Louise Brown makes medical history as the first test-tube baby who is born healthy. But, as life begins, it also ends, often violently. Gay activist and City Council member Harvey Milk and Mayor George Moscone are assassinated in San Francisco.

        Aiding in turning discord into accord, President Jimmy Carter leads a Camp David Conference where the Middle East "Framework for Peace" is signed by Egypt and Israel. The Senate votes to give Panama Canal back to Panama.

        This is also the year of "The Longest Walk," begun by 300 Native Americans to protect treaty rights. Pluto's moon, Charon, is discovered by James Walter Christy and Robert S. Harrington. Before running afoul of the law, Todd Bridges, Dana Plato and Gary Coleman star in "Diff'rent Strokes," a situation comedy making its debut on NBC. On the big screen, "The Deer Hunter" is the Film of the Year, and Jon Voight and Jane Fonda win Academy awards for their roles in the movie "Coming Home."

        This year's sports triumphs include: the repeat World Series winners, the New York Yankees; NBA champs, the Washington Bullets; gridiron greats, the Dallas Cowboys; Masters pro, Gary Player; Stanley Cup repeat winners, the Montreal Canadiens; Wimbledon pros, Bjorn Borg and Martina Navratilova; Indy 500 great,Al Unser; and, for the second consecutive year, we witness a Triple Crown Winner. Affirmed takes the wire at all three races - the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes.

        Locally, with the Blizzard of '77 still fresh in everyone's minds, nerves are again tested when a fierce storm hits the area just after the beginning of the year. Western New York is assaulted by snowflakes and furious winds, forcing 195 schools to close. Thankfully, this storm is nothing like the fury unleashed by Mother Nature the year before.

        With roads plowed, driveways cleared and steps shoveled, we can now get down to the business of the moments that make up 1978.

        On the subject of business, Tim Murphy and Kevin Wurst purchase the Regal Restaurant and announce plans to add a banquet and dining area downstairs. Olean dentist, Dr. Joseph Tripodi, takes initial steps to construct a 120-bed nursing home in Gowanda. Campbell's Furniture, Inc. is sold to Grant Greinert of Collins. Bruce and Anna Babcock purchase the Sears, Roebuck Catalog Store at 3 Buffalo St. Valu Home Improvement Center opens on Buffalo Street. Dr. Robert Rogers purchases the Gowanda Veterinary Clinic. A grand opening is held for Down Under Cookery. Terri Vantino opens Positively Mane Street at 42 West Main. Warren's Collision moves to 36 Jamestown St.

        A fire, originating in a second-floor apartment, damages the interior of Miller's Store on Jamestown Street. Stella Hurd wins the $1,000 prize in the Super Duper Harness Racing Sweepstakes. Ames Department Store opens in Collins. Jamestown Community College opens a satellite at J.N. Adam Developmental Center. The New York State Police open a substation on Broadway Road The minimum wage is $2.65, up from $2.30 and it will rise to $2.90 on Jan. 1, 1979. Mr. and Mrs. Richard Stoll retire after more than 38 years of association with the Gowanda-Tri-County PennySaver. The office of Gowanda News and Observer moves to 62 West Main St., and shares space with the Pennysaver. Meats by Rocky opens on Buffalo Street by owner Rocky Reid.

        These movies show throughout the lins Center fire halls. Bradley Joubert, year at the Hollywooc' Theater: "Across Gale Samuelson, Kenneth Boss and the Great Divide," "Pippi on the Run," Christine Makowski are chosen for the "Bobby Deerfield," "Darby O'Gill and All-County Band. GCS senior Michael the Little People," "The Gauntlet," "Pete's Campbell is awarded the Erie County Dragon," "The World's Greatest Lover," Music Educators Association Scholar- "Jesus Christ Superstar," "Looking for ship. Mr. Goodbar," "Close Encounters of the The Gowanda Fire Department in- Third Kind," "RabbitTest," "Smokey and stalls the following officers: Richard the Bandit," "Star Wars," and "Grease." Freeman, chief; David Raiport, first as- The theater plans fiill-~caJe paticipa- sistaant;HenryCrouse,secoiyjpresident; tion in the "Mickey Mouse 50th Birth- Curtis Payne, president; John Walgus, day Special" in November.

