Twenty years ago — 1999

The Northern Chautauqua Chamber of Commerce wishes to congratulate owner and operator Dr. Estelle Crino for her outstanding hospitality at a recent luncheon for the NCCC and the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation staffers. Pinewood Cottage offers an eclectic atmosphere and decor in a private manner away from home. The area’s newest bed and breakfast home is located at 11634 York Road, Silver Creek.

Thirty years ago — 1989

The first baby of the New Year born at Brooks Hospital in Dunkirk was John Patrick Phillips Jr., son of John and Terry (Sysol) Phillips of 414 Park Ave., Dunkirk. He arrived at 2:02 p.m. New Year’s Day, weighing 7 pounds and is the couple’s first child. Jamie Todd Wallschlaeger was the first baby born in 1989 at Tri-County Hospital in Gowanda. The third child for Lon and Karen (McKeever) Wallschlaeger, Kerr Warner Road, Collins, was born at 10:34 New Year’s Day and weighed 7 pounds, 10 ounces.

Forty years ago — 1979

The Dunkirk area escaped a train wreck in 1978, but 1979 was only four days old when one took place west of the city. It was the 15th train derailment in the Dunkirk area in the past 15 years. Nineteen cars of a Conrail freight train derailed in the west town of Dunkirk in the late afternoon of Jan. 4 providing several tense moments for firemen and area residents. Six families living near the Temple Road crossing were evacuated when it was feared toxic chemicals from any of several tanker cars involved might have spilled along the right of way.

Fifty years ago — 1969

Word has been received of the death of Sp-4 Ronald W. Freeman, 21, son of Mr. and Mrs. Theodore W. Freeman, 28 North Jerboa St., Dunkirk. He died the evening of Jan. 2 in a hospital in Vietnam from injuries sustained while engaged in combat. A 1964 graduate of Dunkirk High School, Ronald entered the Army in August 1967. He is the sixth Dunkirk youth to lose his life in the Vietnam War. Two Fredonia boys also have died in fighting there.