■Dr. Joseph F. Zgrodnik has announced the opening of his office for the exclusive practice of orthodontics at Central Chambers in Northampton. Dr. Zgrodnik was educated in the Hadley Public Schools, graduated from Amherst College in 1960, and Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in 1964.
■Sixty-one deaf youngsters, aged 5 to 9, were surprised at breakfast yesterday morning by a visit from Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, accompanied by Mayor Sean M. Dunphy of Northampton. The children are residents of Magna House, the newest of six dormitory buildings on the campus of The Clarke School for the Deaf.
■The official unveiling of the new press box at David Wright Field at Northampton High will occur Friday night at the Blue Devils’ football home opener. The box, which cost between $6,000 and $7,000 in addition to volunteer labor and $500 worth of free materials from Rugg Lumber Co., is built “better than a house,” according to Hamp Athletic Director Jeff Boudway.
■Northampton schools superintendent Bruce E. Willard has received “commendable” ratings — the highest possible — nearly across the board from members of the School Committee in the second annual review of his three-year contract.