Nonprofit Center Adds Associate Director

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GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires (NPC) has hired McCaela Donovan to fill a new position of associate director. 
 
Reporting directly to founder Liana Toscanini, Donovan will share the leadership and administrative workload as the NPC engages in succession planning throughout 2025.
 
Said Toscanini, "We're excited to have found such an enthusiastic and experienced leader at a time when our services are really in demand."
 
Donovan has spent the majority of her career in the nonprofit sector, most recently in a consulting role. Multiple leadership roles include managing director of White Heron Theatre Company on Nantucket and Assistant Director of the Boston University School of Theatre. Donavan is an Eliot Norton and IRNE award-winning actress, having worked in theatre, film, and television for over 25 years in both NYC and Boston. She holds a BFA from Ithaca College, an MA from Emerson College and an MFA from Brandeis University. She currently serves on the Affordable Housing Trust in Stockbridge.
 
"It's an honor to join the Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires at a crucial and potent moment for the sector," said Donovan. "Nonprofit organizations highlight the best of us, are essential for the health of our communities, and serve as a reminder of our shared humanity. I look forward to supporting the many nonprofits in the Berkshires."
 
Founded in 2016, the Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires serves as a support and infrastructure organization for a large sector of more than 1200 registered charities. Visit npcberkshires.org for more information.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Elevated Mercury Level Found in Center Pond Fish

BECKET, Mass. — The state Department of Public Health has issued an advisory after a mercury-contaminated fish was found in Center Pond. 
 
According to a letter sent to the local Board of Health from the Division of Environmental Toxicology, Hazard Assessment and Prevention, elevated levels of mercury were measured in the sample taken from the pond. 
 
The concentration in the fish exceeded DPH's action level of 0.5 milligrams per kilogram, or parts per million. 
 
"This indicates that daily consumption of fish from the waterbody may pose a health concern. Therefore, DPH has issued a FCA for Center Pond recommending that sensitive populations should not eat chain pickerel and all other people should limit consumption of chain pickerel to 2 meals/month," the letter states.
 
The letter specifically points to chain pickerel, but the 60-acre pond also has largemouth and smallmouth bass and yellow perch.
 
The "sensitive populations" include children younger than 12, those who are nursing, pregnant, or who may become pregnant.
 
The Toxicology Division recommends reducing intake of "large, predatory fish" or fish that feed on the bottoms of waterbodies, such as largemouth bass and carp. More information on safely eating fish can be found here
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