A Look Back, Jan. 17

50 Years Ago

■A Northampton banker, William A. Burke, was elected president of the board of directors of the Northampton Chamber of Commerce yesterday. Burke, consultant at the Pioneer National Bank, was elected at the chamber’s annual meeting, held during a luncheon at the Hotel Northampton.

■Stephen A. Jakub, the new physical director of the Hampshire Regional YMCA, brings to the youth organization several summers of experience with Y programs. Jakub, 22, of Greenfield, graduated last spring from Springfield College with a B.S. in physical education. The position makes him and his wife Evelyn a 100 percent Y team. Mrs. Jakub is women and girls’ director at the Greenfield Y.

25 Years Ago

■Northampton businesspeople will share their expertise to help with such school issues as management and finances as part of a newly established collaboration with city educators. The partnership between the business community and the schools follows a meeting last week attended by school officials, members of the school community and the Chamber of Commerce.

■The city of Northampton has had another brush with the fame and fortune offered by the television show “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?” But Joseph Bartolomeo of Hillcrest Drive didn’t get past the preliminary round for a shot at the $1 million prize. Still, Bartolomeo said Monday, “It was a very interesting and enjoyable experience to be part of a television show.”

10 Years Ago

■Local community activists say they are looking forward to especially thoughtful discussions this Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The American Friends Service Committee’s 30th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration Monday will include a panel discussion called, “Could Ferguson Happen Here?”

■The hunt for loose change to pay for parking in Northampton’s downtown parking garage is finally over – at least for some people. For those who have not yet discovered it, the E. John Gare Parking Garage downtown is now accepting credit and debit cards.