50 Years Ago – November, 1967
By Jim Ignasher
November is the month we celebrate Thanksgiving, a time to reflect and take stock of our blessings. As a point of fact, although the first Thanksgiving was held in 1621, it wasn’t celebrated as a federal holiday until1864 when President Lincoln proclaimed it a national day of “Thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.”
November is also the month we honor all military veterans.
Richard N. Kanea, of Greenville, was home on leave while serving in the U.S. Navy in Vietnam as part of Assault Craft Division 12.
Ensign Andrew H. Aitken, Jr., of Greenville graduated from U.S. Navy Officers Flight Training School with honors.
William H. Finlay, (U.S. Army) of Esmond, was home after completing his service in Vietnam.
Airman Mark D. Sullivan of Greenville completed basic training and was assigned to the security police at Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota.
T/Sgt. John T. Paquette of Esmond was serving as an aircraft mechanic in Vietnam.
Airman Edward C. Hilbert of Esmond was receiving advanced aircraft weapons training.
Airman 1st Class Brian P. McCaffrey was serving in Vietnam.
Airman Richard M. Johnson of Greenville was serving as an electronics and communications specialist at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas.
Cub Scout Pack 3 of Greenville held their monthly meeting at the St. Phillip’s Parish Center. Bobcat pins were awarded to Terrance Oates, Vincent Ianuzzi, Jr., Mark McKay, Alfred LaPrade, Michael Lupo, Steven Ganz, Robert Hamel, and David Brown.
Weblo Awards were presented to John Colasante, Jeff Muto, Conrad Giroux, David Lowe, and James Buonaccorsi.
To the relief of many who regularly drove or walked through the Greenville center area, Representative Angelo R. Ianniteli, and Senator F. Monroe Allen announced that traffic lights would soon be installed at the intersections of Rt. 44 and Pleasant View Ave., and Rt. 44 and Smith Ave. For years, local residents had been complaining to the state that the lights were necessary due to the increasing volume of motor vehicle traffic speeding through the village making it hazardous to cross the street or enter from side roads. It was reported that the lights should be in full operation by the spring of 1968.
The Smithfield Players were scheduled to give a performance of “It Happened At Midnight”, a mystery-comedy about a writer who while seeking peace and quiet accidentally uncovers a spy ring. The performance was to be held at the Smithfield High School auditorium on November 24th and 25th, but had to be postponed until the following month due to the lead character taking ill.
On November 17, the “Chestmobile”, a bus-like vehicle operated by the Rhode Island Department of Health came to town and offered free chest x-rays to local residents.
The newly constructed Almacs supermarket held its grand opening at the Apple Valley Mall. (For those who don’t remember, it stood where the CVS and T.J. Max store are located today.)
It was reported that “thousands” attended the event, filling the parking lot to capacity. Local officials, the mall developers, and Miss Charlotte Steere, Rhode Island’s Apple Blossom Queen, were all on hand to greet visitors who were offered free apple cider and red balloons, as well as something new called “Apple Swirl” ice cream.
It was further reported that the next group of stores currently under construction would be occupied by the spring.
The Smithfield Raiders pre-teen football team beat the North Providence Jets in a closely contested, (and muddy), game, 14 to 13.
One local car dealer was offering a 1966 Buick Skylark for $1,995. A 1966 Corvette was on the lot for $3,495, bit if one was looking for something a little less sporty, there was also a 1966 Cadillac that could be had for only $200 more at $3,695.
The Village Squares, a local square dancing club, held a dance in East Greenwich.
