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Seniors at Stoughton Adult Day Health Complete Digital Literacy Course

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STOUGHTON, MA… Nine older adults at Stoughton Adult Day Health recently celebrated completing a six-week basic computer skills course through the “Traveling Computer Lab – Digital Literacy for Older Adults” program. Offered by Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), the program aims to bridge the digital divide and equip seniors with essential technology skills for greater confidence and independence.
The digital literacy course, tailored specifically for adults aged 60 and older, provides in-person, hands-on instruction with the goal of enhancing independence, social connectivity, and access to vital online resources. Over the span of six weeks, participants attended a total of eight engaging sessions held at their familiar community setting.
During the course, the group gained confidence using laptops. Core topics covered the basics of computer use, along with using Microsoft Windows to improve typing skills and learning how to navigate the internet.
“The class was really helpful—most older adults were hesitant to use computers before, but they feel more comfortable now,” said Armindo Rocha, Volunteer Programs Manager at OCES.
The Traveling Computer Lab is a mobile program that rotates monthly to new sites across the region, bringing digital literacy training directly to older adults in Councils on Aging, senior centers, and housing communities. By providing all necessary equipment, including laptops, Wi-Fi, and printed materials. The program removes common barriers to access and ensures participants receive personalized, step-by-step guidance at their own pace.
Through this initiative, OCES is not only teaching older adults how to use technology, but also fostering greater confidence, social connection, and safety in the digital world.

For more information about the Traveling Computer Lab or other services offered by OCES, visit ocesma.org or call (508) 584-1561.

Local West Nile Virus Threat in Addition to EEE

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On August 13th the Massachusetts Department of Public Health announced West Nile Virus positive mosquito samples in Plymouth and several other surrounding cities and towns. West Nile Virus is most often transmitted to humans via infected mosquitoes. West Nile Virus can affect people of all ages but people over the age of 50 are at the highest risk for severe infection. This news follows the announcement of positive mosquito samples for Eastern Equine Encephalitis in Halifax. So far 168 local mosquito samples have been positive for West Nile Virus. 80% of people infected with West Nile Virus do not show any symptoms. About one in five people develop a fever with symptoms such as headache, body aches, gastrointestinal issues, joint pains, or a rash, according to the CDC. About one in 150 people who are infected will develop a severe illness affecting the central nervous system. It is strongly advised to wear mosquito repellent when outdoors containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus and to avoid outdoor activities at dawn and dusk and to eliminate standing water in your yard.

Plympton CPC grant application period is Sept. 1 through Oct. 15

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PLYMPTON – The Plympton Community Preservation Committee (CPC) is currently accepting applications for fiscal year 2027 funding. The deadline for completed applications is October 15.
Recent projects include clapboard painting and window restoration and replacement at the “Old Town House”; repair and restoration of Town Green gazebo; creation of the 150-acre “Two Brooks Preserve” off Prospect Road; funding for improvements to the playground at the Dennett Elementary School; and the purchase and preservation of almost 300 acres known as Turkey Swamp.
The CPC takes very seriously its responsibility to administer Community Preservation Act funds and is thrilled to have the opportunity to serve and improve the town through acquisition and protection of open space, historical preservation, community housing and increased recreational opportunities.
New projects selected by the CPC for further consideration will be voted on for approval at the 2026 Annual Town Meeting.
Project guidelines and applications can be found on the Plympton town website at https://www.town.plympton. ma.us/community-preservationcommittee. Click on “Documents” at the left hand side of the web page to bring up the Plympton Community Preservation Plan which includes the application and criteria.
The CPC Plan and application are also available at the Town House and at the Plympton Public Library.
Questions can be addressed by contacting CPC Chair Alan Wheelock at
alan.wheelock10@gmail.com.

Lucky driver was not injured in Brook St. pickup truck rollover

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On Thursday, July 31, at approximately 1 a.m., Regional Old Colony Communications Center received a call for a motor vehicle accident in Plympton in the area of 127 Brook St.
On arrival, paramedics and Plympton Police located the operator of the vehicle walking around the scene. The vehicle struck a telephone pole and landed on it’s roof. The street was closed, and Eversource Electric responded to the scene to assess the powerlines.
The operator was not injured and released by EMS. There were no hazards on scene.

