Garden report: My rhododendron are fine. I have heard from several folks that their plants suffered damage and have dead branches. The radishes have sprouted. The lily of the valley have bloomed.

* * *

Rand Foerster of Amherst is directing his son, Tosh, in “Johnny Got His Gun” at the Majestic Theater in West Springfield. The show only runs June 13 at 7:30 p.m, and June 14 at 8 p.m.

* * *

Jeanne Esposito of South Amherst sent me an email about the Red Cross Blood Drive that will be held June 6 from 2-7 p.m. at the South Amherst Congregational Church. Walk-ins are welcome or you can schedule an appointment by calling 800-RedCross.

* * *

The Friends of Puffer’s Pond are taking a break from making pancakes. Instead, you can have breakfast or lunch June 8 at Atkins North, Black Sheep, Breuggers, Cushman Cafe, Henion’s, Jakes and The Lone Wolf, and they will donate a percentage of sales.

While the annual event won’t be held that doesn’t mean the work of maintaining the trails stops. Money is needed. If you don’t want to eat, send a check, payable to Kestrel Land Trust/Puffer’s Pond Fund, to: Box 1016, Amherst. Thanks.

* * *

I had a nice surprise visit with Dr. Olgerts Stuberovski, who was my dentist and Pondview Drive neighbor. He and his daughter Yenta were looking at their old home when they drove by and we had a chance to catch up. He and his wife, Maija, live in Wisconsin with their daughter Nora. He gave out toothbrushes every Halloween and I made sure my children took advantage of that great treat.

They also visited their former neighbor and colleague, Dr. Ron Loescher.

* * *

Jane Simonds, sent me an email with good news about her son, Samuel, a film and East Asian Studies major, who graduated cum laude from Connecticut College. He received the school’s top academic award, the Oakes and Louise Ames Prize for the most outstanding senior honor’s study and thesis, “Smoke of the Sea: A’Tolan Amis Resistance to Colonized Consciousness Through Resurgence of Traditional Epistemologies, Contemporary Existence, and Collective Community.” A multi-part creative project, the thesis culminated in a short narrative film that explores the complexities of death, sickness, rebirth and reconciliation within a community whose cultural identity has been damaged by colonization and Western influences, and yet endures.

* * *

I received a Pamogram from Town Councilor Dorothy Pam. She and George Ryan, the other District 3 Councilor, will hold a meeting June 6 from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Jones Library. She ends with a great line, “Come early for refreshments.”

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