This is a big year for our country, and from coast to coast, plans are solidifying for the biggest celebration in history, the Bicentennial.

        It was on July 4, 1776, that the 13 colonies expressed their true feelings about British control. A document was drafted, then signed and recorded for generations to come. Included in this Declaration of Independence is a section stating man's "certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness."         With growing momentum and increasing visible evidence of America's birthday party now at full throttle, we enter 1976.

        Not only is there earthly cause for celebration, but planetary party moments also arise. NASA's Viking I and Viking II space probes successfully land on Mars and transmit information on the "Red Planet" as well as photographs. Contrary to various Hollywood cinematic feats of special effects, there are no shots of martians about to engage in a "War of the Worlds." The lack of alien life doesn't detract from the excitement of the event, however.

        There are those who may beg to differ on the presence of extraterrestrials on Earth, though, as Punk Rock blasts its way into the music world via the Sex Pistols' "Anarchy in the UK." Some mutation of humans takes place and punk rockers evolve into a species of their own.

        In the seemingly cut and dry "grey" areas of legal issues, the Supreme Court determines the death penalty is a constitutionally acceptable form of punishment, the Sexual Offense (Amendment) Act attempts to limit a man's defense of consent in rape cases, and the Domestic Violence and Matrimonial Proceedings Act is in effect.

        In the land of make believe, "Rocky" is the film of the year, and Peter Finch and Faye Dunaway win best acting awards for their roles in "Network."

        The sports arenas have their winners as well. The Cincinnati Reds repeat their World Series win, the Boston Celtics take the NBA title, the Pittsburgh Steelers are victorious again in Super Bowl X, Ray Floyd is Masters champ, the Stanley Cup goes to the Montreal Canadiens, Bjorn Borg and Chris Evert win at Wimbledon, Bold Forbes crosses the Kentucky Derby finish line and Johnny Rutherford is the top driver at the Indy 500.

        Locally, preparations are gearing up for the Bicentennial.

        Although still wilderness when Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin and others were drafting the Declaration of Independence, Gowanda was, and is, well versed in surviving, building, rebuilding and existing independently.

        The Gowanda Bicentennial Committee and Gowanda Art Club co-sponsor a contest for a permanent seal for the village. Polly Vogtli turns in the winning design. Dan Tessmer is second and Mrs. Charles Sternisha is third. Student winners are also announced: Tom Foster, Scott Metzger and TimothyBeaver.

        A poster contest is held, too, by the Gowanda Bicentennial Committee. Winners include: JenniferMogavero, Tammy LaValle, Russell Skeates, Claude Murphy, David Hart, Kristina Seneca, Peter Johnson, Becky Maybee, Thomas Bartlett, Martin Wolcz, Scott Ondus, Leonard Reedy, Douglas Taylor, Tracie Liszak and Bernard Churnetski. In the essay contest, Sylvia Cornelius, Diana Gernatt, Barbara Strickfaden, Pamela Pyle, Kris Weyand and Sharon Hart are declared winners.

        Methods of Colonial punishment and public ridicule can be observed in Gowanda as pillory and stocks are erected in front of the library by residents and staff of Gowanda Psychiatric Center as gifts to the community.

        Finally, July arrives and almost everything and everybody is decked out in red, white and blue. Some of the various Bicentennial contests and events are as follows:
        Parade: the Girl Scout float wins the Bicentennial Committee Trophy, the GPC float is the Mayor’s Trophy winner and the Free Methodist Church float claims the Marshal's Trophy.

        Parade Horse and Rider Division: Bicentennial Costumes - Cindy Quiter and Michael Denea, Comedy - Brian Sweet and Mary Lou Sweet, Best Appearing - Tony Sicurella of Farnham and Joan Berg of South Dayton, Youngest Rider- Tina Miller of Cattaraugus, Horse Drawn - Chris Quiter, Horse Drawn and Oldest Driver Mr. and Mrs. Dan Grimes of Olean.

        Store window decorating: First place is won by Mrs. Volk's sixth-grade Bicentennial quilt at Himelein's. The American Legion's and Auxiliary's display at Armes Drug Store and Miss Bialaszewski's third-grade quilt at Gabel Bros. Furniture tie for second place. Taking third place is the Sugar 'n Spice 4-H Club of Perrysburg's toy display at Soles Unlimited.

        Pine Valley Rough Riders Horse Show: Senior Western Working Grand Champion - Denise Van Portvliet of Cassadaga, Pony Grand Champion - Christopher Quiter,Open EnglishWorking Grand Champion - JoanneHeywood of Wellsville, Senior Game Grand Champion - Ed Meyer of Eden, and Junior Game Grand Champion - Lisa Harvey of Collins.

        Bicentennial Queen: Debbie Agle.

        Bicentennial Baby: Russell John Jones, Jr., born on July 4.

        While tough to top the Bicentennial, other events take place locally and are cause for celebration.

        Gerri Jayne Jimerson is the first baby of the year, born on Jan. 3 to Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Jimerson ofVersailles. Ice skating is reinstated at St. John's Park after an absence of several years. Missy Himelein wins the Cattaraugus County American Legion Oratorical Contest. Retired coach Howard Hillis is honored by the Western New York High School Football Coaches Association.

