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New Year, Same but Growing You

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The new year may come with a host of cheesy slogans, high expectations, social graces, and sanctimonious proclamations, but, as usual, a deeper look into the holiday and the traditions behind it reveal a rather inspiring amalgamation of celebrations, beliefs, ceremonies, and customs that compose a truly beautiful holiday celebration package.
The earliest record of celebrating the new year date back some 4,000 years to ancient Babylon. For the Babylonians, the first new moon following the vernal equinox in late March (where there is an equal amount of sunlight and darkness) heralded the start of a new year. They marked the occasion with a festival called Akitu (derived from the Sumerian word for barley, which was cut around this time). Akitu involved a different ritual on each of its 11 days. It was also during this time that a new king was crowned or that the current ruler’s divine mandate was symbolically renewed.
The early Roman calendar consisted of 10 months and 304 days, with each new year beginning at the vernal equinox. According to tradition, this calendar was created by Romulus, the founder of Rome, in the eighth century B.C. Later, King Numa Pompilius, added the months of Januarius and Februarius. Over the centuries, the calendar fell out of sync with the sun, and in 46 B.C., Julius Ceasar attempted to solve the problem by consulting with the most prominent astronomers and mathematicians of the time. He introduced the Julian calendar, which closely resembles the more modern Gregorian calendar that most countries around the world use today.
The name January was a tribute to the month’s namesake: Janus, the Roman god of beginnings. Janus had two faces which allowed him to look back into the past and forward into the future. Romans celebrated the first day of the new year by offering sacrifices to Janus, exchanging gifts with one another, decorating their homes with laurel branches, and attending raucous parties.
In early medieval times most of Christian Europe regarded March 25, the Feast of the Annunciation, as the beginning of the new year. William the Conqueror decreed that the year began on Jan. 1, but England later joined the rest of Christendom and adopted March 25. The Gregorian calendar, adopted in 1582 by the Roman Catholic Church, restored Jan. 1 as New Year’s Day, and most European countries gradually followed suit -Scotland in 1660, Germany and Denmark around 1700, England in 1752, and Russia as late as 1918. In medieval Europe, Christian leaders temporarily replaced Jan. 1 as the first of the year with days carrying more religious significance, such as Dec. 25 (the symbolic anniversary of Jesus’ birth) and March 25 (the Feast of the Annunciation). Pope Gregory XIII reestablished January 1 as New Year’s Day in 1582.
Many of the customs of New Year festivals dichotomously note the passing of time with regret and anticipation. The baby used as a a symbol of the new year and an old man representing the year that has passed dates back to ancient Greece. The practice of making resolutions to rid oneself of bad habits and energy also dates to ancient times. These early resolutions were likely made in an attempt to curry favor with the gods. In the West, particularly in English-speaking countries, the nostalgic Scottish ballad “Auld Lang Syne” revised by the poet Robert Burns, is often sung on New Year’s Eve. The song begins by posing a rhetorical question: Is it right for old times to be forgotten? The answer is generally interpreted as a call to remember long-standing friendships and family.
Symbolic foods are often part of New Year festivities. Many Europeans eat cabbage or other greens to ensure prosperity in the coming year, while people in the American South prepare black-eyed peas for good luck. For Ugadi in southern India, a special culinary preparation called ugadi pachadi combines multiple flavors, and depending on the person eating it tasting a sweeter or more bitter flavor is what determines the luck of their year to come. Throughout Asia, special foods such as dumplings, noodles, and rice cakes are eaten, and elaborate dishes feature various ingredients whose names or appearance symbolize long life, happiness, wealth, and good fortune.
In Scotland, Isle of Man, and Northern England a custom called “First Foot” takes place on New Year’s Day. The first guest to cross the threshold, or “first foot,” is significant and may bring good luck if the person is of the right physical type, which varies with location. In Spain on New Year’s Eve, many people follow a unique tradition that dates back to the 19th-century known as uvas de la suerte, or “lucky grapes.” There are conflicting reports about the exact origins of the tradition, but the two most likely versions are that: Grape growers in Alicante came up with the custom in the early 1900s after a bountiful harvest left them with too many grapes and farmers needed a ploy to sell them. Others trace it to the 1880s, when Madrid’s bourgeoisie adopted French habits like drinking champagne and eating grapes on New Year’s Eve. Over time, the current day tradition consisted of people eating one grape at each chime as the clock strikes midnight. Each grape represents a month of the coming year. If you finish all twelve in time before the twelfth chime you’ll have good luck; if you fail, you will not be so fortunate.
Closer to home, celebrations of New Year’s Eve are usually characterized by public gatherings. Times Square in New York City draws large crowds and the countdown with the infamous New Year’s Eve ball to signify the exact moment at which the new year begins. This event is televised worldwide and for the first time ever, it will drop twice this year -once at 12 a.m. and then again clad in red, white, and blue at 12:04 a.m. to signify Americas 250th birthday.
On the West Coast, the first Rose Bowl Game was played in Pasadena, Calif. on Jan. 1, 1902, and other college football games have come to dominate American television on New Year’s Day. The Tournament of Roses Parade, featuring floats constructed of live roses and flowers as well as the Mummers’ Parade in Philadelphia are popular New Year’s Day events.
Here in Boston, it will be the 50th Boston’s First Night Celebration. Activities will start as early as 10 a.m. with plenty of family-friendly events, including a sing-along at the Boston Public Market, archery lessons on the Boston Common at noon, and ice skating shows at the Frog Pond throughout the afternoon. Performances at City Hall Plaza begin at 2 p.m., with Boston-based rock band Leaving Irene opening the event. The Sultans end the performances of 2025 at 11:30 p.m. and fireworks will kick off at the stroke of midnight. All First Night performances are open to the public but are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Once the New Year’s Eve celebrations are concluded and we have sauntered back home a little worse for wear after a night of frivolity, you might be inspired to clean up a bit from the holiday hoopla. Luckily, there are several local businesses offering just the things to align, relax, heal, and invigorate. Sure, New Year’s resolutions are jokingly called “the first week of January’s to-do list”, but even if you only dip a toe into your efforts, it’s better than nothing! If anything, you are just joining the ancient Greeks in seeing the new year as a symbolic reset and goal-setting opportunity, and that is hardly seasonally en vogue, it is timeless.
Here are some local businesses that can add some calm and clarity to your year ahead:

