Reminder: Real estate taxes are due Aug. 1, which is Monday.

***

Garden report: The salvia, Stokes aster, morning glory and black-eyed Susans have bloomed. One of my hanging pots with pansies withered and the other one is fine.

The tomatoes, onions and peppers are being harvested. I have done two cuttings of thyme sprigs to dry. The parsley, flat and curly, and the mint can be cut and dried as well.

I will plant lettuce seeds this weekend for a fall crop. I will wait another week before trying snap peas.

Too many weeds, so little time.

***

I was spoiled on my trip: seven days — count them, seven days — without rain!

***

Series Derin of Amherst sent me an email about the Zonta Club of Northampton Area fundraising event, Zonta Palooza, that will be held Sunday, Aug. 6 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Northampton Center for Arts, 33 Hawley St. The event benefits the club’s STEM Scholarships given to young women in local higher education institutions. The event includes music, food and raffles. For tickets visit Northampton.ZontaDistrict1.org.

Serin is the president of the Zonta Club.

***

The League of Women Voters, of which I am a member, holds the second weekend of its book sale Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 5 and 6, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. the Fort River Elementary School.

***

How fortunate that the Amherst Community Band Concert was Saturday outdoors in the sunshine.

The band generally plays on Friday nights but switched because a concert scheduled on the Town Common Friday night was canceled because of the weather.

However, the August concert is back on Friday. The correct time is 6:30 p.m. not 6 p.m, as noted in some listings. The complete schedule and times are on the band’s Facebook page, along with photos of past concerts.

***

When will the traffic light be back in operation at the corner of East and Main streets? What a surprise that was in reaching the intersection. I generally don’t drive into town that way but did in order to get to the bank. Fortunately people can read the stop signs. I hope they are well lit at night.

***

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

]]>