We find ourselves this week entering the last year of the decade, 1979. This is the year that life as we know it almost comes to a screeching halt when a near-meltdown occurs at Three Mile Island nuclear plant. Creating a scare that ripples through the nation, 110,000 demonstrators converge on Washington, D.C. to protest the use of nuclear power.

        This is also the year that Iranian students seize the United States Embassy in Tehran, the USSR invades Afghanistan and SALT II, signed by Soviet leader Brezhnev and U.S. President Carter, although never ratified by the Senate, is abided by both countries. On July 15, "Disco Demolition Night" is held in Chicago. Comiskey Park baseball fans burn disco gear and records, and then riot.

        In sports and entertainment, the Pittsburgh Pirates win the World Series, the Seattle Supersonics are NBA champions, the Pittsburgh Steelers take the Super Bowl, Fuzzy Zoeller wins the Masters Tournament after a playoff, for the fourth time in a row, the Montreal Canadiens lay claim to the Stanley Cup; another fourth-time winner, Bjorn Borg, is the men's singles champion at Wimbledon; Martina Navratilova repeats her win as women's singles champion; Spectacular Bid flies past the finish line at the Kentucky Derby and Rick Mears wins at Indy. Dustin Hoffman is the Academy Award winner for his role in "Kramer vs. Kramer" and Sally Field wins for "Norma Rae." "Kramer vs. Kramer" is the film to see this year.

        Happening locally, we find that Dolores Davis is elected president of the Board of Visitors at GPC. Ella, born on Jan. 2 to Mr. and Mrs. Adam Raber of Conewango Valley, is the first baby of the year. Anthony Hoppa wins the American Legion Oratorical Contest at GCS. Hoppa goes on to win the Cattaraugus County contest. A. Eugene Allen is appointed district business manager. The funds for a forensic unit at GPC have been authorized and the unit opens in June and houses 30 potentially dangerous mental patients. Dr. Everett French is appointed unit chief.

        In other GPC news, patient Dennis Buthy, accused of the 1967 knife and cleaver attack on a female elevator operator in Buffalo, walks away from the facility and subsequently surrenders to Bradford, PA police. The incident takes place in March. In December, Buthy again takes off from GPC for the third time this year.

        Continuing with the more serious events of 1979, an ice storm in Januarv disrupts power in the area. The Cattaraugus Creek overflows in Sunset Bay, causing extensive damage and resulting in the evacuation of the area. Dynamite is used to break up the ice jam. A natural gas line explosion at West Perrysburg and Silver Creek roads rocks the area and shoots flames almost 200 feet into the sky. The powerful blast creates a crater 15 feet deep and 40 feet in length. The area also experiences some of the force of Hurricane Frederick in September. Estimates from Mother Nature's wrath causes more than $100,000 in damage in the village alone. A gruesome discovery is made when law enforcement officers recover a body from an abandoned well at the end of Dewey Road in the Town of Persia. Believing it is the remains of a man who disappeared in 1973, authorities also think the victim demise was a mob hit and linked to organized crime in the Buffalo area.

        On alighter note, Cracker Tietz, bingo officer, reports 1978 figures. Over 16,700 players spent $129,873.33 to play the popular number game and reaped $102,440 in prize money for their efforts. The Board of Education hires E.R. Cotton Associates to design the bridge replacement on the Water Street extension. The Chiefs of Police of Cattaraugus County elect Gowanda Chief Richard Stitzel president. J.N. Adam Developmental Center proposes purchasing the home at the corner of Buffalo and Allen streets for a community residence. Kathy Kurtz is this year's winner of the Buffalo Evening News Spelling Bee at GES. David Lazar is runner-up. A car custom-painted by John Spina, Jr. wins six awards at the 22nd annual Clutch Artists Autorama in Buffalo. Owner of the car is Ron Berke of Williamsville.

        Construction of a primary care center at TCMH is well underway, it opens at the beginning of June. Amelia Kaluza, who has over 45 years in the realm of finance, retires from Permanent Savings Bank. She began her career with Gowanda Cooperative Savings and Loan. Michael Livecche and Clayton Comstock are elected to the village board. William Jackson submits his retirement resignation as elementary school principal. The Gowanda Area Redevelopment Corporation holds its first meeting. Dianna Gernatt, a juniorat Cardinal Mindzenty High School, wins first place in the Voice of Democracy Oratorical Contest, sponsored by the VFW Post in Dunkirk.

        The Gowanda Area Jaycees and Jayncees hold an installation of officers ceremony. Installed for the Jaycees are: Dave Wiens, president; Jim Kuczmunda, internal vice president; Jack Wilson, external vice president; Jack Kingsley, 8ecretary; Martin Palcic, treasurer; and Bill Peterson and Mick Fleming, directors. Jayncees installed are: Sue Palcic president; Pam Kuhs, internal vice president; Sue Nixon, external vice presi dent; Bev Rogers, secretary; Gloria Tomaszewski, treasurer; and Pat Pound and Mary Jean Ramsdell,directors. Anne Marton is crowned junior prom queen The sixth-grade math contest winner from GES is James Hassett. Brian Vezina is second. The GES sixth-grade speaking contest winner is Amy Youngberg. Second is Denise LeBar. At the Springville Future Farmers of America (FFA) Awards Banquet, Robert Foster, Karl Stang and Paul Stang are presented Ag awards.