Shanti Shala Yoga and Wellness Center
55 Pleasant St., Carver
https://shantishalayoga.com

111 Love Yoga
111 Upland Rd., Plympton

J Norrie Beauty and Spa
368 Main St., Plympton
(781) 585-0080

Soul Purpose Wellness Studio
274 Plymouth St., Halifax
https://soulpurposewellnessstudio.com

Natural Body Works
161 Summer St., Kingston

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Skin Esteem Med Spa and Wellness Center
214 Main St., Kingston
https://www.skinesteemmedspa.com

Kingsbury Club and Spa
86 Summer St., Kingston

Kingsbury Club and Spa

Silver Lake Girls Basketball Opens Season at 1–1

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The Silver Lake Girls varsity basketball team kicked off their 2024–25 campaign with a busy opening stretch, splitting their first two games of the season. The Lakers hosted Plymouth South in a high‑energy home opener before turning around the next day to take on Durfee High School. With two more contests on the December slate, Silver Lake is using the early season to build rhythm and depth before diving into the heart of their Patriot League schedule. The Lakers return home on Jan. 3 to host Whitman‑Hanson in a key league matchup.

Plympton Schools Seek 3% Budget Increase

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The Plympton School Committee reviewed a preliminary FY27 budget requesting $4.6 million—a 3% increase over current spending—that would raise the town’s assessment by $100,890, though state aid offsets will reduce the net taxpayer impact.
Superintendent Jill Proulx presented the preliminary FY27 budget at the Dec.15 meeting, outlining a $4,592,367 level service budget that maintains current programming while accommodating contractual obligations. The request represents a $134,490 increase over the FY26 budget of $4,457,877, with the town’s assessment rising to $2,972,933.
“We want to make sure that we’re supporting students’ needs academically and developmentally,” Proulx said. “We attempt to maintain class sizes and the structure necessary for effective instruction. We consider and respond to the fiscal conditions of the town, and we work to support the strategy for district improvement.” The committee had requested a level service budget plus information about restoring positions if funding allows, as well as alternative scenarios showing 2.5% increase and level-funded options.
Committee Chair Jason Fraser welcomed the modest increase. “I was pleasantly surprised with where we’re coming in,” he said. “It’s not a number that’s going to keep me up at night. We’ve had a few years of that.”
State aid helps offset the local cost. The district’s Chapter 70 funding has grown to over $1.1 million from under $500,000 in recent years. “We should be reminding people of that,” Fraser said, suggesting the committee emphasize these contributions when presenting to the Finance Committee. Members acknowledged uncertainty about state funding decisions expected in coming months, with projections that Chapter 70 allocations will remain relatively level with last year.
Finance Director Sarah Hickey is retiring in February after years managing the district’s finances. Five school committees—Silver Lake Regional, Union 31, Plympton, Halifax, and Kingston—met jointly December 18 via Zoom to approve hiring Hickey’s replacement. The new director would start in January to allow overlap for training on what Proulx called “this very complicated position.”
Fraser endorsed the overlap expense. “I think it’s money well spent from my personal perspective,” he said, noting information from a recent chairs meeting made the decision clear.
The committee unanimously approved posting a maintenance custodian position at Dennett Elementary to replace a traditional custodian role. The change is cost neutral this fiscal year and will be integrated into the FY27 budget.
Principal Peter Veneto reported enrollment remains stable at 255 students. Recent activities included ALICE safety training for staff Nov. 5, implementation of the new HMH math program with consultant support, and participation in the PRISM grant program for English Language Arts curriculum review. “We had a lot of new staff that this was new information for,” Veneto said of the ALICE training. “It was good conversation, challenging conversation, but obviously safety of most importance.”
Assistant Superintendent Dr. Tricia Clifford reported HMH consultants conducted model lessons and will return in January for additional coaching. The district is also working with TNTP consultants through the PRISM grant on classroom observations and data analysis to inform the English Language Arts program review. The Curriculum Council is reviewing new programs for implementation next year, with recommendations expected in spring.
The committee approved its consent agenda and eight policies on second reading, including student fundraising activities (Policy JJE). Fraser noted the policy may affect rules for Community and School Association parent organization fundraisers.
Committee member Jon Wilhelmsen reported the regionalization study’s initial December meeting was postponed due to a posting error. The first kickoff meeting with consultants has been rescheduled for January. “This will be a good 18 months, so there won’t be anything coming quickly,” Wilhelmsen said, “but I think we have it set up for some good discussion and good research to provide the information that we need to actually talk with facts about it.”
Fraser announced he would work with newer member Ross MacPherson on subcommittee assignments before the next meeting. The capital improvement team will meet with Veneto to develop the FY27 capital plan. Dennett Elementary had early release Dec. 23 at 12:30 p.m., with school resuming Jan. 5, 2026.
The 3% budget increase will determine educational services for Plympton’s 255 elementary students while raising the town’s assessment by $100,890. State funding—including $1.1 million in Chapter 70 aid—reduces the net burden on taxpayers. The relatively modest increase compared to some recent budgets signals some hope for budget stability after several challenging years.

