AMHERST — A Pelham resident and emeritus professor of environmental conservation at the University of Massachusetts, instrumental in founding an organization that has protected historic structures and assets on campus like the Old Chapel and Waugh Arboretum, is earning the Arthur F. Kinney Conch Shell Award.
Joseph S. Larson will be honored with the Amherst Historical Society award at the Founders Day and Annual Meeting celebration Sunday, starting at 2 p.m., at the Amherst History Center, 45 Boltwood Walk.
The award is given annually and named after Kinney, who was a trustee of the society. It honors individuals and organizations that have made a valuable contribution to the preservation and appreciation of Amherst’s history. The award takes its name from the “ye auld kunk” used in the 1700s to call Amherst residents to town meeting and worship.
After retiring in 2001, Larson and several colleagues founded Preserve UMass in 2007 to
recognize and preserve historic structures on the campus, like Prexy’s Ridge and the Durfee Conservatory.
Larson is also considered an authority on fence viewers, a statutory town post that still exists in many Massachusetts communities. Fence viewers were responsible for inspecting fences, mediating disputes over shared property-line fences and enforcing laws regarding fence construction and repair. Larson published “Handbook on Fence Viewers and Laws on Fences in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts” and did a History Bite presentation on the role in 2020.
Immediately following the meeting and award presentation will be the Mabel Loomis Todd Lecture, “For the Interest of the Country: Patriots, Loyalists and the Path to Independence in Amherst,” presented by Katheryn P. Viens, the former director of research at the Massachusetts Historical Society. Viens examines the range of views and actions of the people of Amherst and the central Connecticut Valley during the American Revolution.
Girls and women in sports
Amherst College’s Department of Athletics, in partnership with the town and its Recreation Department, is putting on National Girls and Women in Sports Day Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. at Alumni Gym.
The third annual event is dedicated to honoring the achievements of girls and women in sports and will provide girls and non-binary youth in grades 4 to 8 with a welcoming opportunity to explore various sports, play and have fun together.
The event will feature activities led by women’s sports teams, including squash, golf, crew, soccer, field hockey, softball, tennis and volleyball. At 11 a.m., snacks will be offered in Middleton Gymnasium before participants are divided into groups to try out each sport.
Parents can drop off their children and leave, or join a yoga class for adults offered by Christine Paradis in the Friends of Amherst Athletics Room at 12:30 p.m.
For more information, contact Jennifer Chuks at jchuks@amherst.edu.
Following the program, families are welcome to attend the women’s ice hockey team take on Colby College in Orr Rink at 3 p.m. Admission is free and pizza will be served.
Lunar New Year
The University of Massachusetts Lion Dragon Club welcomes the Lunar New Year, and the Year of the Horse, with traditional lion dances that will be performed throughout downtown Amherst Sunday.
Starting at 2 p.m. near the Central fire station, the dancers will make stops at local Asian restaurants as part of a centuries-old tradition believed to bring good luck, prosperity and positive energy.
The Town Council this week adopted a proclamation stating that Feb. 17 is the beginning of the Spring Festival/ Lunar New Year, even as the community celebration starts Sunday.
Connecticut River watershed program
Experts in the health of the Connecticut River watershed will be part of a League of Women Voters Amherst-sponsored conversation at the high school library Sunday at 1:30 p.m.
Participants will include Nolumbeka Project Coalition president David Bruhle and spokesperson Joe Graveline, UMass Earth, Geographic and Climate Science Professor Eve Vogel, Western Mass Rights of Nature cofounder Sarah Matthews and Connecticut River Conservancy River Steward Nina Gordon-Kirsch.
Questions can be sent in advance to susanlowery522@gmail.com.
Cuppa Joe after hours
Town Manager Paul Bockelman is holding his first “after hours” Cuppa Joe Feb. 11 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the police station, with guests Police Chief Gabriel Ting and
Emergency Communications Center Supervisor Jason Rushford.
This will be the first time the Cuppa Joe conversation is held in the evening rather than a Friday morning. Residents and others are welcome to share their concerns, offer suggestions and ask questions during the 90-minute event.