Jim Bridgman

50 Years Ago

  • Kathy Batura, Northampton High School senior, became the first Western Massachusetts girl to win the state high school girls’ golf championship. The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Batura shot an 86 on the Woodland Country Club course at Auburndale in Newton and won the state title by a stroke.
  • Smith College won a ringing endorsement from the U.S. House of Representatives yesterday in the college’s attempt to avoid payment of $2,250 in tariffs for 33 carillon bells it has imported from France. The House unanimously passed a bill introduced two years ago by U.S. Rep. Silvio O. Conte which would exempt the college from the tariff.

25 Years Ago

  • Realtors are finding themselves acting like auctioneers this spring as a tight market brings stiff competition among home buyers, sometimes resulting in bidding wars. “The inventory is low and people know it,” said Tini Sawicki, president of the Franklin-Hampshire County Association of Realtors.
  • Smith College has committed $750,000 to a Hadley-based venture fund that invests in small start-up technology companies in the Pioneer Valley. Jay Yoder, director of investments at the college, said Friday the college’s financial commitment to Long River Ventures seeks to strengthen the economy of the region and, thereby, the financial security of the college and its graduates.

10 Years Ago

  • Dog owners visiting Smith Farm Fields, popularly referred to as the “dog park,” would be required to keep their pets on leashes if the state approves the recommendation by the Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School board of trustees. Tuesday evening’s vote prompted some 30 people, many of whom spoke in favor of allowing dogs to continue roaming freely, to leave the meeting abruptly.
  • Maria Capriola, the choice of a divided Amherst Select Board to be the next town manager, has withdrawn after contract negotiations fell through. The Select Board now turns to the last of three finalists, Paul Bockelman, director of administration and finance for the Massachusetts Municipal Association.