schibetta, she is a ballroom dance enthusiast.

Forty years ago — 1978

Pictured is the new corporate headquarters building of the Don Frame Trucking Co. of Fredonia. It is nearly completed and is located on Route 5 west of Van Buren Point. Costing approximately $135,000, according to Mr. Frame, the depot will accommodate eight to 10 trucks for servicing and other purposes. Mr. Frame’s firm is the prime contractor for removal of Niagara Mohawk’s fly ash, among other jobs. The structure, which will contain general offices, is located on a 96-acre plot of land owned by Mr. Frame.

Fifty years ago — 1968

Westfield’s candymaker, Anthony C. “Tony” Caras, 77, of 41 Elm St., died Dec. 5 after a lengthy illness. Mr. Caras spent 53 years in Westfield as owner of the Olympian Candy Shop, a village landmark. He retired Nov. 30, 1964 as the oldest businessman on Main Street in the same location. He was born in Veroia, Greece on Jan. 1, 1889. He emigrated to Buffalo in 1906, where he learned the candy-making art.