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.
