There is little good news for the garden report. My plants are so stressed from the lack of water. Daily watering only helps a little. The leaves are shriveled each day and the water helps, but they never recover completely.
Someone suggested the squirrels are eating the tomatoes since that is a water source for them because of the dry conditions. I have to agree since I don’t recall squirrels going after the tomatoes in the many years I have grown them.
***
Julie de Sherbinin sent me the following email, which I am sharing. Her parents, Mike and Polly de Sherbinin, owned and worked at the former Amherst Record newspaper. They hired me in the 1970s and this column began with them.
“My brother Alex de Sherbinin was back in Amherst for a high school reunion and picked up the paper. He sent us all a pdf of your column.
The funniest — and very comforting — thing was that we all took it (at first) as a column penned way back when! I finally noticed that all of the dates correspond with this calendar year — and the bit about gas prices, which sounded ever so contemporary. In the event, we were all so pleased to hear your newspaper voice over the distance and years.
We all have made great lives for ourselves, but our heartstrings are still connected to Amherst. Laura & Dick are in England (as they have been for some 45 years); Nick & Deb are north of Boston — he is a successful graphic artist with his own firm … Alex & Rose in Manhattan — he on the senior research faculty at Columbia; my husband and I live in Maine; I retired from 30 years of teaching at Colby College.
All of us drift through Amherst/NoHo from time to time, and we’ll keep our eyes out for your column. Thanks for keeping the home fires burning!”
***
Also at that reunion was Jason Salkey, who was pictured in the Gazette [and in this week’s Bulletin] signing copies of his books at Amherst Books. I remember him since I saw him in some ARHS plays.
Many, many years ago, someone suggested the videos of “Sharpe’s Rifles.” I saw them and like them. Salkey was featured in those films. They gave the land perspective of the Napoleonic wars while Patrick O’Brian’s Jack Aubrey books gave the naval side. I didn’t read the Sharpe rifle books but I did read the O’Brian books.
***
Kari Ridge of Leverett sent me an email about second-to-last Leverett Village Co-op Second Saturdays Artisans Market that will be held Aug. 13 from noon to 4 p.m. She said to note the new time. The no-profit YouthLine will sell items handmade in Malawi to raise funds to help children there pay for school fees.
The Old Time Music Jam will perform, she said. The Leverett Village Co-op is at 180 Rattlesnake Gutter Road. Masks are optional at the outdoor event. Call 413-367-9794 information.
***
The ABC (A Better Chance) will hold a tag sale Saturday, Aug. 13, from 8 a.m, to 6 p.m. at 74 N. Prospect St., according to an email I received. The sale includes furniture, camping equipment, books and school supplies. They are redoing a room to create a better student space.
***
Valley Winds will perform Aug. at 14 at 6 p.m. at the Renaissance Center, 660 E. Pleasant St., and on Aug. 17 at 6 p.m. at Plum Brook Farm, 416 Bay Road, both in Amherst, according to an email I received. The concerts are free. Bring a chair or blanket.
***
The South Congregational Church will hold its annual chicken barbecue Tuesday, Aug. 23, with pickup from 5 to 6 p.m. I am printing this in advance since they sell out and it’s wise to order early.
There is a vegetarian option. The cost is $17, according to an email I received. Call 253-2977 or email office@southcheurch.org.
The bonus is the Amherst Community Band will perform that night at 6 p.m. on the South Amherst Common. Have dinner and a concert to end the summer. Bring lawn chairs or blankets. The concert is free but they do pass the hat.
***
Send items for the Lehrer Report to phyllehrer@gmail.com.