        Janette Luffred is crowned Miss Perrysburg 1979. Valedictorian for Cardinal Mindzenty High is Dianna Gernatt; Patricia Keller is salutatorian. Chosen for Boys' State are: John Edler, Michael Bowen, Richard Pecnik, Daniel Andolsek, Peter Clabeaux and Thomas Militello. Julie Johnson is selected for Girls' State. Allen Peters and James Zynda are elected to the Board of Education. Milton Weaver receives the Silver Beaver award at the Recognition Dinner of Allegheny Highlands Council, Boy Scouts ofAmerica for distinguished service.

        Another River Rats Raft Regatta hits the waters of Cattaraugus Creek. This year there are 50 rafts and 225 "rats." Some of the awards include: Contestant Traveling the Farthest - Bahman Bavifard, of Tehran, Iran; Oldest Contestant - Bill Press (55); Most on Raft - Mickey's Place (34); Best Name - My Hawaiian Island, Animal House, Hawaii Less O, and Mickey's Yacht Club. First-place winners are: Joe Smith, Hot Dogger (David Evans, captain); Five Fools (Jim Spina, captain); and Mickey's Place. The Challenge Cup goes to Down Under. Last-place finishers are: Doris Schulze, 3 Men in the Suds (Don Milligan, captain); Mickey's Girls (Peg Goodemote, captain). The Challenge Cup goes to TCMH.

        Kim Bartholomew and Bob Thayer win the disco dance contest at the Eden Corn Festival, Estelle Crino is appointed AES principal. Elaine Prince resigns as Gowanda librarian; Carol Lay is appointed to succeed her. Barbara Gassman is the first runner-up in the Festival of Grapes queen contest; she wins the Miss Talent and Miss Conge- niality trophies. Ednah Carpenter is selected as BPW "Woman of the Year." A dinner is held to honor retiring Perrysburg Tax Collector Maria Fort and Highway Superintendent Frank Krall; they have served 24 years and 11 years, respectively. Arnold Brown is appointed GES principal.

        Business headlines include Edith Zeyak purchasing Quality Market at 53 West Main St. and renaming the establishment Ede's Grocery. The Gift Closet opens at 8 Jamestown St. Sandy Ingersoll is the owner. Mentley Funeral Home expands. Two chapels, office space, lounge and other amenities are added. Fredric Weyand joins the Weyand and Weyand firm and signifies the fourth generation of his family to practice law in Gowanda. The National Fuel Gas office at 23 Buffalo St. permanently closes in November. Manfred Richter is the new store owner at 13 Water St. Formerly operated by the late Dave Eschler; the business specializes in coins, stamps and antiques. The Gowanda News and Observer, still at 62 West Main St. moves into offices formerly occupied by Lakeshore Orthopedic Group.

        In sports, the Gowanda Youth Wrestlers participate in the U.S. Wrestling Federation State Qualifying Tournment at Clarence Central. Placing are Dan Smith, Shawn Smith, Joel Cygan Mark Nash, Matt Nash, Mark Miller, Howard Smith, Mark Ingersoll, Darren North, Charles Tallchief, Richard Bowers, Craig Rebmann, Joe Kusiowski and Andy Urbank. GCS senior Mark Patterson wins the U.S. Wrestling Federation Keystone Division, Triple Crown Championship. Charisse Moritz wins five first-place awards and one second place in the Chautauqua County Fall baton competition. She also wins the title "Miss October Amherst" later in the year.

        Mickey's Place wins the Women's Softball playoffs, defeating Perrysburg Tavern. The Dayton Hotel team wins the Gowanda Softball League playoffs, beating Sweda's. Vic Kubasiak is named MVP. The Varsity Football Parents Club forms. Punt, Pass and Kick winners are James Hassett, Michael Miller, Andrew Urbank, Don Hinkley, Anthony Comstock, Tim Parsell, Samir Hakim. Daniel Kusiowski, Mark Ondus, Scott Friedman, Scott Ondus, Mark Miller and Randy Friedman. Trophies awarded at the annual sports banquet go to: Andy Samuelson - Most Improved Player; Brian Gernatt - Most Effort; Dan Andolsek - MVP, line; Mike Payne - Captain and Leadership; Pete Clabeaux - Captain; and Cliff Wheeler - MVP, back. Named to Division VII All-Star teams are: Pete Clabeaux, DanAndolsek, Todd Gates and Cliff Wheeler.

        Local entertainment throughout the year includes these movies shown at the Hollywood Theater: "The Boys From Brazil," "Watership Down," "Midnight Express," Cheech and Chong's "Up in Smoke," "Oliver's Story," "The Love Bug," "Invasion of the Body Snatchers," "Every Which Way But Loose," "Superman," "Blazing Saddles," "The China Syndrome," "Battlestar Galactica," "101 Dalmatians," and "The Main Event." GCS presents the musical "Bye, Bye Birdie." The cast includes Justin Regan, Lisa Della Posta, Julie Johnson, Keith Russell, Michael Murphy, Rick Leisner, Pam Richter, Brad Hirschman and Janette Luffred. Another production at GCS, the Oscar Wilde comedy "The Importance of Being Earnest" stars Joe Della Posta, Nancy Reeves, Bev Bradigan, Jon Victor, Nick Fetterick, Paula Valone, Andy Samuelson, Kathy Smouse and Mike Wolfe.

        Another year has passed and we find it's time to go on, leaving the '70s behind. It seems we are closing in on the year 2000 quickly. Next week we enter 1980, only 20 years away from Y2K Until then ...