Garden report: the yarrow has bloomed. Three tomato plants have blossoms.
For years, the chipmunk — I assume it’s the same one every year — has dug into my flower pots, destroying the roots of the plants that I was so careful starting from seed in the house. I always had to replant and it was annoying that my flower pots were used for acorn storage. Someone told me about a product that repels critters. I picked up a bottle at the Hadley Garden Center and I think it’s working. I haven’t seen any new holes in the flower pots.
I doubt it would work on the bear that has been visiting Orchard Valley. A neighbor sent a picture of the bear that was sitting in that yard between a house on Pondview and West Pomeroy Lane.
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This is a very busy weekend in Amherst. The Business Improvement District is sponsoring a summer concert series that begins June 23 at Sweetser Park at 7:30 p.m. It’s free. Bring a blanket and some food from the nearby restaurants.
Saturday will be full with the Crafts on the Common Fair that is a fund raiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County. It’s from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It’s free.
The Amherst Historical Society is having its Garden Tour Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are at Hastings or at the Strong House Museum on Saturday.
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Linda Marston of Amherst earned her 12-gallon donor pin for giving 96 pints to the American Red Cross. She wrote in an email, “It took me more than 45 years to do it, although it can be done much faster than that. I hope to inspire others to donate blood or platelets whenever they can, and would like to challenge others through Network Amherst to beat my 12 gallons!”
To put that number in perspective, my gas tank holds 12 gallons. I did donate blood but only got to a half gallon.
Thank you Linda and all those who give of themselves, literally.
Phyllis Lehrer can be reached at phyllehrer@gmail.com.
