Garden Report: The lisianthus and Sweet William have bloomed, at last. I will make spaghetti sauce this week. I am delighted to say it won’t be the hottest day of the summer. I have harvested herbs — basil, oregano, thyme and dill. I will pick the mint next.
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Thanks to the folks who have sent suggestions about deterring vegetable-eating critters. One said put cayenne pepper around the crops, another suggested mint and another suggested leaving containers of water to deal with thirst. Several agreed the drought has caused them to seek moisture from vegetables.
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First Hastings, now the Merry Maple. What’s next to be lost.
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Happy Birthday to Tommy Benfey of Amherst. The Aug. 20 birthday wishes are at the request of Erin Piñon. Here is the email she sent me. Another feel-good story.
“You might know my boyfriend and his family. His name is Tommy Benfey and he recently won your winter cookie contest with a postcard from Yerevan, Armenia. I was in Amherst for Christmas with his family and we all very much enjoyed your cookies! I’m actually back in Armenia, where I research as part of my graduate studies. Last year Tommy joined me on a research trip, and I showed him around Armenia for the first time. We planned to repeat the trip this summer as I have some work to do here, however, due to his work schedule he was unable to come. Sadly, this means I won’t be able to spend Tommy’s birthday with him on August 20th. I wondered if you might be willing to wish Tommy a happy birthday in the Lehrer Report. He is a devout fan, and it would mean a lot. I’m working extra hard to make sure he has a nice day since we cannot be together.
I understand as winner of the post card contest he’s already had his moment in the spotlight. I also know there’s much more to cover in Amherst than a single birthday. In any case, I figured I would ask. I’m from Dallas and spending time in Amherst has taught me a lot about what I value in life. Reading the paper with Tommy’s parents in the morning, running into family friends on the bike path, watching the lighting of the merry maples — all things that I was never able to experience growing up in a big city. There’s some magic in those interactions and in that atmosphere that I’m honored to share now. Your column is definitely part of that.
Thank you for considering this. Warm regards from the Lori Region of Armenia (slightly closer to Amherst than Yerevan so I can’t even throw in my hat for the cookie contest!). ”
Actually, she can send a postcard and be entered in the contest, which concludes at the end of the month. Then the winter postcard contest with cookies as the prize begins.
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Saturday, Aug. 27, is the last day to register to vote for the Sept. 6 state primary election. Town Hall will be open to register voters from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. It’s also the first day of early voting.
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Send items for the Lehrer report to phyllehrer@gmail.com.