OCES Staff Supports Families in Need

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BROCKTON AND PLYMOUTH- Staff at Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the largest provider of in-home and community-based services for older adults and people living with disabilities in Southeastern Massachusetts, are supporting those in need of assistance by providing food, gifts and other essential items during the holiday season.
OCES staff participated in the “Adopt-a-Family” program at My Brother’s Keeper in Easton. The team purchased gifts of clothing, toys and games for five families and then volunteered onsite to wrap gifts.
To fight food insecurity in the community, OCES’ Protective Services team spearheaded a staff food drive and collected non-perishable food items, which were delivered to two food pantries – Damien’s Food Pantry in Wareham and the Charity Guild Food Pantry in Brockton.
During the holiday season and beyond, OCES takes pride in giving back to the communities it serves. OCES encourages employee involvement through volunteering, donating or community service.

Halifax Schools Present Early Budget Warning

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The Halifax Elementary School Committee received a preliminary budget one month earlier than usual on Dec. 8 that presented a stark choice: approve a modest 1.4% increase, or face cutting two teaching positions and creating a third-grade class of 30 students.
Superintendent Jill Proulx presented the fiscal year 2027 budget at the committee’s meeting, accelerating the district’s typical January timeline by a month. The early delivery responds to the school committee’s request for a votable budget by December, though Proulx recommended waiting for firmer numbers before taking a formal vote.
“This is earlier than usual. As you know, we typically present the preliminary in January,” Proulx said, thanking Finance Director Sarah Hickey “for making this a priority and for all the hard work she has put into this budget and all of our school’s budgets, especially this year, getting it done so early.”
The level service budget — which administrators call “best designed to meet our strategy for district improvement and the needs for our students” — totals $8,147,229. After offsets including circuit breaker funds, IDEA grants, and estimated reef and rural aid, Halifax’s appropriation would be $7,772,613, a 1.4% increase over fiscal year 2026.
Proulx emphasized the careful scrutiny behind the numbers. “We really have tried to cut down anything not essential to make sure that this is a lean and appropriate budget,” she told the committee.
The alternative presents a dramatically different picture. A level funded budget of $7,615,813 after offsets would require cutting $106,800 — eliminating 2.0 full-time equivalent positions and creating a third-grade class of 30 students.
“Obviously not something that we would necessarily want to do if there was any way we could possibly avoid that,” Proulx said when presenting the class size impacts.
School officials outlined two potential approaches to required reductions: increasing class sizes at two grade levels, or impacting one grade level while eliminating a specialist position. Administrators made clear these scenarios were forced considerations, not recommendations, and actual enrollment numbers could shift which positions would ultimately be affected.
Principal Brian Prehna’s capital needs assessment highlighted one non-negotiable expense: phone system replacement. “I want to draw your attention to that,” Proulx said. “It must be done, it must be paid for in this budget year. So that’s not a choice, and we have included it in the level services budget. We need our phones.”
Throughout the presentation, administrators cautioned that numbers remain estimates subject to change. Special education costs will fluctuate. Several grant amounts are projected rather than confirmed. Utilities are calculated on a four-year average. The shared-cost budget hasn’t been voted. The budget accounts for one known retirement but not potential additional departures.
Out-of-district vocational placements add another variable. Halifax currently has one 12th-grader in an out-of-district vocational program. The budget includes three placements, but actual enrollment won’t be known until April 1.
The Superintendent asked members to review capital priorities and consider which warrant articles to advance to the town. While the budget is technically votable, Proulx’s recommendation to wait for firmer numbers reflected the administration’s caution. “The numbers contained in the presentation are built upon assumptions and estimates, and the numbers are subject to change,” she said.
In administrative matters, the committee voted unanimously to waive the second reading and approve eight policies covering background checks, building access, school nutrition modifications, gifts to staff, student fundraising, parent booster organizations, parent advisory councils, and visitor procedures.
Lauren Laws reminded attendees of upcoming dates: Dec. 23 early release, winter break beginning Dec. 24, schools reopening Jan. 5, Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan. 19, and the next committee meeting on Jan. 26.
The budget presentation forces Halifax to confront a fundamental question about educational priorities and fi scal constraints. A level funded budget would directly impact classroom instruction through larger class sizes and reduced staffing. The projected third-grade class of 30 students exceeds research-based recommendations for effective Elementary instruction and could affect learning outcomes. The alternative — a modest 1.4% increase — represents school officials’ attempt to balance educational needs with fiscal responsibility to taxpayers. As these preliminary numbers are refined over the coming weeks, the decisions made will shape the Halifax elementary educational experience for the 2026-2027 school year.

Halifax Taps Steven Solbo as New Town Administrator

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The Halifax Board of Selectmen voted unanimously to offer the position of Town Administrator to Steven Solbo Jr., currently the Energy Projects Manager for the towns of Sharon and Norwood. The decision capped a night of interviews with three finalists, bringing a former resident back to town to lead Halifax through a challenging fiscal landscape.
In a meeting described by Chair Jonathan Selig as featuring “one of the hardest decisions I’ve had to make since being a Selectman,” the Board interviewed three candidates: David Coderre, the Vice President of Procurement for the Worcester Housing Authority and Chairman of the Board of Finance in Putnam, CT.; Justin Paré, a Channel Strategy Executive at VMware and the Town Council President in North Attleboro; and Solbo.
While all three candidates were praised for their qualifications, the Board ultimately gravitated toward Solbo, citing his “hunger,” local roots, and familiarity with the town. Solbo previously lived in Halifax from 2005 to 2013 and described the opportunity as a “coming home” moment.
Solbo brings a diverse background in municipal government, having served as an environmental planner and conservation agent in Bridgewater, an assistant HR director in Middleboro, and currently managing energy projects and grants for Sharon and Norwood. He highlighted his success in securing grants, a critical skill as Halifax faces a difficult budget cycle, noting he has secured approximately $1 million in grant funding this fiscal year alone.
The Board deliberated publicly, weighing Coderre’s strong financial acumen and Paré’s leadership experience against Solbo’s energy and local connection. Selectman Thomas Pratt noted that Solbo “might be the hungriest of the three,” suggesting he would hit the ground running with the most gusto.
Solbo indicated he could be ready to start as early as February 1st.

