A Look Back, Nov. 4

50 Years Ago

■The mood at Amherst College in the wake of college trustees’ decision Saturday to “go coeducational” is one of subdued elation, though some are pessimistic and an adverse reaction from alumni is expected. “I felt emotionally empty, sort of numb,” said College President John William Ward this morning.

■The board and staff of Children’s Aid and Family Services recently honored Robert M. Myers, retiring executive director of the agency, and Mrs. Myers, at a reception. Mrs. Russell Carpenter of Northampton, current president of CAFS, presented Myers with a silver tray commemorating his nearly 17 years of community service as executive director of the agency.

25 Years Ago

■The two candidates for mayor repeatedly said that voters had a clear choice this year. Tuesday, the voters proved them right, making it crystal clear their choice was Mary Clare Higgins. Higgins swept every precinct in every ward, from Leeds to Bay State to Ryan Road. When the votes were tallied, voters chose Higgins over Tony Long by more than a 2-to-1 ratio.

■Easthampton mayor Michael A. Tautznik defeated challenger Jeannette G. Davis-Harris by nearly a 2-to-1 ratio in Tuesday’s elections. “We’re really happy with the turnout,” an elated Tautznik said at his victory party at Early Times restaurant on Northampton Street after the official numbers were announced.

10 Years Ago

■Amy B. Royal, principal and founding partner of Royal LLP in Northampton, has been selected as one of New England’s “super lawyers” and is included in the 2014 issue of New England Super Lawyers magazine.

■A natural gas pipeline that feeds much of the Pioneer Valley is nearly at capacity, a development that will force at least one gas company to turn away new customers in Franklin County by the end of this year and extend the moratorium to areas of Hampshire County by the middle of next year. “The problem is the distribution system is literally choked,” said Chris Farrell, spokesman for Berkshire Gas Co.