As we enter 1975, we see a continuation of the latest styles - plaids and prints that play tricks on the eyes like an M.C. Escher design; bell-bottom pants, some with legs that resemble tents; and an assortment of hairstyles, with girls sporting shorter "do's" than some guys. This is also the subtle birth of the computer "geek" era. Bill Gates and Paul Allen start the Microsoft Corporation to develop software for Altair Computer. From Japan, the development of the Betamax videotaping system and Video Home System (VHS) signal the cutting-edge technological evolution of recording memories and turn living rooms into home theaters. A "thinning" of the glass ceiling takes place when the Sex Discrimination and Equal Pay acts are passed.

        In the seemingly never-ending unrest overseas, North Vietnamese forces take over Saigon; Congress votes $405 million in aid for South Vietnamese refugees. Domestic difficulties include the Mohawk tribe reclaiming part of its homeland in New York State. Former Attorney General John Mitchell and ex-presidential advisors H.R. Haldeman and John Ehrlichman are found guilty in the Watergate trial. Vice President Nelson Rockefeller's investigative panel uncovers illegal CIA operations. Aside from records on 300,000 individuals and groups, agents also have infiltrated black, antiwar and political movements. Refocusing some attention of U.S. citizens, NASA launches the Mars space probes, Viking 1 and 2.

        On the entertainment trail, "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" is the big winner this year at the Academy Awards. Besides being given the nod as Film of the Year, actor Jack Nicholson and actress Louise Fletcher receive Oscars for their roles in the movie.

        Sports highlights include the ball diamond dynamos, the Cincinnati Reds; cager champs, the Golden State Warriors; gridiron greats, the Pittsburgh Steelers; links legend Jack Nicklaus; icemen Philadelphia Flyers; Wimbledon wonders Arthur Ashe and Billie Jean King; Derby distance winner Foolish Pleasure; and speed demon Bobby Unser.

        Affecting life locally is the state minimum wage rate increase from $2 to $2. lO an hour. Those needing help getting to their minimum wage, and other, jobs can learn how to apply tire chains when newspapers run "how to" instructions. Motorists can take along a box of Girl Scout cookies, available for $1.25 a box, to make time pass more quickly on the road. Also making motoring more efficient is the "right on red after stop" now in effect. Almost as a throwback to the house-call era, the Taxmobile visits Gowanda.

        As the IRS inflicts its annual "share holding" campaign on U.S. citizens, smokers' nerves are further tested as a smoking ban in Erie County goes into effect. Elevators, retail food stores, class rooms, lecture halls and other places for public assembly are now off limits to those with a penchant for puffing. Adding to the woes of the year is the announcement by state Assemblyman Ronald Tills that Albany may close down the J. N. Adam Developmental Center. Not to be outdone, the United States Railway Association designates the Erie-Lackawanna rail line from Blasdell to Dayton for abandonment. Chairman J. Bruce Forbush and other Erie-Lackawanna Shippers Association members protest the decision and ask residents of surrounding communities to write their state senators and representatives expressing their dismay over the abandonment.

        Trying to buffer the J. N. announcement by Tills, Assemblyman Dan Walsh states that the continued use of the facility in the "foreseeable" future is expected. Governor Hugh Carey also authorizes the formation of a "watch dog" committee for the center.

        While potential devastation looms on the Gowanda horizon, tragedy rears it's ugly head throughout the year. A family man is killed when a gasoline drum explodes at Spartan Construction.

        The Zoar Valley Rescue Squad is kept especially busy in 1975. An injured Niagara County man is pulled from the gorge near Breakers Point after he falls from the cliff. A Gowanda teen is fatally injured when he falls 150 feet. The body of a Williamsville young man is recovered from the Cattaraugus Creek after he slips from a ledge in Valentine Flats and plunges into a whirlpool.

        Not all news is depressing, however.

        Theodore Palcic is honored on his retirement from the Gowanda Post Office after more than 34 years of service. The elderly and their relatives have peace of mind thanks to the Chiefs Golden Group, a phone-in/check-in service to the Gowanda Police Department each morning. Coach Howard Hillis retires after 39 years. Anna Holden, 99, receives birthday greetings from President Gerald Ford. St. Joseph School celebrates 50 years. Pearle Saunders is chosen BPW "Woman of the Year." Theodore Bravos is appointed director of J.N. The Ruth Bareham Center is dedicated at St. John's Park. Odell Evans is feted and presented with a pin signifying his 40 years of service to Moench Tanning Company. Richard Carpenter, president of Gowanda Shrine Club No.1, presents an honorary lifetime membership to President Ford in the Oval office. The community gears up for the country's bicentennial celebration next year.

        Other noteworthy events include th first baby of 1975, born to Harriet Lee and Roy Raber of Penysburg. Mayor Donald Lazar announces his candidacy for relection. Trustees Nelson Hage and Carl Bley seek re-election, too. Andrew LaBombard throws his hat in the ring for mayor, and William Sheehan and Harold Hollenbeck run for trustee seats. Lazar, Hager and Bley win vote approval.

