50 Years Ago – April, 1972
Navy Seaman Apprentice Robert L. Phelan, Jr., of Greenville, had just graduated recruit training.
Marine Lance Corporal Leo F. Nadeau of Lime Rock Road was serving with the 1st Marine Air Wing in Okinawa.
Civil Air Patrol C/Major Lynette D. Blackmore of Georgiaville was honored for her outstanding work and dedication to the Rhode Island Civil Air Patrol.
On April 7th the Smithfield High School drama and theatre arts class presented the play, “Revolution”, billed as a “modern multi-media drama” covering topics of the day. The cast included Michael Averill, Nancy Cabral, James Conlon, Joanne DeCurtis, Mark Denerley, Duncan Eagleson, Joyce Fioire, Edward Gatta, Gerry Grace, John Kelly, Kathy Lowry, Glenn Rose, Nancy Emma, and Edward Spader.
On April 9th official ground breaking ceremonies for the Smithfield Boys Club on Deerfield Drive took place.
Smithfield Cub Scout Pack 44, Den 10, visited the Elmbrook Nursing Home to deliver gifts to the residents. Those participating included Patrick Drummond, Domenic Burns, Michael Daniels, John Walsh, Timothy Boyles, Steven Hagapopian, Joseph Foster, William Nannie, Frank Girard, and Den Mother Norma McMaugh, and Assistant den Mother Louise Walsh.
On April 12th, new officers of the Apple Blossom Garden Club were installed at a dinner held at the Club 44 on Putnam Pike. The new officers included Betty Paliy as president, Carmel Lancia as vice president, Kathy Talbot as corresponding secretary, July Lawton as secretary, and Ruth Lebeck as member at large.
On April 13th the popular TV sit-com, “My Three Sons” aired its 380th and final episode. The show had been on the air since 1960.
On April 15th the Apple Valley Chorus presented “Parade of Harmony” at the Smithfield High School auditorium. Additional talent included “The Four Statesmen”, the “international champion quartet of 1967”, “The Yankee Traders”, and comic relief from “The Top Hats”.
The new Smithfield Recycling Center officially opened at the southwest corner of Commerce Street and Lark Industrial Drive in Greenville. The project was brought about by the efforts of the group Ecology Action For Smithfield.
New members of the Smithfield Elks Emblem Club were installed. The new officers included Mary Hill as president, Mary Schiffman as past president, Helen Mowry as 1st vice president, Mildred Campbell 2nd vice president, Ruth Mowry as treasurer, Claudette Cunningham as finance secretary, Mary Shaw as recording secretary, Rose Centofanti as corresponding secretary, Genevieve Calouri as historian, Joan Kohler as historian, Stella Kornacki as chaplain, Mildred Johnson as 1st trustee, Beverly Moreau as 2nd trustee, Doris Torti as 3rd trustee, Evelyn Newman as marshall, Carmella Amitrano as assistant marshall, Doreen Collins as guard, and Doris Coyne as organist.
On April 21 Apollo 16 astronauts John W. Young and Charles Duke, became the 9th and 10th men to walk on the moon.
On April 25th The Village Butcher Shop announced its grand opening at 977 Greenville Avenue in Greenville.
Despite having opened in September of 1971, a three-day official dedication celebration of Bryant College took place from April 28 – 30. The public was invited to take tours of the campus. Part of the tour included the recently renovated and restored Captain Joseph Mowry House which once stood about where the dome of the campus Unistructure is today. The house was moved to a location along the former John Mowry Road where it stands today.
It was also on April 25th that the Polaroid Corporation announced its new SX-70 “instamatic” camera that would spit out a color photo which would develop itself within sixty seconds. In a day before digital cameras this was considered amazing for the time.