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The paintings of George Hoose are being highlighted this month at the Fitch-Hoose House museum.

Fitch-Hoose House Names August 'George Hoose Art Month'

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
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The exhibit is being extended into September to display more of Hoose's fall and winter scenes. 
DALTON, Mass. — The Historical Commission has designated August as George Hoose Art Month at the Fitch-Hoose House and is showcasing some of the painter's work. 
 
The 1846 house is the last remaining home of Dalton's early Black residential neighborhood. A wide range of information has been gathered surrounding the Hoose family that is also on display. 
 
The small two-story building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is believed to have been active on the Underground Railroad.
 
George Hoose died in 1977 at age 80. He was a prolific painter and was known for the "Indian Head" painting on Gulf Road that has long since been painted over and weathered away.
 
"We're celebrating his artistic abilities through his paintings," co-Chair Louisa Horth said. 
 
The paintings showcase how hard-working and successful Hoose and his family were. The self-taught artist was successful and was commissioned to paint a number of pieces, co-Chair Deborah Kovacs said.
 
The Fitch-Hoose House has a collection of about 15 paintings by Hoose, which have been donated to the museum over the years. 
 
Ordinarily they are stored on the second floor of the house which is not accessible to the public becaue of safety concerns.  
 
Commissioners have blended eight of his painting in with the museum's current collection. The museum is open every Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. 
 
Due to the many paintings centered around autumn and winter, the museum will extend the exhibit into September, swapping some currently displayed works with his seasonal pieces.
 
More information on the museum here. Check out our video here

Tags: art exhibit,   historic structure,   

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Dalton Board Signs Off on Land Sale Over Residents' Objections

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff

Residents demanded the right to speak but the agenda did not include public comment. Amy Musante holds a sign saying the town now as '$20,000 less for a police station.'
DALTON, Mass. — The Select Board signed the sale on the last of what had been known as the Bardin property Monday even as a handful of residents demanded the right to speak against the action. 
 
The quitclaim deed transfers the nine acres to Thomas and Esther Balardini, who purchased the two other parcels in Dalton. They were the third-highest bidders at $31,500. Despite this, the board awarded them the land in an effort to keep the property intact.
 
"It's going to be an ongoing battle but one I think that has to be fought [because of] the disregard for the taxpayers," said Dicken Crane, the high bidder at $51,510.
 
"If it was personal I would let it go, but this affects everyone and backing down is not in my nature." 
 
Crane had appealed to the board to accept his bid during two previous meetings. He and others opposed to accepting the lower bid say it cost the town $20,000. After the meeting, Crane said he will be filing a lawsuit and has a citizen's petition for the next town meeting with over 100 signatures. 
 
Three members of the board — Chair Robert Bishop Jr., John Boyle, and Marc Strout — attended the 10-minute meeting. Members Anthony Pagliarulo and Daniel Esko previously expressed their disapproval of the sale to the Balardinis. 
 
Pagliarulo voted against the sale but did sign the purchase-and-sale agreement earlier this month. His reasoning was the explanation by the town attorney during an executive session that, unlike procurement, where the board is required to accept the lowest bid for services, it does have some discretion when it comes to accepting bids in this instance.
 
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