Letters
Region
Abstract Paintings & Tribal Masks Exhibition At New Hampshire Antique Co-Op
Now on view through May 31, 2020
Congregational Church Stays Connected
During the suspension of in-person activities in light of the Covid-19 situation, the Congregational Church of Amherst, UCC has a variety of ways for members and others to connect with church programs. This is especially important during April as Holy Week and Easter are on the horizon.
The most up-to-date information about church activities can be found on the church’s website (ccamherst.org) or by calling the church office at 673-3231. Sunday services are broadcast on FacebookLive and recorded for later on-line viewing. Services are followed by a Virtual Fellowship Hour. Links for these and other events can be found on the website.
The church’s Facebook page is another source of information, including updates and video messages from the pastors. Pastors Maureen Frescott and Kate Kennedy are available to provide pastoral care during this time, and the church welcomes community members to connect with this loving, serving, open and affirming community of faith.
Emergency Post ~ March 20, 2020
Groups
Amherst Garden Club
REMINDER: Changes to Morning Program, May 7, 2020
WEBINAR: "Encouraging Wildlife Diversity in Designed Landscapes"
Matt Tarr, Wildlife State Specialist
AMHERST - The Amherst Garden Club’s monthly meeting plans for Thursday, May 7 have changed. Due to the pandemic, the evening meeting has been cancelled, and the daytime business meeting will likely be held online and not open to the public.
Happily, we are still able to invite the public to our monthly program as originally scheduled, but with participation happening online rather than in person. At 10:30 AM, Matt Tarr, Wildlife State Specialist, will host a webinar titled “Encouraging Wildlife Diversity in Designed Landscapes.”
An abundance of wildlife is one of the best indicators of an ecologically well-designed landscape. By understanding how pollinators, birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians select their habitats during each season of the year, we can design landscapes that effectively attract and support a diversity of wildlife.
Matt will provide practical methods for designing ecologically complete landscapes that invite human interaction and transcend simple aesthetics through their functioning interconnected elements.
Join us for this webinar and learn how to encourage wildlife diversity in your own landscape.
The details for joining the webinar will be published on the Amherst Garden Club web site and Facebook page closer to the event date. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend.
Two books will be awarded as door prizes: “Bringing Nature Home” and “Nature’s Best Hope,” both by Doug Tallamy. These books are highly recommended by the speaker, even if you are unable to attend the presentation.
Matt is a professional wildlife biologist and NH Licensed forester and he works throughout NH in close partnership with the NH Fish and Game Department to assist private landowners and communities improve habitat for wildlife. His specialties include improving forested wildlife habitat through commercial timber harvesting, field management to benefit vertebrate and invertebrate wildlife, shrubland and young forest habitat management, wildlife food plot design and maintenance, wetlands wildlife ecology and management, and methods for improving hunting opportunities on private land.
Matt and his students are currently studying the factors that influence habitat selection and dispersal of shrubland-dependent songbirds and how non-native shrubs influence habitat quality for declining songbird species.
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Amherst Garden Club Plant Sale 2020 Cancelled
...but the club hopes you will work in your gardens and landscapes and be ready for a great Plant Sale in 2021.
The Coronavirus will not keep spring from coming! In the mean time the club meetings continue on line with wonderful speakers, open to the public. Please check us out at amhertsgardenclub.org. Stay in touch with our local garden centers and when the time is right plan to visit them to purchase all your gardening needs.
Amherst Garden Club Charitable Fund Seeks Applications for Grants
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AMHERST – The Amherst garden Club Charitable Fund welcomes qualified applicants for the 2019-2020 year. Proceeds from our fund raising activities as well as memorial gifts are added to our fund each year and then awarded to local community projects that are consistent with our mission.
Our mission is to provide education, resources and networking opportunities for our members to promote the love of gardening, civic landscaping and environmental responsibility.
Recent grants have been awarded to the Women’s State Prison Gardening Program, Joshua’s Park and Community Gardens, The Amherst Town Library Gardens and the Amherst Garden Club Garden House Project and The Souhegan Valley Boys and Girls Club Edible Garden Project.
Information and applications can be found on our website: www.amherstgardenclub.org. Questions can be directed to Sheila_steele@comcast.net. Grants are awarded on a rolling basis and reviewed when applications are received.
WEBERTORIAL
WEBERTORIAL
Creating Landscapes and Displays to Envy
We had Merryfield Design come to our home to do
some landscaping, maintenance, and pruning. Kelly struck us immediately as welcoming and extremely knowledgeable about her craft. She listened to our ideas and had great suggestions that conveyed her vision. She was flexible with respect to the scope of her involvement, and also helped us create a plan for future landscape architecture on the property. Kelly left such a great impression on us that I thought of her talents this past Christmas when I wanted to send a wreath to my mom in Maine. Kelly was
Kelly Merryfield
Merryfield Design LLC
happy to create a festive hand-crafted wreath and have it delivered. Because I was able to describe to Kelly what I was looking for, my mom received a wreath that was personal and meaningful. Merryfield Design provides a wide scope of services, and we
look forward to working with them again soon.
Merryfield Design offers full garden and landscape consultation, design, installation and maintenance. From renovation of existing landscapes to creating new spaces of organic and fragrant beauty! We dream, design and execute with plants! Looking for gift ideas this time of year? Why not consider a gift of Kelly's services as a unique idea for Mom or Dad this season?
From big spaces outside to small containers on doorsteps or dramatic arrangements inside, we provide the expertise to make any holiday or special occasion, a celebration to enjoy…
Kelly Merryfield embraces the great outdoors as a Master Gardener in NH and MA with over 25 years experience in design and maintenance, and teaches homeowners how to maximize curb appeal and enjoyment of their property. She’ll even provide you with a hands on experience, coaching you to succeed in the art of gardening.
Follow Kelly on Facebook at Merryfield Design, message her, or email k@kellymerryfield.com to discover more.
Historical Society of Amherst’s Old Home Day
With all the uncertainly around social gatherings at the moment, we wanted to let everyone know that Old Home Day is still on for September 12th and that we would love to see this community event grow this year as a celebration of all things Amherst in light of the current social distancing quarantines in place.
The Old Home Day event committee is working to make this year’s event even bigger and better, and if your Amherst non-profit or Civic Group wants to be involved, please let us know.
A final decision won’t be made until June, but in the mean time, keep us on your calendar for 2020 and remember the memories of all the fun we had at the 2019 Old Home Day!
We have already had some preliminary discussions with other town groups about combining events into Old Home Day if necessary, so if your group is developing contingency plans for postponing your own event, the Old Home Day committee would be happy to discuss making Old Home Day a special one-year event that would work for everyone’s benefit.
We know there is a pent-up demand in Amherst for a community event and are looking forward to when we can all celebrate again!
Amherst Area Newcomers
The Souhegan Valley Women’s Social & Newcomers Club, aka Amherst Area Newcomers Club, is a non-profit, social group for women. We welcome new residents as well as those who have lived here for years. We offer monthly general events and over 21 interest groups. Contact us at nhnewcomers@gmail.com, & check out our website at NHNewcomers.com.