A Look Back, Nov. 3

50 Years Ago

New evidence of a gasoline shortage appeared this week as Exxon service centers “up and down the east coast” were put under an allocation system. Local gas stations responded variously to news of the curtailment. Fred’s Esso on King Street immediately cut back its hours, effective yesterday, in an attempt to serve regular customers during the day.

Strong winds of nearly 50 miles per hour swept through Hampshire County Thursday evening, knocking down trees and limbs which in turn damaged houses and autos, blocked roads and cut off electrical power in various county towns. Gusts were strong enough to shatter a plate glass window in Easthampton.

25 Years Ago

Easthampton School Committee member Michael Engel resigned Friday from his post 13 months before his term expires in December 1999. In a letter sent Friday to School Committee Chairwoman Diane Aubrey, Engel said he is resigning because he says Easthampton schools are heading in the opposite direction of where he believes public education should go.

The Southampton Fire Department has reached a milestone with the enlistment of its first female firefighter. Tammy Kaleta, 18, of Gilbert Road, joined the call department last month. Kaleta says she enjoys being a firefighter and eventually wants to be an emergency medical technician.

10 Years Ago

Rather than being a venue for cashing checks and signing loans, the former Bank of America building in South Deerfield will become a place to exchange and show art. Jane Trigere and Ken Schoen of South Deerfield purchased the Sugarloaf Street bank building and closed on the deal last month.

Voters in Palmer will decide Tuesday on a casino proposed by Mohegan Sun. If approved, it would compete with MGM International in Springfield for the western Massachusetts license.