Back when: July 25-31

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July 25

In 1966, Green Meadows Shopping Plaza won zoning approval from the Greenfield Board of Zoning Appeals.

July 26

In 1963, former missionary Helen Hammer showed movies from Haiti to the Missionary Society of Brown’s Chapel Church. Hammer, of Greenfield, had returned home after many years of missionary work in Haiti.

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July 27

In 1899, Democratic presidential candidate William Jennings Bryan spoke in Greenfield. He later lost to William McKinley. Twenty years later, his visit was remembered as one of the largest gatherings in Greenfield up to that time.

July 28

In 1927, readers learned that Greenfield native Edwin Pope Thayer was listed in the 1926-27 edition of “Who’s Who in the Nation’s Capital.” Thayer had been chosen secretary of the U.S. Senate in December 1925.

July 29

In 1997, Regreening Greenfield dedicated a red maple tree and stone marker at Harris Elementary School in honor of former Harris student Jaycie Phelps, a member of the women’s gymnastics team that won gold at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.

July 30

In 1855, First Presbyterian Church was organized in Greenfield.

July 31

In 1997, the local firefighters association deposited $1,676 into a fund to care for Sparky, the Dalmatian living at Greenfield Fire Department. The money was part of more than $2,200 that poured in over several days, after Sparky’s bout with kidney stones racked up $883 in vet bills and started a discussion at a Greenfield Board of Works meeting. After a story about Sparky ran, the department was flooded with calls and donations. The donations made it possible to pay Sparky’s bills and set up a fund for his care. Sparky, Happy and Pepper, the department’s “fire dogs” over the years, are all buried by the fire station on South Street. These days, firefighters say the growth of the city over the years keeps them too busy to care for a station dog.