The new year may come with a host of cheesy slogans, high expectations, social graces, and sanctimonious proclamations, but, as usual, a deeper look into the holiday and the traditions behind it reveal a rather inspiring amalgamation of celebrations, beliefs, ceremonies, and customs that compose a truly beautiful holiday celebration package.
The earliest record of celebrating the new year date back some 4,000 years to ancient Babylon. For the Babylonians, the first new moon following the vernal equinox in late March (where there is an equal amount of sunlight and darkness) heralded the start of a new year. They marked the occasion with a festival called Akitu (derived from the Sumerian word for barley, which was cut around this time). Akitu involved a different ritual on each of its 11 days. It was also during this time that a new king was crowned or that the current ruler’s divine mandate was symbolically renewed.
The early Roman calendar consisted of 10 months and 304 days, with each new year beginning at the vernal equinox. According to tradition, this calendar was created by Romulus, the founder of Rome, in the eighth century B.C. Later, King Numa Pompilius, added the months of Januarius and Februarius. Over the centuries, the calendar fell out of sync with the sun, and in 46 B.C., Julius Ceasar attempted to solve the problem by consulting with the most prominent astronomers and mathematicians of the time. He introduced the Julian calendar, which closely resembles the more modern Gregorian calendar that most countries around the world use today.
The name January was a tribute to the month’s namesake: Janus, the Roman god of beginnings. Janus had two faces which allowed him to look back into the past and forward into the future. Romans celebrated the first day of the new year by offering sacrifices to Janus, exchanging gifts with one another, decorating their homes with laurel branches, and attending raucous parties.
In early medieval times most of Christian Europe regarded March 25, the Feast of the Annunciation, as the beginning of the new year. William the Conqueror decreed that the year began on Jan. 1, but England later joined the rest of Christendom and adopted March 25. The Gregorian calendar, adopted in 1582 by the Roman Catholic Church, restored Jan. 1 as New Year’s Day, and most European countries gradually followed suit -Scotland in 1660, Germany and Denmark around 1700, England in 1752, and Russia as late as 1918. In medieval Europe, Christian leaders temporarily replaced Jan. 1 as the first of the year with days carrying more religious significance, such as Dec. 25 (the symbolic anniversary of Jesus’ birth) and March 25 (the Feast of the Annunciation). Pope Gregory XIII reestablished January 1 as New Year’s Day in 1582.
Many of the customs of New Year festivals dichotomously note the passing of time with regret and anticipation. The baby used as a a symbol of the new year and an old man representing the year that has passed dates back to ancient Greece. The practice of making resolutions to rid oneself of bad habits and energy also dates to ancient times. These early resolutions were likely made in an attempt to curry favor with the gods. In the West, particularly in English-speaking countries, the nostalgic Scottish ballad “Auld Lang Syne” revised by the poet Robert Burns, is often sung on New Year’s Eve. The song begins by posing a rhetorical question: Is it right for old times to be forgotten? The answer is generally interpreted as a call to remember long-standing friendships and family.
Symbolic foods are often part of New Year festivities. Many Europeans eat cabbage or other greens to ensure prosperity in the coming year, while people in the American South prepare black-eyed peas for good luck. For Ugadi in southern India, a special culinary preparation called ugadi pachadi combines multiple flavors, and depending on the person eating it tasting a sweeter or more bitter flavor is what determines the luck of their year to come. Throughout Asia, special foods such as dumplings, noodles, and rice cakes are eaten, and elaborate dishes feature various ingredients whose names or appearance symbolize long life, happiness, wealth, and good fortune.
In Scotland, Isle of Man, and Northern England a custom called “First Foot” takes place on New Year’s Day. The first guest to cross the threshold, or “first foot,” is significant and may bring good luck if the person is of the right physical type, which varies with location. In Spain on New Year’s Eve, many people follow a unique tradition that dates back to the 19th-century known as uvas de la suerte, or “lucky grapes.” There are conflicting reports about the exact origins of the tradition, but the two most likely versions are that: Grape growers in Alicante came up with the custom in the early 1900s after a bountiful harvest left them with too many grapes and farmers needed a ploy to sell them. Others trace it to the 1880s, when Madrid’s bourgeoisie adopted French habits like drinking champagne and eating grapes on New Year’s Eve. Over time, the current day tradition consisted of people eating one grape at each chime as the clock strikes midnight. Each grape represents a month of the coming year. If you finish all twelve in time before the twelfth chime you’ll have good luck; if you fail, you will not be so fortunate.
Closer to home, celebrations of New Year’s Eve are usually characterized by public gatherings. Times Square in New York City draws large crowds and the countdown with the infamous New Year’s Eve ball to signify the exact moment at which the new year begins. This event is televised worldwide and for the first time ever, it will drop twice this year -once at 12 a.m. and then again clad in red, white, and blue at 12:04 a.m. to signify Americas 250th birthday.
On the West Coast, the first Rose Bowl Game was played in Pasadena, Calif. on Jan. 1, 1902, and other college football games have come to dominate American television on New Year’s Day. The Tournament of Roses Parade, featuring floats constructed of live roses and flowers as well as the Mummers’ Parade in Philadelphia are popular New Year’s Day events.
Here in Boston, it will be the 50th Boston’s First Night Celebration. Activities will start as early as 10 a.m. with plenty of family-friendly events, including a sing-along at the Boston Public Market, archery lessons on the Boston Common at noon, and ice skating shows at the Frog Pond throughout the afternoon. Performances at City Hall Plaza begin at 2 p.m., with Boston-based rock band Leaving Irene opening the event. The Sultans end the performances of 2025 at 11:30 p.m. and fireworks will kick off at the stroke of midnight. All First Night performances are open to the public but are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Once the New Year’s Eve celebrations are concluded and we have sauntered back home a little worse for wear after a night of frivolity, you might be inspired to clean up a bit from the holiday hoopla. Luckily, there are several local businesses offering just the things to align, relax, heal, and invigorate. Sure, New Year’s resolutions are jokingly called “the first week of January’s to-do list”, but even if you only dip a toe into your efforts, it’s better than nothing! If anything, you are just joining the ancient Greeks in seeing the new year as a symbolic reset and goal-setting opportunity, and that is hardly seasonally en vogue, it is timeless.
Here are some local businesses that can add some calm and clarity to your year ahead:

Shanti Shala Yoga and Wellness Center
55 Pleasant St., Carver
https://shantishalayoga.com

111 Love Yoga
111 Upland Rd., Plympton

J Norrie Beauty and Spa
368 Main St., Plympton
(781) 585-0080

Soul Purpose Wellness Studio
274 Plymouth St., Halifax
https://soulpurposewellnessstudio.com

Natural Body Works
161 Summer St., Kingston

HOME

Skin Esteem Med Spa and Wellness Center
214 Main St., Kingston
https://www.skinesteemmedspa.com

Kingsbury Club and Spa
86 Summer St., Kingston

Kingsbury Club and Spa

“Hope sees the invisible, feels the intangible, and achieves the impossible.” Helen Keller

