Garden report: The tomatoes have begun a second season. There are tiny green globes and blossoms. When they are big enough and ready to turn red, I will have to protect them with netting from the squirrels.
The rain Monday was much needed. It means I don’t have to water for two days. While not long lasting, it was steady, not a shower. However, we need more.
The freezer now includes corn, peppers, tomatoes, zucchini, yellow squash, onions and carrots, as well as spaghetti sauce. I take a bag of each vegetable and make soup in the winter.
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The McMurrer family of Amherst sent a postcard from Duluth, Minnesota, which is the world’s largest and furthest from the ocean inland port, according to the card, which depicts the aerial lift bridge. The family attended a reunion and ate fried walleye and cheese curds.
Bruce and Val Penniman of Amherst sent a card from Orkney, off the northeastern coast of Scotland, that depicted the standing stones, St. Magnus Cathedral, a puffin and the Old Man of Hoy, which is a rock formation. The trip is their two-year delayed 50th anniversary visit to Great Britain. The Orkneys was the northernmost part of the trip. Their opinion: “very beautiful.”
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The Pennimans’ delayed visit turned out well since they came in second in the summer postcard contest. They will receive vegetables from the garden. The onions, scallions, leeks, potatoes and beans are ready but the tomatoes will be delayed.
The first place winners with the card from the greatest distance are Judy Barter and Michele Melchionda of Amherst, who sent a card from Wurzburg, Bavaria, Germany. They will receive more vegetables than the Pennimans.
The winter postcard contest now begins with senders receiving homemade cookies for sending cards from the greatest distance. Hand-delivered and email entries count. Thank you for all who send cards.
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The Amherst Rotary Community Fair is this weekend, Friday 3 to 10 p.m., Saturday 1 to 10 p.m. and Sunday 1 to 6 p.m. The rides were being set up on the Town Common on Tuesday.
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Mary Lou Ferro Conca of Shutesbury sent me an email about her poetry show hanging at the Leverett Village Co-op, 180 Rattlesnake Gutter Road, Leverett. She wrote: “‘Broken Lens’ are original poems reflecting the beauty and injustices of life, accompanied by my family’s original artwork. My pieces rotate every couple of weeks.”
The co-op is open Sunday-Thursday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
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The Amherst History Museum’s free summer concert series — Strings at the Strong — continues Saturday Aug. 27, at 2 p.m. with Conway Fine Ats. The concert is in the side yard. Bring a chair or blanket.
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