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Celebrating 15 Years: Remembering Silver Lake Girls Basketball’s 2010–2011 Season

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This past week was the celebration of the 15th Anniversary of the Silver Lake High School Girls Varsity Basketball team. The gathering included former team members and coaches and reminiscing on a successful and memorable season in Silver Lake sports history. Below are some thoughts shared by Captain Courtney Yost.

“2010-2011 was my favorite season for so many reasons. It felt like we were building on the previous two years and working towards the success we saw that year. It was especially fun playing on a team where we mostly grew up playing together. We came back and beat Duxbury after losing to them earlier in the season, and had big wins over Whitman-Hansen -one including an OT win. We rivaled those two teams throughout, so beating them always felt extra good. Winning the league was such a solid wrap on not just a season, but years of playing together. We had great chemistry on and off the court, which no doubt contributed to our success. Some more personal highlights are your (Coach Steele) dad chalking up his 300th win, Nicole averaging a double/double per game and winning bookend league championships since the team also won her freshman year, and me scoring my 1000 point. It was a fun year!”

 

Stirring Up Something Special with Cookbook Club

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The first meeting of the Holmes Public Library Cookbook Book Club met on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026 in the meeting room of the Holmes Public Library featuring the book Half Baked Harvest Super Simple by Teghan Gerard. The meeting was hosted by Library Director Dylan Benoit. Patrons had the option of bringing in a prepared dish from the book to share. Dylan shared a delicious orange chicken recipe. There was thoughtful discussion on the recipes with participants discussing their experiences. The next Cookbook Club meeting will be on Feb. 28, 2026 at noon. The featured book will be The World in a Skillett by Christopher Kimball. The book is now available at the library.

Area residents named to dean’s list for the Fall 2025 semester at Quinnipiac University

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HAMDEN, Connecticut – The following area students were named to the dean’s list for the Fall 2025 semester at Quinnipiac University:
HOMETOWN, STATE; NAME

Halifax, MA
Hannah Winiewicz
Kingston, MA
Nicholas Crociati
Mitchell Esposito
Isabella Szachta

To qualify for the dean’s list, students must earn a grade point average of at least 3.5 with no grade lower than C. Full-time students must complete at least 14 credits in a semester, with at least 12 credits that have been graded on a letter grade basis to be eligible. Part-time students must complete at least six credits during a semester. Names followed by an asterisk denotes with honors.

NESB Named to Newsweek’s America’s Best Regional Banks and Credit Unions for the Second Year in a Row

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EASTON, MA,North Easton Savings Bank has once again earned a spot on Newsweek’s list of America’s Best Regional Banks and Credit Unions.
The award acknowledges North Easton Savings Bank’s financial health and continued, fiscally responsible growth. To earn a ranking on this distinguished list, Banks and Credit Unions must be financially sound, positively reviewed by clients, and hit specific performance metrics. Newsweek’s awards for 2026 were completed in collaboration with Plant-A Insights Group, recognizing top regional banks and credit unions in the United States, through a large-scale study based on the analysis of over 9,000 institutions, more than 70,000 customer surveys, and millions of social media reviews.
This most recent award comes following several other national and regional honors. North Easton Savings Bank was named to the USA Today Top Workplaces for 2025, The Boston Globe Top Places to Work in 2025, and received the Boston Business Journal 2025 Corporate Citizenship Award.
“Being named one of America’s Best Regional Banks by Newsweek for the second consecutive year speaks to the strong momentum our institution continues to build,” said Rich Spencer, President & Chief Executive Officer of North Easton Savings Bank. “This recognition underscores the dedication of our team and our longstanding commitment to serving customers through a relationship-based approach. Our continued investment in our people, platforms, and the communities we serve is central to who we are, and this distinction affirms that we are delivering meaningful value to our clients and neighbors.”
“More than financial service providers, local banks are community partners, showing up in neighborhoods, participating in local initiatives and helping strengthen the connections that bind their members together,” said Jennifer H. Cunningham, Newsweek’s Editor in Chief. “We hope this list helps you find the most trusted financial institutions in your area—whether you’re planning your next business venture or taking your next step toward financial security.”

