Thirty years ago — 1992

According to a spokesman for the Country Fair chain, the company’s decision to close its Central Avenue store in Dunkirk was a corporate decision made at its Erie headquarters and all other stores in the chain in this area would remain open. Most of the company’s stores now offer gasoline sales, while this one did not. All of the store’s employees are being transferred to Country Fair stores on Lake Shore Drive West in Dunkirk, Route 60 in Fredonia and Route 20 in Brocton.

Forty years ago — 1982

An OBSERVER lobby exhibit recalls early baseball in the city of Dunkirk. The focal point of the display is a wooden baseball bat made by Alex Ward, who operated a carpenter shop on the corner of Maple Avenue and Courtney Street, Dunkirk. Mr. Ward manufactured bats and had a contract with the New York Yankees. It’s said that the late, great Babe Ruth visited him.

Fifty years ago — 1972

The Student of the Week is James Ciminello, son of Mrs. Jenny Ciminello, 350 Temple St., Fredonia and the late James Ciminello. He is a senior at Cardinal Mindszenty High School.