The ecological and economic health of Duxbury Bay is being increasingly threatened by severe nitrogen pollution, primarily from septic systems and fertilizers, according to the comprehensive State of the Bay 2025 report presented to the Duxbury Selectboard Monday evening, Nov. 17.
Peter Quigley of the Duxbury Bay Management Commission delivered the sobering findings, drawn from a year-long volunteer effort analyzing over 15 years of water quality data. The report, which updates the 2009 assessment, highlights declining conditions in an estuary that supports a thriving 12 million oyster harvest annually and is the centerpiece of the town’s recreational and commercial life.
The Nitrogen Threat: A Canary in the Coal Mine
Quigley warned the board, “This is a canary in the coal mine type scenario,” explaining that nitrogen from human sources is driving excessive plant growth (eutrophication) that depletes oxygen and endangers marine life. The most critical finding is that most of Duxbury Bay north of a line from the Harbormaster’s dock to High Pines now has nitrogen levels at or above concerning ecological thresholds, indicating impaired water quality.
The data confirms that the pollution is worsening. Charts presented to the board showed nitrogen levels in the Bluefish River, below Powder Point Bridge, and at the Harbormaster’s dock are all trending upward over time. Measurements in the Bluefish River, in particular, are significantly above draft thresholds established in a 2017 Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) study.
The report identifies septic systems as the primary source of nitrogen pollution, with fertilizer use as a secondary contributor. Conventional Title 5 septic systems do not remove nitrogen before wastewater enters groundwater and eventually flows into the bay. The shared septic system located at Snug Harbor, directly above the Bluefish River, was cited as a particular concern because it lacks nitrogen removal technology.
Visibly, the problem is manifesting as a green coloration on tidal flats at low tide, a symptom of excess plant growth. Quigley noted that this extensive green coverage on the flats was not present as recently as five years ago.
The Stakes: Mandatory Restrictions Loom
While the MassDEP draft thresholds are not yet officially enforced by the EPA, Quigley cautioned that enforcement is likely coming. He pointed to the regulatory fate of Cape Cod, where all 15 towns are now subject to nitrogen-sensitive area designations requiring nitrogen removal in all septic systems, with no grandfathering.
Selectboard member Mike McGee stressed the need to act proactively, emphasizing that the septic issue is tightly intertwined with the PFAS contamination issues the town has already been addressing. The cost of mandated septic system upgrades could fall heavily on individual homeowners if the town does not intervene.
Broader Ecological Threats
The crisis extends beyond nitrogen levels. The report documented several other concerning trends:
1. Eelgrass Die-off: The bay has suffered a massive eelgrass die-off of up to 75 percent over the past decade. Eelgrass provides critical habitat, stabilizes sediments, and enhances water clarity. Loss is driven by nutrient-driven turbidity, rising water temperatures, and physical disturbance.
2. Temperature Stress: Duxbury Bay is experiencing increasingly frequent episodes of extremely warm water, defined as temperatures above 77 degrees Fahrenheit (25°C), which stress aquatic life and contribute to low oxygen events.
3. Invasive Species: The proliferation of invasive species poses a growing threat. These include European green crabs, tunicates (sea squirts), and bryozoans (moss animals). Cris Luttazi of the Duxbury Beach Reservation described an underwater video survey showing only green crabs, resembling “a horror movie,” which preys on juvenile shellfish and damages eelgrass.
The Bay’s Strengths and Solutions
Despite these severe stressors, the bay remains productive. Water quality for pathogens is generally very good, supporting swimming beaches and the commercial oyster industry, except following heavy rain events.
The burgeoning oyster industry provides a measurable environmental benefit: the 12 million oysters harvested in 2024 remove the equivalent of nitrogen waste from about 1,000 residents annually. Eelgrass restoration efforts are also underway through collaboration between the North and South River Watershed Association, DVMS, Mass Bays, and Island Creek Oysters.
Recommended Actions and Next Steps
Quigley recommended several immediate management actions:
1. Nitrogen Source Assessment: Conduct a comprehensive assessment to identify the sources and estimated volumes of nitrogen contamination, focusing on the Bluefish and Back River watersheds. The Board of Health and Conservation Commission are positioned to lead this effort.
2. Fertilizer Reduction: Implement short-term solutions such as seasonal fertilizer bans and voluntary landscaper pledges that follow best practices. Selectboard member Fernando Guitart suggested surveying fertilizer usage by town entities and the Duxbury Yacht Club.
3. Habitat Restoration: Develop and execute pilot projects for eelgrass and marsh grass, and investigate creating shellfish reefs for natural nitrogen removal.
The Selectboard endorsed holding quarterly meetings with the Planning Board to support town goals, and Selectboard members agreed to share the findings of the report with the Board of Health and Conservation Commission. The Bay Management Commission will present the findings to the Conservation Commission on Dec. 2 and the Board of Health soon thereafter to develop a nitrogen source assessment plan. The window for voluntary action, the report concludes, is rapidly closing.
Gifts From the Heart: Shaping the Future of Our Local Economy
Perhaps it’s the sound of holiday bells shimmering on the antique doorhandle of the beloved, old-fashioned penny-candy store, or the scent of coffee and book pages mingled pleasantly under-nose at the book shop and café on the center street of your town, or the first name basis greeting and familiar faces at the checkout of your local deli. All of these increasingly rare nuances insinuate shopping local.
In addition to often providing shopping experiences full of enough ambiance to make one wax poetic, shopping local is more than just pleasant and nostalgic -it is one of the most powerful choices we can make to shape the future of our local economies. The holiday season is a particularly wonderful time to reflect on how our consumer choices can shape the future of our communities. The US Small Business Administration shows that, as of June 2025, there are over 36 million small businesses in the United States. These local shops, boutiques, and businesses aren’t just there to offer picturesque storefronts to admire from a distance, they’re the heartbeat and undercurrent of our towns. They provide jobs and support families for people you know and care about. Local businesses often give back as much as they receive from their community by supporting, and even spearheading initiatives that enrich our neighborhoods and communities.
Of course, the hustle and bustle of modern-day life cannot be dismissed and discounted no matter how appealing that may sound. People are busier than ever with budget constraints of all kinds and severities -especially in the current economy with things like tariff worries and cost-of-living increases. A busy mom faced with a minute-by-minute-packed weekend who also needs to get a birthday gift for her child’s schoolmates birthday tomorrow is going to pop into a big box store on the way to the party. Sometimes, the tool you need just isn’t at any local stores. Sometimes, a meager budget needs to be respected and prioritized, and the least expensive option is easy to find with a few clicks on the phone. Convenience and thrift are not sins, they are realities, but they shouldn’t be our only plan.
