The Villager Files: Week of September 12

Above: The front page of the Southborough Villager on September 14, 2001, the first edition following the 9/11 attacks

Each week we take a look back at the top stories reported in the Southborough Villager 10 years, 20 years, and 30 years ago. Here are the stories that were making headlines during the week of September 12. If you have memories about any of these events, please share them in the comments.

10 years ago: Clergy help residents deal with feelings of anger, sadness
In the immediate aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, the Southborough Villager captured reaction from Southborough residents, recording feelings of sorrow, rage, and a desire for revenge. “The terror we’ve just witnessed is as gruesome as we’ve ever seen,” Pilgrim Church’s Rev. Jon Wortmann said at the time. “We know men got into those planes in our very city. They were not missionaries of God. They were not angels trying to send a message – not a message from God anyway.” (Southborough Villager, September 14, 2001)

20 years ago: Restaurant’s provocative fashion show raises questions
The Impanema restaurant – which used to be where the “yellow building” is now at the corner of Southville and Cordaville Roads – was something of a fixture in town years ago. This week in 1991, the restaurant raised eyebrows when it held a series of Sunday night “fashion show” competitions. With themes like Hawaiian and Country-Western, the shows included skimpy costumes along with a swimsuit competition. Needless to say, the shows drew quite a crowd, but not everyone approved and the police chief was sent to investigate. The article doesn’t say whatever became of the shows. Anyone know? (Southborough Villager, September 12, 1991)

30 years ago: Selectmen approve licenses for “electronic amusement devices”
Electronic amusement devices? That’s video games to you and me. Think Pac-Man and Space Invaders. Selectmen defended their decision this week 30 years ago to approve the installation of the games in some Southborough establishments. Their approval came despite concerns from parents about what Villager editor Jean Bigelow called “the flow of quarters from (their kids’) pockets.” (Southborough Villager, September 11, 1981)