10 Local Caregivers Honored

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BROCKTON AND PLYMOUTH, MA. Ten local caregivers were honored with Caregiver Appreciation Awards at a special luncheon acknowledging National Family Caregivers Month in November. The luncheon was held at Fireside Grille in Middleboro, MA.
Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the largest provider of in-home and community-based services for older adults and people living with disabilities in Southeastern Massachusetts,
recognized caregivers who were nominated by their family members and peers in celebration of their selfless work of caregiving.

Caregiver Appreciation Awards were presented to:

Nydia Alvarez of Brockton, a dedicated caregiver and advocate for a family member:

Kim Benson of Bridgewater, a primary caregiver to two adults since 2011;

Joan Coulstring of Whitman, a primary caregiver to two young children;

James Doherty of Abington, a dedicated caregiver to an adult for several years;

Mary Flanagan of Duxbury, a primary caregiver to a family member for five years;

Michelle Kirshkaln of East Bridgewater, a dedicated caregiver to a family member for four years;

Kim Marie Moran of Pembroke, the primary caregiver to a family member and a caregiver to a friend’s family member for several years;

Marlene McDonald of Foxboro, a primary caregiver to two family members for a few years;

Marge Nutter of Stoughton, a dedicated caregiver to a family member for years; and

Kevin Sipola of Plymouth, the primary caregiver to a family member and a speaker at OCES Caregiver Support Group meetings.

“It is our pleasure to honor these remarkable individuals for their steadfast dedication, extraordinary compassion and care,” said Nicole Long, CEO. “We thank everyone who nominated these special caregivers for recognition.”
She continued, “All caregivers have a vital role of enhancing the lives of others. OCES remains committed to supporting caregivers.”

Family Caregiver Support Program
Each caregiver’s situation is unique and complex. OCES has a Family Caregiver Support Program (FCSP) that provides caregiver support in the creation of a personalized plan outlining available resources (including OCES programs and other community information) applicable to their caregiving situation. These resources may include caregiver support groups as well as educational workshops or programs that share techniques to help family caregivers with stress reduction, time management, goal setting, problem-solving, relaxation and more. The FCSP works with people of all ages including grandparents raising grandchildren.

