December begins this week. I am so glad we are getting closer to the end of this year. It started out with such promise — the date alone was special: 2020. The pandemic caused many trials, tribulations and tragedies. Unemployment, housing evictions, remote leaning, closed businesses, no movies, concerts, public meetings, lockdowns and curfews, the list goes on. Social agencies and nonprofits need help to serve those in need. You will probably get many requests to help — if you can contribute thank you. If you need help, don’t be afraid to ask.
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Lisa Solowiej, volunteer and outreach coordinator at the Amherst Survival Center, sent me an email about a drive for kids’ warm weather items. She said the center plans to provide each child up to 17 years old with a warm weather item during the month of December.
“We are looking to collect new warm weather items, including socks, mittens, gloves, hats and scarves in a range of sizes, from babies/toddlers all the way up to older teenagers who are in adult sizes. We would appreciate help from the community in making this happen,” she wrote.
You can drop off donations at the center. For information, call 413-238-1376 or email.
This would be a good project for knitters.
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The Merry Maple will be held this year, but virtually. The ceremony will be held Dec. 4 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on Facebook and Amherst Media, organized by the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce and the Business Improvement District.
The event includes a performance by the UMass Minuteman Marching Band, Amherst Ballet, author TonyDiTerlizzi reading “A Broken Ornament” and singer Ilana Morris. Other guests are expected.
Santa will arrive in a horse-drawn wagon. The tree will be lit. Last week I saw some lights lit in anticipation of Friday’s turn-on.
We do need light at this time of year. Several houses have had decorations and lights right after Halloween.
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I miss the center island that was on South Pleasant Street between the bank and parking lot. You could make it halfway across the street, at times stopping on the island. It also had lovely plantings.
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Send items for the Lehrer Report to phyllehrer@gmail.com.
