This week we enter 1977, another year of transitions, decisions and resilience.

        The most noteworthy transition takes place in the White House as the Ford family packs up and the Carters move in. Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States, has a routine inauguration, but his term of office is not an easy one. In fact, just shortly atter he takes the official oath, he must decide how to best assist Buffalo-area citizens when the Blizzard of '77 hits.

        Walls of lake-effect snow paralyze the region and the resiliency of the residents is tested to the extreme. Federal help arrives in various forms, but it's many months before the impact of Mother Nature is overcome and victims of the wrath are emotionally and physically back on track. Fans of southem rock are also dealt a blow when lead singer Ronnie VanZant and guitarist Stevie Gaines of Lynyrd Skynyrd are killed in a McComb, MS plane crash.

        Not all activity in 1977 is completely negative, though.

        This is the year that the first mass marketing of personal computers is launched. Women qualify for their own pensions. NASA develops the space shuttle. The Department of Energy is established. President Carter pardons 10,000 Vietnam draft resistors. The National Women's Conference convenes in Houston. The U.S. Military has the dubious distinction ofdeveloping the neutron bomb. The sit-com jiggle-fest is born when "Three's Company" debuts on ABC. And, polyester reaches new heights as "Saturday Night Fever" opens in theaters and disco, John Travolta and the Bee Gees change the dance scene.

        Although things seem to constantly change, some things remain constant.

        The World Series again pits the two best teams against each other on the diamond; the New York Yankees are victorious. The Portland Trail Blazers are champion hoopsters. The Oakland Raiders are super in Super Bowl XI. Tom Watson proves he is Master with his set of clubs. The goal-oriented Montreal Canadiens repeat their cup win. Bjorn Borg and Virginia Wade win at Wimbledon. Banking his turns better than others, A.J. Foyt takes the checkered flag at Indy. And, one of the biggest feats in the world of sports is the Triple Crown win of Seattle Slew. The Thoroughbred, a blue blood of the horse world, is first to cross the wire at the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes.

        Academy award winners this year are Richard Dreyfuss for "The Goodbye Girl" and Diane Keaton for "Annie Hall," which is also chosen as film of the year.

        On the local beat, the Gowanda Area Chamber of Commerce presents a plaque to Don Campbell for his many years ofservice. The village applies for a $300,000 HUD grant. GCS student Mary Stang is named 1977 General Mills "Family Leader of Tomorrow." Karen Bollinger and Rhoda Rupp are selected for membership in the U.S. Collegiate Wind Band; they will tour five European countries. Three men and one woman are rescued from Cattaraugus Creek after their rubber raft overturns near the railroad bridge. Fourteen Gowanda students visit Spain - Dan Allen, Mike Bowen, John Buckland, Kelley Curtis, Linda Gurney, Geri Herrington, Tom Hughey, Julie Jemison, Len Putney, Justin Regan, Pam Richter, Mark Schindler and Sue Stillman get to experiment with their high school Spanish.

        Jay Bowers is named outstanding first-year Jaycee for Region IX, which encompasses Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Allegany counties. Christopher Thomas is valedictorian and Melissa Himelein is salutatorian of GCS's Class of '77. Michael Domagola is Cardinal Mindzenty's valedictorian this year.

        William Holocinski is presented with a Safe Driver Award from the National Safety Council in recognition of his 20 years as a rural mail carrier with no accidents. Chosen for Boys' State are: Tom Bowen, Dan Clabeaux, John Luifred, Rod Wheeler, Dan Allen and Glenn Lawton. Karen Nimon is selected for Girls' State. Jennifer Fisher is crowned junior prom queen. Ninth-grader Pamela Pyle wins division honors in the l977Americanism Essay Contest sponsored by the "Buffalo News." Mrs. Christina Tietz celebrates her 100th birthday. Karen Nimon is chosen Miss Cattaraugus County Firemen's Association queen. John Palen is elected president of the Western New York Volunteer Firemen's Association.

        A real rarity, a two-headed calf, is born at the Francis Gernatt farm in Collins. The Brighton Youth Symphony Orchestra, of Brighton, England, presents a concert at GCS. The Gowanda Free Methodist Church breaks ground for a new education building and expanded sanctuary. Dr. Irene Hu is the BPW "Woman of the Year." Gowanda's first historical marker is unveiled at St. John's Park. Mary Stang, of Perrysburg, wins the National 4-H award in food preservation. WGR-TV Channel 2's Weatherman, Barry Lillis, wears a GES T-shirt during the six o'clock broadcast in December and presents a few facts on the school.

        In business, Down Under opens below Campbell's Super Duper. The Hollywood Theater opens under new management. Jerry Wienk and Larry Studd, both of Cattaraugus, plan to feature dinner/theater on Saturday nights, utilizing the services of Palm Gardens Restaurant; summer plays and a variety of organ and Country and Western music concerts on Sundays. Coming attractions include "A Star is Born," "Two-Minute Warning" and "Freaky Friday." Clint Eastwood's film, "The Enforcer," is the first movie shown under the new management.

        National Fuel Gas employees in New York State participate in a work stoppage. The TCMH Board of Directors authorizes Administrator Norbert Temple to decertify 14 nursing home beds. New York State proposes taking over 3,000 acres in the Zoar area. The Zoar Valley Area Concerned Citizens Group vehemently opposes the idea. Eventually, the state abandons the acquisition plan. The Gowanda Area Jaycees and Jayncees install new officers. Representing the Jaycees are the following: Maurice Marceux, treasurer; David Wiens, secretary; William Cain, internal vice president; Jay Bowers, president; William Peterson, director; Forrest Dailey, director; George Stark, director and Russell Pound, external vice president. Jayncees installed are: Pam Kuhs secretary; Pat Peterson, vice president Margaret Marcoux, president; Susan Palcic, director; Barbara Kingsley, director; and Pat Pound, treasurer.