One of the biggest and most obvious community-positive impacts of shopping local is that a substantial amount of every dollar spent with a small business strengthens the local economy. Shopping small isn’t just about making a purchase—it’s an investment in your community. When we choose to spend our money on local shops and businesses, we create what is called the “local multiplier effect” and it impacts local communities exponentially. The effect is defined as the occurrence where financial resources expended within a specific geographical area circulate repeatedly, thereby generating additional, stable economic activity and wealth. This makes sense because, according to BusinessDasher, statistics show that about $68 of every $100 spent at a local business stays in the community, while approximately only $14 of every $100 spent at a big box store stays in the community. With a greater percent of your money spent at local business staying in and supporting the local economy, it is more than an altruistic gesture to include community businesses in your shopping plans, it is a smart place to put your money.
In addition to boosting your local economy, shopping local and small is less of a drain on the environment. Local and sustainably made products travel fewer miles, use fewer resources, and are often made and produced with less destructive methods than mass produced products. Even packing material from online ordering is becoming a major pollutant. A study from PakFactory found that 1.8 billion tons of greenhouse gasses are emitted yearly from plastic packaging production. Ten percent of packaging’s carbon footprint is attributed to transportation and shipping. Seventy-nine percent of that produced plastic packaging waste ends up in landfills. In addition, 25% of global plastic packaging waste is attributed to packaging used in shipping. Buying from your local shops and businesses usually only results in something like a small, paper bag -perhaps some tissue paper inside, and the fuel used to drive a short distance if walking wasn’t an option. These things are mere crumbs in terms of waste and footprint compared to the Mt. Everest we have built out of material waste from big box stores and shipping companies.
One lesser considered benefit to shopping local this holiday season is that it is often far more intentional. Local businesses wear their hearts, and products so-to-speak, on their sleeves. They have often either made or carefully curated their inventory. Nothing is in a small shop that hasn’t been considered and/or made by the owner. You are purchasing something with a tangible, purposeful energy and the recipient is bound to notice. A thoughtfully made gift has meaning and purpose. It tells a true story about craftsmanship, sustainability, and care. Be it a hand-poured seasonal candle, seasonally baked goods, or art work from a local artist, gifts like these usually lead to connection, not clutter.
Economy is not the only thing to benefit from shopping locally this holiday season. As a local consumer you are also helping to preserve craft, arts, and culture. Behind many small businesses there is an artisan – a creative maker or craftsperson who is an expert in their trade. Small business owners are often keeping traditions alive by producing their goods and inventory with their hands -or at least via a very hands-on process, devoid of heavy-duty machinery. Another consideration is that different ethnicities in your community often share their culturally-based arts, crafts, trades, and skills via local businesses -be it as the owners themselves or having their products carried in and showcased in a shop. According to the United States Census Bureau, 12.7 million non-employer businesses and 1.3 million employee businesses are women-owned, and 385,119 employer firms in the United States are owned by minority women. When you buy local, you are helping preserve creativity, equal-opportunities, artistry, and heritage—things that can’t be mass-produced in a factory.
The result of shopping local and small this holiday season extends past the logical and ethical -it simply feels good. A study via a buyer behavior report from Arizona State University showed that consumers who made purchases at a local, small business left with a greater sense of community than they did leaving a big box or chain store establishment. They felt increased purpose in their purchase choices and also because they experienced moments of connection with the local shop owners as well as the oft-familiar clientele. More of us are coming around to the importance and benefits of shopping small and local.
A report from IPX 1031 shows that 57% of Americans are willing to pay a bit more to shop locally. Around one in five Americans go out of their way to shop locally each month. Three out of four consumers say they would like to shop locally more often but it can be hard, and sometimes impossible, to do so when budgets and time are tight. Ninety percent of Americans would like to see more locally owned-small businesses in their areas and 60% of people shop more at local stores during the holidays than any other time of year. This is no small show of support as 44% of small business owners report that the holiday season support is at least 38% of their annual sales income -meaning that choosing some businesses for your holiday purchases quite literally keeps them in business.
Here in Massachusetts, we rank 13th in the nation for the most small businesses per 100,000 residents at 10,290 locally owned, small businesses in the state. Forbes magazine published that people in Massachusetts claimed to be willing to spend $150 more a month to go out of their way to support local and small businesses year-round and that increased to $250 during the holiday season. These amounts may seem inconsequential, but combined these financial choices can make or break our local industries.
In spite of the importance of local and small businesses in our communities, it is more difficult now, in some ways, to start and maintain them than ever before. New businesses have a high failure rate with nearly 90% of them closing within the first five years. Funding a new business is also increasingly challenging with the costs or rental spaces, adequate marketing support, and manufacturing and materials being more expensive in the last ten years. Many small business owners are inexperienced in cash flow management and the complexities of hiring and retaining employees.
The Q3 Small Business Index shows that inflation is a top concern for 46% of small businesses and 79% of small businesses are worried about tariff’s and say they would negatively impact, if not shut down, their business. Changes in consumer trends also indicate an ironic shift in consumers being more cautious and conservative in their spending the last two years while also seeking joy and comfort by spending more money on nostalgia and “treasure-hunting” experiences.
Regardless of changes and challenges our local businesses face, the solution is always the same: US. The Consumers. We, alone, have the collective ability to stabilize and boost our local economy and community through our consumer choices. Whether we choose to purchase the majority of our holiday gifts from local or small businesses, or even one or two of them, every decision to stay small and close to home is another “penny in the barrel”. As Peter Drucker said, “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” Let’s make sure the future of our communities is one of equal opportunities, available jobs, and chances to create and use talents to make a living. We may not be able to navigate the choppy waters of a global economy, but we can easily, and collectively, steady the ship locally for those in the community who have taken great personal risks to pour themselves into starting and maintaining their businesses which in turn, do nothing but local good. You may find yourself noticing that holiday spirit shines a little brighter for everyone when you choose local.
Rep. LaNatra Supports Legislation to Address Workplace Violence
BOSTON – Wednesday, November 19, 2025 – Representative LaNatra joined her colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives in unanimously supporting legislation that strengthens protections for health care workers, establishes preventive and protective standards to reduce the risk of violence, improves health care facility incident reporting, enhances interagency coordination to safeguard privacy, and creates legal protections for certain employees harmed in the line of duty.