While driving down Elm Street in Kingston, you can’t help but notice the endearing, yet classic, meandering streets through the quintessential Southern New England village. The roadside is dotted with beautiful antique homes, stone walls and picket fences, and backed by woodlands and river marsh. You will also likely notice a white antique home perched upon a steep hill with a welcoming sign beckoning onlookers with dragonflies and the words, “Hope Floats Healing and Wellness Center.” In our modern-day society, with signs saying a myriad of things to us from stiff-upper-lip business names to noticeably abrasive advertisement slogans, seeing the words “Hope Floats” leaves a lingering curiosity as to what business such lovely words belong to.
This gentle name and sentiment are the physical face of an even lovelier purpose housed in the walls of the 1844 farmhouse, carriage house, and barn. The dragonfly slogan was designed by Amanda Brack who lost her brother, Mike, in 2002. She drew a picture of a girl on a swing, surrounded by three dragonflies for her grieving mother and the image fast became an important symbol for her family.
Hope Floats Healing and Wellness Center was born in 2009 from the love and grief of Denise and Ken Brack after the loss of their son, Mike at age 18. When looking for ways to work through and find support for their loss, they realized there were no places offering what they needed and hoped to find. They began to envision a center specializing in and providing services for people working through the grief -a center that did not feel clinical in nature, but comforting and cozy…like home.
“That was hugely important to the Brack’s -that this place felt like a sort of home for people who were grieving,” explains Elizabeth McKenna, Executive Director of Hope Floats. Sitting in the cheerful office with McKenna and Program and Event Coordinator, Emily Sarney, it is easy to feel a rather “warm-blanket energy” about the place. “We have the main house, the carriage house, and the barn where all of our groups and workshops meet. It is also where the offices of our counselors are and where we have yoga.” The grounds also have a Memory Garden, and labyrinth, and a path to the Jones River. “It is such a peaceful place,” says McKenna.
It is not just the buildings or the grounds, however, that make Hope Floats Healing and Wellness Center special -it is what happens here that changes people’s lives for the better. “Grief and loss are a part of life for everyone, yet grieving still has a stigma about it,” Sarney points out, “Here we work hard to destigmatize the mourning process and to help people find healthy coping mechanisms to move forward in their lives. We have programs tailored to groups and individuals that help us do that.”
Hope Floats offers separate groups for children, teens, and parents/caregiver adults who are dealing with death-related loss of a parent, caregiver, loved one, or sibling. These programs help participants process their grief through creative activities like arts and crafts, book clubs, games, workshops, and camps with the guidance and help of professionally trained support staff. Families who come to Hope Floats are able to connect with others dealing with similar circumstances in the home-like environment. Parents and caregivers can talk about common issues, concerns, and ways to help their children cope. McKenna adds, “Mike’s Club is also free for children 5-18 years old. The Brack’s wanted to remove any financial barriers during an already difficult time in people’s lives.” These uniquely tailored support groups meet every other week during the school year and are led by Hope Floats staff, clinicians and trained volunteers.
The professionals at Hope Floats Healing and Wellness Center understand that varying ages and groups process grief differently, and they accommodate as many facets of loss and mourning as they can to make sure there is a safe, therapeutic place for everyone to focus on their own healing process or connect with people experiencing similar situations. With support groups for all ages for those experiencing things like infant and pregnancy loss, loss of young children, newly bereaved parents, loss of siblings, losses to suicide, loss of a parent, loss of a spouse, single father groups, loss of a child or loved one to addiction, and disenfranchised loss from divorce or other family and life tragedies, Hope Floats has grown exponentially to cast a support net over a wide range of situations.
In fact, it is not just the local community who find what they are in need of here while in mourning. “We actually have people come from out of state to participate in camps and programs,” says McKenna, “We have recently had people from Connecticut, New Hampshire, and even Illinois that we have been able to help on their healing journey.”
Each room inside the main house at Hope Floats is decorated and equipped for different age groups. Young children are surrounded by arts and crafts stations, colorful murals painted on the walls, and cheerful décor. The teen-support group rooms are designed in a more sophisticated fashion and lined with giant bean-bags and posters with positive messages about self-acceptance and esteem. Adult group rooms feel like walking into a peaceful room at a friend’s house with plenty of comfortable seating, historical touches relevant to the antique house, and a welcoming kitchen. In every room, books on loss and grief line the shelves that are age appropriate to the room they are kept in. Hope Floats, indeed, feels like home.
In addition to support groups, Hope Floats offers various camps throughout the year. One of the most popular programs is a four-week summer camp for children, teens, and families coping with death-related loss. “People can come enjoy pizza, vendors, and outdoor activities at the camps,” McKenna says “Children will also have the opportunity to engage in expressive-arts activities focused on processing grief and loss. Art is a great channel for grief. If you ask a child, ‘What color is your sadness?’ or ‘Can you draw something you remember about your mom?’, they are able to get that out on paper or canvas and it is incredibly beneficial.”
While the children and teens participate in their various groups, the parenting adults are able to participate in a peer-facilitated support group for those who have subsequently lost a partner or spouse. Registration is by the week to accommodate individual schedules and routines that are often difficult to return to following loss.
One of the most beneficial and relied on ways to work through and manage grief is the many yoga classes offered in the barn at Hope Floats. Held in a sun-filled, calming space., participants at Hope Floats can explore various kinds of yoga -Kripalu yoga, Hatha yoga, Kundalini Yoga, and Yin to Slow Flow Yoga. These classes are taught by instructors who specialize in leading healing groups.
Day long retreats are also offered multiple times a year and are specific to mothers/parents who have lost children, those affected by suicide loss, people dealing with cancer and other illness, and a retreat for caregivers. Hope Floats also hosts special Mother’s Day retreats and retreats for military family members. Retreats are holistically based and often include meditation, stretching and breathing exercises, yoga, group discussions and mini-healing treatments given by certified practitioners. Treatment offerings include Reiki, Healing Touch, chair massage and more. Participants are able to explore the peaceful gardens and trails and enjoy a catered lunch.
The retreats at Hope Floats offer opportunities for self-care and the chance to meet others dealing with similar situations. “Grief can be such an isolating feeling,” McKenna notes, “It is really important that we counter that feeling of being alone with connections -especially with others who can relate to how you feel. Our retreats and groups and workshops really bring people together and they often form long-lasting friendships.”
One of the most utilized and popular offerings at Hope Floats are Family Nights. Family Night is for children of all ages and their families. A pizza dinner will be served, then children and adults will be invited to work together on a fun family art project that is meant to be as enjoyable as it is therapeutic. Family nights are led by Hope Floats staff, clinicians, and trained volunteers.
With all of the recreational and group-centered activities offered, it is important to note that Hope Floats Healing and Wellness Center also provides on-site, insurance-accepting counselors. On-site Licensed Clinicians/Social Workers, Master’s Level Clinicians, and Master’s Level Interns are accepting new clients for one-on-one counseling services at Hope Floats. “All of our professional counselors are focused on providing grief counseling, anxiety and depression management, life stressor and transition management, and helping to navigate other life challenges that require extra support,” McKenna explains. The House of Hope does not stop at providing learning and assistance on their homesite, they are also bringing grief management strategies and preparedness to the community.
The Hope Floats Education and Awareness Response Team (H.E.A.R.T) offers training for teachers and staff on grief education and awareness, and provides resources and techniques on how to help grieving children at school and in the classroom. “Oftentimes, following the death of a loved one or family member, the first point of contact outside of the grieving home is at school with a teacher,” McKenna says. “So, we are providing training for teachers and administrators to recognize and manage the grief process in school-age children.”
Spearheading the grief education and outreach program is Maureen Walsh, NPFT and Education Outreach Director. “The H.E.A.R.T. program is an eight-week, free course that trains teachers and administrators how to best support students dealing with loss and grief. I believe we have now been to 30 schools to train them on grief management,” Sarney points out, “In fact, some of them have asked us to come back with more. They finished the eight-week course and they want to continue it so we are working to develop an extended program.” Grief training is also offered for a fee for LICSW’s, LMHC’s, and community members.
On the horizon for 2026, Hope Floats is working on launching a program directed towards senior citizens called Healing Hearts. Grief education programs will be taken to senior centers, nursing homes, COA’s, and anywhere in the community where seniors are managing the losses that come with aging. “We plan to offer a range of things from knitting groups, writing opportunities, crafts to take the mind off of things and reignite purpose, and even quilting -anything seniors enjoy doing but we will also focus on helping them with the grief and loss that aging brings,” says McKenna.
With all of these offered opportunities and expansion and demand on the rise, it is important to know that Hope Floats Healing and Wellness Center relies on grants, fundraisers, and donations to keep services free and readily available to the public. Some workshops and retreats incur a minimal cost that can either be refunded to the participant or accepted as a donation to the center. The two main fundraisers for Hope Floats to keep aware of are the 5K Memory Walk and the Hope Floats Golf Classic. The 5K, golf tournament, and dinner bring in sustaining funds not only to provide free services and events for participants, but also to maintain the various buildings and grounds at Hope Floats. “There is a lot to think about,” says McKenna, “We are always focused on the management of the programs here but we also have to keep up with home and property repairs.” Future plans for an additional garden this spring to be installed by the local Boy Scouts will add to the already well-landscaped, tranquil grounds where visitors and guests can wander and explore.
Hope Floats Healing and Wellness Center is a beacon of light to many in the community. Untold amounts of comfort and guidance have taken root there and helped people branch out and eventually flourish in their communities and personal lives after loss. McKenna explains, “Almost all of our staff and volunteers here first came as participants. We experienced first-hand how important this work is and we came to love this place so much that we never wanted to leave.”
Though building a legacy from grief is hardly what anyone wishes for themselves, it is a skill all can benefit from because loss is part of living -nobody is immune. Hope Floats Healing and Wellness Center gave comfort, strength, and community to over 1,300 people last year. It is said that grief is just love with no place to go, but at Hope Floats, the Bracks have given their love and grief for their son, Michael, and the love and grief of all who enter this sacred space, a place to rest, heal, and grow; they have given the community a home that houses the love of thousands of healing hearts.

