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PRIDE Standout was a Success

By

Michelle Smith
Express correspondent

The Pride Month Stand Out on June 26 in Halifax was organized by Halifax residents to give support to the LGBTQIA people living in the town during LGBTQIA Pride Month. The event took place on the green in front of Walmart. The organizer of the event, Amy Noone said, “I was thinking about it earlier in June, other towns were doing it and I want to show that Halifax is open minded.”  About two dozen people came out to show their support and support was also shown by the many waves and honks of cars going by.

Amy invited members of the School Committee, Selectman and the Police and Fire Departments. She said many responded to her invitation saying they could not make it; however, the Police Chief Joao Chaves and Fire Chief Jason Viveiros stood out to show their support..

The Facebook group Halifax Allies, created by Lana Eldridge at the beginning of June, has grown in numbers since the Stand Out.  Amy and the other organizers believe it was the first event of its kind  in the history of Halifax. “We wanted to show the LGBTQIA community ‘we recognize you’ in a fight for human rights that has been going on for decades,” Amy said.

Jay Cline, a Halifax resident, who just graduated from Silver Lake High School has been involved in his own journey coming out in the town. About a year ago, he announced he was a trans man to friends and family as well as publicly on Facebook. In seventh grade, he came out as lesbian. He said that when he came out as lesbian, there were not many issues but the community had a more difficult time with him when he came out as trans. He said there have been negative comments on the Facebook groups Halifax Community Page and Halifax Locals as well as on personal apps. For example, he said that during an online discussion regarding COVID issues, “people would misgender me.” He said that some of the comments would veer from COVID discussions to “turning into a targeting me for being trans. For example I am going against biology so I don’t understand science.” Some anti trans memes were also posted. He said that although the comments are upsetting they “are not something to take too seriously; I have become desensitized growing up in this community and I am ready to move on.” Jay is going to attend UMASS Boston in the fall.

Jay said the event was “a huge step in the right direction for the town to become more accepting.” Amy Noone said that they plan to organize a Pride Stand Out for the last Saturday of June every year.

Rep. LaNatra supports extending some popular measures enacted during State of Emergency

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KINGSTON (June 16, 2021) – State Representative Kathleen LaNatra (D – Kingston), along with her colleagues in the Massachusetts Legislature, passed legislation on Tuesday evening that extends numerous popular provisions adopted during the State of Emergency. The State of Emergency, which was put in place by Governor Baker on March 10, 2020 in response to the pandemic, came to an end on June 15th.

The legislation, which passed both the House and Senate, paves the way for continued remote meetings of public bodies until April 20, 2022, as well as continued remote permission for representative town meetings, nonprofit member meetings, notary services and reverse-mortgage loan counseling. It also included certain eviction protections, flexibilities for assisted living residences, and allowed for medical assistants, podiatrists, phlebotomists, and certain military personnel to administer COVID-19 vaccines.

The House and Senate were able to reach a compromise late on Tuesday afternoon regarding numerous measures that effects restaurants in the Commonwealth.

The legislation permits to-go beer, wine and cocktail sales through May 1, 2022, so long as the takeout and delivery drinks are sold at the same price as those beverages consumed on-site. Special permits for expanded outdoor dining will be valid until April 1, 2022, avoiding an original expiration date of 60 days after the end of the State of Emergency.

“While we are certainly nearing the end of this difficult pandemic, it is not over yet, and it was crucial that we extended some protections for the residents of the Commonwealth,” said Rep. Kathy LaNatra (D – Kingston). “I was thrilled to support this important piece of legislation and see it passed.

Ensuring that our restaurants are able to take full advantage of the economic recovery by keeping outdoor dining and take-out beer, wine, and cocktails. While many are comfortable meeting in-person, many members of town bodies and people who want to attend are not, so this was an important step to keeping people safe.”

 The legislation was signed by the Governor on Wednesday.

BuzzOff with team Shiney Clineys

By

Lori Costa-Cline
Special to the Express

Team Shiney Clineys and Friends held a public BuzzOff for kids with cancer on Sunday June 13 on the Halifax Town Hall Green. They have been working since January to fundraise for OneMission.org. The BuzzOff is the day the team of five- James Cline, Jay Cline, Lori Costa-Cline, Don Cline of Halifax and Christy Winslow of Plympton go bald to help raise awareness and funds to help kids and their families dealing with cancer.