“Our health care workforce is the backbone of Massachusetts nation-leading health care system. For too long, this workforce has endured violence in the workplace that has gone unaddressed on a state level.” said Representative Kathy LaNatra (D – Kingston). “It is our job to ensure that health care workers do not have to worry for their own safety while trying to deliver the best care for their patients. This legislation affirms the Legislature’s commitment to protecting and strengthening the health care workforce and is a critical step in reducing workplace violence and giving workers the protections and benefits they deserve when it does happen. Thank you to Speaker Mariano, Chairman Lawn and Chairman Cahill for their leadership and thank you to Massachusetts Nurses Association, 1199SEIU and the Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association for working collaboratively with the legislature to address the health care workplace violence crisis.”
Every 38 minutes in Massachusetts health care facilities someone, most often a clinician or an employee, is physically assaulted, endures verbal abuse, or is threatened, according to the Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association. Violence against health care workers most often occurs in emergency rooms, inpatient units and psychiatric units. To support a culture of safety and respect in health care facilities, the bill passed takes the following approach:
Prevention Plans, Training and Reporting
• Establishes a statewide requirement for health care employers to address workplace violence through a standardized framework, requiring annual and facility-specific risk assessments conducted with employees and labor representatives to identify factors that place staff at risk.
• Mandates a written violence prevention plan that includes hazard mitigation strategies, employee training, post-incident debriefing and a crisis response program.
• Requires annual reporting of workplace violence incidents to the Department of Public Health (DPH) and district attorneys, supporting statewide and county-level data tracking while maintaining data privacy. The de-identified data will be publicly published and categorized by occupation and incident type.
• Imposes civil penalties against a health care employer for noncompliance (up to $2,000 per violation) and protects employees from retaliation.
Criminal Protections and Penalties for Assaults Against a Health Care Workers
The bill codifies graduated penalties for assaulting an employee or contracted employee in the line of duty. With 91 percent of violent incidents in hospitals committed by patients against workers, it focuses on health care settings where violence is most prevalent. Strengthening these protections ensures that direct health care providers, and the staff who support facility operations, on-site administrative work, security, or emergency medical transportation, have an opportunity to seek the justice that they are entitled to through the following penalties:
• Assault causing bodily injury: Up to 5 years in state prison, up to 2.5 years in a jail or house of correction, a fine of $500 – $5,000, or combination of imprisonment and fines.
• Assault causing serious bodily injury: Up to 10 years in state prison, up to 2.5 years in a jail or house of correction, a fine of $500 – $5,000 fine, or combination of imprisonment and fines.
Paid Leave for Employees
This bill establishes that employees directly employed by a health care employer in high-acuity settings, who suffer workplace violence resulting in bodily injury or serious bodily injury are entitled to paid leave without using any accrued time (vacation, sick or personal).
Privacy Protection for Employees and Union Members
Victims of workplace violence who are employed directly by a health care facility, or who are union members, may provide either the address of their health care facility or that of their labor organization instead of their personal home address for all court documents related to a workplace violence incident.
Alternative Pathways for Behavioral and Mental Health and Data Protection
• Mandates a statewide report from the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) and the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS) to improve care and alternative treatment options for those with mental or behavioral health diagnoses, and for criminal justice patients.
• Requires identification of new, non-arrest pathways to reduce unnecessary criminal justice involvement for high-acuity behavioral health patients.
• All recommendations must include strong safeguards, penalties for data misuse, and full compliance with federal confidentiality laws, including heightened protections for behavioral health and substance-use information.
• Ensures that improving data sharing of workplace violence incidents to improve safety does not come at the expense of any patient or health care worker’s privacy.
The bill passed the House of Representatives 158-0. It now goes to the Senate for consideration.
True Repertory Theatre Brings all the Christmas Spirits
Donald Sheehan, Founder and Artistic Director of True Repertory Theatre, announces the company’s annual holiday production of A Christmas Carol, an original hour-long adaptation with music. Written by Donald Sheehan (Pembroke) and playwright James Sullivan (Braintree), A Christmas Carol will run for fiveperformances from Dec. 19-21, at The Beal House, 222 Main St., Kingston, MA 02364. This production takes a fresh look at the beloved character, Ebenezer Scrooge, played by True Rep favorite Mark Reed (Hull), along with a cast and production team from across the South Shore. General admission tickets are $20 at https://truereptheatre.com. Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus at each matinee!
According to Sheehan, “Dicken’s classic is sure to engage South Shore audiences of all ages! This annual production has become a tradition for families across the region who return again and again for quality theater, original storytelling, and focus on community. In True Rep fashion, we’ll be bringing all the Christmas spirits.”
True Rep Gives Back through Project 719: During holiday performances of A Christmas Carol, True Rep’s Project 719 will collect donated items in support of local community organizations. Audience members are invited to bring goods directly to the theater:
• Canned goods for the Vineyard Resource Center in Kingston
• New, unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots, in collaboration with the Kingston Fire Department
• Clothing and small household items in collaboration with Savers
About A Christmas Carol:
Directed by Donald Sheehan, Founder/Artistic Director (Pembroke). Written by Donald Sheehan and Playwright James Sullivan (Braintree), featuring Mark Reed (Hull) as Ebenezer Scrooge. Dates: Friday, Dec. 19 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 20 at 11 a.m. & 2pm; Sunday, Dec. 21 at 2 p.m. & 4 p.m. Running time: 1 hour
Additional cast includes:
Rosemary Catrone (Whitman)
Jake Crowley (Roslindale)
Mike Gillis (Plymouth)
MJ Brennan (Plymouth)
Rahlo Reay (Pembroke)
Nathan Goulart (Brookfield)
James Carroll (Norwell)
James Sullivan (Braintree)
Debby Stratton (Halifax)
John Stratton (Halifax)
Destiny Stratton (Halifax)
Isabella Stratton (Halifax)
Robbie Silenzi (Halifax)
The Arc of the South Shore’s Fall Resource Fair a Success
The Arc of the South Shore, a family-oriented, community-based non-profit providing information, referrals, and community programs for individuals with disabilities, recently hosted a Resource Fair designed specifically for families of teens and young adults ages 15 to 26.
