Happy new year greetings to all our friends and neighbors. Put up a new calendar, turn the page and start again. May 2023 be an improvement on 2022.

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Indoor garden report: Several years ago, a friend gave me an amaryllis coated in red wax. I took off the wax, watered it periodically and green shoots would appear, dry out and then I would take them off. It never blossomed. It now has very large green shoots.

I got a red waxed amaryllis last year and it bloomed. I put it in the refrigerator for a dormant period. It is now in water, and shoots have appeared as well as roots. I will see if it blooms this year.

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Lev Ben Ezra, the executive director of the Amherst Survival Center, recently spoke to the Amherst Club, of which I am a member. She cited many statistics of the increased food insecurity of residents. The center serves more lunches and provides more groceries from its food pantry than ever. Donations of food and/or money are greatly appreciated.

She said volunteers are needed. A range of options are available from working inside or out and with more or less activity. If you could make a set commitment, that would be very useful. Call the center at 549-3968 if you can help.

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The Amherst Senior Center newsletter should be in mailboxes soon. Don’t be disconcerted if your name and “or current resident” appear on the label. I was at the center when they were labeling the over 3,000 newsletters that are sent and asked why some labels had the double listing.

Hayley Bolton, the center’s director, said it’s to guarantee the mail is delivered. The center has to pay 70 cents for each newsletter that is returned. Do the math — 10 returns add up to $7, 20 equals $14, etc.

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A reminder: Postal rates will increase Jan. 1. If you want to save money,  buy stamps this weekend. I bought a roll of 100. That last roll I bought cost $50 and lasted through several increases.

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Send items for the Lehrer Report to phyllehrer@gmail.com.

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