AMHERST — During World War II, a recruiting slogan stated, “She’s a WOW.”
For those playing for the East Amherst Eggheads team, knowing that WOW stood for “Woman Ordnance Worker” earned five points. It also crowned Tim Hope, Josh Polak and Kurt Sundeen as champions at the recent Amherst Trivia Bee.
In what organizer John Page of the Amherst Education Foundation said was a record-setting year, 24 teams and more than 100 players faced off for recognition as mavens of arcane knowledge, with many local businesses, nonprofits and community organizations sponsoring teams.
Held at The Drake in downtown Amherst, the 32nd contest raised $14,140 to support grant applications from teachers and staff at the Amherst, Amherst-Pelham Regional and Pelham, Shutesbury and Leverett schools, to bring students innovative projects and learning opportunities.
“The Trivia Bee is truly a community fundraiser in which local businesses, town employees and community members come together to make a difference for the students in our public
schools,” said Kerry Crosby, director of development for the Amherst Education
Foundation.
From the stage, School Superintendent E. Xiomara Herman, outfitted in special sneakers for the occasion, served as the emcee and quizmaster, reading the clues picked off a Jeopardy!-style board, while high school principal Marc Gomes, wearing a sweatshirt stating “In My Hurricane Era,” roamed among the teams, holding a microphone and acting as the judge.
Bruce Penniman, a retired teacher, wrote the questions, with some in a special category titled “Amherst 1776,” provided by the Amherst History Center.
Many players dressed in costume, which also came with its own prize. That went to the Quiz Me Baby One More Time team, a play on the Britney Spears’ pop song, whose members were Allegra Clark, Luisa Feng, Soleil Sonoda and Rob Thornton.
As players and a few spectators gathered, food was available from both Sibie’s and Antonio’s pizza parlors and other restaurants. The Trivia Bee had 25 sponsors, with Amherst College the underwriter.
While this is the biggest annual fundraiser, the foundation continues to seek donations throughout the year.
MA FRESH grants
The Massachusetts Farm to School program is awarding $52,766 in Massachusetts Farming Reinforces Education and Student Health grants to the Amherst, Pelham and Amherst-Pelham Regional schools.
The three districts, which share a nutrition department, intend to use the money, coordinated through the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, to expand food literacy and food systems education. This will happen through monthly cafeteria taste tests in collaboration with Dig In, a local business focused on helping young people build meaningful relationships with food and the natural world.
“We’re very excited about all of the ways these grant funds will help us enhance food-related experiences at all of our schools, while also supporting local farmers and businesses,” said Jennifer Reese, the district’s science and social studies curriculum and instruction coordinator.
The MA FRESH grants will also support increased local food purchasing, scratch cooking and professional development for school nutrition staff and educators.
Other local recipients of these grants were NorthStar Learning Center in Sunderland and the South Hadley public schools.
Taizé services
South Congregational Church, 1066 South East St., has begun “Calm and Candelight” Taizé services that will take place on the second Wednesday of each month, with a soup supper at 5:30 p.m. and service at 6:30 p.m.
The supper is homemade soup and the service has music from the French monks of Taizé. The service will have some scripture, a poem and a prayer woven through the music, along with silent meditation for eight minutes.
After Veterans Day, the next Taizé services will be Dec. 9, Jan. 13, Feb. 10, which also coincides with Ash Wednesday — March 10 and April 14.
The Rev. Dr. Susan Cartmell, the church’s new pastor, said people usually light a candle and sit in the early evening light of the sanctuary before singing along with the piano and oboe.
Chilly Challenge
The Center for Women & Community at the University of Massachusetts is inviting people to the Chilly Challenge fundraiser Saturday.
Running from 10:30 a.m. to noon at Puffer’s Pond in North Amherst. the challenge is an annual event that began in 2021 to bring the community together while raising awareness and supporting services provided to those impacted by violence.
Participants help raise awareness and funds that go toward sexual assault support, advocacy and prevention services in Hampshire County. Last year, 140 participants, along with business sponsors, brought in $7,000.
After the dip in the water, warm chili, cider and desserts will be provided by UMass Dining.
Go to https://www.umass.edu/student-life/cwc-chilly-challenge to sign up or donate.
East Amherst study
A zoning study of the East Amherst area, which could yield more density and a better variety of housing, is underway by the Innes Land Strategies Group of Newburyport.
Funded by a community planning grant from the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, a preliminary outreach event was held on Oct. 15, with consultants speaking to residents, business owners and employees by tabling at places like Colonial Village apartments.
Supriya Kelkar, a senior planner and urban designer with Innes, recently gave a progress report to the Planning Board. An exisitng conditions analysis being completed will eventually lead to proposals for potential future land uses, Kelkar said.
Meetings
MONDAY: Board of Registrars, 9 a.m., First Floor Meeting Room, Town Hall; Local Historic District Commission, 3 p.m.; Town Council budget hearing, 6:30 p.m., Town Room, Town Hall.
WEDNESDAY: Energy and Climate Action Committee, 5:30 p.m.; Planning Board, 6:30 p.m.
THURSDAY: Budget Coordinating Committee, 4 p.m.