The September 27th event featured 78 registrants and 18 vendors, including The Arc of Massachusetts, Assistive Tech, Comfort Dogs, Commonwealth Financial Group (Child ID Program), Department of Developmental Services, Drew’s Tips, Evoke Change Center, Financial Guide, House of Possibilities, May Center, Norfolk Center Sheriff’s Department, Planned Lifetime Assistive Network (PLAN) of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Reimagine Recreation, Rewarding Work, South Shore Supports, Special Olympics, Supported Decision Making, and Work Inc., Deaf Outreach.
The Resource Fair provided valuable tools, services, and support to help navigate the transition into adulthood. The event also featured break-out sessions hosted by Assistive Technology, PLAN of MA and RI, and Supported Decision-Making.
“We were thrilled to see so many people attend our Resource Fair, and even more buoyed by the amount of vendor interest in demonstrating ways they can provide support as our individuals transition into adulthood, which can be an incredibly challenging and uncertain time,” said Elizabeth Sandblom, CEO of The Arc of the South Shore. “We continue to work to find ways to provide the knowledge and connections needed to feel empowered and supported for individuals, families, and caregivers, and we look forward to future Resource Fairs as one more way to achieve this.”
300 Years in the Making: The Chronicles of Kingston
Resting on the beautiful, marshy coastline of Kingston Bay and meandering along the Jones River, Kingston Massachusetts is a pocketed-gem of a town with abounding New England charm. Kingston claims a vibrant history shaped by events long before the Pilgrims landed that spans to current-day residents who are fortunate enough to call Kingston, “Home”.
With the new year on the horizon, Kingston will be celebrating its 300th anniversary of being incorporated as its own town instead of being considered the northern precinct of Plymouth. With such a monumental occasion around the corner, the residents of Kingston have long been planning ways to celebrate and commemorate this special town’s past, present, and future. One of the most poignant celebrations for Kingston’s 300th celebration is the launch of Tales of Jones River Village: Kingston’s 300 Years, a six-years-in-the-making collective work of stories and images about the history and current day happenings of the town, contributed by the residents of Kingston.
The effort began in 2019, when a small group of local history enthusiasts decided to compile a fresh, illustrated history of Kingston for the 300th anniversary. They launched Kingston 300, Inc. -a nonprofit that is independent of town government but works alongside town entities such as the Kingston Public Library and the Kingston 300th Committee. “Its goal has been to publish an easily readable account that people will enjoy, while they discover new things about this remarkable community,” says Jim Farrell, the project editor, longtime Kingston resident, and former weekly newspaper publisher.
Three esteemed and longstanding Kingston residents, Jan Guidoboni, Ken Brack, and Thomas Vendetti formed the 501c3 non-profit organization, Kingston 300, Inc. Jan Guidoboni is Kingston’s Town Historian. She also volunteers in the Local History Room at the Kingston Public Library and has authored a number of the articles in the book. Ken Brack is a former newspaper reporter and current author and publisher. He is co-founder of Hope Floats Healing and Wellness Center and part of the Kingston Historical Commission as well as the Kingston 300th Committee. Brack also serves as the project’s Managing Editor. Thomas Vendetti, a retired public-school teacher, is the current archivist at First Parish Church in Kingston. He is also a member of the Kingston Historical Commission and Jones River Village Historical Society.
Additionally, Sia Stewart, the town’s former Library Director, served as the book’s copy editor. Bill Alberti, a longtime Kingston resident, former teacher, musician, and poet also contributed many articles to the book. “Alberti’s poem, ‘Song of the River,’ leads off the content in the book,” adds Farrell. Alongside a collection of stories and accounts compiled by the Kingston 300th Committee, the book is full of beautiful photographs from Kingston’s past and present.
Ed Nute, a Kingston resident and founding member of the South Shore Folk Music Club, was the project photographer. Nute’s photos include shots of the Jones River, Delano’s Wharf and the Reed Building, the luminaries, and close-ups of Kingstonians in daily life. Connie Delano, a Kingston resident, former marine biologist, and web developer, served as the project’s photo editor. Delano carefully evaluated and reviewed the composition of all the images so that they met the standards needed for design. In addition to these efforts, community contributors of photos included Jimmy Powell, David Tewksbury, and David Pepe.
Tales of Jones River Village: Kingston’s 300 Years stories include a mix of modern and historical accounts. “The book begins with stories of the earliest settlers along the Jones River and takes the reader through the centuries to present day. There are stories of families coming to this country and settling in Kingston, articles on how neighborhoods developed, and the sacrifices that our town’s citizens made in war,” explains Farrell. Modern stories recount time spent at the Kingston Drive-In, various businesses and landmarks that are no longer around, and tales of residents, young and old, who helped shape the community over the centuries. “Some have done so through entrepreneurship, some through military efforts, and others through civic and community service. With 372 pages spanning three centuries, there’s literally something for everyone,” says Farrell.
To acquire such a vast array of local history is no small feat. A call was put out through the community seeking people with particular knowledge and stories to share. Farrell recalls, “There were also a number of people who approached us with stories that they wanted to be part of this community effort. Our commemorative book includes articles from more than 150 Kingstonians. Some were conducted as in-person interviews; others were researched, written and submitted to us by email. We sought to be as inclusive as possible in compiling this book, and what makes it different from previous histories is that there are many voices telling the stories, not just one.”
The residents of Kingston certainly answered the call when asked for their input as the biggest challenge of the project was keeping the book’s length reasonable. Farrell notes, “Even at 372 pages -we had originally anticipated about 300 pages, we couldn’t include every story and every photograph that we might have wanted to. We do believe that we have prepared a very comprehensive look at the town’s history, one where Kingston and its people are well represented.”
Once the stories and tales and images were gathered, assembling the project into a cohesive, tangible form was the next endeavor. Marie McConnell, of McConnell Design in Hingham, was the designer for Tales of Jones River Village: Kingston’s 300 Years. The printer was Kirkwood Printing in Wilmington. Such an intensive project and publication also required substantial up-front cost. Farrell explains, “The funds raised through sponsorships, grants, and book sales are expected to cover the costs of producing and printing the book. The directors have a plan in place if there are any additional revenues remaining after all expenses accounted for. Upon dissolution of Kingston 300, Inc., the directors will transfer rights of reproduction, distribution, and display to the Kingston 300th Committee or a similarly named town entity. The directors will convey the copyright to the town, along with any net revenues from book sales, as seed money for a future anniversary celebration.”
