BROCKTON AND PLYMOUTH, MA – Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) honored 24 staff members, including their Chief Executive Officer Nicole Long, with milestone awards during their annual staff meeting in January.
OCES is the largest provider of in-home and community-based services for older adults and people living with disabilities in Southeastern Massachusetts. With locations in Brockton and Plymouth, the organization employs 270 full- and part-time staff members.
Awards for 20 years of service were presented to Nicole Long of Plymouth, Rochelle Sugarman of Canton, and Jean Sibley of Hanson.
Awards for 10 years of service went to Zonya Williams of Rhode Island; Ines Veira of Taunton; Kori Pickett of Plymouth; Ken Gomes of Fall River; Elga Miranda, Sosha Michel, Stacy Vaughn, Maryanne Whalen and Shirley Smith of Brockton; Carolyn Brown of Easton; Ariola Sina of Hanover; Christine Thompkins of Halifax; Colleen Joyce of Stoughton; and Carol Cedrone of Randolph.
Awards for 5 years of service were presented to Jessica Mahoney of Brant Rock; Rosemary Gordon and Christine Kent of Taunton; Ifeanyi Oli, Kamal Alleye, Lisa Lopes Patterson, and Theresa Martyr-Johnson of Brockton.
“It is a great pleasure to recognize employees for their dedication to our organization and the community. We appreciate the efforts of all our employees, their contributions and commitment to our mission,” said Rob Buckel-Gillis, Human Resources Director.
OCES aspires to be a culturally diverse and inclusive agency that removes barriers, creating equity for all by empowering individuals and communities to thrive, age in place, and reach their highest potential.

Bridgewater, MA — As part of its annual Student Repertory Theater Festival, Bridgewater State University’s Department of Theater presents Late, A Cowboy Song by Sarah Ruhl. Mary, always late and always married, meets Red, a lady cowboy who teaches her how to ride. Red exudes a taste of freedom that Mary didn’t even know she lacked and is suddenly desperate to find. Late, a Cowboy Song is the story of one woman’s education and her search to find true love outside the box.
Late, a Cowboy Song performs Thursday, Feb. 26 at 8 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 28 at 8 p.m.; and Sunday, March 1 at 2 p.m. All performances are held on the BSU campus in the Rondileau Student Union Auditorium at 19 Park Ave in Bridgewater. Tickets are available online at www.BSUtix.com and at the door while supplies last. Contact the BSU box office at boxoffice@bridgew.edu for further information.
The cast and crew of Late, a Cowboy Song consist of students from all corners of the Commonwealth and beyond, featuring actors Reece Lorenzo (Franklin, MA), Yahaira Torres (Dedham, MA), and Olivia Webb (Melrose, MA). Featured behind the scenes are set & prop designer Emily Jones (New Bedford, MA), costume designer Meera Watkins (Quincy, MA), lighting designer Emmett Buhmann (Raynham, MA), and sound designer Joseph Sebby (Fairhaven, MA) The cast is led by director Dakota Boucher (Paxton, MA), stage manager Connor Francis (Harwich, MA), and faculty mentors tech director AL Forgione (Braintree, MA) costume supervisor Rachael Linker (Brockton, MA), tech supervisor Emmett Buhmann (Raynham, MA), and directing supervisor Sarah Ploskina (Boston, MA).
BSU Theater gives students the opportunity to create their own work as directors, designers, and artists with the Student Repertory Theater Festival. Each year students collaborate with each other and faculty to create an original piece or bring to life a show of their choosing. In just four short weeks, students work together to rehearse and mount productions performed as part of the five-day student festival. There are two student shows planned, as Late, a Cowboy Song is presented on alternating nights with boom as the RSU stage overflows with the incredible talent and creativity the Theater Department has to offer.

KINGSTON, PLYMOUTH, MA – Plymouth Area Coalition for the Homeless, working to nurture and empower families and individuals seeking basic needs assistance by providing them shelter, food, and educational resources necessary to reach their potential and independence, yesterday celebrated the opening of their brand new Emergency Assistance Shelter Program, located at 54 Industrial Park Road in Plymouth.
The new, 26-family shelter provides safe, temporary housing for families along with professional case management and support services, including school enrollment, coordinated services, child care, and children’s programming.  Additionally, re-housing case management and stabilization services – in which a case manager can work with a family for up to two years after they have moved into their own housing, enhancing overall housing stability – is also provided.  The new facility complements Plymouth Area Coalition for the Homeless’s Pilgrim’s Hope Shelter, which is located in Kingston and provides shelter and services for 13 families.
The new Plymouth Emergency Assistance Shelter Program broke ground in the fall of 2024.  The $7 million, 11,230-square-foot project consisted of renovating a vacant industrial park office building originally built in the 1990s into a modern residential temporary living facility.  The shelter includes multiple sleeping quarters, educational spaces, community kitchen and dining spaces, laundry facilities, and a new elevator, all equipped with modern and efficient mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems.  R Squared Architects served as the architect for the project, Acella Construction Corporation served as general contractor, and Building Engineering Resources, Inc. served as engineering consultant.
Plymouth Area Coalition for the Homeless received the final certificate of occupancy for the building late last year and the facility became operational last month.
Funding for the project was granted from Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation (CEDAC), the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, and the Plymouth Community Preservation Fund.
From October 2022 through June 2025, Plymouth Area Coalition for the Homeless also operated the Baymont Inn in Kingston, providing emergency shelter, case management re-housing counseling, and education classes to 96 families.
“This new shelter will greatly expand our reach, helping even more families who are experiencing homelessness get connected to the resources they need to find permanent housing and support services, while providing them with a safe place to be in the process,” said Suzanne R. Giovanetti, CEO of Plymouth Area Coalition for the Homeless.  “We are so grateful to the town of Plymouth and all the members of the community who have expressed their support for this project and helped to make it a reality.”
About Plymouth Area Coalition for the Homeless
Established in 1985, the Plymouth Area Coalition for the Homeless, guided by a dedication to social justice and compassion, strives to nurture and empower families and individuals seeking basic needs assistance by providing them the shelter, food, and educational resources necessary to reach their potential and independence.
Services provided by the organization include emergency assistance housing for families, case management, re-housing plans, housing stabilization, education, children’s services, and Voice in the Night.  PACH also directs a food pantry and the Children’s Holiday Fund, F.A.I.R. (Family And Individual Resource) Program, and Laila and Henrik’s Teddy Bear Program.
Plymouth Area Coalition for the Homeless is located at 149 Bishop’s Highway, Kingston, MA 02364.  For more information, please call 781-582-2010, email info@plymouthareacoalition.org, or visit https://plymouthareacoalition.org.

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!”

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.

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.