Garden report: The cucumbers are huge. I made another batch of refrigerator pickles and will pass some on to neighbors. I harvested basil, oregano and thyme to dry. The tomatoes are doing well. I will make spaghetti sauce on Tuesday when it is cooler. I planted more basil starts and will do lettuce starts in a few days. Soon it will time to plant snap pea seeds.

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Shoshona King of Amherst sent me an email about the annual potluck picnic that the Amherst Public Shade Tree Committee sponsors. The picnic will be Tuesday, Aug. 13 at 5:30 p.m.

“We invite anyone that has an interest in trees to join us! We have an event page on Facebook with more details,” she wrote. I suggested diners respond with their offerings, otherwise you could get 10 brownies and one potato salad and no baked beans.

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The South Amherst Congregational Church on the South Amherst Common will hold its 13th annual chicken barbecue with all the fixings Tuesday,  Aug. 20. A vegetarian option is available. Pickup is between 5 and 6 p.m. Call 253-2977 for reservations. Rain date is Aug. 21. I am happy to say in all the years I have attended, it has not rained. Maybe I shouldn’t say that and jinx it.

The Amherst Community Band, directed by Tim Anderson, will perform that Tuesday night at 6 p.m. at the South Amherst Common. The concert is free. Bring chairs or a blanket.

Dinner and a concert — what a wonderful way to end the summer.

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Liz Larson, the executive director of the Strong House Museum, sent me an email about the return of the Strings at the Strong Concert series that begins Saturday, Aug 10 at 2:30 p.m. with the FIKI Quartet  in the garden at the Strong House on Amity Street. It’s free. Bring chairs or blanket. The series continues Aug. 24, 31 and Sept. 7. More details in future columns.

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