A Look Back: Feb. 20

50 Years Ago

Paul Garvey is the Northampton Winter Festival’s first annual Pancake Eating Champion, and the Northampton Aerie of Eagles is the Winter Festival’s first annual snowshoe softball champion. This was decided during the weekend as the third annual festival neared a close after two weeks of activity.

Two Northampton High School students won top awards at the 34th annual Model Congress held this weekend at American International College, where high school students from across the Northeast voted to impeach President Nixon. Pieter Judson and Eileen McColgan, both NHS seniors, won first and second prizes respectively in the “best delegate” category.

25 Years Ago

Hampshire County residents who have ignored the call to serve on a jury could face prosecution under a statewide program now targeting area delinquents. Since Jan. 25, the jury commissioner’s office has sent out 416 notices to Hampshire County residents who have failed to show up for jury duty.

When Kyle Majkowski of Northampton was called a few weeks ago to serve on jury duty, his mother stepped in and sent a note to the state asking that her son be excused. Kyle is a kindergarten student and is only 6.

10 Years Ago

Mayor David J. Narkewicz said the city plans to move forward and “redouble” its efforts to strengthen Northampton’s local economy after the Massachusetts Gaming Commission’s decision Tuesday not to grant the city financial relief from MGM Resorts International. Northampton’s request to be named a “surrounding community” was unanimously denied by the commission.

Williston Northampton Children’s Theatre this week is presenting Ruth Newton’s adaptation of “Cinderella” with a dose of pop in the form of songs by Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift. The play, which features an all-female cast, will be performed in the British pantomime style, encouraging audience participation.