Twenty years ago — 1999

Unfortunately for many lakeside residents, the first true spring conditions last weekend were flooded not with the smell of plants and flowers, but with the odor of fish and it had nothing to do with the conclusion of Lent. While taking a drive along Route 5, it was impossible to roll down any car windows. The odor hit the area for about three days and hindered some outdoor activities for those living close to the lake.

Thirty years ago — 1989

Officials from Silver Creek, Dunkirk and Fredonia high schools recently warned parents that their school districts, as has been the practice for many years, does not supply names to a program entitled, “Who’s Who of High School Students.” The reason for this decision is because the Who’s Who organization is not on the list of activities and programs endorsed by the National Association of Secondary School Principals, which says the intent of the organization is to obtain biographical information on high school students and then attempt to sell parents and students a book with this information printed in it.

Forty years ago — 1979

The OBSERVER Student of the Week is Roger Corell, son of Mr. and Mrs. James Corell of Route 5, Portland. He is an 18-year-old senior at Brocton Central School. Roger is an active member of the varsity tennis team. As a member of the Drama Club, he had a leading role in the senior class play. A member of the National Honor Society and Regents scholarship recipient, Roger has been accepted at Penn State University where he plans to study industrial engineering.

Fifty years ago — 1969

Excerpts from an OBSERVER editorial: “A Dunkirk manufacturer has what amounts to an open-ended proposition. M. Wile and Co. is ready to construct new plant facilities to expand employment in Dunkirk as high as it can be assured of a workforce — up to about 1,000 employees. The not overwhelmingly enthusiastic response M. Wile and Co. had in the course of recruiting a workforce of 250 does not do much to encourage prospects for a buildup of 1,000. We feel it necessary to point out that if ever there is to be a growth of the Dunkirk-Fredonia industrial base, the community as a whole must make an effort to see that industries are provided with their most elementary needs, among them responsible workers.”