Elevated Roots to Launch New Abington Dispensary

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ABINGTON, MA Elevated Roots, a Massachusetts-based adult-use cannabis retail group known for its welcoming, customer first approach, celebrates the grand opening of its newest dispensary location at 1423 Bedford St., Abington, on Saturday, Jan. 17, beginning with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 9 a.m. continuing during business hours throughout Martin Luther King day weekend. The event is free, open to adults ages 21+, and features free branded merch, brand activations and pop-ups, swag bag giveaways, live DJ music entertainment, and on-site food trucks.
The Abington dispensary marks Elevated Roots’ third retail location, joining its established stores in Kingston and Halifax, and represents the company’s continued investment in serving South Shore communities with thoughtfully curated cannabis products and elevated retail environments.
Designed with illuminated white display counters, mounted digital menus, and sleek wood-accented walls, the new Abington store reflects Elevated Roots’ commitment to creating a modern, comfortable space for every customer — from seasoned cannabis consumers to first-time visitors seeking guidance and education.
“Opening in Abington has been a long time coming,” says Elevated Roots dispensary group President Matthew Martinez. “This location represents more than expansion. It’s about showing up for a community that’s supported our growth and creating a space that feels approachable, well-designed, and rooted in trust.”
Customers visiting the Abington location will have access to Elevated Roots’ wide-ranging product selection, including the company’s in-house cannabis brands Nostalgia and Ritual, cultivated by Elevated Roots’ own cultivation team based in Kingston. The knowledgeable Elevated Roots staff will be on hand throughout opening weekend to provide product education, recommendations, and a welcoming introduction to the new space.
Conveniently located near Battleground Games & Hobbies, Island Grove Park, Point Place, and a variety of local restaurants and shops, Elevated Roots Abington is designed to be an easy and engaging stop for both locals and visitors.
Elevated Roots Abington is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week. For the latest updates, promotions, and future events, visit elevatedrootsma.com, call 781-421-6138, and follow Elevated Roots on Facebook and Instagram.
About Elevated Roots
Elevated Roots is a Massachusetts-based cannabis company committed to education, community empowerment, and an elevated retail experience. Operating three licensed adult-use dispensaries in Abington, Halifax, and Kingston —Elevated Roots is known for its knowledgeable and welcoming team, wide-ranging product selection, and thoughtfully curated in-house cannabis brands, Nostalgia and Ritual, cultivated by the company’s own cultivation team based in Kingston. Through immersive retail experiences, community engagement and educational initiatives, Elevated Roots works to destigmatize cannabis and promote responsible consumption in an inclusive environment.
Learn more about Elevated Roots at elevatedrootsma.com, and visit its three dispensary locations in Abington at 1423 Bedford St., daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; in Kingston at 44 William C. Gould Jr. Way, daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and in Halifax at 319 Monponsett St., daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. For the latest information, follow Elevated Roots on Facebook and Instagram.

Asher’s Sandbox to open in Plympton in January

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Parents seeking fun activities for their young children, and a venue where they can share experiences with other parents, will soon have a place designed and built with them in mind.
Dr. Amber Bartlett, owner of two businesses, today announced the January opening of her third business – Asher’s Sandbox. Named for Amber’s four-year-old son Asher, Asher’s Sandbox will offer a clean, fun, large, indoor sandbox for kids to dig, build and play – but the business will include so much more.
Amber said, “Whether you are looking for a rainy-day activity, a unique party venue or a place to connect with other parents navigating this beautiful chaos called parenthood, Asher’s Sandbox is for you! Let your kids dig, build, create and explore in a clean, organized environment! This 2800 square foot building located at 286 Main St., Plympton, will be a meeting place that is unique, educational and fun – and welcoming to kids and parents alike!
Asher’s Sandbox will offer:
• Open play sessions
• Mommy & me classes
• Sand yoga
• Sand meditation
• Birthday parties
• Special events
Dr. Bartlett is also the owner of The Barker House, a grooming, boarding and daycare facility for dogs, and her business psychology practice. And what led this serial entrepreneur in this direction? She recalls a recent time when Asher, who saw an indoor sandbox on TV and said to her, “Mommy, you’re supposed to take me here.”
“That moment stuck with me,” she recalls. “As a serial entrepreneur, ideas are always swirling, but this one felt different. This one felt like it was meant to be. And when I found the perfect space for lease, I knew it was the right time.”
She said, “Asher’s Sandbox is not just a playspace. It is the community spot that we all need. It is a place for local classes, events, parties, and play; a place where our kids can explore tactile play in a clean, safe, organized environment and make new friends. It is a place where we, the parents, the caregivers, the tired humans keeping tiny humans alive – can build real relationships with people who understand the joys and struggles.”
In addition to space for children, there will be adult classes and workshops, and special programming to bring people together beyond open play. Asher’s Sandbox will offer opportunities to learn, connect, and try new things – it is a space meant to be used, shared, and lived in.
For more details, please visit https://asherssandbox.com or email amber@asherssandbox.com.

