AMHERST — Amherst Recreation Department’s work at expanding accessibility and empowering youth is being recognized through an award presented by the Massachusetts Recreation and Park Association.
During its annual conference in March, the statewide professional organization that promotes recreation and park services in Massachusetts gave the town department, led by Rey Harp, the Regional Community Impact of the Year award for the Western Region for outstanding service and dedication to the community.
Cited in the recognition was the department becoming the first in the the state to achieve Sensory Inclusive Certification through KultureCity, expanding swim offerings to include adaptive swim lessons and an inclusive competitive swim team, and starting the Morning Movement and Mentoring Program in partnership with the public schools and Amherst Police, which supports students’ mental and physical well-being and improves their academic success with homework help.
“Amherst Recreation’s ongoing dedication to inclusive programming is central to our vision, and we are proud to be recognized for it,” Becky Demling, outreach director for Amherst Recreation, said in a statement. “We believe in the transformative power of play and know that shared experiences build stronger community bonds.”
Denise Leckenby, the aquatics coordinator for Amherst Recreation, said all should feel welcome at the pools and have access to learn the life skill of swimming.
“Based on feedback from the community, adaptive swim lessons are designed to ensure that each session is tailored to meet individual needs of the participant. With the Amherst United Swim Team, we’ve created an innovative approach to competitive youth sports,” Leckenby said.
Make polluters pay was the theme of an Earth Day protest held on the North Common in front of Town Hall on April 22.
Those gathered pointed to the success of Sunrise Movement activists at Smith College and local advocates in getting the Northampton City Council to adopt a resolution in support of state legislation “An Act to Establish a Climate Change Superfund,” which if adopted would require the biggest carbon emitters to contribute to a Superfund to pay for climate-related damage in Massachusetts. Similar resolutions have been adopted in Boston, Cambridge, Medford and Malden,
“At a time when climate action is blocked at the federal level, city and state climate action is more important and urgent than ever,” said Emma Coopersmith, a member of Sunrise Smith College.
Ira Nathan, another Sunrise Smith College member, urged attendees to combat the Trump administration. “We’re fighting for environmental justice at home and around the world,” Nathan said.
The Emily Dickinson Museum is celebrating the completion of the reconstruction of the Carriage House and the May 1 reopening of The Evergreens with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday at 5 p.m. at the 280 Main St. site, in partnership with the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce and the Amherst Business Improvement District.
The new building, replicating one that stood to the east of the home where Emily Dickinson’s brother Austin and his wife Susan once lived, will initially serve as a site for visitor welcome, orientation and a museum shop. It will also allow the third and final phase of the Dickinson Homestead restoration to commence.
“Opening the carriage house is a significant milestone in long-range goals for the Emily Dickinson Museum established more than 20 years ago,” said Jane Wald, the museum’s executive director.
The Friends of the Hadley Public Library is holding its Bake & Book Sale fundraising event at 50 Middle St., Hadley, Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Featured will be totes and bistro mugs, better books for $2 and $5 and bargain books, DVDs and compact discs for $1. An assortment of baked goods will also be available. All proceeds benefit future library programs.
On Sunday at 2 p.m., Democrats will convene at the North Amherst Library, 8 Montague Road, to elect 17 delegates and four alternates to represent Amherst at the 2025 State Democratic Convention.
Individuals age 16 and above who have registered or pre-registered as Democrats in Amherst by Marc 29 may vote and be elected as delegates or alternates during the caucus.
Scottish and Danish folksinger Rod Sinclair will perform at the Song & Story Swap at First Church, 165 Main St., Saturday at 7 p.m.
The monthly Song & Story Swap is sponsored by the Pioneer Valley Folklore Society of Western Massachusetts.
MONDAY: Local Historic District Commission, 3 p.m., Town Council, 6:30 p.m., Town Room, Town Hall; Historical Commission, 7 p.m.
TUESDAY: Finance Committee, 2 p.m.
WEDNESDAY: Planning Board, 6:30 p.m.
THURSDAY: Finance Committee, 9 a.m., Zoning Board of Appeals, 6 p.m. and CDBG Advisory Committee, 7 p.m.
