HALIFAX, MA — Steve Littlefield, a retired Army combat veteran, Veteran Service Officer, former law enforcement officer, and graduate student in mental health counseling, has announced the upcoming release of The Rucksack We Carry: A Field Manual for Veterans and First Responders.
Drawing from more than two decades of military service, deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, experience in law enforcement and fire services, and ongoing work with veterans and mental health advocacy, Littlefield’s book takes a direct and practical approach to cumulative stress, trauma, burnout, and resilience within high-stress professions.
Rather than presenting clinical theory or textbook psychology, The Rucksack We Carry uses the metaphor of the “rucksack” to describe the invisible emotional weight carried by veterans, police officers, firefighters, EMS personnel, healthcare workers, corrections officers, dispatchers, and others who routinely operate under stress and trauma.
“Our professions teach us how to carry this weight,” Littlefield writes. “What it doesn’t teach us is how to set it down.”
Written in plain language and grounded in lived experience, the book combines personal stories, practical tools, leadership insights, and peer-support strategies aimed at helping readers better understand the cumulative effects of stress before it becomes overwhelming.
“You cannot outwork trauma. You cannot grind yourself into exhaustion and call it strength. You cannot heal in isolation,” Littlefield writes in one of the book’s central themes.
The book is designed to serve not only individuals struggling silently under the weight of service but also leaders, spouses, peer-support teams, and organizations seeking to better understand the realities faced by those in uniform and emergency-response professions.
Littlefield currently serves as the Director of Veteran Services for the Town of Halifax and is completing his graduate degree in Mental Health Counseling at Bridgewater State University. He is also the founder of the Veterans Next Step Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on supporting local veterans and families.
The Rucksack We Carry will be available through Amazon and major online book retailers beginning June 1, 2026.
For media inquiries, speaking engagements, podcast appearances, department trainings, or bulk orders, contact:
Steve Littlefield
Email: steve@littlefield-wellness.com Phone: 774-231-8999
Government Study Committee presents articles to change certain elected positions to appointed
Commissioned by the Halifax Board of Selectmen in 2024, the Halifax Government Study Committee has recently completed the first phase of their work and has presented five articles to the Board of Selectmen for their consideration. The Committee is made up of five volunteers who have dedicated time over the last eighteen months meeting with town officials, boards, chiefs, department heads and committees over dozens of meetings.
At their March 24 meeting, the Board of Selectmen placed all five articles on the warrant for Town Meeting on May 11, 2026.
The articles include:
• Changing the position of Town Clerk from elected to appointed
• Changing the position of Treasurer/Collector from elected to appointed
• Changing the position of Highway Department Superintendent from elected to appointed
• Changing the name of the Board of Selectmen to Select Board
• Changing elected Water Commissioners to appointed Water Commissioners
The potential changes reflect the committee’s findings that changes can be made to improve the reporting structure, increase candidate pools and streamline the efficiency of town departments.
The Committee is pleased to put forward these articles presenting its residents with clear choices and paths forward.
Residents are encouraged to submit questions and comments by completing the committee’s comments and feedback form on the town’s website or by emailing the Government Study Committee (govstudy@halifaxma.gov) directly.
The Committee invites all to participate in the annual town meeting on Monday, May 11, 2026. The meeting will be held at the Halifax Elementary School and will start at 6:30 p.m.
Art Auction Fundraiser for The Dennett
The Dennett Elementary 6th grade class is excited to host a special Art Auction Fundraiser featuring local art by Plympton parent and resident, Shawn Trice to help support the students during their final year of elementary school. Proceeds from the auction will go directly towards the funding of field trips, class events, transportation, graduation celebrations and much more to make this year memorable for the children.
The funds raised will help ensure that every student can participate in these special moments throughout the year and as they celebrate their 6th grade graduation from Dennett Elementary. We are so grateful for the support of our wonderful community. Thank you for helping make this a meaningful and fun year for our 6th graders!
The silent auction will take place at the Plympton Public Library from March 14 to April 4. Stop by the library on April 4 at 10:30 a.m. on the last day to bid and to meet the artist and learn more about the fundraising program for Dennett 6th graders.
The Arc of the South Shore to Hold April 3 Bunny Bash at Derby Street Shops in Hingham
WEYMOUTH, HINGHAM, MA, – Register now for Friday, April 3, when The Arc of the South Shore, a family-oriented, community-based non-profit providing information, referrals, and community programs for individuals with disabilities and now celebrating its 75th anniversary, will host its fourth annual Easter Bunny Bash in partnership with the Derby Street Shops.
The event will feature an egg hunt, face painting, temporary tattoos, and photos with the Easter Bunny. Two sessions will be offered, with the first starting promptly at 10 a.m. and the second at 11 a.m. Both sessions will be held on the Derby Street Green between the stores REI and Kohl’s. The event is BYOB – Bring Your Own Basket!
The Bunny Bash is supported in part by a grant from the Hingham Cultural Council, a local agency of the Mass Cultural Council.
In case of inclement weather, the Bunny Bash will be rescheduled to April 6 with sessions at 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. All registrants will be notified on April 2 if the event is postponed.
Tickets are limited and advance registration is required; tickets are $10 per child. To register, please visit www.arcsouthshore.org.
Special thanks in advance to Bunny Bash sponsors Mass Cultural Council, Hull Cultural Council, Scituate Cultural Council, Quincy Arts Council, Quirk, George Washington Toma TV and Appliance, Infranet Solutions, and Titus Group. Additional event sponsorships are available.
For more information about tickets or event sponsorships, please contact hklingseisen@arcsouthshore.org.
“This lively springtime event brings our community together for sunshine, smiles, and shared family fun,” said Elizabeth Sandblom, CEO of The Arc of the South Shore. “It’s a perfect way to welcome the season and create magical memories.”
OCES Employees Honored with Milestone Awards
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.
46 Local Firefighters to Graduate from State Fire Academy Next Week
BRIDGEWATER—State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine and Massachusetts Firefighting Academy leadership will present certificates of completion to 46 graduating recruits next week at the Department of Fire Services’ campuses in Bridgewater and Springfield.
The members of Career Recruit Firefighter Training Class #BW38 represent the fire departments of Bourne, Braintree, Cohasset, Duxbury, Fall River, Hanover, Harwich, Kingston, Milton, North Attleboro, Provincetown, Rockland, Sandwich, and Scituate. Their graduation was postponed for one week due to storm recovery efforts following the Blizzard of 2026.
Date: Friday, March 6, 2026
Time: 11:00 am
Place: 911 Conant Street, Bridgewater, Massachusetts
Location Note: There is no access via Flagg Street. Use Rte. 18 to State Farm Road.
The members of Career Recruit Firefighter Training Class #S44 represent the fire departments of Agawam, Holden, Marlborough, Monterey, Northampton, Palmer, Pittsfield, Springfield, Stockbridge, and Turners Falls.
Date: Friday, March 6, 2026
Time: 11:00 am
Place: 100 Grochmal Avenue, Springfield, Massachusetts
Video of both ceremonies will be posted to the Department of Fire Services’ YouTube channel following their conclusion.
The MFA has trained Massachusetts firefighters at every level of experience, from recruit to chief officer, since 1971. It serves about 13,000 students each year at three regional campuses and at local fire departments.
Time for Love, Longing, and Cowboys in BSU’s Late
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.
Plymouth Area Coalition for the Homeless Opens New Emergency Assistance Shelter
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.
Celebrating 15 Years: Remembering Silver Lake Girls Basketball’s 2010–2011 Season
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
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.
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