Twenty years ago — 1999

In an OBSERVER photo, New York State Senator Pat McGee shares conversation with Mayor Robert Kesicki of Dunkirk. Mayor Kesicki and Senator McGee joined Northern Chautauqua Chamber of Commerce representatives and county, town and city of Dunkirk officials at the recent opening of the new Rotadyne manufacturing facility at 10722 Bennett Road.

Thirty years ago — 1989

From City Shorts ….. Due to the deteriorating condition of the salt shed on Lucas Avenue at the city barns, plans are being drawn up to reinforce the structure. The shed, which was built only about two years ago, simply is not sturdy enough to withstand the bumps and scrapes it occasionally receives from the heavy equipment used to load trucks. Second Ward Councilman Frank Gawronski recently quipped that city workers have formed a pool to bet on when the shed will fall down.

Forty years ago — 1979

A Bells supermarket, not a Loblaws store, will anchor the new commercial complex along Main Street in downtown Dunkirk. The new Dunkirk supermarket will go under the Bells name because of “advertising advantages” in the Buffalo market area. Bells supermarkets are advertised in the Buffalo area while Loblaw stores are advertised on Erie stations. Although many of the Bells supermarkets in Western New York are franchise operations, the new Bells supermarket in Dunkirk will be a corporate store. It is expected to open in early March.

Fifty years ago — 1969

Calendar Girl for the month of January is Kathleen McGraw, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert McGraw, 736 Central Ave., Dunkirk. A senior at Cardinal Mindszenty High School, she is a charter member of the National Honor Society and a past representative to the student council. Active in the mixed chorus, Kathleen held the lead in the CMHS musical, “And Love Caught Us In A Royal Flush.” She was the first runner-up in the Fredonia Junior Miss Pageant. She plans to major in elementary education at Rosary Hill College in Buffalo.