■Throughout the month of July, the Children’s Department at Forbes Library will have on display a collection of Russian wooden toys. These bits of childhood activities in a foreign land were loaned to the library by Pedro A. Chinsky, of Vernon, Conn., who is a collector of Russian books and other articles.
■Members of the Solid Waste Management Committee decided that last week’s recycling center at the DPW yard was something less than a total success. The recycling center, held Saturday, was the third of a series to encourage Northampton citizens to start recycling bottles, papers, and aluminum cans, but the amount of recyclable waste dropped noticeably this month over last month’s total.
■In a moment of solitude after the polls closed last night, Michael Tautznik pulled a cigar from his breast pocket, raised his face skyward and let out a long sigh. Standing outside the White Brook Middle School, Tautznik privately relished the writing he had just seen on the wall — the unofficial election results that indicated he would be Easthampton’s first mayor.
■Michael Kittredge, founder and president of Yankee Candle Co., is removing himself from the day-to-day operation of the company to focus on the future, a spokesman said today. Kittredge, who has guided the company through years of phenomenal growth and now employs approximately 1,000, is assuming the title of chief executive officer and chairman of the board.
■Massachusetts political leaders are donning their poker faces as they try to cut a final deal legalizing casino gambling after years of noisy disagreements doomed earlier efforts. Gov. Deval Patrick, House Speaker Robert DeLeo, and Senate President Therese Murray hope to agree to the broad outlines of a plan before a bill is filed.
■Deputy Fire Chief William Hurley retired last Wednesday after 28 years working with the Northampton Fire Department. A native of the city, he worked as a Navy diver for three years before beginning his firefighting career.