By Mary Pankow
Staff Writer

     We continue our adventure through time as this week we briefly visit 1953. Domestically, the economy is good, Eisenhower takes the oath of office, and Americans celebrate the end of the Korean Conflict. Medical marvels - the discovery of DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid), measles vaccine and heart-lung machine - add to almost-constant advances in the health field. British mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay of Nepal make history as they scale Mount Everest.

     Another Brit, Sir Winston Churchill, is awarded the Nobel Prize in literature and, once again, Academy Awards go out. This year, William Holden wins the best actor category for "Stalag 17" while Audrey Hepburn is recognized for her acting in "Roman Holiday." "From Here to Eternity" is the film of the year.

     In sporting news, the New York Yankees repeat their victory by winning the World Series, and the Minneapolis Lakers win the NBA Championship. The "Master" of the Masters this year is Ben Hogan, and the Montreal Canadiens take the Stanley Cup home.

     Speed on the track is proven by Kentucky Derby winner Dark Star, while Bill Vukovich takes the Indianapolis 500.

     Although local records of news events this year are at a premium, a few memories have been uncovered.

     In November, the village board is petitioned by several Water Street businesses to remedy the bad conditions caused by the construction of sewer lines. Phil Pericak, Gowanda Hotel; John Holocinski, Gowanda Laundry; and Lucille Kewley, Kewley's Restaurant, express their dissatisfaction with the road conditions.

     This is also the year when Tri-County Memorial Hospital unveils its memorial plaque at a well-attended open house, Ernest Palcic is elected Kiwanis president, and a great deal of discussion ensues over the site for the new high school - the Mackmer site, Gutekunst site and Ehret site.

     Around the holidays, a new Hammond organ is dedicated at Gowanda State Hospital. Jean Haynes plays Yuletide Echoes, Bob Palcic plays popular tunes, and a host of other musicians and vocalists demonstrate the benefits patients will derive from its presence.

     Santa Claus also makes an appearance at Tri-County Hospital to cheer up 5-year-old Randy Stankey of Leon and 8-year-old Frances Kramer of Derby.

     John Hubbard is the newly elected president of the New York State Hi-Y Council. Joseph Paulucci is selected new VFW Commander.

     Earlier in the year, voters sign a centralization petition; and in June the Central School district is formed. Eventually, the district puts the school house building on Foster Road in Collins out for public auction.

     This is a big year for the automobile industry, too. America's first sports car reaches the market as Chevrolet introduces the Corvette, with a 150-horsepower "Blue-Flame" engine and Powerglide automatic transmission. The motor company also restyles its Bel Air for 1954 and Witt-Anderson Motor Company prepares for its unveiling.

     Not to be outdone, Pontiac announces the new Star Chief Series for the 1954 model year. Displayed in the showroom at Fox Motor Sales & Service, the new model is touted as the "Biggest Pontiac ever built - 214 inches overall length."

     Zigrossi Motor Sales (formerly Seider Motor Sales) entices the crowds to see the "beautiful 1954 Dodge" in the showroom by offering "free orchids for the ladies." The Main Street Service Station advertises their Oldsmobile prices "start as low as $2,324.62 delivered locally; state and local taxes extra."

     In the used car category, Superior Motors offers a "1952 Plymouth Cranbook Club Coupe, a low-mileage car finished in Cactus green, looks and drives like new, very good tires, big climatic heater, safe for children with its two-door type of body, still loads of room. Completely Superior conditioned and ready to go for only $515 down, $59.60 per month."

     Another unit available at Superior is a 1951 Chrysler Windsor Deluxe 4-door sedan featuring an 8-tube radio, Fluidmatic Drive, $650 down, $70.94 per month.

     Meanwhile, Gowanda Motor Company advertises a 1945 Ford Pickup for $325.

     For those in the market for a home instead of wheels, Charles Tarbox Real Estate offers for sale "233 acres dairy farm in the Town of Collins. Going lock, stock and barrel. Excellent light loam soil that is highily productive. Good house, dandy 40x40 barn, 3 tractors, 39 milch cows and all the trimmings. A real going operation requiring $18,000 cash."

     To help furnish the home a local classified reads "For sale: 8 piece walnut dining room suite $40." Shoppers in the market for new furnishings can visit Campbell's Furniture and purchase a wooden bed for $16.95 or a metal bed for $9.95, a Lane cedar chest for $49.95 and a 3-speed record player for $19.95. Himelein and Company is featuring carpet sweepers from $7.50, boxed towel sets from $1.49 to $3.98 and boxed pillow cases from $1.98 to $2.98.

