Ponyhenge is one of Lincoln, Massachusetts’ greatest (albeit comical) attractions; who wouldn’t be intrigued by a ‘mysterious’ ring of toy ponies circled around in a field? After moving to the town, Jessica Leigh Hester set out to solve the mystery of Ponyhenge. But there was no mystery; Jimmy Pingeon and his wife Elizabeth Graver immediately confessed to being its curators. However, Ponyhenge still has a story to tell about how it evolved into the town’s hub for antics, ranging from trapeze classes to marriage vows. Read full article here
Societal Issues
To curb drug deaths, communities turn to Reddit, texts and wastewater
With drug overdose deaths on the rise, authorities are attempting to curb the epidemic by tracking and sharing information in real time. In one unique effort, a nonprofit in New York City is using drug-testing equipment and stamping or marking habits of dealers to identify drug batches that may endanger users. Other approaches are also being used, such as monitoring drug-related chatter on Reddit and analyzing local wastewater for opioid and other drug levels. With the combination of these efforts, researchers hope to put a dent in the opioid crisis and reduce overdose deaths. Read full article here
Merv
June 1, 2023