        These promotions take place at the tannery: David Warne - assistant general superintendent; Ahmed Syed - assistant to general superintendent; and Richard Stapleton - customer service manager. Howard Purdy is elected secretary of the Ford Dealers Council of Western New York. The union employees of National Fuel Gas Corporation picket the Gowanda office. Carpenter Hall, built in 1903 at Gowanda Psychiatric Center, is demolished. In additioni to the razing of the old employee dormitory, an assembly hall and two wooden cottages are torn down. Awards are presented at the annual Cub Pack 276 Blue and Gold Banquet to: Jeff Thordahl Steve Britt, Brian Himes, Bob Hunsinger, Jeff Stiles, Doug Stelley, John Osborne and Joe Coudrey.

        The Cub Pack's Pinewood Derby winners this year are: Greg Washy, Tim Olinger, Tim Sutter, Ronnie Gabel, Randy Lucas, Steve Britt, Donny Barstow, Tad Mackey, Jeff Martin and Jimmy Lawton.

        Penny Bowers is the spelling bee contest winner; Karl Wendel is runner-up Americanism essay winners are Linda Gibbon and Jeffrey Tingue. The junior high spelling champ is Mark Troutman runner-up is Sue Williams. The Erie County American Legion-sponsored Americanism essay contest winners include Pamela Pyle, Nicholas Warrer and Gail Wratny. At Peter Cooper Corporation, a high tank is taken and moved through the village as part of the dismantling work. The next structure receiving attention is the huge smokestack, an area landmark, that is on the list to be torn down.

        Pianist Michael Campbell, and vocal duet Annette Parish and James Spina are selected to appear in a talent show at Kleinhan's Music Hall. Campbell also performs on Channel 7's "Showcase of Talent." David Silverheels, a second-grader, is named New York State runner-up in the Florida Citrus "Breakfast Right - Think Bright" poster contest Cheryl Swartz and Stacy Seneca win the chocolate bunnies at the Easter Egg Hunt held at First Baptist Church.

        Joseph Sternisha is elected chief of the Gowanda Fire Department. The Sand Hill recycling center, Help Our Polluted Environment (HOPE) phases out its program and closes May31. Penny Palcic is crowned junior prom queen. Sandy Heiner and Jack Youngberg are presented with the American Red Cross awards for outstanding educator and student, respectively. They are the first recipients of this award in Buffalo and Erie County.

        John Hart is valedictorian and Laurel Rebmann is salutatorian of Cardinal Mindzenty's Class of '75. James Minekime and Anne Fisher are the GCS valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively. The village board appoints Carlton "Jake" Smith acting highway superintendent. Dawn Stelley paints a bicentennial theme on the village billboard next to the Regal Restaurant. Martin Seneca is re-elected president of the Board of Education. GCS presents "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" as a summer production. The main cast is as follows: Annette Parish - Lucy, Penny Palcic - Patty, Mark Hemann - Linus, Lisa Della Posta - Snoopy, David Spina - Schroeder and Mark Della Posta - Charlie Brown.

        The costume show winners from Gowanda Recreation are: Joey Perchy, Jeff Clark, Chris Comstock, Kristen Thordahl, Jerry Peters, Carolyn Penharlow and Joan Irving. Despite temperature in the100s, "DogDays" is a big success. The pet parade winners include: Brian Sweet with Muffin, funniest; Becky Benson with Kimbi, smallest; Patty Lou Griffith with Ben, biggest; Mary Grace Palumbo with GiGi, cutest; Sweet with Muffin, best trained; Rachel Thayer with guinea pigs, most unusual; Tammy Mascho with Candy Red, longest ears; Lisa Gabel with Tinkerbell, shortest tail; Luana Gabel with Greta; fattest; and Melody Nagle with Ding Chou, shyest.

        Hot air ballooning comes to the area when Einar Wheel returns to Gowanda and introduces Sunbird Balloon. Tammy Greene and Bruce Bollinger are selected to perform at the New York State School Music Association Conference in Rochester. Gowanda Mini Corps wins the first-place trophy in the New York-Ontario Shrine Competition in Syracuse. Angola and North Collins listings are added to the Gowanda phone directory for the first time. Mickey Ragona purchases Sweet's Bicycle Shop, moves it to Water Street and names it Sweet Simon's Bicycle Shop. The Bi-Centennial Ball costume winners are Carol Stark; Roni Lee Willett and Mr. and Mrs. Paul Brock. Melissa Himelein wins the American Legion Oratorical Contest at GCS.

        As we wrap up 1975, we begin to anticipate the celebration ofAmerica's independence. In 1976, the entire coun- try takes part in the bicentennial, and Gowanda holds its own party that draws hundreds. Until then...