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Retrospective

Retrospective

Thirty years ago — 1994 As part of the village of Brocton’s 100th year anniversary, plans are under way to build a gazebo in the village park on Park Street. Mayor Harry Watters said the gazebo project was chosen as it will benefit the entire community as well as serve as a memoir of the village’s centennial. The fundraising goal for the project is $10,000. A ground-breaking was held recently and the project should be completed by late June. It will be similar to the gazebo in the village of Fredonia’s Barker Commons and will be used for events such as band concerts. Forty ...

Retrospective

Forty years ago — 1984 After 18 years of moving around, Troopers Toys for Tots now has a permanent home. The not-for-profit corporation bought the Mitchell Food building on West Main Street in Fredonia recently. The purchase was made possible by a local anonymous businessman who took a bank loan for $30,000 and then turned the money over to the corporation. Jack Miller, president of Toys for Tots, said the corporation has applied to foundations for federal funds to repay the businessman. The warehouse was previously owned by the Mitchell estate. Fifty years ago — 1974 The ...

Retrospective

Thirty years ago — 1994 Erik J. Kolodziej of Dunkirk is the grand prize winner in the “Boys Life” magazine Salute to America Photo Contest. About 100 entrants nationwide vied for the grand prize trip to Washington, D.C., and Kodak camera equipment. Erik entered a scenic photograph of Monument Valley on the Arizona-Utah border. Contest winners will be featured in the July issue of “Boys Life,” an official magazine of the Boy Scouts of America. The son of Ed and Kathy Kolodziej, Erik is a member of Troop 254 sponsored by St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Dunkirk. Forty years ...

Retrospective

Thirty years ago — 1994 In her last article as OBSERVER Living Pages editor, M. Louise Ratkoski reminisces about her 29 years of employment with the newspaper. She moved up the ranks from typist/switchboard operator to head of one of the busiest departments in the newsroom. Mrs. Ratkoski points with pride to the People in Profile column, which debuted on Nov. 2, 1974, the first of more than 1,000 such articles on community members and their numerous contributions and talents. She fondly recalls her first feature story with her first byline that focused on a visitor from Japan. And ...

Retrospective

Thirty years ago — 1994 After finishing a tour through Iowa, Julie Milazzo, a student with “Up with People,” has left for a tour through Europe where she will perform. She has successfully completed training with “Up with People” in Denver, Colo. The European tour will include stops in Denmark, Germany, Luxembourg, France and Belgium. The tour will next visit the West Coast before the group departs for Australia. Julie is a graduate of Fredonia High School, Class of 1993, and is the daughter of Theresa Milazzo of Fredonia and Dr. Richard Milazzo of Dunkirk. Forty years ago ...

Retrospective

Thirty years ago — 1994 The Fredonia College Foundation will present its Distinguished Service Awards to two former college administrators who were key contributors to the growth and expansion of Fredonia State University College in the 1960s. Oscar E. Lanford, former college president who went on to Albany to serve as SUNY vice chancellor and Robert E. Coon, former vice president for student affairs, will accept their awards at the Distinguished Service Awards Banquet on May 7 in the Campus Center. Forty years ago — 1984 Paul Zittel of Collins Center arrived home from ...