Journeying Along with the Express

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If there is one thing to expect from life, it is the faithfully omnipresent unexpected. A mere year and a half ago, I was retrieving the Plympton-Halifax-Kingston Express Newspaper from the mailbox at the edge of my Plympton farm as a reader and subscriber, only. Now, I eagerly yank open my semi-stuck mailbox door each week to see, in print, what my team and I spent the last few days creating and building. Months ago, I could not have imagined being given the immense honor, privilege, and pleasure of becoming part of the Express Newspaper, nor could I have predicted the adventures this opportunity of a lifetime has taken me on.
Of course, I am hardly alone in bringing this newspaper to all of you each week. Far from it! My incredible colleagues, Marla Webby and Katie Peloquin have years of expertise and experience in creating the Express and have been incredibly patient with me and helpful as I navigate the entirely new world of journalism and newspaper publication. We work hard but we also have many laughs, and having them to guide and advise me through this process has been an unexpected delight in life.
It has also been a true pleasure working with various contributing editors. Emery’s columns read like a chat on the porch about life events with a good and wise neighbor. Justin sweeps in with his comprehensive coverage of South Shore happenings that keep the Express up to date with all things local and relevant to our communities. Steve brings community pride with his coverage of the high school sports teams that we are all rooting for -accompanied by incredible professional photography. We have the pleasure of exploring the night skies and learning about the news in the realms beyond Earth with Barry as our expert guide. Holidays with the Express would not be the same without Linda Hurd’s heartfelt recounting of celebrations and traditions of yesteryear, and there is always a touch of brilliance when Alan graces us with an article about the local environment with sage reminders to treasure the precious land we have in our towns. Linda Redding, a retired librarian from Silver Lake, generously shares community happenings that might have slipped under the radar but are nonetheless important and deserving of coverage.
At the helm of it all, owner Mike Lemieux, has enthusiastically taken the wheel of this beautifully established local paper and trusted us with the blessing and task of keeping it afloat while also sailing to new horizons that honor and build upon the legacy of our mentor, friend, and founder, the inimitable and brilliant Deb Anderson, who spent a good portion of her life building this priceless paper from the ground up.
The Express is also more than the founders, editors, designers, and images. It is an amalgamation of the very substance of our collective community. The content and spirit of the Express is as homegrown as the many crops that are pulled from the local soil of our towns. In the scope of international news, world news, and even larger local news, it may seem that someday there might be a shortage of stories to tell and news to share in this contained area of New England, but if anything, local news is infinite because it is hyper-focused, ever changing, and permanently relevant to our families and lives in an intimate way that “big news” can never be.
As I sit in front of the Christmas tree with “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” serendipitously playing in the background, I am amazed and bewildered, in the most pleasant way, that this, dear readers, is my 32nd story with the Plympton-Halifax-Kingston Express Newspaper since May 9th, 2025. As this wild ride of a year comes to a close, I wanted to reflect on the incredible people, places, and businesses that I have had the privilege of interviewing, visiting, connecting with, and writing about as the editor of the Express. I pinch myself on the daily that I get to go out into the community each week, learn from you, and then work with the best team ever to compile and present what was learned with all of you.
The stories you have told me are beautiful, eye-opening, heartfelt, tragic, inspiring, and amusing. I can’t thank you enough for entrusting me with them to pass through the filter of my mind and writing to share with our three towns and beyond (and from what I have been told our newspaper has been shared and shipped as far as California to family and friends of those featured!). I am humbled by the gift you have all given to me this year -the gift of connecting with my community in the most soul-transforming way I could have ever imagined. Thanks to all of you, and in spite of my decades of wandering the country in search of a place to put down my roots, I finally found my home.
Here is a look back at some of the articles I was so fortunate to write this year about all of you!
    1. Sauchuk Wins Bid For Carousel, 05/09. This was my maiden voyage, little feature in the Express. Deb was patiently training me and this was my first time doing a small interview. I completely botched it and ended up making it too short (hard to imagine with how I ramble on now!). I also sent it with enough mistakes to poor Deb to likely cause her quite a fright that I was going to be writing for her regularly. It was my terrible dress rehearsal, and thanks to her generous editing and others expertise, the article came out great in the end.
    2. Making a Memorial Day Parade, 05/16. This was my first in-person interview with Briggette Martins where I got to learn all about the amazing and involved process of putting together the annual Plympton Memorial Day Parade. I also got to attend a parade committee meeting and was impressed with how eager everyone was to work together to pull of this daunting task.
    3. A New Chapter Begins, 06/06. Covering the Silver Lake High School Graduation was my first time learning how to rather chase after information and watch something live and then report on it. I was so inspired listening to the local youth speak at the ceremony and have no doubt they are all doing wonderful things since their graduation. If anyone of them would like to share with us what they have been up to since graduation, do not hesitate to send us an email!
    4. What’s Up? -Just Ask Barry, 06/20. This interview and article were a particular joy to do as Barry is a good friend and my kids and I revere him for his knowledge and kindness. Learning about his journey in becoming an astronomy expert and getting to see the amazing backyard set-up for his telescope was truly enjoyable.
    5. Sweet Treats are a Recipe for Success, 06/27. Interviewing Keegan Thim Yee of Keegan’s Kreations about his journey as an immigrant arriving in America with next to nothing, and now owning and running two very successful bakeries was a memorable and inspiring experience.
    6. Plympton Residents Encouraged to Attend Public Hearings for Rickett’s Pond Estates 40B Project, 07/04. This was my first experience covering a town meeting -particularly one dealing with a serious and impactful decision in Plympton. I learned a lot about this proposed project through research and I sincerely hope everyone is keeping abreast of this issue as it moves forward as it will have a long-lasting, drastic effect on the future of Plympton.
    7. An Eye for Life, 07/11. Interviewing local, award-winning photographer, Donna McBrien, was an amazing look into the process of nature and wildlife photography. Being privy to her tips and some of her photography secrets has influenced my personal photography this year. More importantly, her passion for featuring, preserving, and sharing the wildlife in our community is a continual blessing we are so fortunate to have via the Plympton town Facebook Page and her website.
    8. It’s a Dog’s World at the Barker House, 07/18. After having my own dog board several times at The Barker House, I knew it was going to be a pleasure to learn more about Dr. Amber Bartlett and her popular boarding house and dog-care center. Her entrepreneurial spirit is continuing to enrich the community as her play center for children opens in the heart of Plympton soon. Stay tuned!
    9. Not Your Grandmother’s Library, 07/25. Chatting with the brilliant and friendly Maria Bumpus of the Holmes Public Library was like passing the afternoon surrounded by delightful books with an old friend. Her dedication to making the library a place of enrichment and fun, instead of only quiet and study, made me look at libraries in a new and more accurate way.
    10. Nessralla’s Farm: An Inherited Passion, 08/01. It was a treat, indeed, to visit Nessralla’s Farm and talk with John about the farm and family origins that have become a nostalgic and important mainstay in our community. Nessralla’s dedication to quality over quantity and his intense passion for farming left me all the more fueled up to get home and show deeper love and appreciation of my own farm. Don’t forget to support their incredible farmstand throughout the year!
