This past week’s mild temperatures saw many residents take advantage of the newest park in Plympton, “Two Brooks Preserve,” and our photographer, Sandi Neumeister, brought her camera to snap these images to share. The majestic swans who make the pond their home seem to be planning to stay for the winter. The engraving on the rock is complete and the wooden walkway beckons you in to the woods to see what’s there. The parking lot isready and the walkers appreciate the trails that meander through the vast acreage. The project is the result of the efforts of many people and organizations in Plympton: the Community Preservation Committee, the Open Space Committee, and many individuals who gave their time and talent to make this exquisite parcel safe from destruction and development.
Fire dog gets comfort credentials
PLYMPTON – The Massachusetts House of Representatives recognized Plympton Fire K9 Wilden and his handler, Captain Cheryl Davis, with a citation in recognition of their certification as a First Responder Therapy Dogs team.
State Representative Kathy LaNatra presented the team with the citation during a ceremony at Plympton Fire Headquarters on Wednesday, Dec. 21. Captain Davis rescued Wilden, a three-year-old-mutt, from Antigua in 2019. He was part of a litter found abandoned on a beach on the island, which has a rampant stray dog and cat population.
First Responder Therapy Dogs certify teams (handler and dog) who address behavior health needs by providing emotional support to first responders with the use of trained therapy dogs. The teams visit fire departments, police stations and dispatch 911 call centers. They are also available for debriefings after difficult calls and first responder special events. Captain Davis recognized Wilden’s knack for comforting people when he would visit her at the fire station. Wilden’s calming effect was on full display when she brought him to a class while getting certified in Critical Incident Stress Management.
“As first responders we’re telling their story, he had an instant instinct to go up to the ones who needed him the most,” Captain Davis said. The well-being of first responders is near and dear to Representative LaNatra’s heart. The wife of a police officer, she filed a bill to provide greater access to mental health services for first responders involved in traumatic events. “First responders encounter trauma events every day and are often reluctant to share their feelings with colleagues or friends,” she said. “My bill will really insist they get the help they need.”
Captain Davis and Wilden have been working hard to earn this certification. This past August, Wilden obtained his American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen certificate, which was the final step in his application for the First Responder Therapy Dogs program. Chris Maynard with Maynard Dog Training Solutions donated Wilden’s training.
Captain Davis and Wilden are one of 81 certified First Responder Therapy Dog teams across 17 states. Massachusetts has 11 certified teams. Two additional teams are currently enrolled in the certification process.
A Clock for Christmas
By Linda Ibbitson Hurd
Special to The Express
Asa Wallace was the father of four children. His oldest daughter Ceara was 19, attended a local college and earned money babysitting. His second oldest, Ben, was 17, then Joel, 14. Both boys had after school jobs two days a week which they alternated at the market in their small town. The youngest, Cassy who was twelve, was just starting to babysit.
Asa was short on communication and sensitivity and long on gruffness, but he loved his family and was a good provider. He wished his job in construction paid more but with the help of his wife Jane who drove a school bus and was very good at managing their finances, they managed. Where Asa was gruff, Jane was the heart of their home.
Summer had ended and the Fall season was in full swing. Asa had seen an advertisement in Yankee magazine for a build -it-yourself grandfather clock that came with plans and all the parts. The ad showed a picture of what the clock would look like all put together and the cost was affordable. Jane had always wanted one and he was thinking about it for Christmas. Asa started saving money. He was sure he could put it together and have it ready for Christmas and his parents who lived nearby offered to let him use their garage to work on it. Very unlike him, he even showed the ad to his son Ben who thought it was a nice idea.
Ben told his sister Ceara what their father had planned to do for their mother for Christmas. She was surprised her dad told Ben but was excited and thought it a great idea. She knew how long her mother had wanted a grandfather clock and how much she would love it.
Asa picked up a part-time job on Saturdays operating a backhoe at a sand pit loading dump trucks so he would not have to take money out of his paycheck to save for the clock. He had to send for the plans in October to have the clock finished and ready by Christmas. The third week into October the weather turned very cold and there was a heavy snow storm. All the work at the sand pit came to a halt and it wasn’t sure when they would be back up and running. He was $80 short and could not send for the clock.
His family noticed he seemed more short-tempered than usual but it happened from time to time and they steered clear of him. Jane was used to his moods and didn’t think too much of it. Then he took Joel to task saying a C was too low a grade to get on one of his tests. He also got angry at Ceara’s boyfriend saying 11 o’clock was too late to get home from a party. Then he got upset at Cassy and told her she shouldn’t take phone calls after seven at night. He was upsetting the entire household and Jane and the kids were upset.
Jane tried to talk with him to see if there was something wrong and he became very argumentative. She told him he was turning his kids against him with his behavior by getting on them about every little thing.
