Bidwell House Concert: What a Glorious Crash They Made

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MONTEREY, Mass. — Join the Bidwell House Museum for a candlelight program with musician and historian R. Franklin Donohue.
 
The concert will be held on Nov. 7, at 5 p.m.
 
While playing the harpsichord and dressed for the 18th century, Donohue will play a selection of songs that were published and performed in New England between 1765 and 1783. From the time of the Stamp Act through the British surrender at Yorktown, New England's seditious colonists used these works to foment rebellion, commemorate victory, and give thanks for preservation. This concert will take place by candlelight in the Dining Room of the Bidwell House Museum.
 
Richard Franklin Donohue is a singer, private music instructor, and historian. Vocally, he is a tenor who specializes in historic music ranging from Middle English Carols to 19th century romantic music. He has been teaching Piano, Voice, and Music Theory since 1992. Richard is the Town Historian of his hometown of Cromwell, Conn. and has been the President and Program Director of the Cromwell Historical Society for nearly twenty years.  He is the author of "Rosetown Review," a monthly history article published in the Cromwell Life newspaper, and presents historical lectures throughout New England on various topics.
 
The concert will be followed by a wine and cheese reception. Space is very limited and tickets must be purchased in advance, they will not be sold at the door.
 
 
Tickets are $45 per person for Members and $55 per person for Non-members.
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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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