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February at the Holmes Public Library

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On February 14 the afternoon bookclub will meet to discuss “The Engineer’s Wife”  by Tracy Emerson Wood.  This novel is a fictional account of the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge and the contribution engineer Emily Roebling played in the building when her engineer husband became ill.  “Lafayette in the Somewhat United States” by Sarah Vowell  is the selection for the nonfiction bookclub meeting on February 15 at 6 p.m.  This well-researched  book chronicles General Lafayette’s time in Washington’s Army.   Second Chapters, the book club co-sponsored by the Halifax COA, will meet on Thursday, Feb. 17 at 2 p.m.  to discuss the book “Nine Lives” by Peter Swanson. This book has the feel of an Agatha Christie story.  All book clubs meet at the Holmes Public Library in the Community Room. During the month of February, the Holmes Public Library will be collecting new pajamas for the annual Boston Bruins PJ Drive for kids in need.  Donations will be going to the DCF/Wonderfund and Cradles to Crayons

 

 

Silver Lake Wrestling visits Marshfield

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Silver Lake’s wrestling team travelled to Marshfield earlier this month for a quad meet going 2-2 with wins against Marshfield and South Shore Votech and losses against Methuen and Taunton. Overall the team is 15-3 this year and in close competition for the Patriot League title.

Photo and text by Steve Gilbert

Third Thursday at the Library

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Alan Wheelock, chairman of the Plympton By-law Review Committee, spoke to residents about the function of his committee. The Third Saturday at the Library community meeting brought neighbors together for coffee, tea, and sweet treats, along with good conversation. Each meeting, First Saturday and Third Saturday, draws a dozen to three dozen people together to hear about what’s going on in town. Selectman John Traynor has been spearheading the effort, with the full support of library director Mike Slawson. If you have an idea that you would like to hear more about, contact the Library by email at mslawson@sailsinc.org. Photo by Sandi Neumeister

Silver Lake Whitman-Hanson Swimming takes on Plymouth North

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Earlier this month at the Kingsbury Club in Kingston, the combined Silver Lake and Whitman-Hanson Swim team took on Plymouth North. Led by their Senior Captains Anna Billings, Ava McTighe Tassinari, Wesley Hawley, Jake Foley, and Matt Ward and in this, the second year as a combined team with Whitman-Hanson, the Lakers are continuing to grow both renewed interest in aquatic sports as well as score consistent results in the pool. In addition to this meet against Plymouth North, the team has also faced their Patriot League rivals, Scituate and Quincy North, and are now half way through their season.

 

Photos and text by Steve Gilbert

Springfield College recognizes Dean’s List students

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SPRINGFIELD, MA Springfield College Recognizes Dean’s List Students for the 2022 Fall Semester.
~ Springfield College has named Kathryn Gilbert from Halifax to the dean’s list for academic excellence for the 2022 fall semester. Gilbert has a primary major of Psychology.
~ Springfield College has named Hayden Wechter from Halifax to the dean’s list for academic excellence for the 2022 fall semester. Wechter has a primary major of Health Sci / Pre-PA.
The criteria for selection to the Dean’s List are as follows: The student must have completed a minimum of 12 credit hours of graded coursework for the term, exclusive of “P” grades. The student must not have any incompletes or missing grades in the designated term. The student must have a minimum semester grade average of 3.500 for the term.

Springfield College is an independent, nonprofit, coeducational institution founded in 1885. Approximately 4,100 students, including 2,500 full-time undergraduate students, study at its main campus in Springfield, Mass., and at its regional campuses across the country.

Springfield College inspires students through the guiding principles of its Humanics philosophy – educating in spirit, mind, and body for leadership in service to others.

