by Laurel | March 29th, 2013
22 September 1929
Transcript Employees Give Testimonial Dinner at the Nonotuck in Honor of His 70th Birthday
Editor William G. Dwight of the Holyoke Daily Transcript was given a testimonial dinner by the employees of his newspaper and their wives at the Hotel Nonotuck tonight, over 100 being present. The affair was a surprise to the editor who little knew that a lot of work had been pu in to fittingly celebrate his 70th birthday anniversary tonight. Even a special edition of the Transcript was run off in his honor with his face, birthplace at Bernardston and former home at North Amherst as the principal features. It was a typical Transcript family party: wholly informal with informational addresses by the older employees such as William D. Bunnell, “Bill” Schiffer, “Tim” Sullivan, Michael O’Brien, Joseph C. Doyle, Michael F. O’Connor and many others.
Arthur Ryan acted as toastmaster and there was lots of fun as well as reminiscences. Mr. Dwight’s eyes nearly started from his head when the special numbers were distributed containing pictures of himself, his birthplace and old home. Another feature of the affair was the presentation of a testimonial signed by every employee of the paper. A poem by Arthur Ryan on reaching “Pier 70” was a feature in the special edition that received much praise.
Mr. Dwight was born at Bernardston September 21, 1859. He attended the public school; also Powers institute in that town and then attended Amherst College, being graduated in 1881. He began newspaper work in Holyoke in the fall and in 1882 entered into partnership with the late W. S. Loomis in publishing the Transcript. It was then changed to a daily paper. In 1888 he bought out Mr. Loomis’s interest and has been sole owner ever since.
Adapted from The Springfield Republican.