■Blisters, sore muscles, and several cases of sunburn which resulted from a weekend bicycle ride were worth it, as 760 cyclists raised some $11,000 for the mentally disabled along a 50-mile trip route in Northampton. The event was part of a benefit ride held throughout the state. The local ride was sponsored by the Northampton Teachers Association.
■A group of about 40 Hampshire College students occupied the science building early this morning, a spokesman for the college said today. Known as the Third World Organization, the group is made up of Black, Latino and Asian students at the college, Donald Berth said.
■Organizers say they must find a place to house a shelter for homeless people during the winter months to replace the rotating system of using different church basements. The emergency cot program ended its third season last night with an uncertain future, but homeless advocates hope to replace it by next winter with something more stable.
■There was a clear generation gap among the audience viewing “Ellen” last night on a big screen in the Campus Center at the University of Massachusetts. “I never thought I’d see this in my lifetime,” said one viewer, shaking her head and slapping the table during the commercial break after the scene in which Ellen — in true sitcom style — announces by accident over a loudspeaker that she is gay.
■After 42 years at Easthampton Savings Bank — including 20 at the helm — President and CEO William S. Hogan Jr. has announced plans to retire next year. When he retires, Hogan will be the longest-serving president the bank has had in its 143-year history.
■You could call it their 90 seconds of fame. NHS’s 12-member a cappella group, The Northamptones, will sing the national anthem Sunday at Boston’s Fenway Park before a Red Sox vs. Baltimore Orioles game.