Network Amherst: The Lehrer Report

By Phyllis Lehrer

Published on September 25, 2009

It's time. While I love my job and all the opportunities it created to talk to people, chronicle their lives and be present at history, the pad and pencil will remain in the drawer as I formally retire from the paper at the end of the month. However, I will continue my column. I don't want to lose my connection to people, events and all that is happening. And I still want the postcards.

I started writing for the Amherst Record in 1976 and joined the Bulletin/Gazette in 1984. For more than 33 years it's been my pleasure and privilege to be a reporter. I covered quite a bit of territory: the schools, Conservation Commission, Zoning Board, Planning Board, Town Meetings, elections, Select Board, fires and funerals, retirements and reunions in the towns of Amherst, Pelham, Leverett, Shutesbury and Hadley. I used to keep a list of all the high school principals I worked with and it became quite long. I was a sports writer one summer. I took pictures with the office Pentax, then the Sure Shot.

I started on an electric typewriter, then a computer with a modem, a computer with floppy discs. Now we have flat screens with internet connections. Basically I am still typing.

I have been yelled at and threatened, there were complaints that stories were all wrong. When checking the piece, the facts were accurate but the folks were unhappy with the content, which is understandable at times. I made typos and misspelled names. Now we are fortunate to have spell check.

You have welcomed me into your homes, offices, and businesses and generously and graciously answered my questions. Thank you all very much for making my job easy.

One group that deserves special mention is the school secretaries. I always said when they retired I would have to. The women, and they were women, always knew what was happening in the schools, where the staff were and when they would be available and delivered the messages. I couldn't do my job without them and am grateful for all their help.

Going through the files, looking at the clips, brings back lot of memories. Seeing the same crowd several times a month at meetings over the years creates a bond that lasts. That's been special for me and developed into some long lasting friendships.

What next? I have two twin granddaughters that I can now see more often since I have no set schedule. There is a garage and basement that need sorting and cleaning as well as yard work, a never ending chore.

There is a luxury I look forward to: reading a book in the afternoon. I am in three book groups.

I am a member of several clubs so the calendar will be penciled in. I can do lunch.

Everyone is invited to stop by the Bulletin office, 100 University Dr. for a reception. Oct. 1 from 4 to 6 p.m. so I can thank you personally for what you have meant to me.

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Have you observed a random act of kindness, or something that was just plain funny? The Bulletin invites readers to send brief, true tales of life in Amherst to Network@gazettenet.com, for possible use in Phyllis Lehrer's weekly column. Please include your name.