50 Years Ago – March, 1969
Reverend Joseph P. McNamara, the pastor of St. Philip’s Church, was elevated to Monsignor. “Father Mac”, as he was known, had been a priest for 46 years and had served as an Army Chaplin from 1934 to 1946. He came to St. Philip’s after his discharge from the military.
Airman 1st Class Richard Johnson of Greenville left for a year’s duty in Thailand at Nakhon Phanom Air Force Base.
Mario Ciotola of Douglas Pike was serving with the U.S. Air Force.
PFC Steven M. St. Jean of Stillwater was serving in Vietnam.
Marine Corporal Hawkins Hibbs of Greenville was awarded the Good Conduct Medal.
Sergeant Richard L. Egan of Greenville was serving in the Air Force with the 351st Strategic Missile Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base.
PH2 Joseph F. Green of Esmond was serving with the Naval Reserve Transport Squadron in California.
The Smithfield contingent of the Junior Naval Cadets of America announced some promotions.
Dennis Straight, Stephen Valolato, Paul Arella, were promoted to Senior Cadet 2nd class.
James Darby and Robert Varr to Senior Cadet 3rd class.
William Schaff, Keith Straus, Robert Walker, and Michael Allan, to Cadet 1st class.
Dennis Henlin, Gregory Straight, and Steven Neri to Cadet 2nd class.
James Bicknell, Richard Cacciola, and Lawrence Preistley to Cadet 3rd class.
The promotions were presented by Lt. W. H. Manchester.
Smithfield High School senior Mary Lou Sullivan was awarded the DAR Citizenship Award. Recipients are selected for their qualities of dependability, leadership, service, and patriotism.
Lewis E. Antone of Greenville was selected among Bryant College alumni to be included in the1969 national edition of “Outstanding Young Men of America”. Mr. Antone graduated from Bryant in 1959.
On March 11 the Dorothy Dame School PTA sponsored a B-party at the school to raise funds for the Smithfield Scholarship Program. The featured prize was a food basket donated by the Esmond Market, which at that time stood across the street from the school.
The Rhode Island Fruit Growers Association installed new officers at a ceremony held at the Greenville Grange Hall on Austin Avenue. President: George H. Smith. Vice President: Leonard G. Walker. Secretary-Treasurer: Edgar A. Steere. County Agricultural Agent: Howard King.
Edwin Robinson was awarded the Golden Sheaf Award by the Greenville Grange in recognition of his fifty consecutive years of service to the organization.
On March 22, the Sing-a-Long Singers performed at a fund raising concert to benefit the Smithfield Boys Club. Other featured musicians included the Hetu Brothers, “Nicky” Cavas, Armand Regosta, and Smiling Joe Rossi.
On March 19, a spring fashion show sponsored by the Family Store in Greenville was presented in the Fellowship Hall of the Greenville Baptist Church. Among the models who wore the latest fashions were, Jackie Leccese, Mary Ann Panghorn, and Betty Eldredge. Music at the event was provided by the Smithfield High School Chorus.
The Greenville Public Library voted to purchase books on the subject of Oceanography.
On March 29, Smithfield Parents Against Drug Abuse sponsored a fundraising buffet and forum at the high school. All proceeds were to go to the Marathon House in Providence.
The Wionkhiege Valley Farm was offering sleigh rides for as long as the snow lasted.