150 Years

• July 8, 1875: (LITTLE VALLEY —) The Congregational Church will be ready for use on Sunday next. The papering was completed yesterday. The work was done under the direction of C.B. Alberts, of Jamestown, and is a good job. The walls are a light drab or lilac color, with Grecian columns and oak wainscoting. Behind the pulpit is a fine perspective, representing an alcove. The ceiling is finished with mouldings, cornices, centre-pieces, &c. The ugly bare walls have been made pretty and attractive, and all at a moderate cost.
• July 8, 1875: (SALAMANCA —) Our Silver Cornet Band is universally complimented for their fine playing during the celebration. The boys desire us to extend their thanks to those who kindly furnished and fitted up their wagon, and also gave them the use of their team during the day.
• July 8, 1875: The citizens of West Salamanca wish hereby to express their gratitude to their numerous friends for the liberal aid rendered them in furnishing provisions for the table at Salamanca on the day of the celebration. Also to the public for the patronage afforded them, the net proceeds of which about seventy dollars will apply toward furnishing the new Congregational Church at West Salamanca.

100 Years

• July 6, 1925: Secretary Quackenbush of the Salamanca Auto Club said this morning that quite a few cars are still needed for tomorrow’s outing for the orphans at the Randolph Home by the Auto Club and the Salamanca Lodge of Elks. The committee is endeavoring to make up the deficiency today, but has grave fears of a shortage in transportation, and Mr. Quackenbush asks that motorists who are willing to help out by taking a carload of children to Chautauqua Lake tomorrow telephone him early tomorrow morning.
• July 7, 1925: Five local laws passed by the Salamanca City Council since last December 1 and approved by the Mayor, three of which purported to change the city charter in ways to enable Mayor Horace G. Cox to appoint himself Superintendent fo public Works, as which he has been drawing a salary of $2,000 on a yearly basis since February 1, are rendered null and void by the decision fo the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, holding invalid the “Home Rule” amendment to the constitution of New York State.

50 Years

• July 5, 1975: (SALAMANCA —) City Carpet & Furniture Co., at 58 Main St., has a new owner and new emphasis on its new name, but the business is not leaving the family. Robert Matecki, nephew of Julian and Antena Matecki, assumed control of the business from his aunt and uncle on July 1. Although the Mateckis plan to retire, Mrs. Matecki said she will continue to work at the store and ensure a smooth change in ownership. “Anyway, I’m too young to retire,” she remarked.
• July 7, 1975: About 550 Salamancans turned out Sunday (July 6) to make the Rotary Club’s Fifth Annual Ice Cream Social “the best social we’ve ever had,” according to Rotarians. Salamancans who enjoyed the event, held from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Jefferson St. Park, consumed fifty gallons of ice cream and thirty-two home-baked cakes.
• July 8, 1975: (JIMERSONTOWN —) Lionel John, of Steamburg, was appointed Indian Action Team director at a special meeting of the Seneca Nation Council Monday night (July 7). Mr. John will head a job training program involving 50 trainees, which is expected to be funded by the federal government for nearly $500,000.

25 Years

• July 5, 2000: CATTARAUGUS — In the eyes of the State Education Department, the Cattaraugus-Little Valley Central School District officially came into being Saturday (July 1), and in one week, the new district will be steered by a single school board. On Tuesday (July 11), voters in the new district will elect two new school board members, which will increase the former Cattaraugus Central School District Board of Education from seven to nine members.
• July 6, 2000: SALAMANCA — The Salamanca Youth Bureau’s fundraising efforts to purchase equipment for their new youth center got a boost from the Salamanca Kiwanis Club. The Kiwanians donated $1,000 this week to the youth bureau. The funds were raised during the annual geranium sale held by the local charitable group.
• July 7, 2000: SALAMANCA — Lynda Watt was selected powwow princess by the North American Iroquois Veterans Association for this year’s annual powwow, set for July 14–16. Watt said she was “shocked when she learned of her selection, but looks forward to having fun at this year’s event, which will include $25,000 in prizes for dancers, native food vendors, artisans and crafts booths, plus ceremonies to honor Native American veterans.

10 Years

• July 9, 2015: SALAMANCA — Theresa Banton, the oldest known resident in the city — and thought to be the oldest resident to ever stay at Absolut Care on Broad Street — died Sunday at the age of 105. Known for her independence despite her age, the lifelong Salamanca resident died following complications of hip surgery after suffering a fall last week. In recent years, she was the recipient of birthday parties at Absolut that got bigger and bigger each year.
• July 9, 2015: Four graduates at Cattaraugus-Little Valley joined two soon-to-be juniors and three chaperones last week as part of a six-day backpacking trip that had them spending time away from their cell phones and becoming more in tune with nature. Led by Tony Schabloski, eighth-grade science and environmental science teacher at Catt-LV, the trip was the culminating event for the students in the Environmental Conservation Organization of Students Club, better known as ECOS Club.