Jim Bridgman

50 Years Ago

  • An area dance group performed for almost 30 residents at the Park Nursing Home this week. Sherry Thomas and Zina Thomas from Florence, Cheryl Hewes from Chesterfield, Belle Bak from Easthampton, Vickie Bell and Linda Lipski from Hadley, and Tammy Tuperkeizsis from Northampton danced a variety of ballet and jazz numbers for the group. Karen Lipski from Hadley also played several pieces on the flute.
  • Airman Francis J. Imes, son of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond H. Imes of 77 Florence Road, has received a new assignment following graduation from the air cargo specialist course conducted by the Air Training Command at Sheppard AFB, Tex. Airman Imes will go to Francis W. Warren AFB, Wyo., for duty with a unit of the Strategic Air Command.

25 Years Ago

  • One of the final recommendations of a consulting firm that evaluated the Department of Public Works is moving closer to fruition, with the City Council scheduled to vote next month on whether to change the City Charter to make the director of the department report directly to the mayor. The change was one of several recommendations in a 115-page report by Municipal Resources Inc. released in March.
  • Construction on Northampton’s fourth Habitat for Humanity building project will begin next month, now that a barn has been demolished at the Ryan Road site. Marjorie Lieneck, president of the Pioneer Valley chapter, said this week that the lot across from the entrance to Clark Street, has been cleared and excavation for the foundation for the two-family home will begin soon.

10 Years

  • Democrat Patrick Cahillane has been endorsed by Hampshire County Sheriff Robert J. Garvey to succeed him in the job he has occupied for more than three decades. Cahillane has been employed at the Hampshire Jail and House of Correction for about 30 years and currently services as assistant superintendent and special sheriff, Garvey’s second-in-command.
  • South Hadley Town Administrator Michael J. Sullivan has appointed Lt. Steven Parentela, a 33-year veteran of the town s police force, to serve as its next chief. Parentela has been interim police chief since July 1 after the retirement of former police chief David Labrie, who held the post for more than a decade.