Rep. Josh Cutler champions Right Whale Awareness Day

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Massachusetts has declared April 24 as Right Whale Day in an effort to boost awareness about the endangered species. North Atlantic right whales number fewer than 350, according to federal fisheries estimates.
“The North Atlantic right whale is part of our rich maritime history and, yet, our official state marine mammal is at risk of extinction. Establishing this annual day to celebrate right whales will help promote education and protection efforts,” said Rep. Josh S. Cutler, D-Duxbury, lead sponsor of the legislation. The bill (H. 3869) was signed into law by outgoing Gov. Charles Baker, in one of his final acts before leaving office.
Cutler credited his constituent, Matt Delaney of Pembroke, for bringing the idea to him to dedicate a day for the rare whales after being inspired by a personal encounter. The bill was co-sponsored by Sen. Susan Moran, D-Falmouth.
The New England Aquarium, that has long dedicated efforts to study and protect the Right Whales, praised the passage of the bill.
“More than 40 years of scientific research from the New England Aquarium shows that human impacts, specifically entanglements in fixed fishing gear and vessel strikes, are driving North Atlantic right whales toward extinction. Massachusetts has a major role to play in the survival of this critically endangered species, given the importance right whales have played in the state’s history, culture, and natural environment. The newly created Right Whale Day will help increase awareness for this species’ plight, providing additional opportunities to educate the public about the urgent need to protect these incredible animals that spend much of the year in and around Massachusetts waters,” stated Vikki N. Spruill, President and CEO of the New England Aquarium.Plans are underway to commemorate the inaugural Right Whale Day later this year.

Lakers win second straight Cashman Tournament

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Text and photos by Steve Gilbert

Over the holiday break, Silver Lake Boys Varsity Hockey participated in the annual Cashman Tournament held at the Rockland Ice Arena. After defeating Whitman-Hanson in the first round, they advanced to the championship game against the Rockland Bulldogs.During the championship, the Lakers were strong at both ends of the rink. Goalie Strummer Beals stopped everything Rockland sent his way while the offense, led by Brandon Cavicchi’s hat trick and two more from Senior Captain Ben Cronin, gave Silver Lake a 5-0 win

Silver Lake’s Athletic Hall of Fame

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Silver Lake Regional High School has announced the 2022 Athletic Hall of Fame inductees.
Chairman Bill Johnson, Athletic Director Martha Jamieson, and Principal Michaela Gill, in conjunction with Superintendent Jill Proulx, announced the eighth class to be inducted into the Silver Lake Regional High School Athletic Hall of Fame.
Since 2007 the committee has chosen a team, a coach, and individual athletes for induction.
After review of many nominations submitted to the committee from coaches, the community, and athletes, the following have been selected for the Class of 2022:
The 2013 State Semi-Finalist Boys Soccer Team
Mike Brennan Softball Coach
Neil Andrews 1992 Basketball
Maddy Barone 2016 Softball
Courtney Yost Fulmine 2012 Basketball
David Marani 1985 Ice Hockey
Christy Pforr Schimmel 2002 Gymnastics
Anthony Videtto 2016 Baseball.
The Hall of Fame committee is composed of former athletes, coaches, and school personnel:
Bill Johnson, Chair
Martha Jamieson,
Athletic Director
Olly deMacedo
Jim Geronaitis
John Mahoney
Peter McClelland
Scott McKee
John Montosi
Linda Redding
Larry Walsh
The committee is always seeking new committed members to serve for two-year terms.
Anyone wishing to support and congratulate the inductees is encouraged to attend the induction ceremony on Saturday, Feb. 4, at the Indian Pond Country Club in Kingston.
Social Hour 12:30 p.m.
Dinner 1:45 p.m.
Induction 2:30 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased via GoFan.co: https://gofan.co/app/events/798622?schoolId=MA14724
Kasey Sheehan, Asst. to Athletic Director
Silver Lake Regional High School
260 Pembroke Street
Kingston, MA 02364
781-585-3844 ext. 1501
ksheehan@slrsd.org

Plymouth County Outreach issues alert, offers resources following spike in drug overdoses

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PLYMOUTH — Plymouth County Outreach and the police chiefs of Plymouth County are issuing an alert today following a spike in drug overdoses throughout the county during the first 19 days of December.

From Dec. 1 to 19, Plymouth County Outreach (PCO) has documented 13 fatal overdoses throughout the county, which is more fatal overdoses than any other month this year.

PCO and its partners want the public, especially individuals at risk for overdose and their families and friends, to be aware of the increased risk of an overdose and what action they can take. The holidays are a difficult time for many, and PCO wants community members to know that they are not alone.