The team put together an event to encourage folks to stop by and see what the “buzz” was all about. Donors were offered an entry to an appreciation raffle to win a prize from local businesses. Donors could write on a thank you sign and were treated to homemade cookies and other treats. Local business owner Teeka Garron of Teeka Lynne’s Salon has volunteered her time, tools and talent for the past two years, as COVID-19 prevented large events at Gillette. This year Amy Allison, fellow Teeka Lynne’s stylist, joined her.

The Salon is also continuing to collect donations for Team Shiney Clineys for anyone who wants to take part.

The scene generated excitement from passers-by with lots of honks. Many community members stopped by throughout the day to offer support. Several people pulled their cars up to make “drive-by” donations.  Some even decided to get a shave on the spot with their donation. Local business owner PJ Small of PJ Plumbing and Heating was driving by on his way from Walmart and took the plunge. Brad White heard about the event on Facebook and stopped by to get more information. He left and came back an hour later with $1000 in donation pledges!

This event is something 15-year – old James Cline, Team Captain, and his Mom Lori Costa-Cline have been talking about doing for years since his first shave. In 2015, at the age of 9 James saw a commercial about shaving heads to help kids with Cancer and asked his mom if he could do this. His goal was to raise $50 by selling candy for $1 at his soccer and baseball games. In the end he raised over $250, five times his original goal.

In 2018, James participated in the OneMission.org BuzzOff at Gillette. The event was so inspiring that his brother Jay Cline and his Mom Lori committed to joining him for the 2019 BuzzOff. Team Shiney Clineys was born with James as Team Captain. In 2020 James’s Dad, Don Cline a cancer survivor himself, joined the team. Family friend and One Mission BuzzOff Veteran Christy Winslow of Plympton paired up with the Shiney Clineys. Christy had wanted to shave her head for years but wanted a good reason and she found it in One Mission. This is Christy’s 5th Anniversary supporting One Mission and she alone has raised over $1800.

On Sunday the team collected $605 in cash donations. The team set a goal of $3000 and has collected over $4500 to date. They are able to accept donations through July 31st and are hoping to reach $5000 by then.

You can support the team through the link here:
http://www.myonemission.org/shineyclineysandfriends?langPref=en-CA#.YLUBKajsuuA.mailto

One Mission is a pediatric cancer charity that does whatever it takes to get kids through cancer.  One Mission programs make living in the hospital less lonely and stressful, bring back joy in a time of fear and uncertainty, and give kids and their loved ones the support they need to get through the emotional and financial challenges of treatment.  Ashley and Ari Haseotes, are the founders of One Mission. They formed this group after their child battled cancer. Ari is the Chief Executive Officer of the Cumberland Gulf Group. Ashley is the President of One Mission.

Silver Lake Grads toss their caps

By

As Friday’s weather forecast was dire, Silver Lake’s 66th Annual Commencement was postponed a day until Saturday, June 5 to avoid threatened thunderstorms.

The 265 students marched in to the Anthony F. Sirrico Athletic Field to Pomp and Circumstance played by the Silver Lake Regional High School Band.  Select Choir Seniors and Wind Ensemble, performed the National Anthem, followed by Found/Tonight by Miranda, Paul & Pasek/ arr. Narverud.

Delaney Jane Callanan, President of the Class of 2021, gave the address of welcome and Ms. Jamie Schweer was the invited faculty speaker.

Honor essayists were Salutatorian Anna Jasmine Teunis, Valedictorian Mathew Leo O’Donnell.

Mrs. Michaela Gill, Principal, presented diplomas to the Class of 2021, assisted by Mrs. Paula Hatch, Chair, Silver Lake Regional District School Committee and Assistant Principals Mrs. Catherine Pratt and Mr. Steven Blette.

Fireworks lit the sky at the conclusion of the ceremony.

Come meet Mike Slawson

By

Nancy Emerson
Express correspondent

With vision and pragmatism, Mike Slawson opens his role as Director of the Plympton Public Library.  “I’m really excited to be here,” he says. “I’m meeting a lot of new people and getting to know what kinds of books and programs they like.”

Slawson planned a craft day at the end of his first week and is developing a summer reading program for children and one for adults. In the fall, he plans to start a seed catalog and, perhaps, a Library of Things like the ones he oversaw as Director of the Kingston Public Library. He already has the perfect spaces for the seed catalog as the old wooden card catalog cabinets still sit in the basement.

