A Look Back: Nov. 18

200 Years Ago

■Merino Sheep! Fifty ewes and fifty wethers will be sold at a fair price; and the purchaser will be satisfied that they are a prime flock of pure full bloods. Inquire of S. Williston, Easthampton, or J.D. Whitney, Northampton.

■Eli Loveland continues to manufacture at his old stand all kinds of cabinet furniture that are wanted in the section of the country, either plain or elegant, of the most approved patterns, and on the most favorable terms. Call and see at his shop in Northampton.

100 Years Ago

■About twenty-five boys and girls were busy on Saturday with shovels, rakes and wheelbarrows, helping to clear a space for the skating pond that is being made under the direction of the recreation commission on the People’s Institute property, located in the rear of the James House.

■The thermometer was down to 12 degrees at the home of A.A. Lyman in Pine Grove early this morning. Mr. Lyman says that this is the coldest so far this season and was a sharp warning of winter’s approach.

50 Years Ago

■More than 300 persons gathered in the Fort River School cafeteria Sunday afternoon for a reception honoring former Amherst School Superintendent Ronald Fitzgerald. In June Fitzgerald announced he was resigning from the position he had held for 10 years to accept the directorship of the Massachusetts Advisory Council on Education in Boston.

■Postmaster John F. Murphy today joined Postmaster General E.T. Klassen in urging the residents of Northampton to post their domestic and foreign Christmas mail one to two weeks earlier than the Postal Service originally recommended, so that the energy shortage will not interfere with on-time deliveries.