50 Years Ago – November 1972

50 Years Ago – November, 1972

By Jim Ignasher   

November, 1972

     Navy Petty Officer Third Class David R. Young of Greenville was serving aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Intrepid. The ship had recently taken part in a training exercise termed “Operation Strong Express” off the coast of Norway. At the time it was the largest sea and air exercise ever conducted by allied countries of the North Atlantic.

     Navy recruit Fred W. Finlay of Esmond graduated from the Great Lakes Naval Training Center.

     1972 was an election year, and voter turnout was heavy. Out of 8,280 registered Smithfield voters, 6,416 voted. The town had three open polling areas, and the wait was reported to be two hours.

     The newly elected Smithfield Town Council for 1972 included: John F. Emin, Jr., Thomas F. Fogarty, Jr., John V. Clossick, Raymond Flynn, and Francis R. Bell.

     On November 7, Vincent H. Dexter, a local conservationist and historian, presented a slide show about the Woonasquatucket Watershed at the Greenville Baptist Church   

November, 1972

     A modern radio communications center began operation at the new Smithfield police station. The radio equipment took three days to install.

     Boy Scout Troop 3 of Greenville, under Scout Master Z. J. Czubak Jr., camped over night at the Buck Hill Scout Reservation in Burrillville.

     The Rally Point Racquet Club opened on Church Street. It is still in use today.

     If one went to the Apple Valley Cinema they might have seen, “What’s Up Doc?” a comedy starring Barbara Streisand and Ryan O’Neal; “The Salsburg Connection”, a spy thriller set in the Cold War; “The Other”, a thriller set in 1935 involving a small town and a series of gruesome accidents; or “The New Centirions”, a police drama starring George C. Scott and Stacy Keach.

     A local ford dealership was offering a 1969 Ford Country Squire station wagon. The ad read, “Excellent condition – a steal!” at a mere $1,995.

     A local fruit and vegetable business was offering egg plant at ten cents each, and butternut squash at eight cents a pound.   

November, 1972

     The Smithfield Traffic Safety Commission consisting of John F. Emin, Jr., Alonzo F. Thurber II, and Chief of Police Arthur B. Gould, determined that a stop sign should be erected at the intersection of Colwell Road and Mapleville Road, and that “no parking” signs should be placed at the cul-du-sacs on John Mowry Road.

     The Greenville Public Library celebrated its 90th Birthday. The original library had been in the center of Greenville next to St. Thomas Church, but moved to its present location in 1956.

     On November 25, to raise funds, a Tupperware Party was held at the Greenville Grange. For those who don’t know, the Tupperware company was established in 1946 by Earl Tupper, who later donated 220 acres of land to Bryant College, (University), in the 1960s, which enabled the college to relocate from Providence to Smithfield.

     On November 26, the annual community wide Ecumenical Hymn Sing was held at the Greenville Baptist Church. The theme was to pray for peace in a troubled world. All faiths were invited.

 

50 Years Ago – August, 1972

50 Years Ago – August, 1972

   

August, 1972

Chief Warrant Officer Louis G. Theroux of Esmond retired from the Rhode Island National Guard after many years of service.

     Navy Petty Officer 3/c David R. Young Sr. of Greenville was serving aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Intrepid.

     Members of Boy Scout Troop 14 of Greenville returned from a week of camping at Yawgoo Valley. Members earned various merit badges, and David Vianni and Steven Landi were accepted into the Order of the Arrow.

     On August 5, the annual Bluegill Derby was held at Slacks Reservoir, sponsored by the Slacks Reservoir Improvement Association. The Bluegill is a relatively small fish that feeds on smaller fish and insects, and in large numbers can upset the balance of the lakes ecosystem. The annual derby was held to control the Bluegill population in the reservoir.

     12-year-old Charles Miller of Greenville caught the largest number of fish weighing in at 23.5 pounds.

     Joanne Paquette, age 5, of Greenville, was crowned “Little Miss Bluegill”.

     On August 10, a large meteor passed within 36 miles of the Earth’s surface creating a spectacular sight over the western United States and Canada for one minute and forty seconds as it skipped off the atmosphere and went off into space. The event became known as “The Great Daylight Fireball”.

     If one went to the Apple Valley Cinema in August of 1972, they would have seen “What’s Up Doc?”, a romantic comedy starring Ryan O’Neal and Barbara Streisand; “Play It Again Sam” starring Woody Allen; “Nicholas and Alexandra”, an historical drama set in early 20th century Russia; and “The Godfather”, a crime drama with an all star cast.

     The William Winsor and Dorothy Dame elementary schools held “crazy hat” contests. Winners included Kerry Kerwin, Kathy Puleo, Robert Boyes, Susan Peloquin, and Lisa Sailiene.

     The Roger Williams Park Museum exhibited a life sized replica of the Apollo 15 Lunar Rover, courtesy of NASA.

