Network Amherst

Published on October 27, 2006

Happy Halloween. Each year more decorations appear on lawns, adding color when the bright fall leaves are gone.

Reminder: Daylight savings time ends Saturday. Change your clocks by turning them back to gain an hour.

Another reminder: Real estate taxes are due Nov. 1.

* * *

I was a facilitator at one of the master plan brainstorming sessions. More than 100 attended, and it was a mix of retirees and those still working. It attracted academics, businesspeople, professionals and artists. Some people with young children still in school came as well. People who were unable to come can still comment at the Web site www.planningamhersttogether.com.

All the ideas suggested are being posted on the Bulletin Web site. Check it out.

* * *

Nancy Kaminski is organizing a bus trip to New York City Dec. 2. The bus leaves from Northampton at 6:30 a.m. and leaves New York at 7:30 p.m. The bus will make three stops in New York, and you are on your own for the day. The cost is $33 and includes pastry, movies and a tip for the driver. For information and reservations, call Kaminski at 789-1809. This is the same trip that Susan Krzanowksi has organized for years.

* * *

John Chin Gibbons, of Hadley, was honored for 30 years of service to the state and Department of Mental Retardation. ... Barbara Rogala, of Hadley, was cited for 40 years of service at Cooley Dickinson Hospital. Laura Balsley, of Hadley, was cited for 30 years of service at the hospital, while Susan Gomberg, of Shutesbury, and Eileen Szczepanski, of Hadley, have been at the hospital for 25 years.

Lauren Thom, the daughter of David and Pauline Thom, of Valley View Circle in Amherst, and Christopher Ducharme, of South Deerfield, were named to the dean's list at Southern New Hamsphire University in Manchester, N.H. She is majoring in fashion merchandising, and he majoring in information technology.

Kelly Morgan, the daughter of Steve Morgan and Mary Ellen Kelly, of Lawton Road in Leverett, has been named a commended student in the National Merit Scholarship Program. She is a senior at the Stoneleigh-Burnham School in Greenfield.

* * *

In the 'isn't it a small world' experience, Jean Schoen, of Amherst, reports that she went to visit her son, Beau, in Taos, N.M. He is building a solar home for Joan and Hank Livingstone. Joan was an editor at the Gazette for many years and she moved to New Mexico this summer. Joan sends her greetings to all.

* * *

Kathy Vorwerk Feldman, of Amherst, sent a card that was mailed by mule at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. She reports that the views are fantastic. The mule ride down to the bottom was an arduous Western adventure.

* * *

Make a Difference Day, sponsored by USA Weekend magazine, is coming back to the area. Schools are holding food drives to supply local food pantries, survival centers and the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts. In addition, residents can volunteer a few hours for projects Oct. 28. For example, the ABC House on North Prospect Street can use help raking leaves and sorting what's in the barn. The Habitat for Humanity House being built on Stanley Street can also use help. Food can always be donated to the Amherst Survival Center and the Interfaith Council holds a monthly food drive at Stop & Shop.

--By Phyllis Lehrer