Anyone using any substance purchased off the street is at risk of an overdose. It is suspected that Fentanyl is being mixed with other non-opioid substances such as cocaine and street pills marked as Xanax. There has also been growing concern of the presence of an animal tranquilizer, xylazine, being found in the illicit drug supply. Although it’s being used as an additive to opioids, xylazine is not an opioid and will not respond to Narcan.

Recognizing the signs of an overdose:
Breathing is very slow and shallow, erratic, or has stopped
Face very pale
Cool, clammy skin
Choking sounds or a gurgling noise (death rattle)
Pulse (heartbeat) is slow erratic or has stopped
Blue/gray skin tinge – usually lips and fingers show first, sometimes in tips of ears
Loss of consciousness-passing out
Body becomes very limp
Life-saving measures to reverse an overdose:
Naloxone, known as Narcan, is a medication used to reverse an opioid overdose. Narcan saved lives 94% of the time when administered in Plymouth County last year.

Narcan is readily available throughout the county free of cost, no questions asked, including at these locations:
By calling Plymouth County Outreach, 774-434-5072, or reaching out through the website’s connect page: plymouthcountyoutreach.org/connect
Bamsi Brockton Cope Center, 74 Pleasant St., Brockton; 508-583-3405
Bamsi Plymouth Cope Center, 385 Court St., Plymouth, basement suite; 508-942-0679
PCO Hope, 385 Court St., Plymouth; 774-283-4763
Manet Community Health Center, 180 George Washington Boulevard, Hull; 781-925-4550
Local pharmacies have an open/standing prescription for everyone. This means you can go to your pharmacy to ask for Narcan. The cost will be whatever your insurance co-pay is.
Treatment, support and hope:
Resources are available throughout the county and region. Learn more at plymouthcountyoutreach.org/partners. Additionally, you can contact:
Massachusetts Substance Use Helpline at 800-327-5050 or helplinema.org
If you or a loved one is at-risk of an overdose and looking to access treatment, please reach out to your local Plymouth County Police Department and ask to speak with a Plymouth County Outreach Officer, contact PCO through its website at plymouthcountyoutreach.org/connect, or call 774-434-5072.
9-1-1. Make the Call. Save a Life:
Massachusetts passed the Good Samaritan Law in 2007, which encourages someone who witnesses an overdose to seek help by protecting the caller and the person who overdosed from arrest and prosecution for drug possession. The goal of the law is to protect people so they are not afraid to involve emergency services as soon as possible.

Good Samaritan Law PSAs created by local recovery coaches are available to watch under ‘public service announcements’ here: Video Gallery – Plymouth County Outreach.

The Plymouth County Police Chiefs, District Attorney and Sheriff have also created a PCO Good Samaritan Law PSA. Click here to view the video: Plymouth County Chiefs Discuss Massachusetts Good Samaritan Law.

Harm reduction saves lives:
While PCO and its police chiefs strongly encourage people to seek treatment, addiction is a disease and it is important to know ways to reduce the chance of death:
Don’t use alone. If you must use alone call the Never Use Alone hotline, available 24/7 at 1-800-972-0590
Use with someone else present and don’t use at the same time. This way, if one of you overdoses, the other can call 911 and administer Narcan
Test your substances with fentanyl test strips
Have access to Narcan
Make sure your social networks have Narcan
Mixing substances can put you at increased risk of overdose
Test a small amount first
Use new supplies every time
Know that using via inhalation or smoking doesn’t protect you from overdose
Know that periods of abstinence followed by use are quite dangerous in relation to fatal overdoses. Common examples are hospitalizations, incarceration, or periods of abstinence-based treatment.
Heroin use equals fentanyl use in Massachusetts
Canary cellphone app: Canary is an overdose prevention app that monitors for a user’s inactivity after activation. In the event a user stops moving and fails to respond to prompts by Canary, the app issues an alert to others.
For more information on harm reduction strategies, visit Harm Reduction – Plymouth County Outreach.

