A Look Back: May 17

50 Years Ago

■Two separate introductions to the technique of Transcendental Meditation will be offered in Northampton this week. TM is a technique of achieving a deep state of rest in a short period of time.

■Mrs. Russell Carpenter of Northampton has succeeded Richard Fish as president of Children’s Aid and Family Service, in elections held at a recent annual meeting of this Red Feather agency. Mrs. Carpenter has been a member of this agency board since 1968 and was a unanimous choice two years ago to serve as vice-president.

25 Years Ago

■An after-school program sponsored by the Massachusetts National Guard was approved by the School Committee this week. The program, “Operation Challenge,” can now begin at the JFK Middle School. Operation Challenge enlists seventh and eighth grade students for four weeks, working to build their leadership and decision-making skills.

■Residents of Graves Avenue, located off Market Street, just east of downtown, are holding a cleanup and potluck supper today. They say the street’s image and spirit are being renewed by a commitment to building a better sense of community.

10 Years Ago

■JFK Middle School students Luke Haas of Florence and Mairead Blatner of Northampton, both 14, have won Gold Keys in state Scholastic Writing Awards. The pair, who won the awards at the statewide Boston Globe Scholastics in March, are now headed to an awards ceremony May 31 at Carnegie Hall.

■Paula Fitzgerald, a longtime educator in the Pioneer Valley tapped this week as the new Chestnut Hill Community School principal, said she is looking forward to working in Belchertown. Fitzgerald, currently principal of the Quarry Hill Community School in Monson, will start the job July 1.

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