After six years of consistent teamwork and collaboration fueled by a mutual passion for a beloved town, Tales of Jones River Village: Kingston’s 300 Years is ready to make its way into the hands of readers. When asked why locals should consider purchasing this collective work, Farrell assures that no matter who you are in Kingston, you will find something on the pages that appeal to you. “It has something for everyone! It’s the most comprehensive book ever put together on this town’s history. Residents can read accounts about and written by their neighbors and friends. With more than 150 contributors, it is truly ‘the people’s book’.”
Farrell continues, “Maybe you’re a history buff who wants to know who served in the Revolution or what life was like here before the highway came through. Maybe you’re more focused on “urban legends” like “Is there really a whale buried under the Stop & Shop parking lot and how did it get there?” Or perhaps you are interested in the stories of the people who have made the town what it is: the politicians, the inventors, the entrepreneurs, and other “movers and shakers” of our community, past and present. Maybe you remember life here when the Dairy Queen, Tassy’s and the Drive-In were popular hangouts. Whatever your interest in the town, there is something for you in this book. It takes the reader through the earliest days of the settlers to modern day. Everyone will come away with a new perspective and knowledge about the town we all call home.”
To purchase a copy of Tales of Jones River Village: Kingston’s 300 Years, visit the Facebook page, Tales of Jones River Village: Kingston’s 300 Years, where there is a link to a secure website. The book is available at a pre-holiday rate of $35. People may also attend these upcoming events to purchase a book:
• Saturday, Nov. 19, 12-3 p.m. First book launch for event for Tales of Jones River Village: Kingston’s 300 Years. Location: The Faunce School, 26 Green St., Kingston.
• Tuesday, Dec. 2, 11:00-11:45 a.m. Location: Kingston Senior Center, 30 Evergreen St., Kingston.
• Thursday, Dec. 4, 5 p.m. Location: Forty Second Brew Co., 77 Summer St., Kingston (in conjunction with the Kingston 300th Committee).
Understanding the Classification Hearing
This is the time of year when local municipal officials, like the Select Boards in towns across the South Shore, conclude the annual process of property tax classification, making critical policy decisions that determine how the total property tax levy will be distributed among residents and businesses. This annual public hearing is mandated by Massachusetts General Law and is crucial because while it does not increase or reduce the total amount of money collected by the town, it determines how that predetermined burden is shared between property owners.
The Core Decision: Single Rate vs. Split Rate
The process begins when local Assessors classify all real property according to its use into four primary classes: Residential (Class I), Open Space (Class II), Commercial (Class III), and Industrial (Class IV). Personal property forms a fifth category.
The pivotal policy decision is determining whether to adopt a Single Tax Rate or a Split Tax Rate, formalized by the Select Board setting the Residential Factor (RF).
If the Select Board sets the RF at 1.0, a Single Tax Rate is adopted, meaning every property class pays a rate proportional to its assessed valuation share of the town’s tax levy.
If the RF is set to less than 1.0, a Split Tax Rate is implemented. This reduces the tax burden on Residential and Open Space (RO) properties, shifting the resulting cost onto Commercial, Industrial, and Personal (CIP) properties. State law restricts this shift, ensuring CIP classes typically cannot pay more than 150% of their proportional share.
Local Choices: Single Rates in Plympton, Halifax, and Kingston
The majority of municipalities use a single tax rate. For the towns featured in this paper, maintaining a single rate is the prevailing policy, driven by the size of their commercial tax base.
In Halifax, the Board of Selectmen already voted unanimously in September to adopt a single tax rate for Fiscal Year 2026, setting the Residential Factor at 1.00. This decision keeps residential and business properties taxed at the same estimated rate of 14.09 per thousand of assessed value. Principal Assessor Debbie Dean recommended the single rate, with the Selectmen noting a shift may drive away local “mom-and-pops”.
Plympton Selectmen also unanimously (2-0) approved maintaining a factor of one for Fiscal Year 2026 on November 17, taxing residential, commercial, industrial, and personal properties at the same rate. Residential property makes up 75% of the tax levy, with commercial, industrial, and personal property under 25%, a composition that led the Assessor’s Representative Holly Merry to deem a split rate “not recommended.” Plympton expects a tax rate of $14.26 for FY 26.
Kingston similarly sets a single tax rate for all classes, with the FY 2026 rate estimated at $12.83 per $1,000. Principal Assessor Maureen Clarke informed the Selectmen that residential properties made up about 88% of the tax base. Kingston held their tax classification hearing for FY26 on Tuesday.
Hanover’s Choice: Adopting a Split Rate to Share the Burden
In contrast, just north of us the Hanover Select Board voted to set a Split Tax Rate for Fiscal Year 2025. The board approved a split of 1.15, an increase over the previous split of 1.04, following public discussion. The Residential Factor was set to 0.9725. This resulted in a residential tax rate of $12.35 per 1,000 and a commercial tax rate of 14.60 per $1,000.
Hanover’s policy is controversial, partly because its commercial properties only make up approximately 15% of the tax base, while residential properties account for 85%. Les Molyneux, a member of their Board of Assessors, noted that some experts believe a split rate is truly effective only when the commercial base reaches around 30%.
Proponents of the shift, citing data showing that Hanover’s tax shift is significantly lower than that of other communities with similar commercial drivers, argue that large commercial entities like those along Route 53 disproportionately increase traffic and strain public safety services, requiring them to contribute a greater share to infrastructure. Opponents, including business owners, warned that the increased commercial tax rate, which they often pass on to tenants through leases, hurts small local businesses—the “mom-and-pops”—and makes Hanover less competitive than nearby single-rate towns like Norwell and Pembroke. In Plymouth County, currently only Brockton, Carver, Hanover, Middleborough, and West Bridgewater split the rates.
Rejected Exemptions Across All Three Towns
In addition to the core split/single rate decision, local officials considered three optional exemptions available only to local jurisdictions, opting to reject all of them:
1. Residential Exemption (RE): This option shifts the tax burden within the residential class from lower-valued, owner-occupied homes to higher-valued homes, rentals, and vacation properties. It is intended to help residents using the property as their principal residence. Halifax, Plympton, and Kingston rejected this exemption. Halifax noted it was inappropriate given the town has only about 50 second homes.
2. Small Commercial Exemption (SCE): This grants a tax reduction (up to 10% of assessed value) for commercial properties valued under $1 million occupied by businesses with 10 or fewer employees. The resulting cost is shifted only to larger commercial/industrial properties. Halifax, Plympton, and Kingston voted no on this option, partly because administering the exemption and tracking annual eligibility can be complex and burdensome for assessors.