Asa went down cellar after Jane told him he better do something about himself. He started working on a lamp that needed fixing when Ben came down to see if he could find out what was troubling his father. “Hey dad, looks like you’re in the dog house.” Asa just grunted. Ben tried again. “How’s it going with the clock?” “Not too good!” “How’s that?”, asked Ben. In his gruff way Asa came back with, “Well, I lost my Saturday job!”, he yelled. “You mean that’s how you were paying for the clock?” “Well ya, what’ya think!” “Well, said Ben, “I didn’t realize that’s why you took the job, you just said they needed you.” “They don’t need me now!,” exclaimed Asa. “Well, maybe some other place might need some part time help?” Ben suggested. “Extra work’s hard enough to find right now with such cold temperatures and all the snow and ice.” Ben looked at his father, “How much do you need?” “I’m $80 short, I’ll have to wait until next year”, Asa said looking down at the floor. “You better get your homework done Ben, I have to finish up down here.” “Okay dad.” Ben went upstairs to look for Ceara.
Ben told her what happened. “So that’s what’s been going on! Why doesn’t he ever tell us anything?” Ceara sighed, saying “He makes you so mad you just don’t even want to care.” “True”, said Ben, “but we do care, he’s really in a spot.” Just then Joel came looking for Ceara to get some help with his homework and Cassy came bounding into Ceara’s room as well. “How come everyone’s in here?” Cassy wanted to know. Ben looked at Ceara, “We might as well tell them, dad’s never going to.” Ceara nodded and they told Joel and Cassy why their dad had been in such a bad mood. “ It’s hard to feel sorry for him” said Cassy, “He gets so awful sometimes,” “Tell me about it”, said Joel. Ben said, “I know but he also works really hard and this is something he really wanted to do for mom and if it were us that needed help, he’d help us.” “Ya, after he yelled at us!”, said Cassy. After a good laugh they tried to figure out how to help.
Asa came up from the cellar late that night. Jane had kept his supper warm in the oven and she and the kids had gone to bed. Asa was feeling pretty miserable about not having enough money to get the clock and also about upsetting his family. After he ate he got ready for bed. Jane was sleeping soundly as he started to get into bed and he was careful not to wake her. He noticed something sticking out from under his pillow. He pulled out a long white envelope and walked down the hall to the bathroom to open it so he wouldn’t disturb Jane. He turned on the bathroom light and opened the envelope. It was full of paper money and change. There was a note with it that read, Merry Christmas Dad, love Ben, Ceara, Joel and Cassy. When Asa counted it there was $80. A tear rolled down his cheek and his heart burst with love and pride as he realized what his children had done for him.
The clock came out beautifully and Mom loved it. It’s still in our family to this day. It lives in my brother’s house still happily telling the hours as it chimes away. Dad was never one to say he was sorry but we knew he was by the better way he treated us.
Linda Hurd is a Halifax resident who grew up in Hanson. We are delighted to print her delightful musings of gentler days gone by.
College honors Halifax resident
Massasoit Community College in Brockton dedicated the Julie Mulvey Court on Dec. 13 during a ceremony in the College’s Peter Asiaf Field House. The court recognizes Mulvey’s generosity and 40-year career at the College.
“Few individuals have had as much of a lasting impact on Massasoit student-athletes as Julie Mulvey,” said Ray DiPasquale, President of Massasoit Community College. “It’s our honor to name our main indoor athletic space in recognition of Julie’s service and the generous support she has given to Warriors Athletics.”
Mulvey currently serves as interim athletics director, having previously held the permanent position from 2008 until her retirement in 2020.
Throughout her 40 years of service at Massasoit, Mulvey held many positions, including women’s basketball coach, women’s volleyball coach, assistant athletics director, and director of student life (1995-2008).
“I am very humbled, yet appreciative of this tribute,” said Mulvey. “Throughout the years, it has been an honor and a privilege to work with the students at Massasoit Community College.”
During the dedication ceremony, the 60 guests in attendance, that included Mulvey’s children and grandchildren, heard about Mulvey’s career and life story. Remarks were made by Massasoit Vice President for Administration and CFO William Mitchell and two Massasoit Athletics Hall of Famers –Tom Frizzell, a Massasoit coaching legend and professor, and Julie Beckward, a longtime Massasoit Athletics staff member and student-athlete under then-Coach Mulvey.
Laker Boys Basketball vs Rockland
Photos and text by Steve Gilbert
Silver Lake’s Boys Basketball took on the Rockland Bulldogs just before the holidays. The Lakers bring five returning Seniors along with a strong Junior class to the court. This experience makes them a challenging squad defensively but a team that is still growing on offense. A 10-game schedule that takes the Lakers through the strength of the Patriot League awaits Silver Lake when they return in the new year.
“The night I heard Penny sing”
By Linda Ibbitson Hurd
It was a Sunday night before Christmas in 1962. I was 15 and my sister Penny was 12. We had two younger siblings, David, 9, and Barbara, 6.
We belonged to the Hanson Baptist Church and that night our family was going to a candlelight service that Penny was part of. It was not uncommon for Penny and I to be arguing or fighting over something, most anything would do and me being the older sister Penny just loved getting on my nerves. I didn’t want to go to the service and couldn’t see why they all couldn’t go without me but my mother insisted and I knew if I protested my father would get involved and that would make matters worse so I complied.