Roger Williams University grads Graduates

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BRISTOL, RI – Michael Beals of Kingston and Samantha Kelley of Halifax received their degrees in May as part of the Class of 2025.
Roger Williams University is a comprehensive university with a liberal arts core and professional programs, with campuses on the coast of Bristol and in the state capital of Providence, RI.
Across eight schools of study, we provide real-world learning focused on social and environmental justice, small classes, and direct access to faculty and staff

Kingston Library hosts Master Gardener Gretel Anspach to speak at Library

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Master Gardener Gretel Anspach will present a “Lawns and Lawn Alternatives” session on Wednesday, Aug. 13 at 6 p.m. at the Adams Center, 33 Summer St..
Anspach will discuss different options to help tailor your needs, potentially eliminating hundreds of hours of labor and expensive treatments each year. Lawns are imported garden fixtures from places with cool, wet summers.
Our ideal of a “perfect” lawn can be a major drain on water supplies, a source of pollution, and hard work. Anspach’s talk will also include some discussion of alternatives to the traditional grass lawn.
Anspach is a Trustee of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, a Lifetime Master Gardener with the Massachusetts Master Gardener Association, and a recently-retired systems engineer for Raytheon. She won the MMGA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016.
Anspach established and presently maintains a 20,000 square foot food production garden that has provided fresh produce to the Marlboro and Maynard Food Pantries for the last 10 years. Her primary interest and focus is always the science behind horticulture.
She delivered an outstanding presentation this past spring at the Kingston Council on Aging titled, “Vegetable Gardening 101,” which was sponsored by the Kingston Agricultural Commission.
This program is part of the 2025 Adult Summer Reading Program, Level Up at Your Library. Attendees will be eligible for a raffle ticket for one of three prizes on display in the Circulation area.  The Kingston Public Library has generously funded this program. To learn more about how the KPFL supports our library please visit kplf.org.
To register for this event, please visit – https://kingstonpubliclibrary.org. For more information, contact Steven Miller, Reference Librarian at (781) 585-0517 x6272 or at smiller@kingstonma.gov.

 

Attorney General turns down Halifax’s watercraft restrictions to limit access to Monponsett Pond by use of a resident sticker

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Massachusetts Attorney General Disapproves Proposed Watercraft Restrictions on Monponsett Pond – Monday, July 14, 2025
The Town of Halifax received official notice that the Massachusetts Attorney General has disapproved the by-law amendment proposed under Article 2 of the December 16th, 2024, Special Town Meeting. The amendment sought to prohibit the use of personal watercraft (PWCs) on East and West Monponsett Pond unless the operator held a resident permit.
The Attorney General cited that Monponsett Pond qualifies as a Massachusetts Great Pond as it exceeds 500 acres in size and therefore is considered a public resource under Massachusetts law. Local governments do not have statutory authority to restrict the public’s use or access to boating on these waters.
Additionally, during their review, the Attorney General also determined that two earlier amendments — enacted in 1997 and 1998 concerning speed limits and nighttime PWC operation on the Pond — were also in conflict with state law and would likely be unenforceable.
What This Means for Residents
Public access to Monponsett Pond remains protected under state law.
The Town cannot implement resident-only PWC permits or enforce prior restrictions without special legislative approval.
The Town will work with state agencies to explore legal alternatives to ensure safe and responsible use of the Pond.
To view the Attorney General’s full decision, please use the link below.
Download Official Notice from the Attorney General (PDF)

Local volunteers honored at appreciation luncheon

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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, honored volunteers at a special luncheon and awards ceremony held at Indian Pond Country Club in Kingston, MA. A total of 130 attendees attended the appreciation luncheon.
“It is through the unwavering support of all of our volunteers that many OCES programs and Community Service Partner programs are better able to assist those in need,” said Armindo Rocha, OCES’ Volunteer Programs Manager. “We recognize and thank all of our generous volunteers for their tremendous dedication to helping others and our communities.”
Armindo Rocha and Cidalia America, OCES’ Volunteer Coordinator, hosted the appreciation luncheon and presented awards. OCES presented the Make a Difference Award to 12 outstanding volunteers in recognition of their dedication to helping others and making a meaningful impact in the community: Tom Adduci, Bridgewater Meals On Wheels (MOW) volunteer; Ellen Lash, Ellen Jacobs and John Durnan volunteers for OCES’ Money Management Program (MMP) in Brockton; Mike Pauley and Sandra Ivers, Brockton MOW volunteers; Beth Kelley and Bob Kelley, Duxbury MOW volunteers; Rita Pope, Easton MOW volunteer; Donna Blaschke, Middleboro MOW volunteer; John Melchin, Pembroke MOW volunteer; and Edward Sore, Plymouth MOW volunteer.
OCES had the pleasure of having Mark Grossman give a brief statement on behalf of Abbott Care, the premiere sponsor.
Volunteering for OCES:
With the help of more than 550 Nutrition Program volunteers, OCES serves 2,600 meals every weekday as part of its MOW services. MMP volunteers, assist older adults and individuals with disabilities with bill paying, reconciling bank statements, balancing checkbooks, and in special cases negotiating debt with creditors. Volunteers also serve on the OCES Board of Directors, participate in the MMP Advisory Board, and contribute to many other important efforts.
OCES’ is proud to have a Volunteer Center in Plymouth which serves as a central resource for volunteers and service partners offering volunteer opportunities in Plymouth County. Prospective volunteers can talk one-on-one with volunteer program staff who can assist them in their search for volunteering opportunities that fit their skills and interests. The Volunteer Center is equipped with computers for researching volunteer opportunities as well as brochures and other literature from organizations seeking volunteers. To learn more about volunteer opportunities, visit https://ocesma.org/get-involved/volunteer-opportunities
OCES is recognized as one of the 2023 and 2024 Best Places to Work by Cape & Plymouth Business Marketing. OCES has been certified as a woman non-profit organization (W/NPO) by the Supplier Diversity Office (SDO).
For more than 50 years, OCES has been a private, nonprofit organization with locations in Brockton and Plymouth. OCES is designated as one of 27 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) and Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and proudly serves Plymouth County and surrounding communities.
Through the talent of an experienced and diverse workforce, OCES supports the independence and dignity of older adults and individuals with disabilities by providing essential information and services that promote healthy, safe living which positively impacts our community. The agency offers several programs to serve older adults, individuals with disabilities, their families, and caregivers.
For more information call 508-584-1561 or visit ocesma.org

