Twenty years ago – 1999

The Miss Festival of Grapes Pageant was held recently in Silver Creek in conjunction with the annual fall festival. Chosen from among the 10 contestants to be Miss Festival of Grapes 1989 was Joselle “Jodie” Bifaro of Fredonia. Lorie Botko of North Collins was first runnerup. The pageant, which is the first big event of the four-day grape festival, drew a capacity crowd to the auditorium of Silver Creek Central School.

Thirty years ago — 1989

The Union Street Bridge in Gowanda was officially opened recently with a brief ceremony acknowledging the advantages of municipal cooperation. The town of Collins and the village of Gowanda pooled funding and resources to reconstruct the bridge, which was not eligible for state funds because the state defines the structure as a “culvert.” Nevertheless, the estimated cost of replacement was pegged at almost twice the $80,000 which was spent on the span.

Forty years ago – 1979

Three property owners in Seel Acres are going to court to block the construction of a proposed $1.2 million indoor tennis center along Main Street Extension in Dunkirk. The property owners — Clarence and Virginia Snyder, Nelson and Daune Palmer and James and Nancy Gaszynski – are asking the State Supreme Court to set aside a zoning board decision to grant a zoning variance for the project. The proposed center includes two buildings which will house four tennis courts and two racquetball courts.

Fifty years ago — 1969

The Cassadaga Country Club has come under new management. Florida residents Mr. and Mrs. Donald Mayer, originally of Fredonia, have purchased the club from Mrs. Margaret Hickling of Cassadaga and David Hickling of Silver Creek. Mr. Mayer, a PGA professional, has served as club pro for two country clubs in other states.