Mahatma Gandhi said, “The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” This thought-provoking sentiment can also apply to individuals. Thankfully, amidst the many overwhelming and sad things happening in the world, there are “great” individuals doing amazing things to make life better for both people and creatures. One of these renegades resisting indifference and callousness is Vicki Alberti of Schoolhouse Farm in Plympton -and her new best friend, Journey.
Alberti is no stranger to second chances. In addition to rebuilding her life as a single mother, remarrying after finding a second chance at love, and even living in a charming old schoolhouse given new purpose as a residential home, Alberti has a soft spot for seeing that animals, particularly horses, are also set back on the track to happiness through the right kind of love and care.
Several horses before Journey have come to live life to the fullest at Schoolhouse Farm. One glance at the picture-perfect scene will make you want to live here, too. The antique schoolhouse is surrounded by various lush gardens, sprawling pasture, and framed by dense New England forests laden with horse trails and biodiverse wetlands. The barn and farmyard outbuildings are tidy and well-kept, and the animals healthy and active. Many local bands and groups use this magical place as a backdrop for concerts and events -the best performances are enhanced by the nearby farm animals chiming in mid-songs which makes everyone laugh. In short, if you were a horse -or any farm animal for that matter, you would be lucky, indeed, to find a home with the Alberti’s.
Alberti has been doting on and caring for horses her whole life. With a father who kept and showed horses, Alberti learned from a young age what goes into their care and training. When she found herself living on the perfect farm for horses, she didn’t hesitate to offer up her home. “I decided to foster for Stone Valleys Ray of Hope Equine Rescue. One of my fosters, Tristan, was just a scared weanling and I got to raise him for seven months until he was adopted by a family with a 14 year-old girl on a 30-acre farm in Michigan. It was a pleasure to see how well his story turned out.”
Two other fosters, an Arabian mare and her colt (Dani and Trevor) were looked after with love and responsible care until adopted out to happy homes. Most of the time, these beautiful animals arrive at Schoolhouse Farm scared, abused, neglected, and from environments completely opposite to the one they find with the Alberti’s. In order to understand exactly what these animals are being spared from when they are taken in by agencies and people like the Alberti’s, you have to better understand the horse auction and harvest industry in our country and our border-sharing countries.
Horse rescue programs in the United States have a massive undertaking in the effort to save as many mistreated, low-end auctioned, slaughterhouse-bound horses as possible each year. In 2024, 19,195 American horses were shipped to Canada and Mexico for slaughter because there are no slaughterhouses in the US. These slaughterhouses are killing the received horses and harvesting their meat for human consumption overseas in Asia and Europe. These ill-fated horses come from irresponsible breeding practices, owners who are unable to care for them, abusive situations where the animals are seized by authorities, retired sport horses, and horses with injuries that make them unrideable. Alberti explains, “Being unrideable is a real danger for horses because that is usually what people want them for. They don’t see them as potential pets like a dog or cat, just for companionship and love. Horses have a lot of expectations on them.”
When a horse is no longer with an owner, unless they are prestigiously bred and sought after, they are usually auctioned off at low-end horse auctions or sold privately via community advertisements. People, who seem to not mind profiting off the demise and abuse of innocent animals, called “kill buyers” regularly attend these auctions and out-bid legitimate prospective horse owners who could give these animals a second chance at life. “There are a lot of people who only care about profit -not the animals,” Alberti says when asked why such a career exists, “They see horses as disposable food product and nothing more.”
Once the kill buyer purchases the horses, they either attempt to sell them off at another auction, or send them off to places to be held until they are transported to international slaughterhouses. If a horse is not purchased and loaded onto a slaughterhouse transport, they are met with anything but a quick, humane end. The journey there is so unsafe, unregulated, and carelessly executed that many horses die enroute from injury, dehydration, and exposure.
The slaughterhouses also usually lack oversight or regulations and thousands of often unvaccinated, ill animals are kept in tight, loud, and upsetting conditions that frighten and overstimulate these sensory-enhanced creatures. Horses are large “flight” animals that can sense when another horse is in distress or suffering and their instinct is to flee. This, in addition to the advanced psychological nature and powerful stature of horses, means the slaughterhouse methods render humane methods of ending a horse’s life impossible -humane being veterinarian administered euthanasia. Weakened horses are forced into chutes in masses and then subjected to ineffective mechanical killing devices.
With all this heavy information in mind, it is also important to be aware that there are a lot of people trying to do the right thing and lessen these tragic outcomes. Over 500 organizations and networks in the U.S. operate with the sole intention of saving, rehabbing, and properly adopting out these abandoned and endangered animals. These are people dedicated to tracking slaughter-bound horses and intervening before they are shipped off by either purchasing them (ridiculously referred to as posting their bail -indicative that the horse has done some wrong) or posting their locations and images online for people to try to claim online before they are gone.
Once the endangered horses are taken in by these rescue organizations, they often require immense amounts of medical and emotional care and attention -a daunting feat in terms of the finances and energy required. According to the Animal Welfare Institute, it can cost anywhere from $10,000-35,000 a month to run a horse rescue. The cost of hay, feed, vet care, farriers, facility upkeep, and rehabilitation requires intense marketing skills, grants, and private funding through community support. They also rely on people like Alberti to offer fostering in healthy environments until the agency finds a safe and legitimate adopting customer.
Being an expert in horse care, handling, and now experienced with the fostering process, Alberti was now dreaming of having a rideable horse to keep as her own. Her beloved mare, Pearl, was getting old and was no longer rideable. Then, in June, her dream came about in an unexpected way. Aberti faced a health issue earlier this year that caused her and her husband, Dave, to have to forgo a much-anticipated, rarely indulged in cruise vacation. While home feeling unwell and sad to miss the trip, Alberti was scrolling through Facebook recuse sites when suddenly a picture of Journey came up. “I stopped and immediately fell in love. Those eyes! Those ears! He was adorable. I had to have him. I just heard my inner voice tell me he was the one, so I trusted my instincts and went for it.”
That said, in addition to the beautiful features and a call to the soul, Journey was suffering from severe starvation. He was found by a woman in North Carolina who networks with Last Chance for Kill Pen Horses. She intervenes before horses are taken to slaughter by posting their pictures and information online. If a particular horse is spoken for, she offers to hold them in quarantine until the adoptive owners can have the horse transported to its new home. After investigating, Alberti learned that Journey had no documentation, he had been through two low-end auctions already, had serious dental issues from complete dental neglect, and he was slaughterhouse bound.
Alberti did not let any of this deter her. She sent the money to post his bail almost immediately. “I took a huge risk jumping into this,” Alberti says, “I had to trust this woman in North Carolina, that I paid a lot of money to, to quarantine and care for him without me being there to oversee things for seven weeks. But I am so glad I did it.”
One of the biggest challenges in Journey’s rehabilitation was, and is, his ability to eat. Prior to Alberti’s adoption, Journey had not received dental care called floating. Floating is a crucial process in which a horse’s teeth are filed to smooth out sharp edges, thus ensuring proper alignment and gum and teeth health. For a horse to be able to eat normally and maintain dental health, floating should be done about once a year. At an estimated age of 18-20, and based off the state of damage in his mouth, it was possible that Journey had never received regular floating procedures. With detrimental misalignment and pain when chewing, Journey had been unable to eat for an unknown amount of time and was dangerously weak. In addition to the dental emergency, Journey had lameness from being overworked. Still, Alberti only saw his sweet nature and vibrant spirit and continued with the adoption process.
By mid-July, Journey arrived safe and sound at Schoolhouse Farm. While still kept a distance from the other horses at the farm, Pearl and Blackberry, Journey was immediately seen by an equine dental technician and a veterinarian. He was also put on special feed. “He is given extruded feed that is already broken up, beet pulp pellets, alfalfa pellets, and other supplements to get him renourished,” Alberti explains. “When he arrived he was so thin, but he is an absolute gem. He has perfect manners and loves to be loved. He is just perfect,” she beams.
Journey also arrived without a name or any records. Alberti had DNA testing done and discovered that he is an Arabian. As for the name, Alberti’s husband Dave fiddled with AI-generated horse names, and Journey came up. “Given his story and how far he had traveled to get here, we just knew it was the perfect name for him.” Journey began to slowly adjust to his new life on the farm. He was rotated out to pasture by himself for a while to have peace and a low-stress environment while adjusting to his new surroundings. At first he was so weak he could not be out for long, but now he has worked up to three hours in the pasture. Alberti is also taking Journey on longer and longer trail walks -non mounted, to build his muscle again as he gains weight. As for his starved physique, Journey is nearly unrecognizable (in the best way) in just five months. “He is actually just about ready to start trying to saddle and ride,” Alberti says. “It will be a slow process, but I think he can tolerate a light rider soon and that will help him strengthen and regain his physical abilities.”
In addition to the improvements and milestones Journey has already made and met, he had his first outing in November at New Beginnings Stables in Middleboro. Alberti recounts, “He went to a versatility clinic and he was really anxious when he got off the trailer. He had pretty major separation anxiety and was calling out for his barn mates back at the farm -which was understandable given his history of bonding with other horses and then being ripped away from them and transported multiple times.” Once the clinician at the barn met Journey, he was able to show Alberti some ways to calm him. “After we got him calmed down, the rest of the time he was great and handled all the obstacles and tasks like a champ!”
With the enthusiastic, unconditional, and responsible love and care Alberti provides, and his natural tenacity for life, it is no question that Journey’s story turned out about as happy as it could possibly be in the end. Healing will continue -both body and soul, and soon Journey’s terrors will only be a distant thing of the past. With Alberti by his side every step of the way, he will no doubt be back to a muscular frame and running through the pasture, or trotting in an arena with saddle and rider before long. His fear is being replaced with trust and love -healing both human and animal spirit. What if this beautiful ending could be the story for every horse?
Though most of us are not in the position to go out and adopt a horse, there are many ways to support this incredible endeavor. Horse rescue organizations rely heavily on donations and sponsorship to manage the continual influx of horses in desperate need. Volunteers are also needed to help with barn chores, marketing, and fundraising. It is impossible to do too much to help in the efforts to rescue these beautiful, innocent animals.
As the holiday season nears so do harsh winter conditions, economic hardships such as tariffs making hay and feed far more expensive for owners, and the continuation of a national horse industry that focuses more on performance and exploitation than love and respect. Perhaps this year could be the year we venture from the common, go-to charities and show solidarity with the tens of thousands of horses waiting for a second chance. Every horse saved is a horse saved. Humans control the narrative for so many living things on this earth -and we can tell much better stories. Consider adding to the happy endings in your community by looking into and supporting these local horse rescues:

Stone Valleys Ray of Hope Equine Rescue
Black Feather Horse Rescue
NEER North Horse Rescue
Central New England Equine Rescue
Cedar Oaks Equine Rescue

Perhaps it’s the sound of holiday bells shimmering on the antique doorhandle of the beloved, old-fashioned penny-candy store, or the scent of coffee and book pages mingled pleasantly under-nose at the book shop and café on the center street of your town, or the first name basis greeting and familiar faces at the checkout of your local deli. All of these increasingly rare nuances insinuate shopping local.
In addition to often providing shopping experiences full of enough ambiance to make one wax poetic, shopping local is more than just pleasant and nostalgic -it is one of the most powerful choices we can make to shape the future of our local economies. The holiday season is a particularly wonderful time to reflect on how our consumer choices can shape the future of our communities. The US Small Business Administration shows that, as of June 2025, there are over 36 million small businesses in the United States. These local shops, boutiques, and businesses aren’t just there to offer picturesque storefronts to admire from a distance, they’re the heartbeat and undercurrent of our towns. They provide jobs and support families for people you know and care about. Local businesses often give back as much as they receive from their community by supporting, and even spearheading initiatives that enrich our neighborhoods and communities.
Of course, the hustle and bustle of modern-day life cannot be dismissed and discounted no matter how appealing that may sound. People are busier than ever with budget constraints of all kinds and severities -especially in the current economy with things like tariff worries and cost-of-living increases. A busy mom faced with a minute-by-minute-packed weekend who also needs to get a birthday gift for her child’s schoolmates birthday tomorrow is going to pop into a big box store on the way to the party. Sometimes, the tool you need just isn’t at any local stores. Sometimes, a meager budget needs to be respected and prioritized, and the least expensive option is easy to find with a few clicks on the phone. Convenience and thrift are not sins, they are realities, but they shouldn’t be our only plan.
One of the biggest and most obvious community-positive impacts of shopping local is that a substantial amount of every dollar spent with a small business strengthens the local economy. Shopping small isn’t just about making a purchase—it’s an investment in your community. When we choose to spend our money on local shops and businesses, we create what is called the “local multiplier effect” and it impacts local communities exponentially. The effect is defined as the occurrence where financial resources expended within a specific geographical area circulate repeatedly, thereby generating additional, stable economic activity and wealth. This makes sense because, according to BusinessDasher, statistics show that about $68 of every $100 spent at a local business stays in the community, while approximately only $14 of every $100 spent at a big box store stays in the community. With a greater percent of your money spent at local business staying in and supporting the local economy, it is more than an altruistic gesture to include community businesses in your shopping plans, it is a smart place to put your money.
In addition to boosting your local economy, shopping local and small is less of a drain on the environment. Local and sustainably made products travel fewer miles, use fewer resources, and are often made and produced with less destructive methods than mass produced products. Even packing material from online ordering is becoming a major pollutant. A study from PakFactory found that 1.8 billion tons of greenhouse gasses are emitted yearly from plastic packaging production. Ten percent of packaging’s carbon footprint is attributed to transportation and shipping. Seventy-nine percent of that produced plastic packaging waste ends up in landfills. In addition, 25% of global plastic packaging waste is attributed to packaging used in shipping. Buying from your local shops and businesses usually only results in something like a small, paper bag -perhaps some tissue paper inside, and the fuel used to drive a short distance if walking wasn’t an option. These things are mere crumbs in terms of waste and footprint compared to the Mt. Everest we have built out of material waste from big box stores and shipping companies.
One lesser considered benefit to shopping local this holiday season is that it is often far more intentional. Local businesses wear their hearts, and products so-to-speak, on their sleeves. They have often either made or carefully curated their inventory. Nothing is in a small shop that hasn’t been considered and/or made by the owner. You are purchasing something with a tangible, purposeful energy and the recipient is bound to notice. A thoughtfully made gift has meaning and purpose. It tells a true story about craftsmanship, sustainability, and care. Be it a hand-poured seasonal candle, seasonally baked goods, or art work from a local artist, gifts like these usually lead to connection, not clutter.
Economy is not the only thing to benefit from shopping locally this holiday season. As a local consumer you are also helping to preserve craft, arts, and culture. Behind many small businesses there is an artisan – a creative maker or craftsperson who is an expert in their trade. Small business owners are often keeping traditions alive by producing their goods and inventory with their hands -or at least via a very hands-on process, devoid of heavy-duty machinery. Another consideration is that different ethnicities in your community often share their culturally-based arts, crafts, trades, and skills via local businesses -be it as the owners themselves or having their products carried in and showcased in a shop. According to the United States Census Bureau, 12.7 million non-employer businesses and 1.3 million employee businesses are women-owned, and 385,119 employer firms in the United States are owned by minority women. When you buy local, you are helping preserve creativity, equal-opportunities, artistry, and heritage—things that can’t be mass-produced in a factory.
The result of shopping local and small this holiday season extends past the logical and ethical -it simply feels good. A study via a buyer behavior report from Arizona State University showed that consumers who made purchases at a local, small business left with a greater sense of community than they did leaving a big box or chain store establishment. They felt increased purpose in their purchase choices and also because they experienced moments of connection with the local shop owners as well as the oft-familiar clientele. More of us are coming around to the importance and benefits of shopping small and local.
A report from IPX 1031 shows that 57% of Americans are willing to pay a bit more to shop locally. Around one in five Americans go out of their way to shop locally each month. Three out of four consumers say they would like to shop locally more often but it can be hard, and sometimes impossible, to do so when budgets and time are tight. Ninety percent of Americans would like to see more locally owned-small businesses in their areas and 60% of people shop more at local stores during the holidays than any other time of year. This is no small show of support as 44% of small business owners report that the holiday season support is at least 38% of their annual sales income -meaning that choosing some businesses for your holiday purchases quite literally keeps them in business.
Here in Massachusetts, we rank 13th in the nation for the most small businesses per 100,000 residents at 10,290 locally owned, small businesses in the state. Forbes magazine published that people in Massachusetts claimed to be willing to spend $150 more a month to go out of their way to support local and small businesses year-round and that increased to $250 during the holiday season. These amounts may seem inconsequential, but combined these financial choices can make or break our local industries.
In spite of the importance of local and small businesses in our communities, it is more difficult now, in some ways, to start and maintain them than ever before. New businesses have a high failure rate with nearly 90% of them closing within the first five years. Funding a new business is also increasingly challenging with the costs or rental spaces, adequate marketing support, and manufacturing and materials being more expensive in the last ten years. Many small business owners are inexperienced in cash flow management and the complexities of hiring and retaining employees.
The Q3 Small Business Index shows that inflation is a top concern for 46% of small businesses and 79% of small businesses are worried about tariff’s and say they would negatively impact, if not shut down, their business. Changes in consumer trends also indicate an ironic shift in consumers being more cautious and conservative in their spending the last two years while also seeking joy and comfort by spending more money on nostalgia and “treasure-hunting” experiences.
Regardless of changes and challenges our local businesses face, the solution is always the same: US. The Consumers. We, alone, have the collective ability to stabilize and boost our local economy and community through our consumer choices. Whether we choose to purchase the majority of our holiday gifts from local or small businesses, or even one or two of them, every decision to stay small and close to home is another “penny in the barrel”. As Peter Drucker said, “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” Let’s make sure the future of our communities is one of equal opportunities, available jobs, and chances to create and use talents to make a living. We may not be able to navigate the choppy waters of a global economy, but we can easily, and collectively, steady the ship locally for those in the community who have taken great personal risks to pour themselves into starting and maintaining their businesses which in turn, do nothing but local good. You may find yourself noticing that holiday spirit shines a little brighter for everyone when you choose local.