    11. Rocking Horse Farm Stepping High, 08/15. After being with Rocking Horse Farm since my daughter was six years old, I didn’t expect to learn so many new things about Katie Alemian Flannery’s riding academy and barn. Flannery shared a beautiful story of what it means to grow up with both an inherited and inherent passion for horses, and how teaching the younger generation horsemanship is the perfect antithesis to a modern, disassociated world.
    12. Exploring the Great Beyond, 08/22. What a wonderful opportunity to interview Alison Riordan of Blake Planetarium and learn about a place so many of us love! Although outside our tri-town boundaries, I could not miss the chance to learn more about such a crucial hub of scientific learning in our community. The tedious, costly, and ever-evolving nature of running a planetarium made me appreciate the blessing of having such a place twenty minutes away all the more.
    13. Creativity Curated, 08/29. The incredible Maryann Gibbons of Artypants Magazine had my brain humming with insight and ideas as she took us all along on her creative process and adventure in creating one of New England’s premier art magazines right in Kingston!
    14. Nurturing the Past, Harvesting the Future, 09/05. Visiting Jim Lough of Colchester Farm was a highlight this year. I showed up for an interview and left with an ear of delicious, raw corn that I ate like a candy bar. Lough’s reverence for the land and commitment to creating a community-farm experience through pick-your-own crops, an honor-system farm stand, and a community-center barn brought home a feel-good impression for all our readers.
    15. There and Back Again: A Librarian’s Tale, 09/12. Getting to know Mike Slawson of the Plympton Public Library was a day I won’t forget because of his passion for books, learning, and community. Slawson is well-known for making waves in Plympton with constant innovative ideas that involve all ages and interests. Together, with his faithful dog, Maddie, they are fast-finding a home and creating a beautiful story of their own here in Plympton.
    16. Home is Where Your Horse Is, 09/19. The South Shore Equine Center in Plympton gave all the Express readers a fascinating inside look into the workings of an equine hospital. Dr. Mark T. Reilly spent a great deal of time taking me to each room and building on the campus and explained the happenings there in detail to my non-horse savvy self. Many of our readers sent emails and made comments about enjoying learning about the incredible work that goes on there and how much passion it takes to provide medical care for the majestic creatures that grace our towns in great numbers.
    17. Tales of New Plympton, 09/26. In this article I wanted to spend time sharing the many reasons I love Plympton and the surrounding community. Perhaps it did come at a time when a bit of turmoil was brewing locally, and perhaps I did hope to share my view as, by many people standards, an “outsider”, but mostly I wrote it as a bit of a gratitude journal entry from me to all of you for the magic you each add to our town.
    18. Comfort Me with Apples, 10/03. This piece was purely written with seasonal sentiment to-boot as a fanatic for all things autumn -especially autumn in New England. Apples have historically been a staple crop in the community and it was fascinating to learn about the history of the pomme in these parts.
    19. Look for the Helpers, 10/10. Interviewing South Shore Community Action Council CEO, Lisa Spencer, was one of the most impactful experiences for me with the Express. Being made aware of both the needs in the area, as well as the incredible efforts to meet those needs through the unyielding and constant efforts of the people at SSCAC, gave myself, and the readers of the Express, a renewed appreciation for charity work on the South Shore.
    20. Finding the Greater Perfection, 10/17. In an interview with my dear friend and foremost gardening/horticulture mentor, George Stanchfield of South of Boston Gardeners with George Stanchfield, I did my best to package up the immense brilliance and magic that is George and share it with all of you. With is early days of horticulture training at Billingsgate Farm in Plympton, and with his handiwork and landscaping gracing many yards and public properties in the area, I could not help but share a bit more of his amazing story.
    21. A Haunted Historical Inheritance, 10/24. As a Halloween enthusiast (putting it mildly) and Irish historian, writing about the History of Halloween in New England and its origins was hardly work. The only difficult task was not writing dozens of pages about the holiday and traditions that so oft haunt my mind. It was also a treat to get several emails from readers sharing their own Halloween/Samhain knowledge and asking follow up questions! I certainly never have an issue chatting about the spookiest time of year.
    22. The Canvas of Community, 10/31. Plympton residents Rob and Emily Peters charmed readers with their wonderful story about opening up Children’s Art Classes in Hanover. Their enthusiasm jumped off the pages for everyone reading and the obvious passion they have for the mission behind their new and thriving business inspired us all!
    23. Lost and Found, 11/07. I wrote this piece as a way to take a deeper look into the SNAP Benefit crisis and the enhancement of food insecurity in our community under the current administration. While attempting to thoroughly examine causation, I also tried to provide resources for the many in our community who are in need of support right now.
    24. Letting Heaven and Nature Sing, 11/14. One of the most enjoyable stories I have had the privilege of writing was with Kimberly Campbell of The Farm at Raven Brook. With a friendly demeanor perfectly befitting the proprietor of a Christmas tree farm, and a story about taking a huge risk on nature and watching their children’s lives be enriched because of it, readers were left with the perfect, warm-fuzzy feeling to set the tone for the forthcoming holiday season.
    25. Echoes Past and Present: The Sound of Survival, 11/21. In what was, for me, the most powerful interview of my time here at the Express, I did my best to share the story and sacred purpose and mission of the local, indigenous collective, Juniper + Pine -founded by the incredible Danielle Alonso-Wynne and Malissa Costa. It was an immeasurable gift to be able to speak with these two extensively-educated, indigenous women who are experts in their field and culture bearers of the highest regard, to and learn how they are an invaluable part of ensuring the survival and certain success of the indigenous people here locally and nation-wide.
    26. 300 Years in the Making: The Chronicles of Kingston, 11/28. Concerning what is undoubtedly a tome all of us should have in our homes, we got an inside look into the incredible process and passion fueling the book, Tales of the Jones River Village: Kingston’s 300 Years. Jim Farrell was a fount of information as to the extensive collaborative process required to make this historically poignant book.
    27. Gifts from the Heart: Shaping the Future of Our Local Economy, 12/05. My intention behind this story was to highlight the importance of shopping local and to show how imperative it is to the health of our community. I learned that I knew very little of how much shopping local matters. I was overjoyed to have several people inform me that they were inspired to shop mostly local after reading the article! This was a great experience for me to see the power of local news impacting real-time decisions in the community.
    28. Changing the Story: A Happy Ending Authored by Love, 12/12. Readers were made instant fans of the rescue horse, Journey of Schoolhouse Farm, and his new owner and rescuer, Vicki Alberti. We were all taken on our own journey learning about the horrors of mass-horse slaughter and how our societal decisions have a powerful impact, for good and bad, on the lives of thousands of innocent horses.
    29. A Home for Hope, 12/19. Hope Floats Healing and Wellness Center made a special place in all our hearts as the story of its founding and its incredible mission were shared with us. Providing a healing home base for the processing and management of the most intense of human emotions and experiences, love and grief, Hope Floats is a priceless place in our community that holds and houses the love and hope of thousands of locals.
I wish all of you the happiest of holidays and a healing, healthy, hopeful New Year. Thank you for giving me the great honor of collecting and sharing your stories. It is so good to be home.

