Thirty years ago — 1993

The Gowanda Business and Professional Women’s Club has named Joan R. Byrne as its 1993 “Woman of the Year.” She was chosen for her volunteer spirit demonstrated most recently by her efforts to start the 50-Plus Senior Program and the inception of the Meals on Wheels Program. She also was the first and only female town justice for the Town of Collins, serving from 1971 to 1985. Ms. Byrne said her philosophy has always been, “If I see a need, I try to fill it.”

Forty years ago — 1983

Ripley carpenter Chip Garrett, 26, made front-page headlines throughout his 49- day cross-country walk to raise money for crib death research. He raised $50,000 in New York prior to his walk and said that virtually every town he went through gave him coverage. Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley greeted Garrett following his 2,647-mile trek from New York, signed his log book and telephoned Guinness Book of World Records officials to verify the record. Garrett decided to raise money for research on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome following the death of his son, Justin Lee. He wore out 10 pairs of shoes, 250 pairs of socks and lost 31 pounds during the walk.