This week we visit 1952. While automobiles are becoming slightly more streamlined, they are still rounded masses of metal and chrome rolling down highways. Hats, fashion statements of the times, are donned by men and women as soon as one step is taken outside the home. The economy is good, yet the work force consists mainly of men. Stay-at-home moms focus on domesticity and represent the national trend.

     It is also a time of subtle, and not so subtle, changes. General Dwight D. Eisenhower is elected president over Adlai Stevenson. His domestic policy is to reduce government control and encourage private enterprise. This is the year that Edward Teller and others develop the hydrogen bomb and explode it. Another development, one that will change the music industry forever, comes from one of the foremost leaders in technology - SONY. The transistor radio is born.

     Other events take place, such as West Point's celebration of its 150th anniversary. In the literal world, this is when "CD" in a headline stands for Civil Defense.

     Like a repeat performance, the New York Yankees win the World Series again. Sam Snead, winner of The Masters, proves his skills chasing a little white ball with a set of clubs.

     Thespians Gary Cooper and Shirley Booth are feted at the Academy Awards, Cooper for "High Noon," Booth for "Come Back, Little Sheba." "The Greatest Show on Earth" is declared just that as it takes top film honors.

     On the local scene, Tri-County Hospital's first baby of 1952 is Martha, born on Jan. 1 to Moses and Amanda Yoder Shetler of Conewango Valley. A transition takes place as Louise Colburn resigns as village registrar of vital statistics after 20 years and L. Carolyn Ubel, current Persia town clerk, is appointed to succeed her.

     On the medical front, polio continues to be a serious concern and on Jan. 30 at 7 p.m., the Gowanda Fire Department rings their siren, signalling residents to turn on their porch lights, showing their support for the Mother's March on Polio, winding up the March of Dimes. During the August installment of Gowanda's Value Days, Axel Johnson, 50 West Main St., offers polio insurance in the amount of $10,000 for each family member at a cost of "only $20 for two years - less than three cents a day."

     Good news arrives at Gowanda State Hospital as the state Legislature appropriates $7 million for construction of a medical/surgical building that will accommodate 700 patients. The physical health of area residents comes to the forefront as a petition is circulated and presented to the Village Board to relocate the "dumps" on Aldrich Street. Flies, rats and horrendous odors top the list of complaints. Weeks of discussions and talk of building a sewer plant ensue.

     Business news also makes headlines throughout the year. Schaack's Funeral Home, 88 Jamestown St., holds an open house to celebrate 72 years of service to the Gowanda area. Robert Mesches, of Nagle's Store, is elected president of the Gowanda Business Association. Moll Meat Market, on Main Street, closes after 75 years. Farner and Parker Dairy Bar, 271 Buffalo St., celebrates its 5th anniversary. Bowen's Quality Food Market, 70 Buffalo St., holds a three-day grand opening in honor of its recent remodeling.

     The highlight of Gowanda's Value Days in June is the opportunity for children to take a ride on "Champion" the Western Pony at Gowanda Variety Store for only 10 cents.

     This is also when Robert Perrigo and W. Scott Rich sell Gowanda Monument Company to Henry Wear of Eden Memorial Studios. An official opening of the Charles R. Tarbox Insurance and Real Estate Office is held in July. Witt-Anderson Motor Company celebrates its 25th anniversary. Russell Refrigeration Service announces its move from Johnson Street to 95 South Water St. And, William Mentley buys Liberty Cleaners, 13 South Water St., from Robert Eiseline and changes the name to Mentley Cleaners.

     Merchants also tout the benefits of "the newest" or "the latest" products.

     Superior Motors urges motorists to "Tractionize" their tires. Goodyear's "amazing 'Tractionizer' tattoos the entire surface of your tire treads with thousands of tiny, road-gripping edges. This lasts a whole season for the average driver." The establishment also offers an Admiral 20-inch TV console "...with three of the most sensational engineering advances in TV. First, Admiral's superpowered Triple-X chassis performs as though station power had been increased 200 percent to 400 percent. Second, this TV set can be readily adapted to receive UHF stations without an unsightly outside converter. Third, you enjoy Admiral's exclusive Color TV Optional ... the feature that enables you to add color any time with Admiral's exclusive three-way electronic Adapter."

     Don Campbell's Red and White store celebrates its 1st anniversary at its Buffalo Street location by offering these specials: three Pillsbury cake mixes for $1; Babo, three for 24 cents; Iceberg lettuce, three for 27 cents.

