Jim Bridgman

50 Years Ago

  • City Councilor William C. Ames, the foremost, in fact virtually the only Republican still active in elective politics in Northampton, held a fundraiser last night to promote his candidacy for councilor-at-large. A crowd of about 50, including several prominent Democrats, paid $5 each to attend the three-hour affair at the Captain’s Table restaurant.
  • While the discussion became heated at the Northampton Housing Authority last night over how the NHS meets state housing regulations, the room became equally heated over the failure of most people there to adhere to a new state law that is designed to prohibit smoking in public places. Of the 14 people attending the meeting, 11 smoked cigarettes, cigars or a pipe. Many chain-smoked throughout the more than three-hour meeting in the approximately 9 by 12-foot room.

25 Years Ago

  • The final tally on artisans’ sales from the sixth annual Paradise City Arts Festival is not in yet. Founders and organizers, Geoffrey and Linda Post, say they wouldn’t be surprised it if hit $2 million for the first time. The event drew 220 exhibitors and an estimated 20,000 to 25,000 visitors to the Three County Fairgrounds over Columbus Day weekend.
  • The Rev. Peter Kakos, who became the minister of the historic Edwards Church on Main Street in 1995, celebrated the 25th anniversary of his ordination Sunday, with parishioners, friends, family, and public officials joining in the festivities. Mayor Clare Higgins was on hand for the special service, as were members of Kakos’ family.

10 Years Ago

  • MGM confirmed plans to cut the size of its casino development in Springfield by nearly 14 percent Tuesday, a revelation that drew sharp rebuke from Springfield officials who said they were caught by surprise at the latest changes to the $800 million development.
  • Two developers who are looking to buy Northampton’s shuttered St. John Cantius Church and possibly turn it into an apartment building for seniors, along with a restaurant, aired their conceptual plans this week with residents and city planners.