“Libraries do a lot more than lend books,” says Slawson. He notes that digital options like eBooks combined with interlibrary loan programs like the SAILS Library Network expand the offerings of small libraries. “Budgeting for small libraries is always a challenge,” he says.

To supplement budgets and offer additional programming, Slawson hopes to develop a Friends of the Plympton Public Library with the hope that some younger people will join too. “Groups like this provide many ways to connect. Many skill sets will really benefit the library,” he says.

A small display of flower photographs hangs on the wall of the small room containing historic local records, and Slawson says he will soon seek other art works to exhibit there.

Personally, he finds the children’s area his favorite. “I read a children’s book every day,” he says. “They are good reminders of basic things in life…doing the right thing and being a good person.”

Slawson brings to Plympton a wide-ranging background as his first job was packing hazardous wastes for disposal at an environmental firm. He often researched what kinds of wastes could be sent together, but that gave him the confidence that, with a little research, he could figure things out. Subsequently, with a joint major in history and archaeology, he earned his B.A. and taught history and economics for several years.  When he saw an ad for a library technician in Kingston, he tried and loved it. Now, married to the Holmes’s own Children’s Librarian, Miss Holly, he’s working toward his Masters in Library Science at Simmons College.

Slawson looks forward to life in this small library where he will have more time to meet members of the community. “Plympton is the perfect fit for me,” he says.

Keeping in touch with your ‘Soule’

By

Michelle Smith
Express correspondent

2021 marks the 30th anniversary of the Soule Homestead Education Center located on Soule Street in Middleboro right over the Plympton line. During the pandemic, Soule Homestead has played a crucial role in the  community by providing alternative, safe, outdoor space to help combat the effects of pandemic isolation. The Soule Homestead provided solace to the community but the community gave back to Soule. Although there have been many restrictions, it has been a busy time at Soule Homestead.

Every spring, the farm has put on Sheep Day with activities for adults and children, delicious food, sheep shearing and sheep dog demonstrations. However, the pandemic forced the farm to become creative with their traditional fund raising.  Last year the community showed their generosity when they gave to a virtual Sheep Day fundraiser. Meg Connolly Riley (Miss Meg) Executive Director, raised $12,000 by challenging the community to give money for her to cut her hair during the event. All of the regular children’s camps were cancelled as well. Meg and Katie Roberts (Miss Katie), Education Director, came up with the idea of offering private farm tours for families. According to Meg, “We wanted to remain a presence in the community and offer any kind of programming that made sense.” She said that some of the families who took advantage of the tours said that this was the first time that their children had done any activity outside of the home since the pandemic began.  A summer concert series featuring local bands with limited capacity was also a success.  The popular Farm to Table fundraiser became a delivery or pick up event.

Many families who had not previously known of the farm have discovered Soule Homestead and have taken advantage of the outdoor space that offers trails, animals and natural beauty. The farm is open during the day and people are encouraged to spend time exploring, having a picnic or spending time with the animals. Meg said that they have observed an increase in people at the farm who are coming just to take a walk and get out of the house. “Being in home has reignited an interest in the outdoors and we are committed to fostering that need,” Meg said.

The farm leases land to local farmers such as Plato’s Harvest of Middleboro who provide organic vegetables and Revival Farm of Plympton who  sell pasture-raised pork. Meg said that the pandemic has made people aware of the issues with food supplies and there has been an increased interest in knowing where their food is coming from.  Dave Purpura owner of Plato’s Harvest had a busy year. He also runs the Plymouth Farmer’s Market and they were able to get food out to those who needed it. Revival Farm has expanded their land lease at the farm due to increased demand. Soule Homestead rents out their kitchen to local businesses such as Emily Goonan of Goonan Charcuterie Co, Tom Wolfe who owns Wolfie Soups and Ellen Wilson of FreeRangers Farm in Plympton.

This year the Soule Homestead has continued to be creative with the programming offered.  According to Meg, “We have had to cancel events associated with Soule Homestead such as the Harvest Fair.” Large scale events with over 2,000 people like the Harvest Fair take months to plan. This year, instead, Soule Homestead will be offering a scaled down celebration with a two-day concert event in mid-September.  Music has always been an integral part of the offerings of Soule Homestead. Last summer concerts were offered and the first one had only 30 people including musicians and volunteers. The last concert of 2020 was capped at 80 people. This year the plan right now is to limit the concerts at 150 people including the band and volunteers.