     The early 1970s was a time when it seemed everyone was riding a bicycle. It was estimated (in 1972) that there were 73 million cyclists in America, and by 1980 the number would top 100 million. As such, the idea of turning defunct railroad track ways into bike paths became popular. Such and idea was once proposed in Smithfield, but it never came to be.

     10-year-old Kathleen Labree of Georgiaville was first runner up in the Little Miss Rhode Island Pageant held in Coventry.

     Eileen Provonsil, 16, of Greenville, was the first runner up in the Miss Teen Rhode Island Pageant.

     The Smithfield Municipal Ice Rink Committee met to discuss the recent submission of bids for bleachers and a score board.

     After a short delay with materials, work was continuing on Smithfield’s new police station.

     A group of Georgiaville youths held a back yard carnival to raise funds for muscular dystrophy. They were: Linda Turgeon, Mark Turgeon, Steven Bagenski, Phillip Butterworth, Diane Davis, Peter Davis, Nancy Fiske, Ann Marie Davies, Brian LeBeau, and Richard Kanarian.

     There was a time when televisions resembled a piece of furniture. An appliance store located on Putnam Pike was advertising Zenith solid-state “Chromacolor” 25-inch televisions, set in oil finished walnut consoles, for $649.95.

     Construction of the new Apple Valley Apartments, located behind the Apple Valley Mall, was vigorously underway with an anticipated completion date set for October. It was advertised that rental units would start as low as $185 per month – no utilities.

50 Years Ago – May, 1972

50 Years Ago – May, 1972

     Army Sergeant Gabriele V. Pate was serving with the 243rd Engineer Battalion in the Rhode Island Army National Guard.

     Navy petty officer 3/c David R. Young of Greenville was serving aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Intrepid.

     Sergeant Alan R. Colwell of Greenville was serving as an aircraft maintenance specialist.

Navy Seaman George H. Young, Jr., was serving aboard the destroyer escort U.S.S. Harold E. Holt.

     Richard Rudis, a senior at Smithfield High School, was accepted to the United States Merchant Marine Academy. Of the 17,000 applicants, only 250 were accepted; and only two from Rhode Island.

     Sergeant James H. McVey of the Smithfield Police Department was promoted to the rank of deputy chief after the recent death of Deputy Chief J. Lester Tobin. At the time of his promotion, McVey had been on the force for twenty-two years.

     Three new members of the Smithfield Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol took orientation flights in a Cessna 160 airplane from North Central Airport. The youths were: Henry Gombeyski, Norman Gage, and Henry LaChapelle, all of Farnum Heights.

     The Smithfield VFW Post 6663 elected new officers. James E. Lyle was elected post commander; Americo Rossi, Jr., senior vice commander; Leroy Hilton, junior vice commander; James Cummings, quartermaster; J. Leo Keefe, chaplain; Fred C. J. Miller, surgeon; Peter Mancini, adjutant post advocate; and Edward Sagatis, trustee.

     On May 5 the town posted its proposed budget for the upcoming 1972-73 fiscal year which included $1,663,000 for the school department, $295,848 for the police department, and $264,191 for the fire department.

     On the evening of the town financial meeting, a “mobile emergency room” ambulance was parked in front of the high school for voters to inspect. It looked like a mobile home, and could serve as a field hospital in times of disaster. The Greenville Fire Department wanted it to replace an aging rescue truck that was purchased n 1957. The cost was $29,000, which was about the cost of a modest home in those days. The voters approved the purchase.

     David F. Culton of Greenville became Senior Warden of the Nestell Lodge No. 37, of the A. F. & A. M. in Providence. He was also serving with the Rhode Island Air Guard.

     On May 7th the Greenville Public Library held an art show. Two local participating artists were Mrs. Mary Jane Spardello, and Mr. Alexis W. Krupka.

     In Bryant College news, the scuba diving club cleaned the bottoms of the ponds on campus.

     The “Country Comfort”, a bar/café located on the campus officially opened. Among drinks offered was apple cider from Jaswell Farms.

     The Bryant Indians baseball team posted its upcoming season.

     On the weekend of May 12-13, the campus held its annual “Spring Weekend”, during which a young singer named Linda Ronstadt gave a concert to raise money for cancer research. Tickets to see the concert were one dollar.

     If one went to the Apple valley Cinema, the y might have seen “Dirty Harry”, a police drama starring Clint Eastwood. Or perhaps, “Blindman”, starring Ringo Starr and Tony Anthony. A western about a blind gunfighter who sets out to rescue kidnapped mail-order brides. Then there was “Puppet on a Chain”, a British thriller known for its eight minute boat chase, and “Silent Running”, an apocalyptic science fiction film.

     On May 19, the Smithfield Junior High Drama Club presented the play, “It’s Great To be Crazy”, a comedy about a family that is erroneously informed that their ancestors included the likes of Jack-the-Ripper, Bluebeard the pirate, and other assorted famous criminals.

