A Look Back: April 17

50 Years Ago

■A group of unicyclists pedaled down Main Street today on their springtime ride from Hampshire Regional High School in Westhampton to the University of Massachusetts. The fresh air enthusiasts sought to collect pledges for an even longer HRHS ride from Huntington to Framingham May 18 through 20 to raise funds for children with learning disabilities.

■Miss Cecilia M. Whalen, 84, one of Northampton’s oldest and most respected schoolteachers, died yesterday after a short illness. One of the city’s most dedicated teachers, she taught for 48 years, 18 of which she served as principal of Bridge Street School.

25 Years Ago

■Demolition crews razed the eastern half of the Mountain Farms Mall on Wednesday, completing the first step before construction begins on a 97,000-square-foot Walmart store.

■Thousands of people are expected to flock to Huntington over the weekend to join or watch one of the oldest continually held white-water canoe events in the nation. The 46th running of the Westfield River Wildwater Races, which last year drew more than 300 competitors, will be held Saturday and Sunday along the river in Huntington and Russell.

10 Years Ago

■Two more Northampton Police officers are moving up in the ranks. Jody Kasper, who has been a Northampton Police officer since 1998, has been promoted to captain, and Alan Borowski, also appointed a Northampton officer in 1998, has been promoted to detective lieutenant.

■Local health officials say they will remain vigilant through Friday for reports of measles linked to a Smith College faculty member being diagnosed with the rare viral illness last week. Northampton Public Health Director Merridith O’Leary said Monday no new cases of measles have been reported since the faculty member was diagnosed on April 6.