Times Past for 11-13
Michael S. Willhite, son of Gary and Candy Willhite of Athol, recently was awarded the Army Achievement Medal for saving the lives of two fellow soldiers while stationed in Somalia. The award stated, “For showing motivation and dedication that was above and beyond what is expected of him.” While on a mission Whillhite pulled a fellow officer from the path of a landing helicopter, and stopped a distressed soldier from taking his own life. He also received the Joint Meritorious Service Medal and Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.
Athol, dominating on offense and defense, clinched a berth in the Western Mass. Division II Super Bowl and at least a share of the Intercounty League title with a 24-zip victory over East Longmeadow at O’Brien Field. The Red Raiders, 7-0 in league play, can stake an outright claim to the IL crown with a victory over arch rival Mahar on Thanksgiving Day. The Raider stars were many, but none more sparkling than fullback-linebacker Chad Ares. The thunder in the Raider attack rushed for 109 yards, intercepted a pass, was in on 10 tackles, punted twice for 42 and 44 yards, droe his kickoffs deep into Spartan territory and scored all 24 Athol points.
The best way Athol can save money on health insurance is by offering health maintenance organization (HMO) coverage as an alternative to the Blue Cross/Blue Shield Master Health Plus plan currently offered. That was the advice given to selectmen by the health insurance consultant Brian Boyle. He recommends that two HMO plans be offered, to give employees a variety of choices. He said both the town and the employees would stand to save money in health insurance costs by switching to an HMO.
Publication of a fund-raising mystery, “Trouble in Tow”, by novelist Cathy Stanton has been announced by Literacy Volunteers of Orange-Athol. North Quabbin businesses and individuals have funded the 104-page book, whose author has more than a million copies of Silhouette novels sold worldwide in 10 languages plus English.
The Athol School Committee postponed any action on initiating a kindergarten program locally to 1970, weeding from the 1969 budget proposal all monetary requests connected with the program.
An estimated $50,000 damage at Plotkin Furniture Company, 41 Exchange St., was caused when a 2 1/2-inch water pipe burst, unleashing water with such force that a hole, one foot in diameter, was torn in the third floor wall of the building. Each of the three floors in the building was covered with more than a foot of water.
New England’s third major storm in five days hit the Mount Grace Region, pelting the area with heavy snow and high winds. The storm forced closing of most schools in the area. Athol schools were in session, but were closed at noon as the storm continued without signs of abating. For the second time in two days, motorists were caught unprepared and rushed to service stations for snow tires.
Five months after the state assumed responsibility for the public welfare system in Massachusetts, the situation is described as “on almost all counts … unsatisfactory.” A special report prepared by a private firm says the department is now so disorganized, inefficient, archaic and bogged down by lack of direction and communication it is actually working to the detriment of welfare workers, recipients and taxpayers.
Spacecraft Pioneer 9 rocketed into orbit around the sun as a lonely, far-out sentry to warn of solar radiation storms that could endanger astronauts on the moon. The three-stage Delta rocket also hurled into earth orbit a 40-pound communications satellite that will be used as a practice target for the 18 stations in America’s global man-in-space tracking network. The sun-orbiter carried eight experiments to record and transmit information about the solar wind, cosmic rays, cosmic dust and electric and magnetic fields as it zipped on its lonesome journey.
A high requiem mass was celebrated at Church of Our Lady Immaculate for Starr Tucker, 19-year-old staff sergeant and turret gunner in a Flying Fortress. He was reported killed Aug. 18 on his third bombing mission over Germany. An only child of Mr. and Mrs. Starr W. Tucker, Sgt. Tucker was born in Athol and attended Athol schools, graduating from Athol High School in 1941. He left for England last May and had been in the service only seven months. On his last furlough home, just before he sailed to the British Isles, he married Miss Helen Jaillet, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Jaillet of Gardner. The Memorial Building flag was flown at half-staff in honor of the hero.
Athol High School students are to distribute to every home in the community literature carrying an appeal for donations to the National War Fund.
A heavy downpour caused the suspension of classes in the Athol schools. Only about one-half of the normal enrollment showed up and most of the pupils who ventured to school were soaked. The high school, however, adhered to its full session.
William N. Logan, 75, retired mill worker of West Royalston Road, was injured during the heavy downpour, when he was thrown from a light delivery cart on Exchange Street when it struck a parked car in front of the Norma Apartments. Kenneth Young, an employee of the A. & P. store across the way, rushed out and held the excited horse.
A short but impressive Armistice Day program at the Monument in Memorial Park, Orange, featured the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and their auxiliaries, all other patriotic organizations and the Gold Star Mothers and one Gold Star Father.
HELP WANTED: Male & Female For Manufacturing Important Sanitary and Wrapping Papers Going Directly to our Armed Forces and into Essential Civilian Requirements. Apply – ERVING PAPER MILLS, Erving and Orange Divisions. Those now employed in essential industries not considered without a release.