Around Amherst: Trivia Bee fundraiser moving to The Drake in 30th year

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STAFF PHOTOWEB ONLY STAFF PHOTO

By SCOTT MERZBACH

Staff Writer

Published: 10-10-2024 6:55 PM

AMHERST — The Annual Trivia Bee, a long-running fundraiser for the Amherst Education Foundation that has typically been staged in school auditoriums, is moving to a downtown location in its 30th year.

Scheduled for Oct. 28 at 6:30 p.m., the event that brings out teams to compete in knowledge and to dress up in advance of Halloween, will be held at The Drake.

Amherst Business Improvement District Executive Director John Page, who chairs the education foundation’s events committee, said a new site was sought to mark the milestone year.

“We were looking for a smaller downtown location and The Drake generously donated their space for the fundraiser, and we are excited to explore a new venue in this special 30th anniversary year,” Page said.

The competition involves four-member teams sponsored by local businesses and organizations. A raffle for gift cards from area restaurants and businesses will also be held, with pizza and refreshments on sale. It is the biggest fundraiser of the year and proceeds support programs and projects created by public school teachers and staff in the regional school district towns of Amherst, Pelham, Leverett and Shutesbury. To register a team, go to bit.ly/2024-trivia.

Gabrielle Gould, executive director of the Downtown Amherst Foundation that oversees The Drake, said the performance hall already does a lot with local high school and community partners when not booked for national and regional acts, and was happy to respond to Page’s request. “This is a great way for The Drake to see more of our community, support our public schools and have fun,” Gould said.

Page said the event will be similar to previous ones, though there will be a “Jeopardy!” element with some categories being the “Amherst Double.” There will be prizes for costume winners and the winning team will have its name engraved on a plaque.

Superintendent E. Xiomara Herman will be the emcee, while former high school English teacher Bruce Penniman put together the trivia questions.

Oct. 7 reflections and rally

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Yesterday's Most Read Articles

On the one-year anniversary of the Hamas-led attacks on Israel, District 2 Councilor Pat DeAngelis used the final minutes of Monday’s Town Council meeting to reflect on the 1,195 Israelis and foreign nationals who were killed that day, the 251 people taken hostage and how that prompted what has become the deadliest war for Palestinians.

DeAngelis quoted political activist Ralph Nader, speaking on the Democracy Now program, about the destruction in Gaza, with 41,788 confirmed deaths, and also noted reports of Palestinian children shot by Israeli snipers as they are walking to school or playing in rubble, and the mounting death toll from lack of food, water and medical care, citing a Lancet report that indirect deaths total well over 300,000.

“We must acknowledge that the actions the Israeli government continues to take in this war are genocidal,” DeAngelis said. “To do less is to deny the humanity of the Palestinian people in Gaza, here in Amherst and around the world.”

DeAngelis also called for people to investigate and support joining the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement.

The Town Council meeting came two days after a multifaith vigil was held on the Town Common to mourn those who have died in Gaza, including 17,000 children, and to reflect on the pain and suffering of Arab and Muslim families.

Employee accomplishments

Two Amherst Town Hall employees in the town clerk’s and treasurer’s office recently earned designations from professional associations.

Assistant Town Clerk Amber Martin achieved the certified municipal clerk designation from the International Institute of Municipal Clerks after completing the rigorous program. Martin joined the office in 2019 as a management assistant.

“The knowledge I’ve gained and connections I’ve made throughout this journey are invaluable,” Martin said.

Assistant Treasurer Brooke Johnson recently achieved the certified Massachusetts municipal assistant treasurer from the Massachusetts Collectors Treasurers Association after completing three years of required courses and an exam. Johnson began her career in the office in 2020 and was promoted to assistant treasurer in 2021.

“The last three years leading up to this were difficult and it is so rewarding to see my hard work pay off,” Johnson said.

Town Manager Paul Bockelman applauded both employees as bringing the highest degree of professionalism and code of ethics to their work, ensuring the town’s records are maintained and elections are held in a manner that is above reproach, and building public trust that the town’s finances are managed with integrity and efficiency.

Crocker Farm and Shutesbury Elementary recognized

The state’s Department of Elementary and Secondary Education recently awarded Crocker Farm School in Amherst and Shutesbury Elementary School 2024 School of Recognition for their commitments to excellence and dedication to student achievement.

The two schools were among several recognized by the state through its district and school accountability system.

Indigenous Peoples Day

Town Hall and public schools will be closed for Indigenous Peoples Day on Monday.

Retail stores, though, can all maintain regular hours based on a blanket permit issued by Police Chief Gabriel Ting.

Meetings

WEDNESDAY: Planning Board, 6:45 p.m.

THURSDAY: Zoning Board of Appeals, 6 p.m.