        Some of the sports feats of 1978 include: GCS distance runner Todd Hunt takes first place in the "17 years of age" group at the Erie County Winter Carnival. Keith Moody, defensive back and punt returner of the Buffalo Bills, is the guest speaker at the 23rd annual Gowanda Kiwanis Brotherhood dinner. Cindy Evans places first in the New York State Ski Racing AssociationChampionship at Ski Valley and Bristol Mountain. GCS bowler Dennis Hewitt is named to the Division All-Star team. Pinewood Derby winners this year are: James Hassett, Daniel Goran and Troy Dailey. David Hellman has the most unique design and best body finish goes to Chris Kraengel. These eight varsity lacrosse players are named to the Seneca Division All-Star teams: Kerwin John, Mike Smith, Kelly Nephew, Mark Powless, Bryce Thompson, Chuck Stevens, Tim Stevens and Lambert Jimerson. Mike Smith is named to the High School All-American team.

        Dan Clabeaux is selected as a candidate for the Billy Kelly Athletic Award, sponsored by the Buffalo Courier-Express.The Gowanda RunnersClub hosts its first annual 10 kilometer road race, sponsored by the Niagara Association of the AAU. A total of 254 runners pound the pavement with Bob Carroll of Forestville coming in first, posting a time of 33:08 for the 6.2 miles. GCS student Todd Hunt is ninth. Nick Crassi, takes the checkered flag at Lancaster Speedway. Capella's Farms Softball team wins the p!ayoffs for the fourth consecutive season. Members include: Tim Geiger, Kevin Regan, Joe Smith, Rick Stefanik, Jack Youngberg, Mike Cassidy, Dana Jolls, Willy Kota, Al Taylor, Garry Nelson, George Nelson and Mark Benton. Punt, Pass and Kick winners are: Mark Ondus, William Hassett, Danny Kusiowski, Paul Zimmerman, Tim Parsell, Mark Miller, Jim Hassett, Mike Frantz, Matthew Whitcher, Mike Miller, Seth Halftown, Tim Butzer, John Ondus, Tony Comstock and Todd Nowicki. Division IV Girls' Cross-Country champions are: Ann Bowen, Penny Perkins, Julie Heath and Krista Schroeder.

        In other news, State Senator Jess Present introduces legislation to authorize the Village of Perrysburg and J.N. Adam Development Center to enter into a contract stating J.N. will furnish water to the village. A new 4-H club, Our Gang, is formed in Gowanda. Heidi Tschopp is president, Jenny Utley is vice president, Betsy Conrad is secretary, Amy Youngberg is treasurer and the reporter is Amy Tschopp. Collins Friends Meeting acquires ownership of the former Collins Elementary school for $20,000 at an auction held in the gym. Gowanda Ambulance Service Supervisor Don Anderson reports that 527 trips were made during 1977. A groundbreaking ceremony is held in Collins to expand the Collins and Collins Center fire halls. Bradley Joubert, Gale Samuelson, Kenneth Boss and Christine Makowski are chosen for the All-County Band. GCS senior Michael Campbell is awarded the Erie County Music Educators Association Scholarship.

        The Gowanda Fire Department in- stalls the following officers: Richard Freeman, chief; David Raiport, first assistant; Henry Crouse, second president; Curtis Payne, president; John Walgus, vice president; William Gilray, secretary; John Palen, treasurer; and Harry Smith, sergeant-at-arms. Retiring Director of Gowanda Psychiatric Center, Dr. J. Rothery Haight, is honored at a ceremony. Kelly Jeanne Stone is crowned Miss Perrysburg 1978. Betty Poole is elected BPW president. Louis Pais is ordained a deacon by Bishop Edward Head. Wendy Johnson is crowned junior prom queen. Bonnie Bradigan is valedictorian and Amy Coventry is salutatorian of the Class of '78 at GCS. Eileen Hart, a junior at Cardinal Mindzenty High School, is chosen for Girls' State. Gowanda Post Office employee Jack Holcomb, Sr. retires after 30 years of service. Three area girls are selected for the State 4-H Clothing Revue: Mary Stang and Wendy Burns, both of Perrysburg; and Katrina Stoltenberg of Cattaraugus. These GCS students are chosen for Boys' State: Bruce Bobsein, Mark Troutman, Justin Regan, Robert Spletaer, Richard Leisner and Daniel Steves. Karla Weyand is selected for Girls' State.

