A Look Back, Oct. 27

50 Years Ago

■An overflow crowd of 60 people told the Planning Board last night they are opposed to condominium developments in Residence A-zoned areas. The crowd, only two of which spoke in favor of condominiums, gathered last night for a public hearing on a proposed zoning amendment to allow planned residential developments in “A” zoned areas.

■The Hilltop Squares at the Northampton State Hospital, a group composed of volunteer square dancers and patients of the hospital, will sponsor three dances during the month of November. Professional callers donate their time to lead these weekly dances.

25 Years Ago

■Owners of Thornes Marketplace found an artful way to mark a business anniversary Saturday. Shoppers were treated to performances by local artists – from music to dance to vaudeville – to celebrate the downtown shopping mall’s 21sth anniversary. Thornes is donating all proceeds from the event to the NHS arts program.

■As the city of Northampton studies ways to improve the flow of traffic on Damon Road, one thing is already apparent – the intersection of Bridge and Damon roads at King streets is a bottleneck that needs to be fixed. A recent study confirmed that there are long delays at the traffic lights during peak hours.

■10 Years Ago

A stubborn fire that lit up the night sky and sent debris and sparks flying high into the air Sunday night destroyed a Route 9 strip mall in Hadley housing more than a dozen businesses while 60 firefighters from 10 departments tried mightily to put out the four-alarm blaze.

■An Easthampton resident who has owned his own graphic design company for decades has launched a new line of Halloween-themed shirts, pillows and other items just in time for the holiday. Robert Engman’s newest business is called Von Engman’s Shirt Vault.