A very big reminder: Take down bird feeders. Bears have been visiting their free lunch sites at Amherst Place backyards and other neighborhoods.
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Garden report: Eleven lettuce seeds have sprouted, the biggest is about a quarter-inch high. One calendula seed popped up. I will plant pansies in a bed. I also have two hanging planters with pansies that I will now leave out. I brought them indoors when they temperatures went below 32 degrees.
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Jeff Bohne, the moderator at the South Amherst Congregational Church, sent me the next menu for the Saturday, April 17, takeout dinner. It’s pulled pork, mac and cheese and baked beans, plus other items. The deadline to order is Wednesday, April 14.
Jeff also sent me the correct phone number for orders, I think I transposed numbers in previous reports, apologies for that. Here it is: 253-2977.
The $ 15 fee supports local charities as well as church missions.
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Reynolds Winslow sent me an email about the Sojourner Truth Social Justice Award. High School seniors in Hampshire and Hampden counties who have been active in social justice efforts and plan to attend college or postsecondary school may apply.
Six scholarships of $1,000 to $1,500 are available. The deadline is May 7.
The application requires submitting an essay telling about the student’s social justice leadership activities or project(s), as well as their post high school plans, linking their work to Sojourner Truth’s work for abolition of slavery and full citizenship rights for all people of color and all women, according to the email.
The Sojourner Truth Social Justice Award program began in 2006 with two $500 awards. Since that time 40 young people have been recognized and given support for their continuing social justice leadership.
Students may apply online, or download and mail the application. See sojournertruthmemorial.org/scholarship/application.
Applications are available at school guidance departments.
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The Amherst History Society is introducing a new mini lecture series, “UMass Then/Now,” Monday, April 12 at noon, according to an email from society President George Naughton. The society is partnering with the Public History Department of UMass, on the series, which deals with the evolution of architectural design on the UMass campus.
The campus has always been a place of dynamic change. By pairing archival photographs with contemporary images, retired faculty member Ron Michaud and senior campus planner Ludmilla Pavlova-Gillham will invite participants to reflect on how the campus has changed over time. What has been lost? What has been gained?
For those of us who have lived here for many decades, we have seen a lot. How many remember the road lined with trees adjacent to the pond that went to South College before the Fine Arts Center was built?
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The golfers have been very visible at the Amherst Golf Course. One tee is adjacent to Route 116. It’s great to see people out and about.
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