50 Years Ago

■Lucy Wilson Benson, who has been named Secretary of Human Services by governor-elect Michael S. Dukakis, suggested today she would give up the state post if she is not driven to and from the Boston job daily in a state-owned vehicle. Mrs. Benson, 47, said she had accepted the post with the understanding she would not have to drive herself the almost 200 miles from Amherst to Boston and back again.

■The restructuring of the Northampton school system to include a 600-pupil elementary school, a new middle school and a four-year high school was last night explained as the long-range goals of the school committee. The remarks were delivered by committee member Edwin Warner at a talk and discussion on the “Future of Our Schools,” sponsored by the League of Women Voters.

25 Years Ago

■When the School Committee meets for the first time next year, it will do so without the expertise of two veterans. Mayor Mary L. Ford and James Dostal both were lauded by their colleagues as caring, thoughtful people whose devotion to Northampton’s children — and education — has had a profound impact on city schools.

■Both the Planning Board and the Zoning Board of Appeals gave The Daily Hampshire Gazette the nod Thursday to proceed with its plan to add on to its Conz Street building. The expansion is needed to make room for a new machine, which will automatically insert advertising supplements into the paper.

10 Years Ago

■Smith College is opening a new door to welcome students on a non-traditional path in their education. The college announced Wednesday the creation of its Community College Scholarship Program, which will award four full-tuition scholarships to students with a minimum of 32 credits from Holyoke Community College or Greenfield Community College.

■In the seven months since an 800-pound female moose visited Amherst College and toured the president’s house property, a vigorous campaign by students has sought to have the animal replace Lord Jeffery Amherst as the college’s mascot. Posters advancing the cause are stapled to bulletin boards in academic buildings, a Facebook page is dedicated to the moose becoming the mascot, and a person dressed as a moose attends sporting events, including cheering for the football team during its game against Williams College.