Twenty years ago — 1999

The King Neptune Restoration Committee has already reached the halfway mark in their fund-raising efforts to raise $20,000 by Oct. 1 for the restoration and repair of the 116-year-old statue. The statue was once a centerpiece of a fountain in Washington Park in Dunkirk until the early 1970s when it was removed from the park because of its deteriorating condition. Support from the local business community and other civic-minded individuals has brought the fund-raising efforts to the present state.

Thirty years ago — 1989

The Ripley Information Center, operated by the Chautauqua County Vacationlands Association, is in its 11th year of serving travelers for the summer season. Located on Shortman Road just off the State Thruway, the center is supervised by Mary Perdue, who has operated it since its inception. According to statistics by CCVA, nearly 100 vehicles stop at the center daily each summer from June through early October.

Forty years ago — 1979

Forestville Postmaster Clyde Van Rensselaer expressed delight with the new beautiful postal facility. It is larger than the former post office, has air conditioning, central heating and fluorescent lighting. Since the destruction by fire of the former post office building in 1977, the postal department had operated from a building owned by the village of Forestville, which at the time housed the fire department.

Fifty years ago — 1969

Finishing touches are being made to the tornado-damaged Park United Methodist Church, following seven weeks of intensive work by many members and non-members of the church. The interior of the church was almost completely renovated, but the exterior remains almost the same as it has been for many years. A new altar rail was made and donated to the church by John Rieser of Sinclairville.