Network Amherst: The Lehrer Report

By Phyllis Lehrer

Published on February 27, 2009

March birthdays: Laura Richards, Alan Jacque, Mary McVay, Myron Chudzik, Elaine Posever, Glenn Stowell, Alice Booth, Mark Niedbala, Beverly Richardson, Jean O'Neil, Scott Kellogg, Jennie Majewski, Richard Thayer, Fatima Hasanovic, James Wald, Robert Garmirian, Caren Rotello, Brook Sullivan, Trina Hosmer, Rhea Cabin, Carol Wilson, Robert Mcilwain, Sheila Klem, David Crowe, Elizabeth McNamara, Clark Dougan, Josephus Richards, Anne Stoddard, Madelene Benoit, Julius Gundersheim, Casimir Kudlacik, Martha Mitchell, Bruce Tilden, Nancy Patteson, Gary Behmka, Kayla Werlin, Richard Yarrows, Alice Kibbe, Kenneth Kowal, Ronna Erikson, Richard Shuman, Joseph Ames.

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Not Bread Alone is holding a Soup and Song fundraiser March 7 at the First Congregational Church, the site of its Wednesday and weekend meal program. All-you-can-eat soup and garlic bread is served at 5 p.m. with a concert at 7 p.m. Tickets are at Hastings, Amherst Books or at the door.

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Ohio Wesleyan sophomore Rowena Jones, the daughter of Deidre Jones, of Montague Road in Shutesbury, was a member of the four-person team that won the 1,600 meter relay in 4:14.38 at one meet and won the NCAC meet with a time of 4:10.30. The quartet finished second in the 800-meter relay.

Catherine Russell, the daughter of Thomas and Catherine Russell, of Eveningstar Drive in Amherst, was named to the dean's list at St. Lawrence University in Canton, N.Y., where she is a freshman. She graduated from Williston Northampton School.

Jenae Thom, the daughter of David Thom, of Valley View Circle in Amherst, and Heather Earle, the daughter of Kenneth and Marylelia Earle, of Woodlawn Road in Hadley, were named to the dean's list at Fitchburg State College.

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Monika Vizedom was shopping at Stop and Shop and reports this act of kindness. "Checking out, I handed over my reusable bags with my usual plea, "I know these bags are big but please pack them lightly. I have a bad back.' I never know what the packer's definition of lightly will be, and often find myself removing items from the bags to carry separately. But the man packing my groceries this day, whose name is Louis, packed the first bag and gave it to me to lift. When I said it was a little too heavy he removed an item and gave it to me to check the weight again. When I said it was fine, he proceeded to check every bag he packed against the first one. I really appreciated this unusual consideration of my need."

Win Sayer, of Amherst, reports another act of kindness. She was at Henion Bakery and had a lot of change and a $20 bill. She decided to use the change for her purchase but came up a dime short. A hand came from behind her put a dime on the counter. She turned and thanked the man saying, "Chivalry is not dead."

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The Amherst Brewing Company blended a special celebration brew in honor of the town's 250th Anniversary. It's a pale ale designed by Brewmaster Mike Yates and several batches will be produced throughout the year. They always create a brew to celebrate their anniversary.