Garden report: The tomato, pepper and basil starts have been planted. I also direct-seeded green beans and carrots. The iris have bloomed. The big surprise is indoors, where my Thanksgiving cactus is blooming out of its usual season. I may have Memorial Day cactus.
Next planting item is wave petunias for the hanging planters.
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The Amherst League of Women Voters, of which I am a member, is holding a community reception May 22 from 3 to 5 p.m. at Groff Park to welcome Earl Miller, the director of CRESS ( Community Responders for Equity, Safety and Service) and Pamela Young, the newly hired Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Director to our community.
The event includes food, music and the children’s playground.
The event is free and open to the public.
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Condolences to the family and friends of Peggy Roberts, who died recently. I knew her for decades from working at the paper as well as through the League of Women Voters, where we served on study committees together.
She was a person who made a positive difference in the community. She served on the Redevelopment Authority and Town Meeting for decades. She was intelligent, interested and curious, had a great sense of humor and was gracious.
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Kari Ridge of Leverett sent an email about the return of the Spring Fling at the Leverett Co-op May 22 from noon until 4 p.m., rain or shine.
She wrote that the event is “the beloved outdoor community festival that combines live music, food, games and a live auction.”
The Boys of the Landfill will perform. The live auction begins at 3 p.m. and will benefit the co-op.
A BagShare Project Party will help attendees transform feed bags into reusable shopping bags.
For information, call 367-9794.
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The South Church signature meal — chicken salad, asparagus and strawberry shortcake — will be available Saturday, June 4 for pickup between 5 and 6 p.m. A non-meat chicken option is available. For reservations, call 253-2977 or email office@south church.org.
Tickets are $16. Some of the proceeds support local charities.
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Once again we missed an astronomical event — the eclipse last weekend — because of the rain and clouds. We have missed many such events, including comets and meteor showers. While the events are available on YouTube, it’s not the same.
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