On the last Saturday of every month there will be a pre-sold ticket concert series with bands, local beer and local food. On May 22, a sold-out concert with Hey Blondie! and opening act Jay Bird rocked the farm. Local beer was provided by Harper Lane Brewery in Middleboro and food by FreeRangers Farm in Plympton. On June 26th, the Sarah Blacker Band will be headlining with Meghan Lynch opening the show. The performance is curated by WATD’s John Shea who hosts the show Almost Famous. Tiny and Son’s Glass of Pembroke has sponsored the summer concert series. The concerts are also sponsored by grants from Berkley, Bridgewater, Carver, Freetown, Halifax, Kingston, Lakeville, Middleboro and Plympton cultural councils as well as local agencies which are supported by the Mass Cultural Council.  These grants support the artists and helps with other costs allowing Soule Homestead to offer safe activities for the community. The concerts are “meant to be a relaxing, enjoyable night with family and friends,” said Meg. The goal is to provide an outdoor space where people can enjoy the music, spread out and feel comfortable.

This summer, Soule Homestead has been able to offer their children’s camp. With kids under 12 not yet vaccinated, the programming is for the kids to spend as much time outside as possible and to foster connections to their peers. This spring Katie offered a Farm Buddies program where pre-school aged children spend a relaxing few hours making connections with nature and the farm animals. Katie, has been working to understand and implement all COVID regulations in partnership with the Middleboro Board of Health.

Bob Nunes, the town manager of Middleboro has made it a priority to keep outside spaces open in the town during the pandemic.  For instance, the Middleboro library has been using the Soule Homestead to host outdoor programming such as story book hikes and they will be holding outdoor story hours in June and July. Local Girl Scout  and Boy Scout troops have been taking advantage of the outdoor pavilion which was built a few years ago as an Eagle Scout project.   Although school field trips have been cancelled,  some smaller private schools have been visiting the farm such as the Waldorf School of Cape Cod.

The community came together this spring to help re-vamp the Children’s Greenhouse. A grant from the Middleboro Rotary Club in conjunction with volunteers from Habitat for Humanity gave the Children’s Greenhouse much needed updates. According to Meg, “we could not have got it done without them.” The space, which they hope to be up and running this fall, provides nature nurturing activities such as a garden and a “mud kitchen.”

Due to the commitment of the staff, volunteers and donations the Soule Homestead and Education Center continues to provide an open space and programming that is fun, relaxing and essential for us at this time.

FIELD OF FLAGS

By

This beautiful field of flags was set up by veterans and members of the Halifax VFW Post 6258 to commemorate Memorial Day.  The 30 feet by 60 feet arrangement has just under 500 flags set two feet apart and will be on display until June 5.   The Town of Halifax will pay tribute to all fallen comrades at 9:30 a.m. with a “drive-by” observance at the various monuments on the Town Hall green and across the street.   

Photo by Deb Anderson

New faces elected in Halifax

By

Halifax voters cast 1175 ballots in the Halifax Town Election on May 15.  Of the 6,014 registered voters, 19.5% chose to be counted.  The heavy campaigning saw a veteran Selectman and Board of Health and Planning Board members defeated by newcomers to the boards.

Selectman Tom Millias got the nod from 499 voters while Ashley Anne DiSesa got 601 votes.  Write-ins were nine and Blanks 66.

Alan J. Dias was a candidate for re-election to the Planning Board where he was unseated by Brendon W. Elliot.  Dias got 426 votes to Eliot’s 654.

Dias was also a candidate for re-election to the Board of Health but lost to Pamela Ann Engstrom who got 633 votes to Dias’ 473.  There were two write-ins and 67 Blanks.

Dorothy L. Lamoureux won re-election to a three-year term on the Board of Assessors with 802 votes.  Write-ins were 15 and 358 were Blank.

There were 137 write-ins for the three-year term on the Board of Library Trustees.  Susan Vogt and Patrick Michaels each won seats.  There were 2,213 Blanks.

Kathleen Shiavone was elected to the two-year term on the Board of Library Trustees with 826 votes.   There were 21 write-ins and 328 Blanks.

Summer Schmaling won election to the two-year term on the Halifax Elementary School Committee, besting Lana M. Eldridge who got 513 votes.  There were two write-ins and 72 left Blank.

Two candidates won three-year terms to the Halifax Elementary School Committee. James F. Keegan III won with 455 votes and Lauren Laws 493 votes.  Marline Amedee got 419 votes, Jennifer Ann Carroll 369, and Robert W. Johnson got 200 votes.  There were two write-ins and 412 Blanks.