Resting on the beautiful, marshy coastline of Kingston Bay and meandering along the Jones River, Kingston Massachusetts is a pocketed-gem of a town with abounding New England charm. Kingston claims a vibrant history shaped by events long before the Pilgrims landed that spans to current-day residents who are fortunate enough to call Kingston, “Home”.
With the new year on the horizon, Kingston will be celebrating its 300th anniversary of being incorporated as its own town instead of being considered the northern precinct of Plymouth. With such a monumental occasion around the corner, the residents of Kingston have long been planning ways to celebrate and commemorate this special town’s past, present, and future. One of the most poignant celebrations for Kingston’s 300th celebration is the launch of Tales of Jones River Village: Kingston’s 300 Years, a six-years-in-the-making collective work of stories and images about the history and current day happenings of the town, contributed by the residents of Kingston.
The effort began in 2019, when a small group of local history enthusiasts decided to compile a fresh, illustrated history of Kingston for the 300th anniversary. They launched Kingston 300, Inc. -a nonprofit that is independent of town government but works alongside town entities such as the Kingston Public Library and the Kingston 300th Committee. “Its goal has been to publish an easily readable account that people will enjoy, while they discover new things about this remarkable community,” says Jim Farrell, the project editor, longtime Kingston resident, and former weekly newspaper publisher.
Three esteemed and longstanding Kingston residents, Jan Guidoboni, Ken Brack, and Thomas Vendetti formed the 501c3 non-profit organization, Kingston 300, Inc. Jan Guidoboni is Kingston’s Town Historian. She also volunteers in the Local History Room at the Kingston Public Library and has authored a number of the articles in the book. Ken Brack is a former newspaper reporter and current author and publisher. He is co-founder of Hope Floats Healing and Wellness Center and part of the Kingston Historical Commission as well as the Kingston 300th Committee. Brack also serves as the project’s Managing Editor. Thomas Vendetti, a retired public-school teacher, is the current archivist at First Parish Church in Kingston. He is also a member of the Kingston Historical Commission and Jones River Village Historical Society.
Additionally, Sia Stewart, the town’s former Library Director, served as the book’s copy editor. Bill Alberti, a longtime Kingston resident, former teacher, musician, and poet also contributed many articles to the book. “Alberti’s poem, ‘Song of the River,’ leads off the content in the book,” adds Farrell. Alongside a collection of stories and accounts compiled by the Kingston 300th Committee, the book is full of beautiful photographs from Kingston’s past and present.
Ed Nute, a Kingston resident and founding member of the South Shore Folk Music Club, was the project photographer. Nute’s photos include shots of the Jones River, Delano’s Wharf and the Reed Building, the luminaries, and close-ups of Kingstonians in daily life. Connie Delano, a Kingston resident, former marine biologist, and web developer, served as the project’s photo editor. Delano carefully evaluated and reviewed the composition of all the images so that they met the standards needed for design. In addition to these efforts, community contributors of photos included Jimmy Powell, David Tewksbury, and David Pepe.
Tales of Jones River Village: Kingston’s 300 Years stories include a mix of modern and historical accounts. “The book begins with stories of the earliest settlers along the Jones River and takes the reader through the centuries to present day. There are stories of families coming to this country and settling in Kingston, articles on how neighborhoods developed, and the sacrifices that our town’s citizens made in war,” explains Farrell. Modern stories recount time spent at the Kingston Drive-In, various businesses and landmarks that are no longer around, and tales of residents, young and old, who helped shape the community over the centuries. “Some have done so through entrepreneurship, some through military efforts, and others through civic and community service. With 372 pages spanning three centuries, there’s literally something for everyone,” says Farrell.
To acquire such a vast array of local history is no small feat. A call was put out through the community seeking people with particular knowledge and stories to share. Farrell recalls, “There were also a number of people who approached us with stories that they wanted to be part of this community effort. Our commemorative book includes articles from more than 150 Kingstonians. Some were conducted as in-person interviews; others were researched, written and submitted to us by email. We sought to be as inclusive as possible in compiling this book, and what makes it different from previous histories is that there are many voices telling the stories, not just one.”
The residents of Kingston certainly answered the call when asked for their input as the biggest challenge of the project was keeping the book’s length reasonable. Farrell notes, “Even at 372 pages -we had originally anticipated about 300 pages, we couldn’t include every story and every photograph that we might have wanted to. We do believe that we have prepared a very comprehensive look at the town’s history, one where Kingston and its people are well represented.”
Once the stories and tales and images were gathered, assembling the project into a cohesive, tangible form was the next endeavor. Marie McConnell, of McConnell Design in Hingham, was the designer for Tales of Jones River Village: Kingston’s 300 Years. The printer was Kirkwood Printing in Wilmington. Such an intensive project and publication also required substantial up-front cost. Farrell explains, “The funds raised through sponsorships, grants, and book sales are expected to cover the costs of producing and printing the book. The directors have a plan in place if there are any additional revenues remaining after all expenses accounted for. Upon dissolution of Kingston 300, Inc., the directors will transfer rights of reproduction, distribution, and display to the Kingston 300th Committee or a similarly named town entity. The directors will convey the copyright to the town, along with any net revenues from book sales, as seed money for a future anniversary celebration.”
After six years of consistent teamwork and collaboration fueled by a mutual passion for a beloved town, Tales of Jones River Village: Kingston’s 300 Years is ready to make its way into the hands of readers. When asked why locals should consider purchasing this collective work, Farrell assures that no matter who you are in Kingston, you will find something on the pages that appeal to you. “It has something for everyone! It’s the most comprehensive book ever put together on this town’s history. Residents can read accounts about and written by their neighbors and friends. With more than 150 contributors, it is truly ‘the people’s book’.”
Farrell continues, “Maybe you’re a history buff who wants to know who served in the Revolution or what life was like here before the highway came through. Maybe you’re more focused on “urban legends” like “Is there really a whale buried under the Stop & Shop parking lot and how did it get there?” Or perhaps you are interested in the stories of the people who have made the town what it is: the politicians, the inventors, the entrepreneurs, and other “movers and shakers” of our community, past and present. Maybe you remember life here when the Dairy Queen, Tassy’s and the Drive-In were popular hangouts. Whatever your interest in the town, there is something for you in this book. It takes the reader through the earliest days of the settlers to modern day. Everyone will come away with a new perspective and knowledge about the town we all call home.”
To purchase a copy of Tales of Jones River Village: Kingston’s 300 Years, visit the Facebook page, Tales of Jones River Village: Kingston’s 300 Years, where there is a link to a secure website. The book is available at a pre-holiday rate of $35. People may also attend these upcoming events to purchase a book:
• Saturday, Nov. 19, 12-3 p.m. First book launch for event for Tales of Jones River Village: Kingston’s 300 Years. Location: The Faunce School, 26 Green St., Kingston.
• Tuesday, Dec. 2, 11:00-11:45 a.m. Location: Kingston Senior Center, 30 Evergreen St., Kingston.
• Thursday, Dec. 4, 5 p.m. Location: Forty Second Brew Co., 77 Summer St., Kingston (in conjunction with the Kingston 300th Committee).