     Specials at other stores include: Ideal peanut butter, 12-ounce jar for 29 cents; Family Circle magazine is five cents a copy; and fresh corn is 37 cents a dozen at Nu-Way Market. Salada tea bags, 48 count, are 43 cents, and all popular brands of cigarettes are $1.85 a carton at Gowanda Food Store. Other signs of the times at area food stores feature: beef short ribs, 39 cents a pound; Florida tangerines, 25 cents a dozen; pork roast, 35 cents a pound; "New" Pream coffee cream, 25 cents a can; Hormel Spam, 43 cents a can; and Spic and Span, two 1-pound packages for 47 cents.

     For the non-food shopper, Gowanda Plumbing and Heating, 44 West Main St., owned by Harry Hager, advertises the "New Coleman Automatic Gas Floor Furnace." Frank's Barbershop, 17 Buffalo St., announces its new prices: weekday hair cuts for adults are 75 cents, children under the age of 12 cost 65 cents; on Saturdays and before holidays, adults cost $1 and children are 75 cents. Those popping the question can choose an engagement ring called "Reflection" for $350 and a matching Keepsake diamond wedding band for $125 from Gowanda Jewelry Store, 22 West Main St.

     The Ritz Store offers a Hallmark Christmas card special, 10 for 29 cents. Nagle's advertises all wool argyle socks are $1.95 a pair. Himelein and Company offers gift slips by Seamprufe "in nylon, tricot, sweetened with luxurious lace, "prices range from $4.95 to $6.96. Campbell's Furniture features a Philco table model radio for $21.95 Armes Drug Store has Palmolive soap on sale, 3 bars for 23 cents, olive tablets for 19 cents and alphabet blocks, set of 24 for 79 cents. And, Beaver's Exchange and Variety Store, 30 Buffalo St., advertises 25 percent off wool blankets in four colors - $4.99 each.

     Porpiglia's Restaurant offers bacon and eggs or ham and eggs for 65 cents; a ravioli platter for 95 cents; t-bone steak dinner for $1.75, and home-baked pies at 15 cents a slice. Another local eatery, the Buffalo Restaurant on Buffalo Street, features 21 large, fried breaded shrimp in a basket for 99 cents.

     In various organizations, these changes take place: Duane Leising is installed as Gowanda Chapter No. 136 High Priest of Royal Arch Masons, Mrs. W. Howard Allen is elected secretary of Western New York Federation of Women's Clubs, Mabel Weaver is installed as Deputy Grand Regent at the International Conference of the Moose in Chicago, Mrs. Arthur Wonnacott is elected president of the Gowanda American Legion Auxiliary, and William Irving is elected Kiwanis president.

     Other news making headlines includes: the centralization of area schools is under discussion; Dorothy Wing takes first place, Bernie Goodemote takes second, and Danny Gladu takes third place in the Amateur Night competition; Thomas Jefferson Kerr III is proclaimed valedictorian and Shirley Jolls is named salutatorian of the Class of 1952; spilled gasoline starts a fire and damages the basement of Immanuel Lutheran Church; the village board approves the purchase of a new police car, a Ford from Gowanda Motor Company, at a cost of $881; Floyd Farley receives the Silver Star for Gallantry in action in Korea from the War Department; Margaret VanSlyke is crowned prom queen; the Kiwanis Club's three-ring Mills Bros. Circus event in July features the Western movie star Billy Hammond and 40 tons of elephants; village residents Morris Caldwell, William Lindemuth Robert Tutt, John Raiport, Walt McCubbin, and Dick Thrasher, build their own sidewalk on Caroline Road. The village government agrees to pay 15 cents per square foot to cover the cost of materials.

     Some of the sports highlights include: Dick Bridges's 11 points leads Coach Bill Jackson's seventh-grade "basketeers" to a 29-11 win over Angola Central in February; Bill Allen scores 26 points as Gowanda Buckeyes basketball team takes first-round victory in the intermediate division of the Sure Shot Basketball Tournament; Gowanda High School is named Sectional VI bowling champion under Coach Howard Hillis, Richard Smith rolls a 565 for high three-game total; Gowanda Track Team beats Fredonia in first meet of the season, Richard Utley is the double winner in Shotput and Broad Jump; Utley also leads Gowanda to victory in the Southwestern Conference Track meet; in October, The Hollywood features "fight pictures" with Marciano vs. Walcott for the World Heavyweight Championship in Philadelphia.