Okay, now we can exude the Christmas spirit; the Amherst Pelham Boy Scouts have set up shop on Kendrick Park as they have done for 50+ years (waiting, mercifully, until the day after Thanksgiving ) to sell trees over the next month where profits pretty much cover their overhead for another year.
As some of you may remember, the Town Mangler wanted them banished from the premises and taxed them $1/tree two years ago. Like trying to "take over" the July 4 Parade so anti-war folks could march, not one of his smarter PR moves.
One of the first edicts issued (unanimously) by the Kendrick Park Study Committee stated the Boy Scouts should have free access to the site for as long as they wish.
Even the Bulletin, eventually, covered it
I've never seen this. I don't think I go near Amherst during the Holidays. How much do they charge for the trees and where do the trees come from? Do you know?
ReplyDeleteThey may charge a tiny bit more than Wal Mart but I do know the trees come fresh from the local Cowles/Jones forest empire.
ReplyDeleteThey make extra money every year when the police stop UMass students trying to filch the trees and carry them back to campus.
ReplyDeleteYep.
ReplyDeleteI believe the fine is $150. Probably imposed by a Judge who once was a Boy Scout.
My wife and I bought our tree today from the Scouts. We paid $35 for a 7 foot tree and $3 additional to have it bailed for transport back to the house. It is very fresh.
ReplyDeleteThe Town Manager made a mistake and it was corrected, due to the public outcry. Sometimes the public outcry works.
The Scouts may have to pay a fee for the use of the park. But I'm not sure about that.
Rich Morse
arrrrgh, where's my dollar/tree?
ReplyDeleteHurray, it was great to see the smoke rising out of the warming shack!
ReplyDeleteIf I recall correctly, they only have to pay for the electricity and some of the trees are local, some from VT.
We can hardly wait to go get ours!
Mary D,
ReplyDeleteWe can hardly wait to get ours as well. Good to see that they will be welcome there from now on. A lot of people who remember being a scout and having a great time helping people with their trees were very upset upon hearing what the town was attempting to do.
-Ryan
Walmart sells trees? Are you sure? I don't shop at Walmarts but I would be stunned to see that. I wonder where those trees would come from, blech.
ReplyDeleteI am trying to find a local tree farm that has sleigh rides and prices actual people can afford. I popped by a place today that wanted over 50 bucks for his trees!
Walmart does sell trees.
ReplyDeleteHowever, and in big time violation of both Mass Law and common sense, Walmart no longer accepts returned motor oil. Gotta wonder how many gallons will be dumped in the wetlands behind their store....
My opinion of Walmart is declining...
I would imagine Walmart gets 'em from Canada, those things grow like weed up there.
ReplyDeleteNow, now Ed, they take used oil for free at the transfer station. Do you really still change your own oil?
I've got a plastic tree, it's better for the environment because it will last forever. That's sustainability right there.
Good to see the Boy Scouts there, The Mangler shouldn't try messing with tradition.
Can't wait to light up the Maple tree on Friday.
tradition... Merry Maple.
ReplyDeletemakes me smile.
silly Amherst.
Yeah, in some respects it's kind of like the UN flag in front of Town Hall: nobody can remember exactly when it debuted (except to say "early 1970's")
ReplyDeleteNow, now Ed, they take used oil for free at the transfer station. Do you really still change your own oil?
ReplyDeleteI still have to buy a decal and since that is the ONLY reason why I would be going there, that means it ain't free.
And yes, I do change my own oil. I (a) don't trust anyone else to do it, and (b) it is an opportunity for me to look under the vehicle to generally look for something bad that could cause me trouble.
Larry you're a media star...and Cinda won't be happy--old Amherst 5th generation dude-- that you spelled her business name wrong.
ReplyDeleteCOWLS
Hey I did their ads long enough so I can't forget how to spell it.
Yikes! Don't tell my journalism Prof.
ReplyDeleteI always double check her and Judie's when doing Thank You print ad for July 4'th Parade (used to drive Dave Pearl crazy with last second corrections for spelling).
And of course you spelled 4th wrong just for fun?
ReplyDeleteThat's why God invented Copy Editors.
ReplyDeleteI would say the Merry Maple was lit in the fall of 68. It was glowing during the filming of Silent Night Lonely Night, which was released in Dec. 69.
ReplyDeleteDamn, I remember that. Actually got to see Lloyd Bridges in person.
ReplyDelete