In what is becoming a yearly fall tradition, 85 students, members of Silver Lake Regional Middle School’s 8-2 Panthers, took a trip to the Great Blue Hill for a day of field learning. Before heading out, students did a clean up around the middle school and then took their buses to Canton. Upon arriving, students on the trip observed rescue animals at the trailside animal sanctuary, which included a particularly playful fox, a cute river otter sunning itself on the rocks and a collection of birds including an impressive bald eagle. Students then hiked up the hill under a canopy of peak foliage with vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows intermixed with beautiful evergreens. At the summit, students viewed Boston and the greater South Shore from the recently renovated and historic Eliot Tower while having a picnic.
After their picnic at the stone tower, students took a quick walk over to the Blue Hill Observatory where they were taught about the varied equipment and tools used at the Observatory by the friendly and informative staff. Panther Avery Hall remarked, “I enjoyed learning about the weather at the tower with my friend Ava Sliver.” Students then climbed up through the roof hatch to the lookout on top of the observatory where they had a clear 360 panorama where they could see as far as Mount Wachusett 70 miles away! Then after a mostly careful hike back down to the bottom of the hill, students played pickup games of football and soccer before heading back home to SLRMS. Student Jackson Akeke, said of the trip, “I enjoyed spending time with my friends and getting the great view of Boston. I also enjoyed playing football with my friends on the hill.” Students overwhelmingly recommended the trip for future 8th graders and had a big thank you to the staff at the Blue Hill Observatory for their great presentations and learning experiences.

The inimitable Ebenezer Scrooge said, “I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.” It is a worthy effort for anyone, but few are able to keep this resolution as steadfastly and earnestly as Matt and Kimberly Campbell of The Farm at Raven Brook in Halifax. Though long-time residents of Halifax (Matt, a lifetime resident) the Campbell’s are relatively new to the world of farming, but you would never know it when visiting their picturesque 30 acres of Christmas tree heaven.
Matt and Kimberly’s journey started when they met in junior high at Silver Lake Regional Middle School and blossomed when they began dating in college. Matt attended Massachusetts Maritime Academy and became a Marine Engineer. Often having to spend months apart while Matt was at sea, the Campbell’s endeavored to make the most of family time and provide their boys, Evan and Nathan, with the quintessential farm-kid life. “We wanted a new adventure,” Kimberly Campbell says, “The boys were young, we love Christmas, and we wanted to be outdoors as a family all the time.” When the historic 1800’s tree farm became available, the Campbell’s jumped, without hesitation, at the chance of a lifetime.
Though idyllic, the property hardly came perfectly packaged and the Campbell’s realized their farm was going to require a group effort to restore and revitalize. “It was not a one-man job,” Kimberly recalls, “We have had many friends and family volunteer their time to help us bring the farm to where it is now. My mom and dad live with us now, too, and are jokingly referred to as our ‘full time volunteers’.” The real gift, however, has not been in seeing the fruits of their labor now that the farm is looking and working better than ever, but it was found in the process of being able to raise their boys at Raven Brook. “The boys have been able to connect to nature, to ride tractors, raise animals, work hard, and work with their family and community. It has been everything we wanted for them,” Kimberly reflects.
Coming up on their seventh year as the proprietors of The Farm at Raven Brook, the Campbell’s, though lacking any prior farming experience, have already acquired extensive knowledge about cultivating and harvesting evergreen trees. Not an easy or quick turn-around crop, evergreen tree farming requires as much wisdom as it does patience. Luckily, the Campbell’s found a fast and friendly community with the Massachusetts Christmas Tree Association. With an annual meeting and various seminars, the Campbell’s have been able to connect with and learn from experienced evergreen tree farmers in the area.
About 1,000 evergreen trees are planted each year at Raven Brook. Consisting mainly of Canaan Fir, Concolor Fir, Fraser Fir and Scotch Pine, the evergreen trees at Raven Brook range from 6ft to 25ft. Each tree grows approximately 12in a year and takes about 7-8 years to reach an appropriate size to harvest. Though the average desired tree size at other farms is around 6ft, it is the big trees that Raven Brook is best known for. “The size we sell the most of are the 12ft trees,” Kimberly explains, “so much larger than I can even fit inside my house!” After the tree harvest, the leftover stumps are removed from the field to make mowing easier in the summer. Each new tree is planted as a sapling in the spring and then plantings are done again in the fall to supplement any lost to disease or damage.
With a crop that takes so long to reach harvest stage, it takes a combination of logic and instinct to keep the field from being picked bare. “We have to keep an eye on the field in terms of what is being cut down,” Kimberly explains, “I am at a point where I can go out and survey the trees and if I start to feel a bit of panic about a certain size or type of tree looking picked over, I know it’s time to stop that harvest and I’ll call it. With a crop that takes seven years to replenish whatever is taken, you have to be careful not to over-harvest.”
Of course it is hardly just the adults learning the land. Evan and Nathan Campbell are growing right alongside the evergreens. The boys not only help with the holiday harvest-season, they raise various farm animals, maintain farm equipment, and collect tractors. “They raise chickens, goats, and pigs. Nathan helped deliver two litters of piglets. He was out there drying them off and making sure they were all alive and well -it’s an amazing experience,” says Kimberly. Before leaving to train as a merchant marine like his father, Evan was the resident beekeeper and sold the honey from their hives at the Shoppe on the farm. Nathan also has a passion for tractors -both the restoration and maintenance of them as well as using them on the farm.
The lessons of the farm are not confined to animals and equipment. Daily life enriching experiences are aplenty while working to keep the farm thriving. Kimberly particularly loves that the lessons her boys learn are not the kind available at school. “They learn to see things like the cost of running the farm -the cost of a 1,000 trees each year and the process of planting them. They learn marketing and management of the property, and about customer service. They also learn to innovate and come up with great ideas like events and offerings on the farm. This is all stuff you don’t learn in a classroom.” The boy’s good fortune is passed on to their friends as well. Kimberly explains, “The boy’s friends are always here coming up with ideas and giving their input. This was where all the kids wanted to be and hang out and I love it.”
Come Christmas tree season, the farm requires everyone on the farm to be involved. While the boys and their friends help with the baling station and hauling trees from the field, Kimberly’s mother runs and stocks the cozy Shoppe on the farm. Full of beautiful wreaths, arrangements, greenery, and pieces from local artists, the Shoppe offers seasonal, bespoke treasures that go hand-in-hand with Christmas magic.
One thing is certain, when The Farm at Raven Brook comes to life after Thanksgiving, it is a merry gathering of locals and visitors from afar. Collaborations with local businesses also enrich the experience at Raven Brook. “We have a lot going on at the farm during the Christmas season,” says Kimberly, “We have a snack trailer with treats, hot chocolate, and cider. Sarcastic Swine, Brewery 44, and Little Cookie Shed are on site. The Silver Lake High School Select Choir Carolers will be joining us at The Farm during Christmas Tree Season as well.”
In addition to drink, food, song, and tree cutting, the Farm at Raven Brook is also a haven for local photographers and photography opportunities. While photography opportunities are available year-round at Raven Brook, September to December is the busiest time of year with over 70 local photographers using the farm for their backdrop and setting. Photographers are also on site for visitors to get their pictures taken with nostalgic holiday props like the classic red pick up truck and rows of bushy evergreens in the background. If you are looking to get crafty this holiday season Raven Brook offers wreath making workshops and plenty of natural materials to cozy-up home and hearth.
Christmas is not the only season celebration can be found at The Farm at Raven Brook. Fall on the Farm offers boundless autumn beauty, food, entertainment, music, local businesses, and events that bring the community together on the weekends. Events featuring countryside delights such as antique tractors and local bands await visitors during the autumn. One particularly enchanting feature at Raven Brook to be used in any season is The Hollow. Once a clump of evergreen trees that were not harvested before reaching too large a size, The Hollow is now an outdoor room with live evergreen walls. Tucked inside is a long, high-top table, cable spool tables, stage, and a bar. At night The Hollow is illuminated like a fairy land with warm, white lights and overlooks The Pond and thousands of Christmas Trees.
The Farm at Raven Brook has grown to be a place of gathering and celebration for the community. With so may activities and natural beauty to be immersed in, it is not a surprise that many visitors become familiar faces. “Some weekends we see our neighbors every day at the farm enjoying the season. People drive from all over and many are returning and have made our farm part of their traditions,” says Kimbery, “Agrotourism can be tricky for sure, but it is a great way to teach people about the land and to appreciate the work that goes into a farm.”
Though the tremendous undertaking to provide hundreds of perfect Christmas trees and seasonal fun through fall and winter may sound daunting, the Campbell’s would not have it any other way. “One of my favorite moments lately was taking a little breather on a fall weekend and sitting at a picnic table and just watching people enjoy the farm. To know that our hard work and love for this place provides people with the quintessential New England experience for fall and Christmas is everything. This is our slice of heaven. We are so fortunate to be here.” In true Christmas spirit, the Campbell’s surely have found the perfect place where heaven and nature sing in unison and it’s a song that enriches anyone who stops to listen.