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.

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.

South Shore Food Bank and Interfaith Social Services Receive 40,000-pound Food Donation

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ROCKLAND, MA, On Friday December 6, 2025, a tractor-trailer full of nonperishable food left Salt Lake City, Utah, enroute to Massachusetts. Early in the morning on Monday, December 9, the truck arrived in Rockland, MA, and unloaded 40,000 pounds of food donated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to feed thousands of South Shore families in need.
The 28 pallets of food contained essentials like rice, macaroni, green beans, flour, beans, carrots, diced tomatoes, peanut butter, and oats, as well as some fun items like pancake mix, cake mix and hot cocoa, and needed items like dishwashing liquid. All of the donated items were grown, processed and packaged by Church-owned farms, ranches, and production facilities like canneries, dairies, and mills. They process the goods using volunteer labor, plus donations from Church members. These resources provide basic foods and household items to people in need, regardless of their faith.
This 40,000-pound food donation will be split between two local food pantries: Interfaith Social Services and the South Shore Food Bank.
Since 1947, Interfaith Social Services has been a safety net for thousands of children and families who are struggling to make ends meet. Located in Quincy, MA, Interfaith operates one of the largest emergency food pantries in Greater Boston – distributing food and essential hygiene products to local residents in need. Interfaith also operates a mental health counseling center and homelessness prevention program, and coordinates several large-scale seasonal initiatives that bring joy to local children living in poverty.
The South Shore Food Bank is a regional food access hub for food-assistance organizations across 28 South Shore communities in Massachusetts. In 2024, more than half of food distributed by food pantries on the South Shore moved through their warehouse, benefiting almost 30,000 residents across the region. They also operate two large-scale food pantries in Weymouth and Randolph. Their mission is to improve food access, food equity, and promote health.
“Both food pantries have served record-setting numbers of local families in the past few months,” said Pam Denholm, executive director of South Shore Food Bank. “The food has been going out as quickly as it comes in, and we have had a hard time keeping shelves stocked. This donation is so well timed and much needed.”  Each food pantry provides groceries to 2,000+ households each month.
This is the second time The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has made a donation of this size to the two organizations. The last time was in 2020 at the height of the pandemic.

Kingston Hires Lambiase as Town Administrator

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The Board of Selectmen voted unanimously on Nov. 25 to appoint Scott Lambiase, Abington’s current Town Manager, as Kingston’s next Administrator. Lambiase brings 18 years of municipal management experience, including nearly 15 years as Director of Inspectional Services in Duxbury.
The appointment follows a comprehensive search process in which the search committee unanimously recommended Lambiase. He emphasized his commitment to communication, transparency, and volunteer recruitment during his interview with the board. “One of the biggest things that I heard loud and clear in the past communities was that communication out of town hall and finding ways to engage the community is key and important,” he told selectmen.
Lambiase will need four weeks’ notice from Abington before starting in Kingston, meaning he could begin work before year’s end. George Samia will continue as Interim Town Administrator during the transition. The appointment is contingent on contract negotiations and background checks.