AMHERST — After taking a year off due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 5k Fall Foliage and Cider Run benefiting the Amherst A Better Chance program returns Saturday.
Walkers will start from the Town Common at 9:30 a.m., and runners at 10 a.m., for the community celebration of the residential high school program that prepares academically talented young men of color from educationally underserved school districts for college and future leadership roles.
The walk and run partly circles the Amherst College campus and enters the woodlands of the college’s bird sanctuary.
Upon completion, runners and walkers are invited to enjoy a cup of cider and healthy snacks as results are announced and prizes are awarded.
The Amherst program began in fall 1968 with eight scholars after the Amherst Regional School Committee approved hosting it. Well over 100 scholars have since graduated through the program, with the participants housed on North Prospect Street.
The event brings in a significant portion of the money needed to cover the operating costs that go toward living and school expenses.
Meanwhile, Sid and Isabel Ferreira are being recognized with an A+ award from the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce for their time as resident directors at ABC. The chamber notes in its recognition, “At a time when feeling safe and providing shelter could not be more important, we thank them for leading by example through extraordinary times. Together, with their volunteer leadership, their collective impact has been immense and felt across the community.”
Candidates not facing opposition at the Nov. 2 town election will be participating in the League of Women Voters of Amherst candidates forum Sunday at 2 p.m.
Town Council candidates in Districts 1, 2 and 5, and those running for the six seats as Jones Library trustees, will be offering comments and answering questions.
The event will be streamed live at lwvamherst.org and recorded by Amherst Media.
The Pelham Cultural Council is inviting proposals from organizations, schools and individuals for 2022 grants that will support arts, humanities and science programs benefiting Pelham residents and school students and families.
Proposals for use of the $5,000 the town receives from the state’s Mass Cultural Council are due by the end of the day on Friday through an online portal at https://bit.ly/3DHiYmp. For more information about the Pelham Cultural Council, contact its chairwoman, Nora Maroulis, at nora@wunderarts.com.
An Amherst Regional High School is a runner-up in the 2022 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year program.
The state’s Department of Elementary and Secondary Education recently announced that Sara Barber-Just, an English teacher at Amherst Regional High School, was a finalist for the award.
Another Pioneer Valley teacher recognized was Jami Witherell, a second grade teacher at the Newton School in Greenfield.
The state’s award went to Marta García, a second and third grade English as a Second Language teacher at Witchcraft Heights Elementary School in Salem.
The fall edition of Leverett’s town newsletter will be the final one sent to all households.
In the October newsletter, Town Clerk Lisa Stratford announced that the newsletter will still be produced, but that it will be available only online or by email, though paper copies will continue to be printed for pickup at Town Hall and the Leverett Library.
MONDAY: Town Council, 6:30 p.m.
WEDNESDAY: Historical Commission, 6:30 p.m., to act on request to demolish circa 1850 barn at 1089 North Pleasant St.