     To pay for the furnishings, these jobs are available: "Assistant custodian in the Gowanda Central School building. Hours 3 to 6 p.m., 7 to 12 p.m. - temporary appointment, pending Civil Service examination. Starting salary $50 a week. Apply Charles Brack, school clerk." "Men wanted: for ward service. Starting salary $2,616. Paid vacation, legal holidays, sick time High school education desirable. Apply at Gowanda State Hospital, Helmuth."

     Of course, dressing for the job, or for an evening out, is made easier with the help of local merchants.

     Himelein and Company announces "Magic Fingers' lift your figure/ New Playtex magic-controller" fabric-lined four adjustable garters, $7.95. Nagle's - For Men and Boys advertizes "Bring in your husband, take out a new man." Their new line of fall clothes includes Don Richards suits for $55 and topcoats range from $45 to $60.

     Another "Nagle-ism" reads: "It's been a beautiful fall but ... is your boy winterized?" They offer flannel shirts for $2.95 and Duofold Union suits for $7.50 and $8.50.

     For the little ones, The Tot Shop, next to the Hollywood Theater, is featuring three-piece flannel sleepers for $1.98 and girl's flannel p.j.'s for $1.98 and $2.98.

     Places to go this year include a testimonial dinner at Hotel Buffalo in October, honoring Bob Stedler, sports editor of the Buffalo Evening News. The event is chaired by Ernie Palcic, business officer of Gowanda State Hospital, and spotlights these area athletes: Ted Stitzel, Bill Grossman, John Gertsch and Bill Edwards.

     There is also a Thanksgiving Eve benefit dance at the VFW Post. Harmonaires is providing musical entertainment for the event to benefit the fire and police emergency company of the Gowanda Fire Department. Admission is 75 cents.

     For a quiet evening activity, residents may choose to travel around and enjoy the Christmas lights. This year's winners of the Gowanda Businessmen's Association Holiday Lighting Contest are: Fred Lewis of Seneca Heights, Joseph Rupp of 45 South Chapel St., Sheldon Brant of Seneca Heights, James Galloway of 151 Aldrich St., and Frank Lesefske of Zoar Road.

     The Hollywood always offers an assortment of films throughout the year to entertain children and adults too. Some of them showing this year are "The Master of Ballantrae" starring Errol Flynn, "Return to Paradise" with Gary Cooper, and "Salome" starring Rita Hayworth and Stewart Granger.

     Reading is also a popular pastime and a few of the events making headlines include: Gowanda wins the Western New York Cross-Country Championship, have an undefeated season. Members of the team are: John Cocca, Larry Dial, Don Milligan, Dana Boss, Coach Bart Ross, William Neeley, Bob Williams, Captain Bob Grudzien, Dale Beaver, Luman Dial and Manager Jim Smith.

     Another headline states: "Gowanda Panthers beat Salamanca 38-6 to close league football season."

     Five from the Gowanda Central School football team selected Southwestern Conference All-Star Team: Philip Palcic, end; Burt Hawkins, tackle; Charles Ramen, guard; Robert Eaton, center; Louis Gabel, quarterback. Virgil Halftown is selected as quarterback for the second team.

     Gowanda State Hospital basketball team wins opener by defeating Amherst A.C. 75-66. Milan Miller is high scorer for Gowanda with 23 points.

     After building up an appetite from attending the various activities and sporting events, residents can take advantage of the specials at the following stores: Farner and Parker regular milk, 22 cents a quart; homogenized milk, 23 cents a quart; skim milk, 15 cents a quart; buttermilk, 18 cents quart; chocolate milk, 24 cents a quart; and cottage cheese, 27 cents a one-pound package. Nu-Way - Ideal frozen orange juice, six 6-ounce cans/$1; Swan soap, 24 bars/$1; five-piece dining set: cup, dessert dish, salad plate, saucer, dinner plate for 99 cents with each $5 purchase; and to complete the dinner service: sugar and creamer, meat platter, vegetable bowl, all for $3.49.

     Beaver's Department Store offers a special for children: Dennis the Menace 17-inch doll for $3.98. The doll has a "soft vinyl head, latex body, squeeze voice, removable T-shirt and denim overalls with his name on theme. Complete with cowlick and freckles."