1993

Mother Nature seems reluctant in allowing spring to come as she unleashed another storm, dumping about 7 to 8 inches of heavy, wet snow on the area. Many trees and limbs were brought down by the storm.

Two Royalston residents are cooperating to produce a new advertising campaign for Athol Memorial Hospital. Jack Kacian, free-lance illustrator, and Allen Young, the vice president for public relations and marketing at the hospital, recently launched the campaign, entitled the “Athol Hospital Name Game.” The ads are appearing in the Athol Daily News every Thursday and Saturday for 20 weeks. The ads feature cartoon illustrations by Kacian and brief captions by Young explaining medically-related words.

Joseph “Joe Bass” Boudreau, of Orange, enjoyed a spring-like day out on Lake Rohunta. He reported the ice is slowly melting, and in spots is about 30 inches thick, where a week ago it was about 36 inches. “This is the kind of day ice fishermen dream about,” he said, noting the temperatures reached 60-65 degrees in the area.

Eric Isrow, a 14-year-old student from Athol, is truly worthy of the title, “young gun.” He began trap shooting two years ago. He has won four state championships and will compete in the U.S. Junior Olympics in August in Colorado.

Brian Rouleau, a sixth grade student at Riverbend School qualified as one of the 105 finalists to compete in the Massachusetts Geography Bee. Adam Moore, a sixth grade student at Butterfield School in Orange, won the school-level competition of the National Geography Bee recently and a chance at a $25,000 college scholarship. Winners will take a written test and the top scorers will be eligible to compete in the state bee on April 2.

Senior high school competitors from Mahar Regional School captured five out of eight first-place awards at the Region I Science Fair at University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Orange may be forced to join the statewide E911, the emergency dispatch number, selectmen were informed. Chiefs of the fire and police departments, Dennis Annear and Brian Spear, respectively, explained that the state reneged on their earlier statement that towns could investigate the service and then decide whether they want to participate. “Every town will have it,” said Annear. Selectmen expressed concern the town is mandated to participate in a system that is not affordable.

1968

Ice on Millers River between UTD Corp. and the Starrett Dam went out with a roar and the canoeing Rat Pack appeared in force just above the South Main Street bridge as they launched practice runs for the Athol to Orange canoe race March 30. Break up of the massive ice jam, which swept down river, clearing the channel to Hachey’s Landing in Orange was witnessed by an estimated 70-100 persons, including members of the River Rat contingent who squeaked their approval. The river opening was also a welcome sight for police, fire and other authorities who previously voiced fears the ice might cause flooding and other damage at Morton Meadows. Occupants of Meadows apartments, nearest the river complied with a request by police to evacuate, but old Millers running full and swift, kept the ice moving and the alarm was soon canceled.

Wail Tail, I’llaskim Later and Schnook Got Took have arrived in Boston, according to a telegram received by gentleman George Girardi, and they will appear in the downtown shopping area. Wail Tail is a polar bear, the other two are Alaskan lassies who will supervise the bear’s activities during the fifth annual River Rat Spectacular canoe race.

Wrestling, it appears, will return to Athol. Selectmen approved a request by Louis LaCourse of Holyoke to hold matches in Memorial Hall either Wednesday or Saturday nights. There is one stipulation, that LaCourse deposit $100 in advance to pay for damages that may occur in the hall. Matmen have not been here in over a decade.

More than 400 persons are expected to attend the 11th annual Mahar Fish ’N Game Club father ’n son banquet. “Wildlife Experiences” will be the topic of the main speaker, Donald T. Thayer.

Sen. Frank E. Moss has asked the Army for a full report on tests conducted at western Utah’s top-secret Dugway proving grounds on the day before 6,000 sheep began dying on adjacent rangeland.

“What we rather suspect is they’re using some exotic, even unnamed agents in the area and this has caused the death of the animals,” the Utah Democrat said. “If this is so, we ought to know about it so there won’t be any danger for human lives as well as to eliminate further injury to the animals,” he said.

1943

The coveted Army-Navy “E” awarded by the War Department for outstanding records in production, has been conferred upon the employees of the L.S. Starrett Co., makers of precision tools for the war industry. The flag will be presented at ceremonies in the near future. This is the first “E” to be awarded to any war industry in the Athol-Orange area.

Members of the Ellinwood Country Club who journey to the club for a round or two of golf, this summer can tend a Victory Garden on the site, according to a decision of the board of directors. Any members who wish to start a Victory Garden can obtain a plot of ground in back of the clubhouse where there are about two acres of good tillable land for the purpose.

Mrs. Lester G. Bassett, chairman, War Services Division of the Athol Committee on Public Safety, announced additional women volunteers to serve as assistants in the block plan, through which housewives are to be informed on all phases of the war activities which pertain to them.

The Fourth Annual Orange High School Minstrel Show was presented to enthusiastic audiences which jammed the high school auditorium both nights, as well as to a large group of school children during the afternoon. The performances were applauded without stint by the audiences at all three presentations. The minstrel was pronounced by many the best yet given by the high school pupils.

Clarence W. Hayden, chairman of Orange Selectmen, who has just returned from New York City and Washington in the interests of continuing the Orange Airport expansion project to completion, reported that the results of the recent interviews were very satisfactory and made him feel assured that the Orange Airport will be completed in its entirety as shown in the United States Army plans.

Approximately $4,100 has been contributed to date in Orange in the Red Cross War Fund campaign. The drive is continuing and more committees still are to be heard from. The Office of Price Administration has banned for a week the retail sale of butter, margarine, lard and other edible fats and oils, which go under point rationing next week.