Dominic Coppolino of Athol has high hopes for his giant pumpkin he raised in his side yard. The pumpkin is on its way to the pumpkin weigh-in at Topsfield and later should star in the Phillipston Pumpkin Weigh-in on Columbus Day weekend. It took six adults to load the gargantuan gourd, which Copploino is hoping will top 600 pounds.
■A two-year controversy over who is responsible to make repairs to the stairway under the railroad bridge on Main Street continued at the recent Athol Selectmen’s meeting. Selectman Richard Whelpley said railroad officials have not offered proof that they have ever turned ownership of the property over to the town and therefore they should be responsible for repairs to the stairway, which has been closed for more than a year. Joseph Maga argued that the town knowingly and willingly maintained the property for 101 years indicates ownership.
■Athol Fire Capt. James W. Wright was recognized for his recent efforts in rescuing a handicapped woman from her burning home, at a ceremony honoring Massachusetts firefighters at the Statehouse in Boston.
■Full-time and call firefighters at the Orange Fire Department have volunteered time in recent weeks to service and paint the woodwork at Station One. Taking advantage of the warm fall weather, firefighters worked on the building’s 40 windows, six doors, trim and cupola.
■About 40 citizens attended candidates night at the Orange Armory where four hopefuls for the State Representative seat in the Second District fielded questions. Democratic candidates are John Merrigan and Roanne Wedegartner of Greenfield and Daniel Hammock of Erving. Michael Harrington of Leyden is the Republican candidate. Among issues discussed were the economy, education reform, Route 2 expansion, and state funding.
■Students in Tina Spaulding and Sharon Faneuf’s fourth-grade class at Dexter Park School in Orange recently worked together in burying a time capsule. It was filled with work, pictures, hand and foot pictures and drawings.
■James Jackson, a worker at the Templeton Developmental Center, has been chosen as one of 15 recipients of the Commonwealth’s Citation for Outstanding Performance for 1995 for his work with clients at the center.
■With a warning that the town may go public with an anti-prison campaign without more knowledge of what the state Department of Youth Services has planned for the former M.C.I. prison camp, Warwick selectmen penned a letter to Senator Robert Wetmore listing their concerns.
The Athol Lions Club will begin its annual light bulb sale. A goal of $1,500 has been set. Proceeds will be used for eye research, local sight conservation, purchase of eyeglasses for the local needy, a donation to the YMCA expansion fund, scholarships for students at Athol High School and Mahar Regional School in Orange, and to help send local children to summer camps. The 23 club members will conduct house-to-house sales.
■More than 50 Athol High School students in all four classes are interested in finding odd jobs, according to Miss Melba Dufort, high school guidance counselor. Among jobs they can do are snow shoveling, babysitting, removing rubbish barrels, housework and raking leaves. Miss Dufort noted she will help place students with people who call.
■Army Sp. 4 Mark W. Butler, 24, son of Mr. and Mrs. William H. Butler of Athol, was presented the Bronze Star Medal at ceremonies recently at Fort Riley, Kan. He received the award for distinguishing himself through meritorious service in connection with military operations against hostile forces in Vietnam. He also received the Purple Heart for wounds to both legs and an arm that he received in action Jan. 5 when he stepped on an enemy booby trap.
■When ground was broken for the new Dexter Park School addition, one obstacle was an evergreen tree, planted in memory of Mrs. Edith Sault Young, former school principal. Mrs. Young died March 27, 1963 and school children collected funds to plant a tree in her memory. It was planted that spring in the rear of the school with a special ceremony by the children. The blue spruce, now about six feet tall, was removed when construction began and can now be seen where it has been replanted directly across the driveway from the school entrance.
■Patty Ellis, 16, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Franklin Ellis of Orange, recently took a first prize in stable management at the 4-H Riders Clubs exhibition at the Eastern States Exposition in Springfield this year. She was chosen to represent the 4-H Riding Clubs of Franklin County at the exposition. Her chestnut quarter horse mare, Coppers Chance, was entered in three classes: pleasure, equitation and 4-H fitting and showing. Miss Ellis and her mount took third in the first two and second in fitting and showing.
The L.S. Starrett Co. has received word from the War Department of an award, for the fifth time, of the Army – Navy “E” for outstanding production of war equipment.
■A group of 26 Athol men, which included both businessmen, industrialists and representatives of the Athol Chamber of Commerce, met at the Athol House to discuss the formation of an Athol Committee for Economic Development.
■The young people of the Youth Temperance Council took over in the closing event of the 71st annual convention of the Massachusetts Woman’s Christian Temperance Union, which has been holding its sessions in Athol at the Starrett Memorial Church.
■The mobile X-ray unit staffed by technicians employed by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Division Tuberculosis will bring about 700 employees of the Union Twist Drill Co. the opportunity of a free chest X-ray.
■F/O George W. Lake, co-pilot, of Athol, has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. The award was made for participation in aerial flights in transport aircraft over the India-China air routes.
■Major Woodrow M. Kessler, USMC, is now at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Mervin Kessler of Athol. Despite his heroic experience at Wake Island, and in Japanese prison camps, he is looking in excellent health, having recovered his normal weight after a loss of 20 pounds during his long confinement in Japan. He said that it is nearly six years since he was last in Athol and noted the many changes that have taken place during the months since he last visited his hometown.
■The sixth annual membership campaign of the Athol-Orange Community Concert Association officially got underway with a dinner for the workers at the Chetwood Inn in Templeton. There were 55 present, including high school students who are to aid in the drive. Miss Marjorie H. Horton, campaign manager, described to the gathering the value of music and the immense satisfaction it brings to those who cultivate it. She stated that good music develops poise to those who appreciate it, that it is a mark of culture and that it is an agent of international good will as it knows no nationality.
■S/Sgt. Charles Harris, of Orange, has been liberated from a Japanese prison camp in northern Honshu Island and is on a hospital ship on the way home.