Jim Bridgman

50 Years Ago

  • The Northampton Historical Society is selling pewter and steel letter openers, miniature replicas of a sword presented to Caleb Strong, a Northampton resident and governor of Massachusetts in the early 1800s. The sword is from the society’s collections. All profits from sales will be used to benefit the society.
  • Four persons have been designated area coordinators for the First District congressional campaign of former Rep. Edward A. McColgan of Northampton. Francis Gougeon, a teacher in the Northampton schools, has been named area coordinator for Hatfield. Michael and Gerri Bliven of Huntington have been designated coordinators there, and Joseph Savage Jr. has been chosen coordinator in South Deerfield.

25 Years Ago

  • The face of municipal government is poised for change when newcomers fill the seats of several incumbents not seeking re-election in the Nov. 6 vote. Stepping down are Edward Shanahan, trustee of Forbes Library; John Foley, elector under the Oliver Smith Will; and David P. Stevens, Hampshire Council of Governments.
  • A move to increase athletic fees at Northampton High School has sparked a campaign to either abolish the fee or expand fees to all extracurricular activities. School Committee member Lawrence Fink vowed at Thursday night’s School Committee meeting to lead the battle to abolish the athletic fees charged to all students who participate in sports teams — or expand the fees to cover activities such as the marching band and National Honor Society.

10 Years Ago

  • Fans of the Northampton Jazz Festival won’t be getting their fix next month, according to organizers. Steven Campbell, president of the festival’s board of directors, told the Gazette that lack of sponsorship and staffing issues make a murky future for the downtown music event.
  • The state’s top medical marijuana gatekeeper is shutting down her Northampton practice, citing concerns after two colleagues had their medical licenses suspended in connection to their dealings with the drug. Dr. Jill Griffin informed her patients that she will no longer be providing the annual certifications needed to purchase medical marijuana and will close her 41 Locust St. office at the end of the month.