The Lehrer Report: Aug. 29, 2024

Published: 09-03-2024 11:20 AM

Reminder: Monday, Sept. 2 is Labor Day, a federal holiday. Public schools, offices, libraries and post offices will be closed. The supermarkets will be open and selling Halloween candy. In fact, some stores already have mounds of candy bars.

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Garden report: The sugar snap peas are up. I will harvest the potatoes and onions this week. The New England asters have bloomed. The hollyhocks are 2 inches tall. We will set if they can bloom before the frost hits.

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The end of the summer means it’s time to announce the postcard contest winners.

Marcie Sclove of Amherst send the postcard from the greatest distance, India.

The Sweeting family of Amherst came in second with a card and email from Kyoto, Japan. Both will receive vegetables from the garden: tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, peppers and herbs. The domestic postcard winner is Linda Marston of Amherst, who sent a card from East Longmeadow.

The winter postcard contest now begins with the winners receiving homemade cookies.

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Thank you to all who sent cards, emails and photos.

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Tuesday, Sept. 3 is primary election day. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

I will be a poll worker at the Amherst Regional High School. Please remember to vote.

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Condolences to the family and friends of Dorothy Muskus. Those who have been in town for many years would remember Dorothy and her brother, Michael, working at Louis Foods on University Drive. When the supermarket closed, many of us were pleased that they were hired by Big Y.

Dorothy was sweet, gentle and was a very good bagger. She called me and others “Hon.” It made me feel very welcome. She would often purse her lips and blow the blonde bangs out of her eyes. She was special.

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The Senior Center will hold its second annual pop-up closet fundraiser on Saturday, Sept. 21 at the Amherst Farmers Market on the Common. To succeed, donation of scarves, jewelry, wallets, purses, etc. are needed. Only donate items in good condition, please. Bring donations to the Senior Center by Sept. 13. Thank you.

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Send items for the Lehrer Report to phyllehrer@gmail.com.