3. Open Space Discount: This option reduces the tax levy paid by Open Space properties, shifting the cost exclusively to the residential class. Plympton, Halifax, and Kingston all voted no on adopting an Open Space Discount.
Since the tax classification decision is valid for only one year, this mandatory public hearing process will repeat annually, allowing Select Boards around the state to reevaluate their tax policies each fiscal year.
North Easton Savings Bank’s Market Share Jumps
North Easton Savings Bank is proud to announce its continued leadership in the Massachusetts’ banking landscape, as confirmed by the recently released FDIC Deposit Market Share Report. In a competitive field of 14 banks, five of which are among the nation’s largest, North Easton Savings Bank has emerged as a standout performer, capturing more than one-third of all market growth across its 10-town footprint.
Data indicate that the overall market grew by $297.87 million in deposits over the past year, with North Easton Savings Bank comprising $107.12 million or 35.96% of that total. While the regional 10-town FDIC market grew 3.4%, North Easton Savings Bank’s deposits were up 7.5% year-over-year – indicating that better than one in three who moved funds transferred them to the Bank. The Bank’s performance reflects a growing preference among consumers and businesses to choose institutions that not only understand and support their local needs, but also have a solid understanding of the mobile-first digital landscape we are all living in.
The Bank views FDIC Deposit Market Share numbers as a “back of the baseball card”-type stat sheet that reflects customer preference, competitive strength, and community trust.
“We have a motivated and talented team here that is relentlessly focused on creating positive outcomes for their clients,” stated Rich Spencer, President and CEO of North Easton Savings Bank. “Our growth in the market is a reflection of our growth in service platforms, tech-integrations, and most importantly – people. I believe we are creating something special here, we’re working hard at it, and the most recent FDIC data tell me the families and businesses of Massachusetts are noticing.”
North Easton Savings Bank’s recent performance in the FDIC Deposit Market Share arrives during a time of celebration at the Bank, as it has recently finished renovations on new banking centers, received local and national awards as a best place to work, and is managing total assets that are at an all-time high. The Bank is looking to continue its current pace via the addition of its new commercial banking teams, the launch of a family banking suite, and expanded service platforms through mobile and in-person channels. At North Easton Savings Bank, all deposits are insured in full as a member of both the FDIC and DIF.
Echoes Past and Present: The Sound of Survival
Critical thinking about history is often challenging to the mainstream, long-comfortable narrative. It takes the misunderstood, previously marginalized, demonized, and overlooked and requires preconceived notions -often centuries in the making, to be unraveled, untangled, and seen through an unobstructed filter that favors no agenda. It is a common understanding among a growing number of historians that, often times, if history makes you comfortable it isn’t accurate or complete.
In short-changing our inherited, passed on rhetoric with ideological absolutes, we are making it continually and ever-easy for those who have done much of the telling and “preserving” of history, but usually doing a great injustice to those who are given a backseat in the story. “Comfortable history” assures the defenders of the status quo that they came by their standing and privilege in society honorably, heroically, righteously -but the insistence to guard complexly inherited privilege does the peace, humanity, and happiness of a society no long-term favors.
The remedy? Growing up enough as a nation to understand that a better, raw understanding of the past is critical to healthfully reforming the present. Learning without an agenda can, of course, leave us with more villains and tragedy in the human story, but also more heroic figures and triumphs than we could have imagined. Two such heroic figures in modern times are Danielle Alonso-Wynne and Malissa Costa of Juniper + Pine Indigenous Collective. Alonso and Costa are two local, Indigenous women who have dedicated their lives to honoring, preserving, and teaching about their cultures.
Alonso-Wynne is a third-generation Mexican American and descendant of the indigenous P’urhépecha diaspora in the northwestern region of Michoacán, Mexico. Raised in Chicago, Alonso-Wynne grew up with a passion for her culture and heritage. She visited her P’urhépecha grandparents in Mexico once a year and these visits fostered an already inherent love for her Indigenous heritage. Drawn to the majesty and sacred nature of the forests her family came from, Alonso-Wynne often felt a bit out of place when she returned home to Chicago and she sought out ways to feel more connected to her family and ancestors.
One such endeavor took her to the American Indian Center. There, she found camaraderie with the Indigenous people working in the museum. “They greeted me as ‘cuz’ -which is a term of endearment short for ‘cousin’ among Indigenous people. I learned that they didn’t see borders. Borders are man-made. Knowledge systems and spirituality are passed throughout Turtle Island by all Native people sharing the first seeds,” Alonso-Wynne explains. Turtle Island refers to the continent of North America in various Indigenous oral histories. The story tells of a great turtle that holds the world on its back. For some Indigenous peoples, the turtle is considered an icon of life, longevity, and perseverance. It also provides the belief that we are all connected inextricably to the land and one another. This was a comforting message to Alonso-Wynne and she was further moved to pursue higher education and a career immersed in Indigenous studies.
Alonso-Wynne went on to obtain a degree in Associate of Arts in Anthropology from City Colleges of Chicago-Herold Washington College, and later a Bachelor of Arts with a Concentration in Native American Studies from the University of Chicago in 2015. She followed her education as an anthropology collections intern with The Field Museum and as a student researcher with Plymouth Colony Archeological Field School. Alonso-Wynne can now be found sharing her expertise and wisdom in the role as Curator of Indigenous Material Culture and Research at Plimoth Patuxet Museums. Working alongside Alonso-Wynne is Malissa Costa.
Costa is Afro-Indigenous and from the Mashpee Wampanoag and Cape Verdean communities here in Massachusetts. Raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota as well as Cape Cod, Costa grew up surrounded by the vibrant traditions, arts, and beliefs of her cultures. Costa’s upbringing in one of the largest Mashpee Wampanoag families instilled a deeply rooted and personally connected knowledge of Indigenous arts, crafts, herbalism, history, and language. After attending Cape Cod Community College and becoming a mother, Costa became a certified herbalist and Doula. She has a passion for horticulture and served as the horticultural specialist at Plimoth Patuxet where she specialized in the cultivation of the Wampanoag homesite gardens and Indigenous growing methods. She is now the Associate Director of Indigenous Outreach and Guest Experience where she develops programs that elevate Native perspectives.