About Plymouth County Outreach:
Plymouth County Outreach is a multi-faceted collaboration of the 27 municipal police departments in Plymouth County, as well as Bridgewater State University Police Department, the District Attorney’s Office & Sheriff’s Department working together with Recovery Coaches and community organizations and coalitions to make treatment, resources, and harm reduction tools more accessible to those living with substance misuse disorder and their loved ones. Our goal is to provide compassionate, judgment-free support while reducing overdose fatalities.

PCO’s Executive Director, Vicky Butler, continues to keep the public updated through the PCO’s social media accounts: Facebook @plymouthcountyoutreach, Twitter @countyoutreach, Instagram @plymouthcountyoutreach, and on its website plymouthcountyoutreach.org.

Plymouth County Outreach is a collaborative of police departments throughout Plymouth County led by the following chiefs: Abington Chief David Del Papa, Bridgewater Chief Christopher Delmonte, Bridgewater State University Chief David Tillinghast, Brockton Chief Brenda Perez, Carver Chief Marc Duphily, Duxbury Chief Stephen McDonald, East Bridgewater Chief Paul O’Brien, Halifax Chief Joao Chaves, Hanover Chief Timothy Kane, Hanson Chief Michael Miksch, Hingham Chief David Jones, Hull Chief John Dunn, Kingston Chief Maurice Splaine, Lakeville Chief Matthew Perkins, Marion Chief Richard Nighelli, Marshfield Chief Phillip Tavares, Mattapoisett Chief Jason King, Middleboro Chief Joseph Perkins, Norwell Chief Edward Lee, Pembroke Chief Richard MacDonald, Plymouth Chief Dana Flynn, Plympton Chief Matthew Ahl, Rochester Chief Robert Small, Rockland Chief Nicholas Zeoli, Scituate Chief Mark Thompson, Wareham Chief Walter Correia, West Bridgewater Chief Victor Flaherty, and Whitman Chief Timothy Hanlon.

