Garden report: I will have two more tomatoes. They are at the top of dead stalks, but they are turning. While the tomatoe plants are withered and brown, the marigolds I interspersed as companion plants are prolific. They add great color. I pick a bouquet a week that sits on my kitchen windowsill. I picked thyme, lemon verbena, basil and parsley to dry. I have a volunteer pumpkin from my compost that is beginning to turn orange.
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The UMass Wind Ensemble and Symphony Band, directed by Matthew Westgate, will present a free concert Saturday, Oct. 25, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on the Town Common. Bring your own lawn chair or blanket.
Thanks to Ann Tweedy, marketing director for the BID ( Business Improvement District), for sending me the email about the event that is being billed as Bandtoberfest. She said local beer and cider vendors will sell beverages.
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Jeff Bohne, South Congregational Church moderator, sent me an email about the next takeout dinner that will be held, Saturday, Oct. 1,,6 with pickup between 5 and 6 p.m. This is the annual roast pork meal with all the sides including homemade applesauce. There is a vegetarian option. The cost is $15. The deadline to order is Oct. 13.
To order, call 253-2977 or email office@amherstsouthchurch.org/.
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The Amherst Health Department will hold a free COVID-19 vaccine clinic every Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Bangs Center. Please note this is for the first or second doses, NOT the booster. The Moderna, Pfizer or J&J vaccines will be used.
The clinic is open to all area residents. It is a walk-in clinic; no appointments are required.
For information, call the department at 259-3077. Thanks to temporary health director Jennifer Brown for sharing the news.
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Judy Barter of Amherst gave me a postcard of the Serpentine Bridge at Millennium Park in Chicago. I was on that bridge many years ago and it is snake-like since it curves while also going up and down. I really enjoyed the stainless steel or aluminum sculpture that’s called “Cloud Gate” but has been dubbed “The Bean.” It is very impressive.
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