Twenty years ago — 1999

The Bills will return to Fredonia State for their annual summer training camp on July 31 just as they have for almost the last 20 years. But they may not be back next year. In a recent press release, Bills president Ralph Wilson announced that the organization has had conversations with parties in the Rochester area including St. John Fisher College regarding future sites of training camp. The press release also stated no decision has been made. However, the Bills’ marketing division believes they can sell more tickets in a metropolitan area.

Thirty years ago — 1989

Christine Jorgensen, who shocked the world in 1952 by becoming the first person to undergo a sex change operation, has died of cancer at the age of 62. The New York City native and ex-GI had surgery in Denmark to become a woman. The woman who left the Copenhagen operating room was an instant celebrity. Her notoriety sent her on the talk show, lecture and nightclub circuits. Miss Jorgensen never married and had lived in California for the last 20 years.

Forty years ago — 1979

The dedication ceremony and grand opening parade fro Fredonia’s new $1,050,000 fire hall were held recently. The dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony were witnessed by more than 300 people. Chautauqua County Executive Dr. John Glenzer introduced Congressman Stanley Lundine as one of the persons who was most responsible for the construction of the new facility. Roger Britz is the current fire chief.

Fifty years ago — 1969

Plans are being made public today for the new YMCA building — Northern Chautauqua County’s first — to be constructed on the Dunkirk-Fredonia line in the 1100 block of Central Avenue. Preliminary plans call for a one-story structure housing a physical department, a social instructional area and office and utility space.