A true knowledge keeper of Indigenous arts and crafts, Costa is always making, doing, and creating. “I always have a project I am working on,” Costa says as she holds up the beautiful beadwork she is currently adding to, “I am constantly multi-tasking and doing research and making sure to pass it on. I love making sure that the kids are included in the things I am doing.” Some of Costa’s many Indigenous artisanal skills include quillwork, beadwork, weaving, and harvesting and preparing Indigenous food. Costa and Alonso-Wynne began working together at Plimoth Patuxet Museums, and Alonso-Wynne also married Costa’s cousin, Phillip Wynn, a Mashpee Wampanoag.
Both women, being passionate about their Indigenous heritage and committed to advancing Indigenous sovereignty in their communities, found it a natural fit to form an initiative-driven collective where they could use their expertise, knowledge, wisdom, perspectives, and passion to elevate and share the beautiful voices, culture, and businesses of Indigenous people in the community. Costa and Alonso-Wynne decided name their collective after two sacred trees -the Juniper and the White Pine. “The Juniper tree is a sacred medicinal herb for many reasons to Indigenous communities in addition to being used for protection. It is also used to manage labor pains,” says Alonso-Wynne -which is something both women understand and respect as mothers. Costa further explains, “The White Pine is particularly sacred as Wampanoag stories say the Creator made the Wampanoag people from White Pine.” As a P’urhépecha, Alonso-Wynne is an ancestral guardian of the Pine-rich forests of Michoacán, Mexico. Combining the two trees and their shared passions and heritage, Juniper + Pine Indigenous Collective was born.
The mission statement of Juniper + Pine Indigenous Collective is to honor the land, culture, and traditions of Native people with meaningful action. Alonso-Wynne and Costa’s work center on cultural advocacy, creativity, and storytelling as essential ways to preserve and celebrate Native ways of life. Their storefront for Juniper + Pine is an extension of these values: A Space to uplift Indigenous voices and share authentic designs inspired by the land and the natural world. Each design is a reflection of deep connection to place, tradition, and community. Their shop says, “These are not just shirts -they are wearable stories, symbols of resilience, and pathways to deeper understanding.”
Juniper + Pine Indigenous Collective offers a wide variety of services and goods. Expert consultations, education, public speaking, collaboration, education in the art, music, and dance of Indigenous people, trades and crafts, merchandise, and advocacy are all under the proverbial umbrella of what the collective covers and reaches into. “We want to make sure that the culture of our communities is not reduced to mere research. It needs to be kept alive and passed on. Our goal is to make sure it passes on to the next seven generations. Colonization tried to hide our traditions, but we are resilient and we want to solidify these arts and crafts and traditions as permanent parts of our community,” says Alonso-Wynne.
Even in its first year, Juniper + Pine is making cultural waves throughout Massachusetts. They were asked to be guests at the New Britain Museum of American Art and recently spoke at the NEARA Fall 2025 Conference about Ancient Places, Living Histories, Stones, Stories, and Settlement. Costa and Alonso-Wynne delivered a brilliant educational presentation on The Wampanoag’s Relationship with the Natural World. “They came up to us after and said it was the best lecture they had ever had at this conference. We really connected with them,” says Costa. Local museums, historical societies, schools, libraires, and any group or organization can connect with Juniper + Pine for educational experiences and opportunities to learn about and cultivate Indigenous culture.
With a recent article featured in Edible Southeastern Massachusetts, collaborations with House of the Seven Gables about Native knowledge systems, an invitation to the Mohegan Wigwam Festival at the Tantaquidgeon Museum, participating in the Herring Run Festival, and many more appearances and collaborations, Juniper + Pine is well on its way to becoming a powerful force in the community. “It is our priority that we stand in solidarity with all different people who have been shaped by genocide and survival,” says Alonso-Wynne, “We have been shape by our blood memory and have found a way to pass on sacred lessons and knowledge in modern times. We made survival an art.”
When asked what challenges their collective faces in establishment and progress, Costa and Alonso-Wynne say that it is a struggle to be able to meet the many demands coming in for connection and collaboration that require travel. “We have lots of people and places that reach out and want us to come speak or do a consultation, but we are like, ‘Okay, but how will we get to you?’,” Costa explains. In addition to the cost of travel, both women are busy young mothers with careers and are learning to manage their time with family, work, and the collective. As opportunities continue to come about for Juniper + Pine, financial burdens and obligations will be able to match the immeasurable potential they offer, but it will take steady community engagement and support.
With their growing collective, Costa and Alonso-Wynne have a long-term goal of being able to purchase land and use it as a homestead to promote, teach, and preserve Indigenous land practices, growing methods, cultivate heirloom and heritage crops, and foster a strong arts and crafts center. “We need to reclaim our place in the land in terms of ownership and stewardship,” Alonso-Wynne explains, “These lands are ancestral hunting grounds, waterways, and homesites where we know how to honor and coexist with the environments and the living things there. We hunt and gather with symbiotic respect and understand that we are distinct, but we are also all woven together.” The disparity between the Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities with property ownership and division is due to centuries of development and demographics being shaped and controlled by colonial mindsets. These ownership opportunities have been disproportionately denied to and kept from Indigenous communities as their lands were stolen and their people displaced by locals, laws, and government for centuries. These injustices carry on even in modern times.
With so much on the shoulders of Juniper + Pine -its mission, its potential, its heart and soul, and the ancestral energy at the foundation, it is a fortunate thing that its capable creators are Costa and Alonso-Wynne. These two Indigenous women are the new generation of powerhouse figures in the community. Their kindness is matched by their intelligence and talent. The gift of a simple conversation with them is guaranteed to inspire and set one at ease while also proving to be, to put it mildly, eye-opening.
Though young, they exude wisdom and clarity that is palpably ancient and rare in these oft out-of-touch modern times. Yet, in spite of their permeating connection to the past, they are ever so present and keenly aware of how their heritage should be received, respected, and given room and relevance to thrive in current day society. They are the tangible echoes of their ancestors and if you hear them, you will hear the story of survival. Here in New England, the Indigenous community deserves reform and attention in the long-accepted, highly-flawed narrative. Their story is often told inaccurately, incompletely, and through the accounts of people who were colonizers with agendas to uphold and points of view that differed greatly in perspective and understanding. The best way to learn about the local Indigenous community, no matter where you live, is to ask them. They are still here, and they have so much to say.
