AMHERST — More than 100 residents at Applewood Retirement Community made their voices heard on the Saturday morning before Easter, appealing to preserve democracy and fight against actions by the Trump administration during a “No King” protest.

With a large banner reading “Elders Stand up for Democracy” displayed along the sidewalk, and people holding signs with phrases such as “bullies are not leaders” and “morons are governing America,” the Aplewood Democracy Club lined West Bay Road. The protesters were joined by state Rep. Mindy Domb, D-Amherst.

Domb posted on Facebook that the seniors were “exercising their right to come together in community and protest the Trump administration’s threats to due process, individual health and safety, necessary programs, democracy and more.”

“What a great reception from drivers passing by. I was so glad I could join them for some of their standout to reaffirm our commitment to #NoKing,” she wrote.

Applewood residents have been active before in drawing attention to social justice issues in the space across from the Hampshire College campus and the Eric Carle Museum, such as in June 2020 when they joined in racial justice actions following the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer.

Daffodil Run

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County, a program of the Center for Human Development, is holding its 15th annual Daffodil Run from the Town Common Sunday.

Starting at 10 a.m., people can walk or run a 5K race, or run a 10K race, with a post-race party with food. Money raised supports youth mentoring by connecting adults to younger people.

Benefit concert

The Amherst A Better Chance program will be the beneficiary of the Gospel Choir Concert Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at Grace Episcopal Church.

Three area choirs, the Amherst Regional High School Hurricane Singers under the direction of Todd Fruth, the Amherst Area Gospel Choir under the direction of Mareatha Wallace and the University of Massachusetts Gospel Choir under the direction of David Akoh, will perform.

“We are privileged to partner with these local choirs and bring the community together through the power of music,” Tem Ferreira, resident director of the ABC House on North Prospect Street said in a statement. “We hope that this concert will be a fun and meaningful event and allow us all to sing our values.”

People can pay with cash or check at the door or online at https://www.amherstabetterchance.org/donate/.

Library history

Before the renovation and expansion of the Jones Library at 43 Amity St. begins, the history of both the 1928 building and its 1990s addition are being recognized.

Library Director Sharon Sharry recently told trustees for the library that three aspects of a memorandum of agreement with the Massachusetts Historical Commission will provide the public information about the building’s history.

A so-called Matterport scan done by Finegold Alexander Architects that captures a three-dimensional view of the building as it exists in early 2025 will be posted on the library website. Sharry said the library is paying to host a link from its website to this scan. “It’s a very cool 3-D model,” Sharry said.

The second aspect is architecture and design photography being done by Stephen A. Miller of Southampton. Miller is taking what Sharry said are high-quality pictures of all areas of the building, inside and out.

Finally, the library has a contract with Ginny Adams, the former senior architectural historian at the Public Archaeology Laboratory in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, who will be writing a detailed history of the library building.

Building conversion approved

With Bruno’s Pizza closing after 40 years in business late last year, the 363 Main St. building will become an entirely residential space.

The Local Historical District Commission recently approved changes that will include replacing the front door for customers with a window, and altering the position of other windows.

The commission OK’d an issuing of a certificate of appropriateness to Roula Anamisis, who requested the changes for the building, which is part of the Emily Dickinson Local Historic District.

Until closing last December, Bruno’s had been open since 1984, mostly as a takeout and delivery business, with residential rental units in other parts of the building. Before Bruno’s, the building housed Whole Wheat Pizza Factory, and a pizza shop had been at the location since at least the late 1960s.

Commission member Bruce Coldham suggested that Anamisis might preserve the exterior signs in some fashion to reflect the site’s business use for more than 50 years.

Meetings

MONDAY: Town Council, 6:30 p.m., Town Room, Town Hall.