As we were getting ready, Penny and I had an argument because she took a wool pleated skirt I planned to wear and didn’t even ask. I was so angry as she always stretched the waist band in my clothes and ruined them for me. I went into her room where she was getting dressed and told her I wanted my skirt back and made a grab for it. She was bigger and taller than I and packed a mighty punch which she shared often. I pushed her and she fell between the bed and the wall. She kicked me and I knew if I had screamed that would bring dad running and it would be bad for us both. I whispered in a nasty tempered whisper for her to let go of my skirt. She grit her teeth and in a mean whisper told me she had nothing to wear and I had all the good clothes. I did a slow boil and wanted to pull her blonde pony tail but didn’t. I whispered again for her to give me my skirt. She snarled back, put it under her and sat on it. I went to find my mom.
I tried to be calm and not whine when I told mom what was going on. She said she would take care of it and told me to go to my room. She came in a few minutes later with the skirt and told me to get dressed. Penny had to go out and feed her horse, Lady, before she got ready. She opened the door to my room as she passed by and snarled that I was a no good rotten tattletale. I told her she deserved what she got. To my surprise she didn’t slam the door.
When we finally were on our way to the church, mom put my little brother and sister between Penny and me in the back seat, for which I was relieved. I noticed Penny wasn’t giving me dirty looks or hissing at me, she just looked out the window and was very quiet during the ride.
Once we were inside the Sanctuary other people came in greeting one another warmly. There was a happy, festive yet peaceful atmosphere with a very special feeling filling the church. White candles were aglow all over the room as we all sat in the cushioned pews.
As the service started and the choir sang, out walked Penny. She was wearing a white choir robe and her silky blonde hair shone as it fell around her face. Her cheeks were pink and her light green eyes filled with happiness. There was a pause and a hush as the Minister nodded to her. She began to sing ‘Silent Night’ in the most beautiful angelic voice I couldn’t believe was coming out of her. It seemed like there was a halo around her head and I reasoned it was the candles behind her that were making it look that way until I realized there were no candles directly behind her. A light seemed to radiate all around her as she sang out to the Congregation.
Much to my surprise, tears filled my eyes and my heart swelled with pride.
In that moment I began to wonder if she behaved the way she did sometimes because she wanted my attention, my approval. Maybe if she had it things might be different between us. The truth, if I was different, things might change for the better.
When the service was over I ran out to the back of the church where Penny was hanging her choir robe back up in the big closet. I told her I was proud of her and that her singing was beautiful. She said, “really?” I said “Yes”. I smiled at her and said “you’re not so bad for a sister.” She pushed me gently in the shoulder saying, “You’re not so bad either.”
Linda Ibbitson Hurd is a Halifax resident who grew up in Hanson and graduated from Whitman-Hanson Regional High School in 1965. Her fond remembrances of life in a simpler time are a delight.
Girls Basketball off to a great start!
Story by Steve Gilbert
This year’s edition of Silver Lake Girls Basketball is off to a great start with wins over East Bridgewater and Scituate High School last week. The Sailors from Scituate made this game close down the stretch before the Laker defense took over in the final minutes to allow Silver Lake to pull away to a 60-54 win over their Patriot League rivals.
Laker Varsity Hockey Season Opener
Last weekend this year’s edition of the Silver Lake Varsity Boys hockey traveled to Rockland to take on the Bulldogs. Saturday night the Lakers got their first win of the season topping Rockland 6-4 with goals from Aiden Dunphy, Brandon Cavicchi, Patrick Murphy and Connor Finns.
Halifax COA enjoys holiday festivities
The Halifax Council on Aging brought the holiday spirit to the Meadow Brook Restaurant in Hanson where they had their holiday get-together.
Vocalist Tommy Rull sang the old favorites and entertained the group and special guest Plymouth County District Attorney Tim Cruz. Luncheon choices were fish filet, roast pork, or chicken, for a taste treat.
Nessralla’s to close Christmas Eve
After a dozen years at their 318 Plymouth St., Halifax location, Nessralla’s Farm Stand will close Christmas Eve. Kozhaya “John” Nessralla, said he is sad to leave but that his farm will continue on Hemlock Lane and they plan ro re-open in the spring at another location yet to be determined.
“It’s been a good business and we want to thank everyone who shopped here and supported our farm stand.” Nessralla continued that it wasn’t his choice to close, but he didn’t own the property and the landlord made a business decision. “They’ve been they’ve been good to us, it’s just that when you don’t own the land, you can’t always do what you want.”
What will he miss most about the farm stand? “The people. Our customers. We’ll see them again in the spring and I hope they come by to see us.”
Nessralla’s, with the input of its manager Dana Amey, has been a staunch supporter of local business, local farms, local crafts and local boutique foods. Just last year the demand for their products changed them from a seasonal store to a year-round business. We wish them well in the New Year.
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