Governor Healey Announces That Federal Heating Assistance Funding is Now Available

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BOSTON – Governor Maura Healey today announced that the Trump Administration has released federal funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). After more than a month’s delay, the federal funding was released yesterday, and all applications can now be processed.
“For more than a month, President Trump has forced American families to wait in the cold,” said Governor Healey. “As we hit cold winter weather, we are relieved that funds are finally flowing now, and families can apply for help heating their homes. Our team has worked to make this funding available immediately, because our families cannot afford to wait.  I’m grateful to Secretary Augustus and the team at the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities for taking the necessary steps to ensure we were prepared to get the program started again as soon as the federal funding was made available.”
“Home energy assistance is one of the most important tools we have to keep people safe in the winter. For many of the households we serve each year, HEAP is the difference between a warm home and an impossible choice between heat, food and medicine,” said Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus. “Now that this funding has been released, our team and our local partners are moving quickly so that seniors, families with children and people with disabilities can get the help they need as the cold weather sets in.”
LIHEAP is a federal program, referred to as the Massachusetts Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) in Massachusetts, that typically helps more than 150,000 Massachusetts households, representing over 300,000 people, afford to heat their homes during the winter each year. This federal funding usually becomes available in early November, but it was delayed due to the federal government shutdown. Even after the government reopened on November 13, it took the Trump Administration nearly three weeks to release funding – a delay that Governor Healey criticized.
During the pause, the Healey-Driscoll Administration utilized leftover federal funding from last year to support households with a heating emergency. The Department of Public Utilities also extended its shut-off moratorium to October 27, 2025 – April 1, 2026.
All eligible HEAP clients are now able to apply online for heating assistance.

A Home for Hope

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“Hope sees the invisible, feels the intangible, and achieves the impossible.” Helen Keller

