A Look Back, May 16

50 Years Ago

■Wayne Rogers, a sophomore at Smith’s Vocational High School, has received the George Bean Trust Fund $1,000 award at the Future Farmers of America parent and member banquet held last week at Smith’s School.

■Former Rep. Edward M. McColgan, who is now director of the Massachusetts Bicentennial Commission, this Saturday successfully completed a 150-mile bicycle trip across the state. McColgan biked the General Knox Trail in part to promote the upcoming bicentennial celebrations and to meet with interested residents and citizens along the way.

25 Years Ago

■On July 15 all of Northampton’s 911 calls will be diverted to the city’s new emergency dispatch center at the fire station on Carlon Drive. Soon phones will ring, alarms will sound and dispatchers will be hard at work sending the appropriate personnel to the scene of emergencies.

■Students at the Jackson Street School will enjoy a range of activities and get help with school and family issues through a new mentoring program set to get under way this fall. Funded by a $199,962 federal grant awarded to the Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Hampshire County, the program will match 25 students in Grades 3 through 5 with adult volunteers for each of the next three years.

10 Years Ago

■Northampton is entering next fiscal year on more solid financial footing than the shaky ground it stood on a year ago, a fact that will mean no significant cuts to services or layoffs for the first time in years. That’s in stark contrast to last year when city officials grappled with a budget crisis that would have led to the elimination of 15 positions.

■The Hampshire Regional High School Drama Company promises hilarity action and suspense when it performs the murder mystery “Ax of Murder” this weekend. In continuing with the HRHS Drama Company tradition of giving seniors a chance to direct the annual spring performance, this yearÕs production is directed by Hannah Laprade, 17, of Westhampton.