Halifax Fireworks tradition continues

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The Town of Halifax’s Fireworks Celebration, coordinated by the members of the Halifax Fireworks Committee, is scheduled for Saturday, June 28, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. behind the Halifax Elementary School, 464 Plymouth Street. A variety of activities will be available during the event such as a DJ, food vendors, face painting, and more.
The Fireworks Committee is also seeking volunteers on Sunday, June 29, to assist with post-event clean-up. If you’re interested in volunteering, please e-mail Janice Hayward at Janice.Hayward@halifax-ma.org or Susan Hill at Susan.Hill@halifax-ma.org.
In the event of inclement weather, the Fireworks display will be rescheduled to Sunday, June 29, and the post-event clean-up will take place on Monday, June 30, 2025.
This event is made possible by the support and funding from residents, guests, sponsors, and local businesses. We are thankful to all who have contributed towards continuing the tradition. If you would like to make a donation, please mail a check made out to Town of Halifax and include Halifax Fireworks in the memo line to 499 Plymouth Street, Halifax, MA 02338.
Everyone is invited to take part in watching one of Halifax’s grand community events as we celebrate our nation’s birthday alongside friends, family, and neighbors. We hope to see you there!

MA House Committee on Federal Funding holds first hearing; explores federal funding cuts, broad impacts

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BOSTON – The House Committee on Federal Funding, Policy and Accountability held a hearing recently focusing on the broad impacts to the state budget and the economic health of the Commonwealth. The hearing, chaired by State Representative Kathy LaNatra, was the first hearing of the newly named Committee. Those who testified in front of the Committee included Doug Howgate, President of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation; Sarah Mills, Vice President of Government Relations at the Associated Industries of Massachusetts, and Quentin Palfrey, Director of the Federal Funds and Infrastructure Office in the Healey-Driscoll Administration.
“Just five months into the current administration, we’re already seeing significant shifts in the federal funding that Massachusetts depends on,” said State Representative Kathy LaNatra (D–Kingston). “From higher education and childcare to small businesses and major employers, organizations across the Commonwealth are trying to understand how policy changes, funding cuts, grant rescissions, and tariffs will affect them. As Chair of this committee, I’m committed to making sure we fully understand the many ways our state partners with the federal government—and to creating a forum where nonprofits, businesses, institutions, and agencies can share information directly with the Legislature. These insights will help shape our response to the challenges ahead. I want to thank Doug Howgate, Sarah Mills, and Quentin Palfrey for their testimony today, and Speaker Mariano for the opportunity to lead this important work.”
Testimony from Doug Howgate of the MTF focused on the effects of federal funding cuts to the State budget. Howgate emphasized that one in four dollars in the House’s FY26 State Budget comes from the federal government, representing a higher share of revenue than both the sales tax and the lottery. He cautioned that an economic downturn, caused by uncertainty and tariffs would be more harmful to the State’s economy than any one policy proposal. Sarah Mills of AIM also focused on tariffs, highlighting their impact on businesses across the Commonwealth, which export around $77 billion to over 210 global markets each year. Director Palfrey focused on the efforts of the Healey Administration to track changes to federal funding, as well as logistical changes to how the state and localities apply for available federal dollars.
The Committee on Federal Funding, Policy and Accountability was created to monitor the effects of federal policy decisions on Massachusetts, particularly in areas like education, public health, veterans’ services, civil rights, and climate policy. The committee will engage with residents, businesses and stakeholders who have been impacted by President Trump’s actions, a process that will allow the House to better understand how to respond to the developments in Washington.
For questions about the Committee, or concerns about Federal funding or policy that you would like directed to the Committee, please email Christopher.Jean@mahouse.gov.
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