Fall Fest canceled
The Lions Club Fall Fest, originally scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 11, has been canceled due to concerns about COVID-19.
No swimming at Bare Hill Pond
The Board of Health is keeping in place a no-swimming advisory at the town beach and the beach at Thurston’s Cove due to an elevated level of cyanobacteria in the water. The board advises against swimming in any part of the pond due to poor visibility and the potential for the bloom to become toxic at any time. Pets should be kept away from the water.
The bloom was not toxic as of Aug. 30, when testing showed very low levels of cyanotoxin in the water. However, because algal blooms have the potential to quickly create dangerous levels of cyanotoxin—and because cyanobacteria levels remain elevated—swimming and contact with the water must still be avoided until further notice. The Harvard Board of Health will post the latest information—as it becomes available—at the beach, and it will also post information on its webpage: harvard-ma.gov/board-health.
Audubon advice on bird feeders
Mass. Audubon advises that, based on the absence of confirmed cases of the mysterious avian disease in Massachusetts and declining numbers of cases in states to our south, it is once again safe to resume bird feeding in Massachusetts. It is still recommended that feeders be cleaned every two weeks using a solution of one part bleach to nine parts warm water. Soak the feeder in the solution for a few minutes, rinse, and air dry. Visit bit.ly/3mK34lS for more tips and FAQs on feeding birds.
In communities in central and western Massachusetts inhabited by black bears, Audubon recommends removing bird feeders between April 1 and Nov. 1, the months when black bears are active.
Sports-writing workshop for high school students
The Harvard Press will offer its free sports-reporting workshop once again this fall for Bromfield students enrolled in eighth through 12th grades. In four to five sessions, students will learn the basics of reporting and writing about varsity teams and games. Those who successfully complete the course will be offered an opportunity to join the paper’s sports-writing team. For more information, please send an email to editor@harvardpress.net.
