Twenty years ago — 1999

The Cassadaga Job Corps Center will celebrate its 21st birthday this year. Twenty-one years ago this coming August, the center opened its doors to the first of thousands of students who have become part of the federally-funded academic and vocational training program located “on the hill” overlooking Cassadaga Lake. Beginning with January of this year, Cassadaga Job Corps Center has held either the top spot or second place in ranking among the 110 centers located across the country.

Thirty years ago — 1989

St. Patrick’s Parish in Brocton celebrated the 25th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood of its pastor, the Rev. Robert Beiter, on June 11. The Silver Jubilee reception was held at the John W. Dill American Legion Post on Route 20. Father Beiter has served as pastor of St. Patrick’s since 1986. He is involved in the Cursillo Movement, moderator of the National Council of Catholic Women in the Dunkirk-Fredonia area and serves on the board of education for the newly-formed Northern Chautauqua Catholic School.

Forty years ago — 1979

Erica Mary Annarella, daughter of Ellen Annarella of Sinclairville and the late Joseph Annarella, has been named valedictorian at Cassadaga Valley Central School with a perfect 4.0 GPA. She will attend Cornell University to major in math and statistics. Salutatorian is Celia Bauman, daughter of Dr. Daniel and Hilary Bauman of Stockton. She maintained a GPA of 3.98 and will enroll at Indiana University to pursue a career in business.

Fifty years ago — 1969

Robert Taylor, one of the biggest Hollywood movie stars from the 1930s to the 1950s, died recently of cancer at the age of 57. A three-pack-a-smoker, he had a cancerous lung removed last October and had since quit smoking. Taylor had smoked since childhood. His career included more than 70 films. He was previously married to actress Barbara Stanwyck.