Twenty years ago - 1995From Just between us ... Chandra E. Woolson, daughter of Arthur and Faith Woolson of Fredonia, was among 31 students to perform with the highly-acclaimed Guilford College Choir as it completed a seven-day, nine-concert tour throughout the Carolinas in March. Woolson is a ...

Twenty years ago - 1995The first countywide program to provide a structured home life for teen mothers with children should be in full gear in May. Jill Casey, program coordinator through Chautauqua Opportunities, is hopeful the project will be completed and ready for occupancy in that time ...

Twenty years ago - 1995It's been a great run for the Pine Valley School District. First, the girls' basketball team recently won its third New York State Girls Basketball Championship. Then the school cracked the top 10 in the annual Business First Survey of public schools in Western New York. ...

Twenty years ago - 1995Dunkirk Construction Products recently erected a 500-barrel concrete silo as part of the company's completion of its new fully automated concrete plant. The silo will have an increased capacity of 10 cubic yards. Four men worked together in the silo installation: Patrick ...

Twenty years ago - 1995The Brady Bill is just over a year old and area gun shop owners say that it may have actually helped boost gun sales. The federal handgun law requires a five-day waiting period and background checks for handgun purchasers. Bill Frost, owner of Bill's Gun and Saddle Shop ...

Twenty years ago - 1995Several students of the LoGuidice Center in Fredonia competed in the Western New York Regional Skills Contest held at Alfred State University College. Students who won awards for their skills and will advance to the New York State Competition include Jason Delcamp of ...

Twenty years ago - 1995While the number of local farms may be on the decrease, Chautauqua County is still number one in New York State. According to U.S. Census figures, there are 1,600 farms in the county. To be considered a farm, one must produce at least $1,000 annually in farm produce, so ...

Twenty years ago - 1995In an OBSERVER photo, Chet Kozlowski cleans up glass from a window smashed out of his wife's car overnight on Armadillo Street between Lake Shore Drive East and Pine Street. Police said 11 cars were entered on the street. Four damage and theft reports were filed.Thirty ...

Twenty years ago - 1995"Sugaring" is considered by a good many area residents as a sure sign of spring. For close to 100 years, the Newton family farm, "Sugar Bush," located off Thorton Road outside of Sinclairville, has been part of this process. Starting with the family patriarch, Lyman ...

Twenty years ago - 1995A heart-tugger of a photo by OBSERVER photographer Kevin Polowy captures a true rite of passage. Brandon Shaver, 5, gets a push on his bicycle from his father, Charles Shaver, on a Sunday afternoon near the corner of Second Street and Roberts Road in Dunkirk. This was ...

Twenty years ago - 1995Richard S. "Rick" Johnson of Fredonia is the 1995 Business Person of the Year chosen by the Business Club of Fredonia State University College. Mr. Johnson is the co-founder of the certified public accounting firm of Johnson, Mackowiak, Moore and Myott, which has offices ...

Twenty years ago - 1995Born March 18, 1895, Dollie Fancher Olson recently celebrated reaching her first century mark. The youngest of eight children, she has lived most of her life in the local area. She married Oscar Olson in 1920 and they lived in Perrysburg where they had three children. Mr. ...

Twenty years ago - 1995Gov. George Pataki's proposed cuts to the state Medicaid program could threaten the financial stability of the Chautauqua County Home. Based on certain assumptions about the Medicaid costs, the loss in revenue for the home is estimated to be more than $530,000 in 1995. ...

Twenty years ago - 1995Election of officers and plans for the upcoming year highlighted the annual board of directors meeting of the Community Christmas/Sharing With Children Toy Drive. Chet Kozlowski was re-elected president; Donald Swingle is vice president; Barb Rivera, treasurer; and Katy ...

Twenty years ago - 1995Thanks to a national advertising campaign that features Louise Dziduch, customers of ADD Lumber in Dunkirk know that she is a good neighbor. And so do more than two million people across the country. A photo of Louise's smiling face graces an inside page of the SERVISTAR ...

Twenty years ago - 1995The old Tops grocery store on East Main Street in Fredonia is again bustling with people. In mid-February, the J.N. Adam Developmental Disabilities Service Office opened its door with day habilitation activities and clinic services. Daily living skills activities are ...

Twenty years ago - 1995Kristen Bunge, 3-year-old daughter of Jim and Terrie Bunge of Dunkirk and granddaughter of Marion Bunge of Dunkirk, won "Miss Photogenic" and was a runnerup in the 2- and 3-year-old categories at the Sunburst USA Beauty Pageant held in Buffalo on Feb. 25. Kristen will ...

Twenty years ago - 1995A "workaholic" is one way Joan Byrne of Gowanda describes herself and those who participate in L.K. Painter's 50-Plus program couldn't agree more with that assessment. Joan founded the seniors group at the center. The organization has grown by leaps and bounds over the ...

Twenty years ago - 1995The Chautauqua County Health Department said the first case of rabies in a red fox has been confirmed. The fox was killed on Town Line Road in the town of Ellicott after attacking a dog. The incident is significant because it demonstrates that the rabies epidemic involves ...

Twenty years ago - 1995Sears Merchandise Group has announced it is seeking an entrepreneur to open a locally-owned and operated Sears authorized retail dealer store in Fredonia. The new Sears dealer store will offer appliances, home electronics and lawn and garden equipment. All qualified ...