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.
