Twenty years ago — 1999

Gail Black of Westfield is clearly one of the most passionate advocates for treating tourists visiting Chautauqua County with genuine rural hospitality. She fiercely believed in promoting local businesses and area attractions. Not only does she host visitors at her homemade fruit syrup and maple products business on a regular basis, but she also sends tourists to local wineries and arts and crafts businesses as well as creating relationships with them that keep them and their families coming back to Chautauqua County. Ms. Black owns and manages the Sugar Shack on Route 5 in the town of Westfield.

Thirty years ago — 1989

Perrysburg Town Supervisor Cindy Lauer recently presented a plaque to James Everetts during the presentation of special commemorative plaques honoring the two men who had manned the former town police department. Mounted on the plaques are the town police badges which had been worn by Chief David Smith and Patrolman Everetts during the 11-year existence of the department. The department was reluctantly abolished this past year due to economic reasons.

Forty years ago — 1979

It already is a certainty that the city has ended 1978 with a surplus in its operating budget. As of Nov. 30, at least 27 revenue accounts were over their budgets. Revenue in five accounts alone was between $40,003 and $115,898 over budget. Interest earned by the city on investments in 1978 hit $68,903 — $33,903 above the budget. Dunkirk’s biggest unanticipated income of $115,898 through Nov. 30 came from mortgage tax revenue. The city anticipated $42,000 in delinquent property taxes but actually received $82,003 — $40,000 more than anticipated.

Fifty years ago — 1969

The nation’s third highest award, the Silver Star, was awarded posthumously by the United States Army to a former Fredonia youth for his gallantry in action while serving in Vietnam. Accepting the award for their 24-year-old son, Spec. 5 David Ferry, were his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Emery Bradley. Spec. 5 Ferry was killed last Aug. 22 when his helicopter crashed and burned after being hit by small arms fire. He was a 1961 graduate of Fredonia High School and had enlisted in the Army in November 1966.