AFD Toys for Tots collection

Amherst Fire Stations – Holiday Toy Collection Sites

From now until December 15th, the Amherst Fire Department will be a collection site for the Marine Corps “Toys for Tots” program. The Central Fire Station located at 68 North Pleasant Street and the North Station, located at 603 East Pleasant Street will accept new, unwrapped toys between the hours of 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. 

Members of the Marine Corps will then distribute the toys to children in our area. Without this program, many children would go without gifts this holiday season. 

Thank you, 

-Amherst Fire Chief Tim Nelson

Not a school-sponsored event

Warm Winter Clothing Share

Lighting of the Merry Maple - an Amherst Tradition!

3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Fire Station Open House

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Storytelling with Mia Cabana, Jones Library’s Head of Youth Services at Amherst Books

4:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Wagon Rides at Town Common with Muddy Brook Farm

5:00 PM – 5:15 PM

Lighting of the Merry Maple

5:15 PM

UMass Minuteman Marching Band & Santa Arrive

6:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Visit with Santa at the Amherst History Museum

Not a school-sponsored event

Amherst Capital Projects Listening Sessions

The Amherst Town Council will hold two more Listening Sessions to collect comments from the public on the need for four major capital investments facing the Town and to provide guidance to the Town Council in setting priorities.  Members of the School Committee and Jones Library Trustees have assisted in development of the information for these sessions and will be present at each session.

The Listening Sessions will be held on the following dates and times:

• Monday, December 9th at 3:30 p.m. at Fort River Elementary School, Library

• Monday, December 9th at 6:00 p.m. at Wildwood Elementary School, Library

The Town has a clear need to make significant investments These investments could happen through new construction, extensive renovation, or addressing only major repairs.

The goal of the Listening Sessions is to provide the Town Council with insights and opinions from the community that will help inform its planning for and funding significant investments in four major capital projects –elementary school(s) (Fort River Elementary School and Wildwood Elementary School), Department of Public Works facility, Fire/Emergency Medical Services headquarters, and the Jones Library.

The Listening Sessions will be facilitated and structured to provide basic information to the public and offer the opportunity for members of the public to participate in small group discussions that will ensure wide, active participation of all involved. The Town website will also have a dedicated place to view the relevant materials and provide comments (coming soon).

The Town Council and staff will be listening, taking notes, and giving careful consideration to all comments. Please join your fellow residents to helping to shape how these four investment decisions are made.

Questions? Email townmanager@amherstma.gov or towncouncil@amherstma.gov

If any accommodations are needed, please contact the Town Managers Office at 413-259-3002. Requests should be made as soon as possible prior to the scheduled meeting.

Not as school-sponsored event

Massachusetts Book Awards Holiday Dozen

The Massachusetts Book Awards Holiday Dozen

Valley Edition

Celebrate the coming holiday season in the very best way with signed books for everyone on your gift list.  Join us in the Woodbury Room of the Jones Library at 2:00 pm on Saturday, December 7, 2019 for this Valley author event, coordinated by the Massachusetts Center for the Book.  Doors will open at 1:30 pm for book browsing and sales.

There will be fiction, nonfiction, and poetry for adults, young adults, and middle graders, plus picture books for the kids. The authors will be on hand to sign their books and chat with readers both old and new.  

Participating authors are Heather Abel, Noy Holland, Sabina Murray, George H. Colt, Anne Fadiman, Lisa Brooks, Ilan Stavans, Dara Weir, Ellen Dore Watson, Jane Yolen, Natasha Lowe, and Richard Michelson.

This special literary event is co-sponsored by State Representatives Mindy Domb, Natalie Blais, and Lindsay Sabadosa, coordinated by Massachusetts Center for the Book, and hosted by the Jones Library.  Free and open to the public.  

Not a school-sponsored event

Holidays at Hogsmeade (aka The Jones Library)

Not a school-sponsored event

Amherst State of the Town Address

Please join us for our State of the Town Address on Thursday, December 12th at 6:00 PM at the Amherst Regional Middle School Auditorium.

Town Council President Lynn Griesemer and Town Manager Paul Bockelman will deliver the address. Please see below for full program.

State of the Town:

Town Council President Lynn Griesemer and Town Manager Paul Bockelman

Remarks:

• Senator Jo Comerford
• Representative Mindy Domb
• School Committee Chair Anastasia Ordonez
• Library Board of Trustees Chair Austin Sarat

Ceremonial Swearing-In: New and Promoted Police Officers and Firefighters

Entertainment: Amherst Regional High School Performers

Not a school-sponsored event