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”- Mahatma Gandhi
Among the numerous concerning headline subjects at the moment, one that is particularly relevant to many Americans addresses the recent cut to SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits. As of Nov. 1st, the USDA announced that they could not issue SNAP benefits due to the ongoing government shutdown, resulting in insufficient funding. This decision has left approximately 42 million Americans to face insecurity and uncertainty about where and how they are going to purchase food.
SNAP, also known as food stamps, is a federal initiative that provides monthly benefits to low-income people to help them afford groceries. SNAP is the nation’s most important and effective anti-hunger program. It plays a critical role in reducing the hardships of poverty, improving health and economic outcomes for the most vulnerable in our community, supporting people who are paid low wages or between jobs, providing assistance for those who are unable to work due to disability and illness, and serving as the first line of defense against hunger during economic hardships.
As the government shutdown reached the four-week mark, SNAP benefits became a point of contention. While a newly added note on the USDA website points a finger at Senate Democrats for prolonging the government shutdown, the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA), which distributes these federal funds, blames the current administration. The government shut down in the early hours of Oct. 1, and since then, more than 700,000 federal workers have been furloughed, and almost 700,000 are working without pay. Several government services have had to close or downsize. During past government shutdowns, SNAP benefits were still provided to Americans in need. This was previously done by the government tapping into a reserve of contingency funds.
SNAP benefits are distributed among various groups of people with roughly 20% of recipients being elderly, approximately 10% disabled, and an increasing 39% of SNAP benefits go to children. According to USDA and U.S. Census Bureau data about 1,076,187 out of the 7,029,917 people who live in Massachusetts are SNAP participants. Governor Maura Healey said that 32% of Massachusetts SNAP recipients are children, 26% are older adults, and 31% are people with disabilities. In May 2025, the most recent month with available data, these recipients were given more than $232 million in food assistance. In fiscal year 2025, the average monthly benefit per person in the SNAP program was $190.59, per USDA data. For households, the national average monthly benefit was $356.41. In Massachusetts households SNAP benefits average $323 per month. So far in 2025, SNAP benefits have gone to an average of 1.1 million people in Massachusetts each month, including 665,000 families, 342,000 children and 261,500 elderly people, according to Attorney General Andrea Campbell. Healey said Campbell is in court Thursday trying to force the federal release of SNAP benefits.
The DTA called the SNAP lapse an “unprecedented challenge.” Gov. Maura Healey announced that a $4 million advance from the state would be given to local food pantries to brace for the influx of state wide food insecurity, but she said that state funding cannot match what the federal government usually provides for SNAP recipients. “As a state we’re going to advance $4 million to our food banks, which support over 800 community organizations around the state. This is from our existing program, which is the Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program that already provides $4 million to our community partners every month. So given the expected spike in demand, we are going to be doubling that,” Healey said during a State House press conference. She directed those anticipating need or currently in need to local charities.
Marty Martinez with United Way also announced Thursday that the relief fund Healey set up with United Way last week seeking and accepting private donations has topped $1 million. The United Way, a social services organization, will assist in providing resources to those struggling in each of the 351 Massachusetts communities. Massachusetts receives $240 million monthly for SNAP benefits. Healey and top lawmakers have consistently said over the past week that the state cannot backfill that amount usually provided by the federal government.
Other New England states are tapping reserve funds to cover the lack of federal funding. Vermont is fully covering SNAP benefits for the first 15 days of November for all 65,000 recipients in their state with $6.3 million in state emergency funds. Connecticut advancing $3 million to stretch across the first two weeks of the month. Rhode Island Gov. Daniel McKee declared a state of emergency and is using $6 million in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families dollars to help offset SNAP costs. In Maine, Gov. Janet Mills announced Tuesday that she would draw $1.2 million from the state’s contingency account. Anti-hunger advocacy organizations have called for Healey and lawmakers to draw from the state’s $8 billion rainy day fund.
Healey pointed out that drawing from the states own contingency fund should not be required in the first place. “As we are here this morning, right now, the USDA is sitting on $23 billion in a contingency fund that could be used to pay these benefits out across the country. In fact, that’s what other presidents have done during a shutdown, but this President has made a decision to not provide those funds,” Healey said in a press conference last week. The Trump administration has said tapping into that contingency fund would be illegal and has blamed Democrats for the shutdown.
Meanwhile, as government official’s squabble and scramble to undo and fix things at a frustratingly equal rate, there are many members in our local communities who are wondering how they are going to secure food for themselves and their family members -now and in the future. What to do? Rather than despair and think only on a national level, a more constructive focus is always a local focus. In the coming months the strength and empathy of our communities will be put to the test to see how steeped in fellowship and humanity we really are. State officials have already been clear that where government responsibility falls short, it will be up to private citizens and charities to bolster our communities against hunger.
For those not facing things like the anxiety of stretching the last few cups of milk between two kids for a week, or wondering how long it will be before there is something for dinner other than applesauce, it is imperative to help in any way possible. If this means adding a few extra non-perishable food items to your shopping trip next week to drop off at the local food bank, purchasing grocery store gift cards and leaving them anonymously on the doorstep of a family or person you know is struggling, or volunteering at a local food bank to relieve the massive increased efforts there, then now is the time to do it.
In a recent Express story, readers were urged to “look for the helpers”. Now is the time to be the helpers. There are many people already moving and planning and preparing for the increased need on a local level. To demonstrate how dire that local level or need is, here are the numbers according to Mass.gov/SNAPfreeze. 1 in 6 people in Massachusetts are at immediate risk of hunger. 182 Plympton residents, 716 Halifax residents, and 1,066 Kingston residents rely on SNAP benefits for food security.
These percentages and numbers are our friends, family, and neighbors. They include the elderly, veterans, children, people between jobs, single parents, and people from all walks of life. In a self-proclaimed “developed” nation, food should never be used as a “life lesson” or a marker of deservedness or worthiness. It is unethical and inhumane to have an opinion on who should experience hunger or have access to food, or to form judgments (which are usually inaccurate) about why someone is not in a position to independently afford groceries. Often times those struggling have had to do so their whole lives, or they are newly managing anxieties and hardships and the last thing these people need right now is tough love -especially from their community.
It is impossible to know when our government will start working again for the people, but until then we can work for ourselves the best we can. We can dig just a little a little deeper into our own reserves -be they monetary or time and energy, and look beyond our own fridges and pantries. We can consider the battles we don’t know are being fought by those around us. We can lose ourselves a little in the cause of others and draw on that age-old, natural law and guarantee that in doing so we will find ourselves increasingly satiated in life and our only hunger will be to serve more.

