AMHERST — A new Silver Shuttle that will provide van service for local senior citizens is now being operated by the Amherst Senior Center.
The van, replacing one that was not fully accessible and which was suspended during the pandemic, will run Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. from the Bangs Community Center.
The service is available to the 5,200 or so Amherst residents who are 60 and older. Ride service is designed for individuals coming to the Senior Center who are going to medical appointments and grocery shopping. The service provides rides within Amherst and to locations in Hadley and Northampton.
Pioneer Valley Transit Authority last November donated a retired paratransit van, equipped with a lift so those in wheelchairs or using walkers can ride in it. In addition to senior services staff, the van got support from state Rep. Mindy Domb.
Riders may bring one companion or aide. New riders will be asked to complete a brief intake. The service is also supported by the Friends of the Amherst Senior, which suggests that riders make a small donation.
Previously, the center operated the Senior Surrey from 1972 to 1996, then the van, as well as depending on PVTA’s paratransit and dial-a-ride service.
Those interested in booking a ride or getting more information can call 413-259-3060.
The Garden Club of Amherst is holding its plant sale on the Town Common May 20 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
A tent will be placed on the green, allowing the sale to be held rain or shine.
The plants are donated by members of the Garden Club.
A pizza and grinder shop near the University of Massachusetts campus and two new food trucks will provide more dining options during the day and even late at night.
Campus Pizza is the name of the restaurant that will be opening in the Amherst Creamery building at the corner of Fearing Street and Sunset Avenue, to be operated by Amit Kanoujia, and replacing the Sunset Pizza & Grill.
“We’re just changing the name, really,” said Kanoujia, a UMass graduate whose family has run the India House restaurant in Northampton. He is hiring kitchen staff and delivery drivers and will offer food, especially for the students returning from their bar trips.
The food trucks include Thai Chili Food Truck, run by Supicha Hillenbrand, and Ice Cream Emergency, operated by Hatfield residents and sisters Addie Stiles and Alyce Stiles.
Amherst has been awarded its Tree City USA designation from the Arbor Day Foundation, a title it has held since 1986.
The town has a Tree and Grounds within the Department of Public Works, a crew responsible for the care and maintenance of the public shade trees, and a Public Shade Tree Committee that works in conjunction with Tree Warden Alan Snow on selection, care and planting of trees, and special outreach events for the public.
The town has about 15,000 public shade trees lining 106 miles of roads, parks and commons.
“It’s an honor to live and work in a community that has abundant natural green spaces and is committed to promoting the goals and vision of the Tree City USA Program. Staff in our department work every day to make a difference in the community and for future generations,” Snow said.
Town Manager Paul Bockelman noted that the budget proposal for fiscal 2024 includes a significant increase for the care and planting of trees.
“The residents of Amherst should be proud to live in a community that makes the planting and care of trees a priority,” said Dan Lambe, Arbor Day Foundation’s chief executive.
Amherst resident Joran Pitts, 15, a cadet member of the Civil Air Patrol, U.S. Air Force Auxiliary, recently earned his Curry Achievement and was promoted to Cadet Airman. Pitts is part of the Brig. Gen. Pierce Squadron that meets weekly.
On hand to pin on his new insignia were is parents, Paulina Alenkina and James Pitts.
“Cadet Pitts is a dedicated and hard-working cadet who has shown great potential to succeed,” Major Steve Lauzon, the unit’s commanding officer, said in a statement.
A program on singing frogs, led by Alex Dohan, Mass Audobon’s statewide education department coordinator, takes place virtually May 18 from 2 to 3 p.m.
Part of a spring nature series at the Jones Library, Dohan will describe local frogs and their calls.
Go to www.joneslibrary.org to register.
MONDAY: Town Council and Finance Committee, joint meeting on budget and capital improvement program. 5:30 p.m.
WEDNESDAY: Elementary School Building Site, Design and Sustainability subcommittees, 9 a.m., noon and 3 p.m.