While driving down Elm Street in Kingston, you can’t help but notice the endearing, yet classic, meandering streets through the quintessential Southern New England village. The roadside is dotted with beautiful antique homes, stone walls and picket fences, and backed by woodlands and river marsh. You will also likely notice a white antique home perched upon a steep hill with a welcoming sign beckoning onlookers with dragonflies and the words, “Hope Floats Healing and Wellness Center.” In our modern-day society, with signs saying a myriad of things to us from stiff-upper-lip business names to noticeably abrasive advertisement slogans, seeing the words “Hope Floats” leaves a lingering curiosity as to what business such lovely words belong to.
This gentle name and sentiment are the physical face of an even lovelier purpose housed in the walls of the 1844 farmhouse, carriage house, and barn. The dragonfly slogan was designed by Amanda Brack who lost her brother, Mike, in 2002. She drew a picture of a girl on a swing, surrounded by three dragonflies for her grieving mother and the image fast became an important symbol for her family.
Hope Floats Healing and Wellness Center was born in 2009 from the love and grief of Denise and Ken Brack after the loss of their son, Mike at age 18. When looking for ways to work through and find support for their loss, they realized there were no places offering what they needed and hoped to find. They began to envision a center specializing in and providing services for people working through the grief -a center that did not feel clinical in nature, but comforting and cozy…like home.
“That was hugely important to the Brack’s -that this place felt like a sort of home for people who were grieving,” explains Elizabeth McKenna, Executive Director of Hope Floats. Sitting in the cheerful office with McKenna and Program and Event Coordinator, Emily Sarney, it is easy to feel a rather “warm-blanket energy” about the place. “We have the main house, the carriage house, and the barn where all of our groups and workshops meet. It is also where the offices of our counselors are and where we have yoga.” The grounds also have a Memory Garden, and labyrinth, and a path to the Jones River. “It is such a peaceful place,” says McKenna.
It is not just the buildings or the grounds, however, that make Hope Floats Healing and Wellness Center special -it is what happens here that changes people’s lives for the better. “Grief and loss are a part of life for everyone, yet grieving still has a stigma about it,” Sarney points out, “Here we work hard to destigmatize the mourning process and to help people find healthy coping mechanisms to move forward in their lives. We have programs tailored to groups and individuals that help us do that.”
Hope Floats offers separate groups for children, teens, and parents/caregiver adults who are dealing with death-related loss of a parent, caregiver, loved one, or sibling. These programs help participants process their grief through creative activities like arts and crafts, book clubs, games, workshops, and camps with the guidance and help of professionally trained support staff. Families who come to Hope Floats are able to connect with others dealing with similar circumstances in the home-like environment. Parents and caregivers can talk about common issues, concerns, and ways to help their children cope. McKenna adds, “Mike’s Club is also free for children 5-18 years old. The Brack’s wanted to remove any financial barriers during an already difficult time in people’s lives.” These uniquely tailored support groups meet every other week during the school year and are led by Hope Floats staff, clinicians and trained volunteers.
The professionals at Hope Floats Healing and Wellness Center understand that varying ages and groups process grief differently, and they accommodate as many facets of loss and mourning as they can to make sure there is a safe, therapeutic place for everyone to focus on their own healing process or connect with people experiencing similar situations. With support groups for all ages for those experiencing things like infant and pregnancy loss, loss of young children, newly bereaved parents, loss of siblings, losses to suicide, loss of a parent, loss of a spouse, single father groups, loss of a child or loved one to addiction, and disenfranchised loss from divorce or other family and life tragedies, Hope Floats has grown exponentially to cast a support net over a wide range of situations.
In fact, it is not just the local community who find what they are in need of here while in mourning. “We actually have people come from out of state to participate in camps and programs,” says McKenna, “We have recently had people from Connecticut, New Hampshire, and even Illinois that we have been able to help on their healing journey.”
Each room inside the main house at Hope Floats is decorated and equipped for different age groups. Young children are surrounded by arts and crafts stations, colorful murals painted on the walls, and cheerful décor. The teen-support group rooms are designed in a more sophisticated fashion and lined with giant bean-bags and posters with positive messages about self-acceptance and esteem. Adult group rooms feel like walking into a peaceful room at a friend’s house with plenty of comfortable seating, historical touches relevant to the antique house, and a welcoming kitchen. In every room, books on loss and grief line the shelves that are age appropriate to the room they are kept in. Hope Floats, indeed, feels like home.
In addition to support groups, Hope Floats offers various camps throughout the year. One of the most popular programs is a four-week summer camp for children, teens, and families coping with death-related loss. “People can come enjoy pizza, vendors, and outdoor activities at the camps,” McKenna says “Children will also have the opportunity to engage in expressive-arts activities focused on processing grief and loss. Art is a great channel for grief. If you ask a child, ‘What color is your sadness?’ or ‘Can you draw something you remember about your mom?’, they are able to get that out on paper or canvas and it is incredibly beneficial.”
While the children and teens participate in their various groups, the parenting adults are able to participate in a peer-facilitated support group for those who have subsequently lost a partner or spouse. Registration is by the week to accommodate individual schedules and routines that are often difficult to return to following loss.
One of the most beneficial and relied on ways to work through and manage grief is the many yoga classes offered in the barn at Hope Floats. Held in a sun-filled, calming space., participants at Hope Floats can explore various kinds of yoga -Kripalu yoga, Hatha yoga, Kundalini Yoga, and Yin to Slow Flow Yoga. These classes are taught by instructors who specialize in leading healing groups.
Day long retreats are also offered multiple times a year and are specific to mothers/parents who have lost children, those affected by suicide loss, people dealing with cancer and other illness, and a retreat for caregivers. Hope Floats also hosts special Mother’s Day retreats and retreats for military family members. Retreats are holistically based and often include meditation, stretching and breathing exercises, yoga, group discussions and mini-healing treatments given by certified practitioners. Treatment offerings include Reiki, Healing Touch, chair massage and more. Participants are able to explore the peaceful gardens and trails and enjoy a catered lunch.
The retreats at Hope Floats offer opportunities for self-care and the chance to meet others dealing with similar situations. “Grief can be such an isolating feeling,” McKenna notes, “It is really important that we counter that feeling of being alone with connections -especially with others who can relate to how you feel. Our retreats and groups and workshops really bring people together and they often form long-lasting friendships.”
One of the most utilized and popular offerings at Hope Floats are Family Nights. Family Night is for children of all ages and their families. A pizza dinner will be served, then children and adults will be invited to work together on a fun family art project that is meant to be as enjoyable as it is therapeutic. Family nights are led by Hope Floats staff, clinicians, and trained volunteers.
With all of the recreational and group-centered activities offered, it is important to note that Hope Floats Healing and Wellness Center also provides on-site, insurance-accepting counselors. On-site Licensed Clinicians/Social Workers, Master’s Level Clinicians, and Master’s Level Interns are accepting new clients for one-on-one counseling services at Hope Floats. “All of our professional counselors are focused on providing grief counseling, anxiety and depression management, life stressor and transition management, and helping to navigate other life challenges that require extra support,” McKenna explains. The House of Hope does not stop at providing learning and assistance on their homesite, they are also bringing grief management strategies and preparedness to the community.
The Hope Floats Education and Awareness Response Team (H.E.A.R.T) offers training for teachers and staff on grief education and awareness, and provides resources and techniques on how to help grieving children at school and in the classroom. “Oftentimes, following the death of a loved one or family member, the first point of contact outside of the grieving home is at school with a teacher,” McKenna says. “So, we are providing training for teachers and administrators to recognize and manage the grief process in school-age children.”
Spearheading the grief education and outreach program is Maureen Walsh, NPFT and Education Outreach Director. “The H.E.A.R.T. program is an eight-week, free course that trains teachers and administrators how to best support students dealing with loss and grief. I believe we have now been to 30 schools to train them on grief management,” Sarney points out, “In fact, some of them have asked us to come back with more. They finished the eight-week course and they want to continue it so we are working to develop an extended program.” Grief training is also offered for a fee for LICSW’s, LMHC’s, and community members.
On the horizon for 2026, Hope Floats is working on launching a program directed towards senior citizens called Healing Hearts. Grief education programs will be taken to senior centers, nursing homes, COA’s, and anywhere in the community where seniors are managing the losses that come with aging. “We plan to offer a range of things from knitting groups, writing opportunities, crafts to take the mind off of things and reignite purpose, and even quilting -anything seniors enjoy doing but we will also focus on helping them with the grief and loss that aging brings,” says McKenna.
With all of these offered opportunities and expansion and demand on the rise, it is important to know that Hope Floats Healing and Wellness Center relies on grants, fundraisers, and donations to keep services free and readily available to the public. Some workshops and retreats incur a minimal cost that can either be refunded to the participant or accepted as a donation to the center. The two main fundraisers for Hope Floats to keep aware of are the 5K Memory Walk and the Hope Floats Golf Classic. The 5K, golf tournament, and dinner bring in sustaining funds not only to provide free services and events for participants, but also to maintain the various buildings and grounds at Hope Floats. “There is a lot to think about,” says McKenna, “We are always focused on the management of the programs here but we also have to keep up with home and property repairs.” Future plans for an additional garden this spring to be installed by the local Boy Scouts will add to the already well-landscaped, tranquil grounds where visitors and guests can wander and explore.
Hope Floats Healing and Wellness Center is a beacon of light to many in the community. Untold amounts of comfort and guidance have taken root there and helped people branch out and eventually flourish in their communities and personal lives after loss. McKenna explains, “Almost all of our staff and volunteers here first came as participants. We experienced first-hand how important this work is and we came to love this place so much that we never wanted to leave.”
Though building a legacy from grief is hardly what anyone wishes for themselves, it is a skill all can benefit from because loss is part of living -nobody is immune. Hope Floats Healing and Wellness Center gave comfort, strength, and community to over 1,300 people last year. It is said that grief is just love with no place to go, but at Hope Floats, the Bracks have given their love and grief for their son, Michael, and the love and grief of all who enter this sacred space, a place to rest, heal, and grow; they have given the community a home that houses the love of thousands of healing hearts.