Twenty years ago – 1999

Filming has been finished in Hollywood for “Gone in 60 Seconds 2000,” a remake of Tony Halicki’s low-budget cult classic of 1974, but movie-goers will have to wait until March for its release. While Dunkirk native H. B. “Toby” Halicki’s film cost less than $250,000 to produce, it was shown in one format or another in 37 countries and grossed about $16 million. The original script was written by the late Toby Halicki, his brother Ron Halicki of Dunkirk and Steve Peterson. The new version will cost about $70 million and Nicolas Cage will get about $20 million starring in Toby Halicki’s lead role as Randall “Memphis” Raines.

Thirty years ago — 1989

Warren H. Riles, owner and licensed manager of Riles Funeral Home in Forestville, has announced that Mark L. Woolley has been added to his staff as a licensed funeral director. A lifelong resident of Forestville, Mr. Woolley is a 1985 graduate of Forestville Central School and a 1988 graduate of the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science. The son of Mr. and Mrs. Jared A. Woolley of Farrington Road, Forestville, he is a partner in Riles and Woolley Monuments of Forestville.

Forty years ago – 1979

Dunkirk Mayor Gilbert Snyder, who lost his bid for re-election to Democrat Gary Michalak, plans to help organize a “citizens action committee” to keep a close watch on city government. The non-partisan committee would institute taxpayers lawsuits, if need be, to challenge governmental actions. Mayor Snyder plans to be an active member of the committee.

Fifty years ago — 1969

The Chautauqua Area Girl Scout Council has a new publication for which some Senior Girl Scouts in Dunkirk are largely responsible. A pamphlet was prepared to assist girls who wish to give service at nursing homes and with the elderly. Miss Mary Louise McGraw of Dunkirk Troop 186 helped assemble material and wrote the foreword for the booklet entitled, “Just Like Grandmother.” Miss Cynthia Kalfas of Troop 186 did the art work for the attractive cover.