The Lehrer Report: May 19, 2023

Published: 05-18-2023 4:16 PM

Garden report: An iris and Solomon Seal have bloomed, while the Jacob’s ladder has finished blooming.

I planted 12 tomatoes Sunday in the warmth and sunshine. I checked the weather. Surprise, the temperature was expected to dip below 40 degrees. I covered the San Marzano and Early Girl varieties.

Each week the daytime temperatures have been great. However, one night each week the temperature takes a dive. It is a very weird pattern.

I did plant cucumber seeds. No need to cover those.

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Speaking of gardens, the Garden Club of Amherst Plant Sale is Saturday, May 20 on the Town Common from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., rain or shine. This is a great opportunity to purchase a range of wonderful plants donated by club members, according to an email from Kathleen Teagno, a member of the club. The variety is amazing, with some trees and shrubs besides plants.

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Gigi Barnhill, president of the Amherst Historical Society board of directors, sent me an email saying the Strong House Museum is now open on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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The museum’s new exhibit is “The Magnificent Life and Art of Mable Loomis Todd.” The exhibit was developed by visiting curator Diana Limbach Lempel. It explores Todd’s work as a nature writer, musician, painter, conservationist, lecturer, and the editor of Emily Dickinson’s poetry.

Visitors will have the opportunity for a before-and-after look at several of Todd’s botanical paintings that have not been on view in decades due to needed repairs. These works will be on view until early July when they will be sent for repair, restoration and conservation thanks to funding from the Amherst Community Preservation Act Committee, according to Barnhill.

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There is more to do Saturday. Visit the Friends of the Jones Library Book Sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the tent in front of the library. Like-new adult and children’s books and audiobooks will be available. If it’s raining,the sale will be indoors in the Woodbury Room.

Elaine Donoghue of the Friends sent me an email saying paintings by the late Edith Byron will be available for sale. Edith was a gifted artist and a longtime supporter of the library, she wrote.

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Hospice of the Fisher Home will host its seventh annual Par 3 Golf Tournament Friday, June 2 at Amherst Golf Club, according to a email from Maureen Sullivan. Tee times will be scheduled beginning at 1 p.m.

The tournament is one of the hospice’s largest fundraisers supporting the compassionate, comprehensive, and supportive end-of-life care they provide to individuals and their loved ones, in their homes or at the Fisher Home’s nine-bed residence, according to the email.

According to Maria Rivera, executive director of Hospice of the Fisher Home, support of this year’s golf tournament is especially important because funds raised will also go toward the replacement of the home’s HVAC system, she wrote.

For information and to register visit fisherhome.org/event-info/7th-annual-golf-tournament-registration-4.

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Road conditions and potholes were a major topic at the Cuppa Joe with Town Manager Paul Bockleman last week. An analysis of every road in town was done by a university (can’t remember if it was Tufts or Northeastern), and points were assigned based on several categories.

You can see the results on the town website under Pavement Condition Index Map. The lower the number, the worse the condition. The roads have different colors based on condition. Orchard Valley is sort of medium brown.

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

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