Here is a list of resources for those facing food insecurity:
For more information, you can contact the Massachusetts DTA, which oversees SNAP benefits in the state, at 877-382-2363. You can also call the USDA Northeast Regional Office at 617-565-6370. https://www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-transitional-assistance
Massachusetts residents facing immediate hunger due to the lapse in SNAP benefits can call or text Project Bread’s FoodSource Hotline at 1-800-645-8333 to learn about local food resources or speak with a counselor. The FoodSource Hotline is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Calling the helpline is free and confidential, according to Project Bread.
You can also visit the Massachusetts state website to find a list of local food banks. https://www.mass.gov/how-to/find-a-local-food-bank
Feeding America. https://www.feedingamerica.org/our-work/hunger-relief-program
The Women, Infants & Children Nutrition Program (WIC) in Massachusetts is not impacted by the federal government shutdown, as of Oct. 29. https://mass.gov/orgs/women-infants-children-nutrition-program.
Food Pantry – Plymouth Area Coalition, https://plymouthareacoalition.org 149 Bishops Hwy., Kingston.
Plympton Town Hall COA Food Pantry, 5 Palmer Rd., Plympton. Open T/TH from 10 a.m. -2 p.m.
Halifax Helping Hands Pantry, 503 Plymouth St., Halifax. Phone: (781) 293-6393.
South Shore Community Action Council, https://www.sscac.org/food-resources
Meals on Wheels is a program that offers well-balanced meals to adults through home delivery or congregated dining sites. Meals on Wheels is run by senior nutrition agencies located throughout Massachusetts. To find the closest agency to you, visit https://mealsonwheels.org

Jackson Pollock said, “Painting is self-discovery. Every good artist paints what he is.” Perhaps there is no more important discovery one can make in life than to figure out who they are and what their place is in the world. This means anyone facilitating a healthy, constructive, and enjoyable environment for others to do so is providing a priceless service. Emily and Rob Peters of Children’s Art Classes in Hanover are doing just that.
Children’s Art Classes began in 1997 when a public art teacher, Barbara Gay, began teaching her two daughters art lessons from her garage. Now, 25 years later, Children’s Art Classes is a thriving franchise that has expanded to nearly 40 nationwide locations. Children’s Art Classes mission? To provide a comprehensive art education program that enriches lives, raises self-esteem, and improves the academic performance of their students. Children’s Art Classes also aim to provide a comprehensive art education program that enriches lives, raises self-esteem, and improves the academic performance of their students. Though based in Jacksonville, FL, the power of art has a way of reaching far and wide, so it is no surprise that the artistic vision of Children’s Art Classes made its way to Hanover, MA through Emily and Rob Peters.
Together, the Peters’ have four children and are no strangers to taking on the big things in life. Rob Peters spent over 20 years as a full-time Massachusetts Army National Guard Servicemember with four, year-long deployments -three of them overseas. While in Afghanistan and Iraq for his last two deployments, the Peters’ children were having a difficult time adjusting to their father being gone. Their daughter’s art teacher at school noticed her artwork had become a bit dark and she contacted the Peters to discuss why that might be. They came to understand that their daughter was filtering her complex emotions during this time through art and it was allowing her to express herself in a healthy, constructive way. It was then that the Peters understood the importance of art and the therapeutic channels it provides.
After retiring from the Army National Guard, Rob Peters was searching for the next path in life. “I love serving others and making a difference. I love to help in the community and I needed to do something to fill my cup while also helping others. After the experience with our daughter, I started to think about how this could be our next chapter,” says Peters. When he heard about the Children’s Art Classes franchise, he noticed it was based in the area he grew up in and that, in combination with feeling strongly about its mission, pushed Peters to join the Children’s Art Classes franchise and open the sixth location in Hanover. Peters explains, “Not only was it established close to where I grew up, the people who started it really care about art and how it affects people. They are good people and I wanted to make sure that the outlet our daughter had was available to other kids.”
Establishing a Children’s Art Classes location in Hanover has taken a great deal of teamwork and dedication. With a combination of experience and commitment, the Peters’ each offer what it takes to launch and run a successful business. Opening their doors with just six students in 2023, CAC now has over 100 students in only two years. Such growth can only happen when every person involved is motivated and empowered by their work.
Emily Peters comes from a large family of 12 children, taught preschool, and is very involved in her four children’s various organizations and activities. “Emily has a passion for teaching,” Rob says, “Her strength is in relating to the kids. She gets right down to their level and connects with them.” For the Peters’, art is very much a family affair as their three daughters also enjoy helping with the Children’s Art Classes birthday parties and events. In addition to the Peters family, The Children’s Art Classes center is kept in motion by art experts and teachers Paula Stapleton and Carolyn Russo.
Paula Stapleton, known to students and staff as “Ms. Stapes”, is an expert in Visual Arts and has been teaching for over 26 years. A graduate of Massachusetts College of Art, she earned a B.F.A. and a M. Ed from Boston College. Stapleton also taught grades K-12 in multiple schools and Art Center settings throughout the area for over 20 years. Peters has nothing but high praise for Stapleton, “Ms. Stapes is amazing. She is so experienced and knowledgeable but she also knows how to keep things in line. She is all structure and organization and talent.”
In addition to Stapleton, Carolyn Russo comes with the perfect additional qualities to balance things out in the business. Russo began her career in corporate print and digital graphic design. Through volunteer projects, educational activities, and hands-on art experiences with her own children she discovered her love of teaching art and this inspired her to pursue a career as an art teacher. She is now an elementary school art teacher in Hanover in addition to teaching for Children’s Art Classes. “Ms. Russo is smart, has a lot of artistic talent, and she is so sweet with the kids,” says Peters.
The team of Children’s Art Classes is an ideal combination of creative passion meeting expertise and structure. Starting as young as age four, CAC offers unique and progressive art education up to age 18. The classes offered at CAC explore over 40 types of art medium and provide one of the largest selections of children’s art classes from Boston to the South Shore. Class sizes are capped appropriately per age group to keep the instruction as individualized and meaningful as possible. CAC classes not only keep their students busy, but they give them a solid foundation in the arts that can be built upon as they advance through the progressive programs and curriculum -each building upon the foundation of the previous level.
The Tiny Hands Program starts students as young as three or four years old with sensory art mediums such as clay and torn paper sculptures and other small projects that build fine motor skills. There is also exploration with painting with purpose and learning basic artistic foundations and concepts. Equal to learning about art, CAC also emphasizes that it’s okay to take risks, make mistakes, and try again. Peters recalls watching Stapleton being able to teach the youngest students about the rather complex subject of artistic emphasis with a simple chalkboard drawing. “She just drew a tiny house and a big man and after asking kids questions about what they saw she was able to get them all to understand artistic emphasis in a few minutes,” Peters recalls.
Once a basic foundation in art is established via the Tiny Hands program, students have the opportunity to advance to Intro to Art (ages 5-6), Beginning Art (ages 7-8), Art 1 (ages 9+), and Art 2 (anyone who has completed Art 1). Students who continue in class advancement have the unique and beneficial opportunity to build a personalized art portfolio. “Our students can add to their portfolio over the years and if they want to go to art school later on, they can show their artistic progression over the years and schools really like that,” Peters points out. “Not every student has to go into art as a career, but we can give them that foundation at CAC.”
In addition to helping students establish a foundation of art education and building a portfolio, CAC recently provided the incredible opportunity for their students to showcase their work in a professional art show. In partnership with Frame Center in Hanover, CAC put on an art show with curations of their student’s pieces framed by Frame Center and displayed in the art gallery. One piece per student was allowed and the event drew over 300 people in attendance. The art was judged by professional judges and a “Best in Show” was awarded. The money raised went to the local organization, Hope Floats. Peters says, “It was really neat to see the kids feeling so good about their work and to see their family and friends come support their passion. It was a bonus that we were also able to work with other local businesses to do this.”
The Peters’ commitment to making a difference in the community through art education is not just confined to the classrooms of CAC or an art gallery. Children’s Art Classes is now providing scholarship opportunities for local schools. Participating district or three-school co-ops can receive one full year of free art education at the CAC Hanover studio. Every school within that district or co-op can also receive a one-month scholarship for their students. In return, schools and PTOs/PTAs are asked to simply share the scholarship opportunity with families within their districts and include information about CAC Hanover. To qualify, students must be enrolled in a current K-12 program with one of the CAC’s Partnered School districts (or three-school co-op). They also must have the ability to stay seated and follow direction for 1hr 15min in a structured classroom environment and have a passion for art. “We wanted to provide even more opportunities for kids to get an art education and the scholarship program does just that,” says Peters. “Art is for everyone -even if you are more into sports, or haven’t done much art, you can find something in art that will benefit you.”
When asked about his personal mission statement with Children’s Art Classes, Peters has no trouble answering. “Perhaps I am selfish for this, but doing this -helping in this way in my community and giving kids the chance to learn about and express themselves through art -it makes me feel good. I love helping people and making a difference. We have started to see the growth in our first students now a few years later and it is really fulfilling. Positive feedback fuels me and we are seeing so many positive effects in the community because of CAC. It feels like the world is really lacking in positivity and we need nice moments in life more than ever. I feel like that is something we are doing well with this. We are positively impacting our local kids and that is why I am in this.”
It will be no surprise, but no less wonderful to see, the many students positively impacted by CAC years from now. The Peters’ will, no doubt, continue to provide the safe and conducive place -the blank canvas, if you will, for kids to learn about and pour out a little of themselves. In doing so they will find that in all their created and varied colors, mediums, and textures, they are the real masterpieces.