        The VFW installs the following officers: Chester Callan, commander; Stanley Chzanowski, senior vice commander; Victor Goran, junior vice commander; Leon Bennett, quartermaster; Emil Kubasiak, adjutant; Edward Palen, service officer; and Edward Sheldon, chaplain. Auxiliary officers installed are: Veronica Palen, president; Veronica Demmon, first vice president; Dora Pine, second vice president; Erma Vigue, secretary/treasurer; Vivian Huber, chaplain; Jenny Anderson, conductress; Sara Gelia, guard; and Fannie Hager and Priscilla Peterson, trustees. The Versailles United Methodist Church celebrates its 100th anniversary. Helen DeCarlo, Robert Eiseline, Nancy Hintz and Emery Williams are elected to the school board. The American Legion installs these officers: Robert Duncan, commander; Leroy Stevens, first vice commander; and Jack Frost, second vice commander.

        To improve communications between Gowanda Ambulance Service and TCMH, Tri-County Ratchet Jawers CB Club provides CB units for the hospital and ambulance. Tony Gelia retires after l8years with the Gowanda Post Office. Charles Schroeder resigns as assistant junior-senior principal. Trustee William Young resigns from the village board; Leo Polasik is appointed to finish out his term. A light plane makes a forced landing in Harold Luther's swimming pool in Collins. Norman Vance is the pilot and William Young is the passsenger. Janice Wells is the BPW "Woman of the Year." Trinity United Church holds its first fire drill. Harold Ebert resigns as school district clerk/business manager.

        The biggest events of 1978 are the River Rat Raft Regatta and the Western New York Volunteer Firemen's Association Convention, both taking place in July.

        Junior River Rat Parade winners are: Joan Poquadeck, Brett Sibley and Todd Farner, smallest raft; Offhaus and Pit Crew, Mike Tiller and Mike Lipinski, largest raft; Offhaus and Pit Crew, Hapak, Bernie Quandt and Eric Tschopp, most colorful; Latona, raft from outer space; and Peter and Amy Johnson, and Desere Landa, most original.

        At the regatta, hot air balloon rides, featuring "The Big E" balloon, provide added excitement Attracting some 7,000 spectators, this year's Raft Regatta tallies 60 rafts and 604 "rats."

        Winning entries include: The Arrow - David Spina, Italian Salami - Tom Locicero, and RiffRaftII - Les Mascho, best raft name; The Avenger - Brian Haynes, SS Stelazine - Michael Evola, Riff Raft II, best constructed; Untitled - Phil Palen, Davy Jones - Bill Press, Santa's Vacation Cruise - Madeline Maybee, Hoot's - Merritt Offilaus, Jr., first to sink. Solo - Debbie Bucholta, First American Raft Team - Bob Kozlowski, Titantic II - Poncho Gonzalez, and Sweda's I - Stan Sajdak - first place; Flower Power - Dennis Read, Davy Jones, and African Queen - Ron Sheldon, most unusual method of power; The Arrow, SS Stelazine Sweda's, and Boeing 409 Legion - Chuck Weber, last place; Didn't Think It Would Float Did You?-Ross Lawton, Raft Float United - Pam Kuhs, and Titanic II, smallest; Solo, Peglowski's Air Force -Bob Peglowski, and Sweda's Super Raft-Tim Bobsein, largest; The Arrow, Love Boat - Bob Kilcoyne, and Riff Raft II, most unusual design; Flower Power, Bulbous Wet Dream - Dale Hager, and Down Under - Frank Cooney, most colorful; The Floating Cat House - Sue Taber, Love Boat, and Hoot's Angels - Brenda Bylbie, best theme; The Floating Cat House, Count Ratula - Ray Hauck, and Yumpin Yimminy - Fred Weyand, best costume design; Didn't Think lt Would Float Did You?, Peglowski's Air Force, and Fashion Floors - Forrest Dailey, most comfortable costume (male); Sir Duke - Becky Hubbard, 19th Amendment - Meg McDonough, and The Three Golamkis - Mary Inglat, most comfortable oostume (female); Sweda's Super Raft, most people on a raft (106 people); Joe Badurek, oldest contestant (60 years old); Rick Lore, largest feet (13 EEE); Bill Edwards - traveled the farthest (from Houston, TX); Debbie Bucholtz, Jewel of the Cattaraugus; and GPC's Robert's Raiders, first, and TCMH's Nesses, last, hospital class.