AMHERST — An Amherst resident who for nearly two decades has actively supported an organization that provides one-on-one case management for vulnerable families will be among those honored at this year’s A+ Awards by the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce.
Betsey McInnis will receive the Lifetime Achievement award for her board leadership for Family Outreach of Amherst, including hosting the annual “Light Up the Night” benefit.
The awards, being presented virtually from the Hadley Farms Meeting House on the evening of Nov. 12, are going to individuals and organizations that “enrich the life of the community through their work in education, business, and civic engagement across the area that the chamber serves.”
“In this year, it feels more important than ever to recognize our leaders who have led differently, and pivoted to create new economic opportunities during the most challenging of times we will likely experience in our lifetimes,” Claudia Pazmany, executive director of the chamber, said in a statement.
Phoenix Fruit Farm in Belchertown, owned by Elly Vaughan, is receiving the Leader in Innovation award for being instrumental in cultivating relationships with other local businesses to improve the economic climate of Belchertown, while Kestrel Land Trust of Amherst is earning the Leader in Sustainability award for its half-century of forestland protection, farmland conservation and creation of recreational space.
The Young Professional award honors Ash Crawford, director of operations at Amherst Coffee, for keeping the business afloat during the pandemic while simultaneously growing Quivr, a coffee and tea brand company.
The Community Service award is going to Mercedes-Benz of Springfield for its contributions to local nonprofits, and the Chamber MVP is Lisa Eugin of Encharter Insurance, who helped create the Launching Women Luncheon series programming.
At the event, participants will also select a 2020 COVID-Hero.
Amherst has issued a series of guidelines aimed at keeping families, children and residents handing out candy safe during trick-or-treating.
Included in the advisory, issued with input from acting Health Director Jennifer Brown, is for trick-or-treaters to wear face coverings over their mouths and noses, even if wearing a costume mask, and encouraging people to turn off their exterior lights at their homes if they don’t want to participate.
A Halloween car parade, called Trick or Treat My Ride, will be held from 3 to 4 p.m. on Saturday for families in the Amherst public schools. Registration is required for the free event and can be done so by going to the LSSE Facebook page.
A one-day pop up ski shop for ski and winter gear sale will be held Saturday on the grounds of the Simeon Strong House, 67 Amity St.
Sponsored by the Amherst Historical Society, the sale will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Downhill and cross-country skis, helmets, ski poles and boots and outdoor clothes will be available.
Ski experts will be on hand to assist with sizing and selection.
For more information, contact Bonnie MacCracken at bmaccracken@comcast.net or 687-9493.
Maurianne Adams, who served as a member of the Local Historic District Commission and helped create the Amherst Community Land Trust, was recalled at a recent Planning Board meeting for her diligence in following town zoning changes.
Adams, a longtime professor at the University of Massachusetts, died in October.
Planning Director Christine Brestrup said Adams had a gentle, collegial way of sharing her perspective and saw herself as a bridge between town government and those with concerns about how actions affected residents. “She was one who really cared about neighborhoods, especially ones near the university,” Brestrup said.
Planning Board Chairman Jack Jemsek said Adams was always polite in bringing her opinions forward and will be sorely missed.
District 3 Councilor Dorothy Pam added that Adams represented Quaker ways in bringing gentleness and respect to discussions, but also speaking truth to power. “I do want to honor a very string woman tonight,” Pam said.
TUESDAY: Board of Registrars, 8 p.m., town clerk’s office, Town Hall.
WEDNESDAY: Community Resources Committee, joint meeting with the Planning Board, 8 p.m., virtual via Zoom.
THURSDAY: Community Preservation Act Committee, 6 p.m., virtual meeting via Zoom.