     On May 20, the Dorothy P. T. Dame School in Esmond held its annual PTA officers installation dinner at the Greenville Inn. Installed as president was Alice Downes; vice president, Ann Lembo; recording secretary Anthony Ciotola, Treasurer, Virginia Stedman; and corresponding secretary, Eva Bonitati.

     It was also on May 20 that the Smithfield Recreation Department sponsored an eleven mile bicycle race that began and ended at the high school. Contestants were divided by age categories and trophies were awarded to the winners.

     On the night of May 20, the Smithfield Police Department held its annual policeman’s ball.

     Miss Kendrall Bliven of Ashaway, R. I. was crowned Apple Blossom Queen at the annual Apple Blossom Festival, sponsored by the Rhode Island Fruit Growers Association, and the Rhode Island Grange.

     The Apple Valley Junior Women’s Club elected new officers. Elected president was Sally Butterfield; vice president; Gloria Thomas; recording secretary, Flora Simeone, Treasurer, Simone Carbone; and corresponding secretary, Judy Hoskins.

 

50 Years Age – June, 1971

50 Years Ago – June, 1971

By Jim Ignasher

June, 1971

     Airman Paul R. Sherboken of Brayton Road just completed basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas.

   Navy petty officer 3/c Joseph S. Smith, Jr., of Greenville graduated from radar training school at Great Lakes Naval Air Station.

     On June 1st, the St. Philip’s Rosary Guild held a dinner at the Club 44 where new officers were elected. Mrs. John Higgins became the new president; Mrs. George Hebert, vice president; Mrs. Peter Almon, treasurer; and Mrs. John DeAngelis, secretary.

     Smithfield artist Alexis Krupka of Georgiaville displayed some of his paintings at the Saylesville Library in Lincoln.

     On June 13th the Georgiaville Fire Company held a memorial ceremony honoring fallen firefighters.

     Smithfield’s animal control officer George Kelley was faced with a mystery. He’d found a dog wearing a North Smithfield dog tag that was in the shape of a fire hydrant, and dated 1971. He contacted his North Smithfield counterpart for information about the animal’s owner, and was informed that he’d ordered the hydrant shaped tags, which were made at the ACI, but that they never arrived, and instead North Smithfield was now issuing ones shaped like flowers in case the others should be “found” and misused. The dog was taken to the animal shelter for further investigation.

     New cars advertised by local auto dealerships included a brand new Chevrolet Monte Carlo, with air conditioning, disc brakes, electric clock, full wheel covers, powered by a 350 V-8 engine for $3,699, and a Mercury Comet, “the better small car”, for $2,217.

     Gift ideas advertised for Father’s Day included colognes and after shaves such as English Leather, Old Spice, Brut 33, British Sterling, Black Belt, Jade East, and Tabac Original. One store advertised briar smoking pipes for $5.

     If one went to the Apple Valley Cinema they saw “Promise at Dawn” a pre WWII drama starring Melina Mercourt, or the dark comedy, “Little Murders”, starring Elliot Gould, and Marcia Rodd, set in a crime-ridden New York City neighborhood in the late 1960s. There was also “Little Big Man” a western starring Dustin Hoffman, who played an elderly man recounting the fanciful days of his youth.

     On June 16th a large barn on the farm of Seth Steere (located on Steere Road in Greenville) was lost to fire. It was said the glow of the flames could be seen for miles.

     On June 18th a group of local citizens established a community theatre group known as the Apple Valley Players. The following officers were elected at an installation dinner: Nancy St. Pierre, president; William Johnson, vice president; Donna Nicholson, treasurer; and Grace Gebhart, secretary. Plans were announced for their first production to be performed at Waterman’s Beach Club on July 23-24th. It was to be the first time summer theatre was to be performed in this area.

     The Apple Valley Junior Women’s Club elected new officers. Mrs. William Stamp was elected president; Mrs. Jerome Butterfield, vice president; Mrs. Anthony Simeone, treasurer; Mrs. Lloyd Thomas, corresponding secretary; and Mrs. Paul Levesque, recording secretary.

     The Smithfield Elks Lodge inducted forty-six new members which was the largest induction in the history of the lodge.

     In Smithfield Little League news, the Greenville Hardware Nine defeated the Christansen’s Dairy team of North Providence 6 to 5.

     From June 29th to July 4th the Smithfield Jaycees held a carnival at Waterman’s Lake in an area now occupied by housing. Entertainment included rides, Karate demonstrations, trained dog acts, a pig chasing contest, an egg throwing contest, a watermelon eating contest, and nine parachute jumps from airplanes in which the skydivers landed in the lake, and of course, fireworks.

     A “deluxe stereo system” and two bicycles were raffled.

 

Smithfield Ads From 1970 to 1972

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