Thanksgiving in Vermont
In the Fall of 1963, our Mom received a call from her Father and stepmother, Nellie, inviting us all to their home in Vermont for Thanksgiving. Mom was overjoyed as she hadn’t seen them in over a year and had been especially missing her dad. My sister Penny was thirteen that year and I was sixteen. Neither one of us were too happy about having to go to Vermont. Penny had always wanted a horse and now that she had one she didn’t want to leave him. I had a boyfriend and I wanted to spend time with him. Our brother Dave was ten and he didn’t care one way or another about going anywhere. Our little sister Barb was seven and she was all excited about going; she loved traveling from a very early age. Grampa Spud, who lived next door to us, assured Penny he would take good care of her horse while she was gone and would put him in his barn with the cows and Mike the sheep. Several days before Thanksgiving we headed to Underhill, Vermont.
When we arrived, Grandpa had dad park in the garage in case it snowed. As the four of us kids tumbled out of the car, Grandpa’s arms were open wide and there was a big smile on his face. When he saw mom, his face lit up as he folded her into his arms. Penny and I stole a glance at one another, both of us now very aware of how much this meant to both Mom and Grandpa. Nellie came out to greet us as well and between all of us we were able to get our luggage into the house. Nellie had an upstairs room for Penny and I with a bathroom nearby, a downstairs room off the living room for Mom and Dad and a small room near them for David and Barb. The house wasn’t too big or small, just cozy with picturesque views from each lovely window.
The mood was jovial as we sat around the supper table listening to the adults. All four of us were quiet, taking in the conversation while eating some of the tenderest chicken we ever had. Mom was telling us that when she was growing up, Grandpa was a clock maker and when she and her sister, our Aunt Phyllis, went to bed at night, the sound of the clocks lulled them to sleep. I could tell from the looks my siblings gave me they didn’t want clocks lulling them to sleep.
When I woke the next morning, I wanted to be the first one in the shower near the room Penny and I were sleeping in. At our house there was only one bathroom and shower and it seemed I was always last and sometimes didn’t get a shower at all. So, before Penny or brother Dave could occupy the room, I grabbed my clothes and locked myself in the bathroom. The next thing I heard was a whole lot of yelling coming from downstairs. Then it sounded like dad yelling up the stairs. I ignored it all so I could get into the shower before anyone else. The yelling didn’t stop but neither did I. I jumped in the shower, lathered my hair with shampoo and turned on the water. I screamed! It was freezing; there was no hot water! The next thing I heard was laughing. I started laughing at myself. What else could I do but step into that freezing cold water to get the shampoo out of my hair and that’s what I did. It’s not like they didn’t try to warn me; the next time I hear yelling, I’ll pay attention.
Everyone was in the kitchen when I came downstairs. I was well-teased about the shower while I helped myself to some breakfast. At seven years old, Barb was already bored and asked if we were going to do something fun. Grandpa smiled and asked her what she’d like to do. Barb asked him if he had a mountain in his town. He smiled and said he did and he’d take whoever wanted to see it when he went to the store for Gramma Nellie. Mom spoke up, suggesting we all help clean up the kitchen and we’ll all go. We made short work of it and piled into their station wagon.
There was enough room in the car for Barb and Dave to sit in the front seat with Grandpa and Dad while Mom, Nellie, Penny and I sat in the back seat. Vermont is a beautiful State and in 1963, Underhill was a sparsely populated rural community. When we got to a place where there was an excellent view of Mt. Mansfield, Barb was so excited she wanted to get out of the car; we all followed. We were in awe of it where our grandparents and parents had seen it many times before we were born; mom, dad and grandpa being avid skiers when they were younger. Barb pointed to it saying, “Look, it goes all the way up to heaven!” We all chuckled a bit at that but from where we were standing, it did look like that. Grandpa told us it was the highest summit within the State, the peak elevation being four thousand, three hundred and ninety-three feet. We piled back into the car and went to the market to get the food we’d need for the next few days and for Thanksgiving.
That afternoon after lunch, Mom, Nellie and us girls helped with baking pies, breads and other desserts. Nellie put a big tray of chocolate chip cookies on the table to keep us away from the other desserts, especially the men who kept coming back into the kitchen. Nellie and mom made a beef stew and set it on the stove to simmer for supper. Grandpa, Dad, and Dave came back into the kitchen and asked if anyone would like to go for a walk with them before sunset. We all headed for the coat rack. We followed our parents and grandparents through the Vermont woods that I thought were as beautiful as our woods back home. The sun shone through the trees and I enjoyed listening to the four adults talking and having a good time. When the sun got low in the sky it lit up the woods in the most beautiful colors. As we turned around to go back to the house, I heard mom and grandpa talking about his new hobby. I got curious enough to ask him if he still made clocks. He smiled and said when he had made enough money he didn’t have to make anymore clocks, he was able to retire and enjoy hobbies like oil painting. I asked him what his new hobby was and he said he would show me when we got back to the house.
When supper was over and dishes were done, Grandpa announced he made a promise, as he smiled at me, and asked if everyone would follow him. At the very back of the house he opened a door and turned on the lights that revealed a good-sized room with a big picture window that looked out onto the spacious backyard. In front of us was an oversized wooden desk with deep drawers on either side, a long workbench that was built into the desk and a big long shelf across the top of the desk that contained beautifully sculptured birds of all kinds including herons and cranes. He announced that this was his new hobby. Nellie stood behind him, smiling. We were all in awe and so impressed with his flawless and beautiful work, words of praise came out of us all. Nellie also told us that a woman who is the editor of a local paper asked if she could come to interview him and she brought a photographer with her who took pictures of Grandpa and the birds, all in color, that were in the paper. We were all so proud and very happy for Grandpa.
The next morning Mom and Nellie were up early to get the turkey stuffed and in the oven. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with them and Mom and Grandpa stayed in touch more often and we got together with them yearly, sometimes in summer instead of fall.
Both Harold (Grandpa) and Nellie Austin were creative people. Nellie made doll furniture out of Quaker Oats containers, couches and chairs for our dolls when we were growing up and covered them in pretty material. When we were grown with kids of our own, she made us Santa and Mrs. Claus standing figurines using dish soap containers as the Ivory liquid bottles back in the 50’s had a better shape. She filled them with something that gave them weight and made Santa and Mrs. Santa outfits for them. If I learned nothing else, I learned more about both sets of grandparents by spending time with them and getting to know them better; a precious gift I’m totally thankful for.
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