Summer Schmaling also won election to the two-year term on the Silver Lake Regional School Committee with 571 votes.  Her opponent, Marline Amedee took 518 votes.  There were 2 write-ins and 84 Blanks.

Gordon Laws won a seat for three years on the Silver Lake Regional School Committee with 532 votes to his opponent, Jennifer Ann Carroll’s 464 votes.   There were four write-ins and175 Blanks.

Robert Gaynor won a three-year term as Town Moderator with his write-in campaign.  There were 176 write-ins and 999 Blanks.

Bruce Nobles won a three-year term as Park Commissioner.  There were 139 write-ins and 1036 Blanks.

Michael J. Schleiff won a two-year term as Park Commissioner.  There were 54 write-ins and 1121 Blanks.

Daniel O. Bosworth, Jr. won a 3-year seat on the Board of Water Commissioners with 826 votes.  There were 12 write-ins and 337 Blanks.

Susan Marie Lawless was elected to a three-year term as Town Clerk with 826 votes.  There were 17 write-ins and 283 Blanks.

Pamela R. Adduci won re-election to the Treasurer/Collector position with 901 votes.  There were 14 write-ins and 260 Blanks.

Plympton Town Election

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Saturday, May 15, was Election Day in Plympton.   Out of 2,392 registered voters, there were 417 ballots cast, or 17.43%.

Town Clerk Patricia Detterman posted the following unofficial results.

The selectmen’s race saw incumbent Christine M. Joy win her bid for re-election to a three – year term with 341 votes to David Detterman’s nine votes.  There were 65 votes left blank and Other got two votes.

The 3-year term for Assessor saw 404 Blank and 13 Other.

The 1-year term for Assessor saw 416 Blank and one Other.

Harry Weikel won re-election to a three-year term on the Board of Health with 336 votes.  81 left their choice blank.

Nathanial Sides won another three-year term on the Finance Committee with 35 votes in a write-in campaign.  378 were left blank and Other got two votes.

Miranda Anne Pink got 333 votes to fill one three-year term as Library Trustee.  The other three-year term only got two votes and there were 499 blank votes for the two positions.

The one-year term for Library Trustee won just three votes for Other and 414 Blank.

James Cohen won the seat on the Planning Board for five years with 33 votes.  Sean Mahoney got 20 votes, Others got 10 votes and 354 were left Blank.

Paul d’Angelo, longtime member of the Planning Board, won a seat for four years with 31 votes to Jeff Johnson’s 22 votes.  Others were 6.  358 votes were left blank.

A spirited contest for School Committee saw Jason W. Fraser re-elected to one of the seats with 288 votes and newcomer Nicole M. Mahoney will join the board on the other seat after gaining 169 votes.  Other candidates, Suzanne Jefferian got 106 votes and Robert R. Montgomery took 131.  Blanks were 139, and Other got one vote.

Lukasz Kowalski won a three-year term to the Silver Lake Regional School Committee with 321 votes and Other got one vote.  95 left it blank.

Town Clerk Patricia Detterman was re-elected to a three-year term with 343 votes, Other got five votes, and Blanks were 69.

William N. Hayes, Jr. won another three-year term as tree warden with  345 votes.   Blanks were  72.

Fire destroys Plympton home

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Sunday night Brett Sack came home from work to find flames tearing through the top floor roof of his home at 24 Dukes Brook Road in Plympton.   He was able to get his family to safety including an 8-year old girl and 3-year old boy.

Plympton Fire Dept. received the call at 9:11 p.m.  Fire Chief Stephen Silva was first on the scene and confirmed there was heavy fire through the roof and that all the occupants were out of the building.

There were no injuries.

Halifax, Kingston, Carver, Plymouth, and Middleborough fire departments all responded to assist through Mutual Aid.

The cause of the fire is yet to be determined and remains under investigation with a coordinated effort between the Plympton Fire Department and the Fire Marshall’s Office.   It is not considered suspicious.

A gofundme page has been set up to help the family.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/thesackfamily?utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_medium=sms&utm_source=customer-andr

While the family is looking for housing, donations of clothing is most needed, and gift cards for Walmart and Target to fill in the necessities.  Anyone willing to donate clothing and items is asked to contact Taite Beale through her Facebook page who is organizing the donations effort.