Twenty years ago — 1999

A Fredonia High School student has received top honors from a weekly business publication which serves the entire Western New York region. Wanda Strychalski, 17, the daughter of Dr. James and Dr. Irene Strychalski of West Shorewood Drive, Dunkirk, received the First Honors Award in the Feb. 22 edition of Business First. After her graduation in June, Wanda plans to attend Notre Dame University to major in computer science. Her future plans include becoming a computer programmer.

Thirty years ago — 1989

Only one in three of today’s marriages can be expected to last, according to a new study that says divorce and separation have been under-reported. With the marriage rate running about double that for divorces, it was noted that the basic data indicate “that 56 percent of recent first marriages would be likely to disrupt within 40 years of marriage.” Taking into consideration the issue of under-reporting, it was concluded that the best estimate based on these data is that about two-thirds of all first marriages are likely to disrupt.

Forty years ago — 1979

The Dunkirk Urban Renewal Agency has voted to award contract to Ray Burgun Trucking of Brocton for the demolition of the former Sacred Heart School and church rectory on Franklin Avenue. Burgun submitted the low bid of $17,300 for the demolition work, the first in the urban renewal area in several months. The former Sacred Heart School was closed following the 1967-68 school year and the church closed in 1975 after more than a century of service. The cornerstone from the school is expected to be saved for the Historical Society of Dunkirk.

Fifty years ago — 1969

Virginia Patterson, 18, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Patterson of Ellicott Road, Portland is the Student of the Week. A senior at Brocton Central School, she has been an active member of the National Honor Society for the past three years. She also is on the yearbook staff. Virginia will attend Buffalo State University College in the fall, majoring in special education.