        The Women's Civic Club sponsors an Easter egg hunt at St. John's Park. Winners include: Egg Coloring - Sandra Rogers, Patricia Maybee, Rhonda Miller, Owen Christian and Lisa Gabel; Egg Hunt, first place - Laurie Best, Eddie White. Tammy Goochee is valedictorian and Nancy Stitzel is salutatorian of the Class of '76 from GCS. Peggy Sheehan is crowned junior prom queen. Winners of the third annual bicycle safety rodeo and registration are: First place - Arlynn Hobson, Martin Wolcz, Laurie Stoddard, Paul Lesefske, Diana Broyles, Lionel Stoddard, Debbie Ackler and Steve Wescott.

        The 75th and final commencement exercises for GPC's school of nursing are held. The Levinus K Painter Community Center, in Collins, is dedicated. Adeline Catrael celebrates her lOOth birthday in the skilled nursing unit of TCMH. Cathy Salem and Debbie Agle both of Collins, are finalists in the Mis' Teenage Western New York Pageant John Hellreigel, Andrew Urbank, E Timothy Parsell, J.J. Ondus, Richie Clabeaux and Mike O'Brien are Punt Pass and Kick winners. Elinor Wratny is the BPW "Woman of the Year." The Gowanda Ambulance Service, summoned to deliver a woman in labor to the hospital, is taken by surprise and, instead, delivers the baby. With the help of Ed "Curley" Carier, Ann Paul and Ralph Peters, the baby girl, born to Linda and Douglas Oger, arrives, and both mother and daughter are fine.

        Michael Paul, Chris Thomas and Suzanne Wescott appear on WBEN-TV Channel 4's "It's Academic." Gowanda Police Chief Richard Stitzel is invited to attend the FBI National Academy. Dan Harrington, Gary Denea and Gary Bartlett are named to the Division VII All-StarFootball Team. Marlene Brooks, of Lawtons, Rose Pulvirenti, Mary Miller and David Jorza of Collins, are all winners in the three-minute supermarket shopping spree seasonal promotion. Alice Bowers, a fourth-grade teacher at St. Joseph School. is awarded the Bishop Head Outstanding Teacher Award. Christmas lighting and decoration contest winners are: Arthur Carman, Erie Avenue; Louis Palcic, Aldrich Street; Melissa Stewart, College Street; and the Comstock Family, North Chapel Street.

        In business, Zoar Moto Park adds Snocross to its list of events. Charles Cocca retires, his son, Stephen, buys the jewelry business and retains the name. The employees of Knowles-Fisher Division of AVM Corporation end the walkout that began last October. However, the Gowanda plant remains closed; approximately 40 individuals return to work at the Little Valley plant. Due to state budget cuts, the Alcoholism Rehabilitation Unit at GPC closes April 1. Gowanda Oil Company moves to the corner of Route 39 and Jolls Road, next to Korner Kupboard. Fashion Floors opens on South Water Street. Mr. and Mrs. Forrest Dailey are the owners. A Volkswagen, covered with bright red carpeting by Dailey - a "Rug Bug" - attracts attention as it travels the village streets, and elsewhere.

        Many Gowanda area residents are stunned when they receive parking summons from New York City, especially when they have never been there. The error is finally corrected. Electrolux Company opens a branch on Jamestown Street. The Gowanda - Tri-County Pennysaver celebrates its 40th anniversary. Carl Friedman resigns as junior/senior high assistant principal; Charles Schroeder is appointed at a starting salary of $15,000. A mini golf course, purchased from GPC, is erected at St. John's Park. The TCMH Board of Directors rescinds a previous motion to close the obstetrics department by the end of the year. A determining factor in the reversal of the initial decision is the presentation of a petition to board President Willis Hall with over 2,000 signatures protesting the impending closure.

        Rousselot Gelatin Corporation and Rousselot S.A. agree to purchase the assets (including the name and assuming the liabilities) of the Peter Cooper Corporation. Five parcels of GPC property, most fronting Route 62, are sold at auction for more than $279,000. New owners include: Pero Brothers of Brant, Mr. Shearer of Buffalo, Dan Gernatt and Mecca Brothers of North Collins. Project ECHO, a federally funded program providing hot meals for the elderly, is established at Immanuel Lutheran Church. A grand opening is held at Soles Unlimited; the new owner is Juanita Studley Olmstead. Janet Brown is the new owner of the Ritz Store. The Board of Education votes to raise principals' salaries: William Jackson, GES - $28,154; Arnold Brown, AES - $24,774; and Paul Wollenberg, GCS - $24,079. Swine flu clinics are held throughout Western New York, including Gowanda. The Gowanda Area Jaycees organizes and holds its first meeting in April. The Gowanda Mini Corps repeats its first-place win at the New York-Ontario Shrine Association Convention this year.

        The year calmly winds down, the excitement of the Bicentennial now only a series of memories and images on film and tape. It's time to pack up and see a new year, 1977, in. Until then ...

[The following correction was printed the following week at the end of the 1977 article.]

        Timeless error - In an effort to provide the most accurate accounting of each year'sactivities, it has been brought to my attention that I repeated an error that originated in 1976. Last week's Bicentennial store window decorating contest winner was Mrs. Volk's fourth-grade quilt in Himelein's, not sixth grade. I feel that although the error occurred in a newspaper from July 1976, a correction is long overdue.