        Photographer Clair Wigren sells his studio to Michael Sajdak, who changes the name to Images. Meter maids make rounds in response to concerns voiced by merchants about those extending their stay in parking spots in front of stores. The DMV begins Moped registration. Luce Hardware is purchased by Miklos Marton from John Andolsek, who has owned the establishment since 1955. Warren's Collision opens at the corner of Jamestown and Walnut streets. J.N. Adam employees protest job cutbacks and the shifting of patients to foster homes. Kenneth Strohmeyer is named vice president of Gowanda Electronics. Arnold Lindquist and Howard Beaver are honored by Moench Tanning Company for their 40 years of service. A reception is held for A. Stephen DuBois after he is appointed director of GPC.

        One of the biggest news items of the year is the ferocious storm that pummels the area in September. The hardest hit is the Hidi area. Downed trees and power lines, ravaged buildings and scattered debris result in weeks of cleanup for area residents.

        On a less serious note is another big news item: the first annual River Rat Raft Regatta in July.

        A Gowanda Area Chamber of Commerce sponsored event, the regatta course begins at the railroad trestle and continues down the Cattaraugus to the Aldrich Street bridge. Participants are asked to pay 77 cents per raft and seven cents per rider.

        The regatta attracts hundreds to the shores of the creek to watch 47 craft and 124 "river rats." Winners in the various categories of one-person, two-person and unlimited, include:
        First place-Bill Ryan of Tonawanda, John Patchen of Randolph and Gowanda Lions Club. Second place - Brian Hayes, Bill Hirschman and Terry Bennett of Williamsville. Bar Raft and Last Place - Sweda's. Wettest Contestants - George Stark and Les Mascho. Almost Good Enough - Tom Locicero. Best Dressed - Audrey Ross, Ron Grucela and Gowanda American Legion. Smallest Raft-Kay Bass, Richard Reitz and George Dohn. Most Comfortable - S.J. Smith, Richard Rubeck and Pam Mentley. Jewel of the Cattaraugus - Mayor Donald Lazar. Largest - Tom Locicero, Terry Bennett and Sweda's. Most Unusual - Bill Ryan, George Stark and Les Mascho, and John Peglowski. Most Air-Conditioned - Julia Heath, Marcia Hager and Fritz Weyand. First to Sink - Glenn Orshaw, Grant Gabel and Nita Olmstead, Terry Bennett and Little Joe's. Best Ethnic-Tom Locicero and Don Lazar. Most Colorful - Brian Haynes, Stark and Mascho, and Czar's. Most Unusual Costume - Audrey Ross, Mark Thrasher, and Sweda's. Most on a Raft - Sweda's.

        Under sports headlines, Skip Veloski bowls an all-time high 747 series at K&L Lanes. His combination of 223, 267 and 257 breaks Fred Hebner's record of 737. Cindy Evans, 12, competes in the finals of the New York State Ski Racing Competition in the Catskills. At the U.S. Wrestling Federation meet at Bishop Newman High School, Bob Brooks takes second place, Bill Brooks wins first and Adrian Matte comes in second in their divisions. Tim Byrne earns the first triple win in Gowanda track history while competing against Holland. Frank Markell is named OCS athletic director. HollyBeaver and Hope Peters earn Presidential Physical Fitness awards at the AAHPER Youth Fitness Test at GES.

        Other miscellaneous tidbits of the year include: the discovery of a frozen 32-inch iguana in a tree on Peck Hill Road in Perrysburg by Brian Ivett and Randy Johnson. The artwork of Gowanda students is displayed at Albright-Knox Art Gallery in Buffalo. Coffee lovers are encouraged to add chicory to their favorite grind to save money on the soaring coffee prices. Bingo Inspector Ernest Tietz reports $102,440 was distributed to players last year; there were 18,436 players. Insulating homes is suggested to help conserve energy and cut down on heating bills. The Board of Education votes to extend the school year through June 30 to make up for the numerous snow days.

        David Kobler and Duane Sawyer are top prize winners at the Easter egg hunt sponsored by the First Baptist Church. Cancer studies are done on saccharin. This is the year of the "Moonies." A private plane crashes into the woods near Lenox Road killing the pilot, an Eden man. Dr. C. Frederick Kurtz is elected to the Board of Education; Alfred Falk is elected board president. The Gowanda Athletic Booster Club is formed. Winners of the Gowanda Area Chamber of Commerce-sponsored Halloween parade and costume judging are: Stacy Paczos, Jesse Twoguns, Tara Marvin, Jennifer Horth, David Krajewski, Patricia Jones, Clinton Goodman, Denise Ackler, Donnie Hinkley, Owen Christian, Stacy Miller, Kelly Peters, Steve Britt, Wendy John, Sue Britt and Rich Stevens. The Christmas lighting and decoration winners are: Mr. and Mrs. Paul Brock of Richardson Road, Collins; Walter Gominiak of Erie Avenue; the Ken Beaver family of Allen Street; and the Clayton Comstock family of Chapel Street.

        Now I find it's time, once again, to pack up and bid another year goodbye. With Mother Nature's wrath of 1977 still fresh in our minds, we look forward, although a bit timidly and nervously, to see what 1978 has to hold. Until then...