AMHERST — The public is invited to witness sunrise and sunset associated with the summer solstice among the standing stones of the University of Massachusetts Amherst’s Sunwheel on Sunday, June 21.

The morning gathering begins at 5, shortly before sunrise at 5:13, and the evening gathering begins at 7:30 p.m., about an hour before sunset at 8:30 p.m. These hourlong Sunwheel events mark the astronomical change of seasons and the longest day and shortest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.

At the gatherings, UMass Amherst astronomer Grant Wilson will discuss the astronomical cause of the sun’s changing position in the sky during the year. He will also explain the seasonal positions of Earth, the sun and moon, phases of the moon, the building of the Sunwheel and answer questions about astronomy.

The exact time of the summer solstice this year is 4:24 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time on June 21, when the sun reaches its northernmost position in Earth’s sky. This marks the astronomical start of summer in the Northern Hemisphere and winter in the Southern Hemisphere. On the day of the solstice, daylight is longest and nighttime is shortest in the Northern Hemisphere; in Amherst, the sun will be above the horizon for just over 15 hours and 17 minutes.

The UMass Amherst Sunwheel is located south of McGuirk Alumni Stadium, just off Rocky Hill Road. It can be reached from the center of Amherst by following Amity Street west; the Sunwheel is on the right about one-quarter mile after crossing University Drive. Visitors should be prepared for wet footing and mosquitoes. Heavy rain cancels the events and updates will be posted on the UMass Astronomy Events page. For more info, please visit the Sunwheel website.

Applications for two homes under construction in Pelham are available through the Franklin Hampshire Habitat for Humanity. The application deadline is Aug. 4. Eligible applicants will have incomes up to 60% of area median income (adjusted for family size).

People interested in submitting an application, are invited to attend an information session to learn more. An in-person session will take place Wednesday, July 1, at 5:30 p.m. (RSVP), at the Pelham Public Library, followed by online presentations via Zoom on Saturday, July 11 (Register), at 10 a.m., and Monday July 27 (Register), at 7 p.m.

During the information session, potential applicants will learn about Habitat’s selection criteria and how to prepare a complete application. The selection criteria include housing need, ability to make mortgage payments, and willingness to partner with Habitat, such as participating in the construction of the home and other Habitat projects.  More information can be found at https://www.fhhabitat.org/apply/

The homes to be built this year will be all-electric and built to Energy Star standards. One home will be one-story and will be adaptable for someone with mobility impairments. All Habitat built homes are restricted to income-eligible buyers in perpetuity.

Since 1989, Franklin Hampshire Habitat for Humanity has built decent, affordable homes with almost 60 families with low incomes in Hampshire and Franklin counties.

SOUTH DEERFIELD — Gary Rome Hyundai and Hyundai Hope On Wheels will present a $40,000 grant to Bikes Fight Cancer on Saturday, June 20, prior to the start of the sold-out seventh annual Bikes Fight Cancer Charity Ride presented by PDC Inc. at Tree House Brewing Company.

The grant, awarded through Hyundai Hope On Wheels, will help support Bikes Fight Cancer’s mission to raise funds for cancer patients, family services, wellness programs, and cancer research throughout New England. Since becoming a nonprofit in 2023, Bikes Fight Cancer has raised more than $800,000 for organizations serving individuals and families impacted by cancer.

The morning’s festivities will begin at 7:45 a.m. with remarks from community leaders and event organizers. At approximately 7:50 a.m., Gary Rome, president and CEO of Gary Rome Hyundai, will present the grant to Bikes Fight Cancer founders Meghan and Johnny Morin.

At 8 a.m., Gary Rome will lead the official Hyundai Hope On Wheels Roll Out, driving the Hyundai Hope On Wheels Palisade as the first cyclists depart Tree House Brewing Company. More than 600 cyclists and 150 volunteers are expected to participate in this year’s event. Riders will travel scenic 25-mile and 50-mile routes through Franklin County before returning to Tree House Brewing Company for a post-ride celebration.

For more information about Bikes Fight Cancer, visit www.bikesfightcancer.org.

BOSTON — State Rep. Mindy Domb, D-Amherst, recently honored Eugene Herman of Amherst at a second annual Military Appreciation Day ceremony held in the Massachusetts State House’s historic House chamber.

Hosted by the Executive Office of Veterans Services in collaboration with the Legislature, the event recognized the contributions of veterans, active-duty service members and military families from across Massachusetts. The Healey-Driscoll administration created Military Appreciation Day in May 2025 to honor those who serve both the country and their communities.

This year’s 138 honorees were recognized and presented with an official governor’s citation and a challenge coin in appreciation for their service.

Herman served in the Vietnam War in the Army from 1967 to 1970. Since moving to Amherst, Herman has spent years creating opportunities for veterans to gather as theVeteran’s Outreach volunteer with Amherst’s Community Responders for Equity, Safety, and Service (CRESS).

Herman hosts the Veterans Breakfast, a biweekly breakfast for the veterans community. Each breakfast features community speakers and encourages reflection on military service from veterans, spouses, caregivers, and community members. The breakfasts take placeon the first and third Friday of every month at the Bangs Community Center.

Also recognized at the ceremony was Steve Connor, who was nominated by Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa and Sen. Paul Mark.