PLYMOUTH — Plymouth County Outreach and the police chiefs of Plymouth County are issuing an alert today following a spike in drug overdoses throughout the county during the first 19 days of December.
From Dec. 1 to 19, Plymouth County Outreach (PCO) has documented 13 fatal overdoses throughout the county, which is more fatal overdoses than any other month this year.
PCO and its partners want the public, especially individuals at risk for overdose and their families and friends, to be aware of the increased risk of an overdose and what action they can take. The holidays are a difficult time for many, and PCO wants community members to know that they are not alone.
Anyone using any substance purchased off the street is at risk of an overdose. It is suspected that Fentanyl is being mixed with other non-opioid substances such as cocaine and street pills marked as Xanax. There has also been growing concern of the presence of an animal tranquilizer, xylazine, being found in the illicit drug supply. Although it’s being used as an additive to opioids, xylazine is not an opioid and will not respond to Narcan.
Recognizing the signs of an overdose:
• Breathing is very slow and shallow, erratic, or has stopped
• Face very pale
• Cool, clammy skin
• Choking sounds or a gurgling noise (death rattle)
• Pulse (heartbeat) is slow erratic or has stopped
• Blue/gray skin tinge – usually lips and fingers show first, sometimes in tips of ears
• Loss of consciousness-passing out
• Body becomes very limp
Life-saving measures to reverse an overdose:
Naloxone, known as Narcan, is a medication used to reverse an opioid overdose. Narcan saved lives 94% of the time when administered in Plymouth County last year.
Narcan is readily available throughout the county free of cost, no questions asked, including at these locations:
By calling Plymouth County Outreach, 774-434-5072, or reaching out through the website’s connect page: plymouthcountyoutreach.org/connect
~ Bamsi Brockton Cope Center, 74 Pleasant St., Brockton; 508-583-3405
~ Bamsi Plymouth Cope Center, 385 Court St., Plymouth, basement suite; 508-942-0679
~ PCO Hope, 385 Court St., Plymouth; 774-283-4763
~ Manet Community Health Center, 180 George Washington Boulevard, Hull; 781-925-4550
Local pharmacies have an open/standing prescription for everyone. This means you can go to your pharmacy to ask for Narcan. The cost will be whatever your insurance co-pay is.
Treatment, support and hope:
Resources are available throughout the county and region. Learn more at plymouthcountyoutreach.org/partners. Additionally, you can contact:
Massachusetts Substance Use Helpline at 800-327-5050 or helplinema.org
If you or a loved one is at-risk of an overdose and looking to access treatment, please reach out to your local Plymouth County Police Department and ask to speak with a Plymouth County Outreach Officer, contact PCO through its website at plymouthcountyoutreach.org/connect, or call 774-434-5072.
9-1-1. Make the Call. Save a Life:
Massachusetts passed the Good Samaritan Law in 2007, which encourages someone who witnesses an overdose to seek help by protecting the caller and the person who overdosed from arrest and prosecution for drug possession. The goal of the law is to protect people so they are not afraid to involve emergency services as soon as possible.
Good Samaritan Law PSAs created by local recovery coaches are available to watch under ‘public service announcements’ here: Video Gallery – Plymouth County Outreach.
The Plymouth County Police Chiefs, District Attorney and Sheriff have also created a PCO Good Samaritan Law PSA. Click here to view the video: Plymouth County Chiefs Discuss Massachusetts Good Samaritan Law.
•Harm reduction saves lives:
While PCO and its police chiefs strongly encourage people to seek treatment, addiction is a disease and it is important to know ways to reduce the chance of death:
Don’t use alone. If you must use alone call the Never Use Alone hotline, available 24/7 at 1-800-972-0590
~ Use with someone else present and don’t use at the same time. This way, if one of you overdoses, the other can call 911 and administer Narcan
~ Test your substances with fentanyl test strips
~ Have access to Narcan
~ Make sure your social networks have Narcan
~ Mixing substances can put you at increased risk of overdose
~ Test a small amount first
Use new supplies every time
Know that using via inhalation or smoking doesn’t protect you from overdose
Know that periods of abstinence followed by use are quite dangerous in relation to fatal overdoses. Common examples are hospitalizations, incarceration, or periods of abstinence-based treatment.
Heroin use equals fentanyl use in Massachusetts
Canary cellphone app: Canary is an overdose prevention app that monitors for a user’s inactivity after activation. In the event a user stops moving and fails to respond to prompts by Canary, the app issues an alert to others.
For more information on harm reduction strategies, visit Harm Reduction – Plymouth County Outreach.
About Plymouth County Outreach:
Plymouth County Outreach is a multi-faceted collaboration of the 27 municipal police departments in Plymouth County, as well as Bridgewater State University Police Department, the District Attorney’s Office & Sheriff’s Department working together with Recovery Coaches and community organizations and coalitions to make treatment, resources, and harm reduction tools more accessible to those living with substance misuse disorder and their loved ones. Our goal is to provide compassionate, judgment-free support while reducing overdose fatalities.
PCO’s Executive Director, Vicky Butler, continues to keep the public updated through the PCO’s social media accounts: Facebook @plymouthcountyoutreach, Twitter @countyoutreach, Instagram @plymouthcountyoutreach, and on its website plymouthcountyoutreach.org.
Plymouth County Outreach is a collaborative of police departments throughout Plymouth County led by the following chiefs: Abington Chief David Del Papa, Bridgewater Chief Christopher Delmonte, Bridgewater State University Chief David Tillinghast, Brockton Chief Brenda Perez, Carver Chief Marc Duphily, Duxbury Chief Stephen McDonald, East Bridgewater Chief Paul O’Brien, Halifax Chief Joao Chaves, Hanover Chief Timothy Kane, Hanson Chief Michael Miksch, Hingham Chief David Jones, Hull Chief John Dunn, Kingston Chief Maurice Splaine, Lakeville Chief Matthew Perkins, Marion Chief Richard Nighelli, Marshfield Chief Phillip Tavares, Mattapoisett Chief Jason King, Middleboro Chief Joseph Perkins, Norwell Chief Edward Lee, Pembroke Chief Richard MacDonald, Plymouth Chief Dana Flynn, Plympton Chief Matthew Ahl, Rochester Chief Robert Small, Rockland Chief Nicholas Zeoli, Scituate Chief Mark Thompson, Wareham Chief Walter Correia, West Bridgewater Chief Victor Flaherty, and Whitman Chief Timothy Hanlon.