The weather couldn’t have been better for the recent Transportation Night at the Holmes Public Library in Halifax.
Officer Patrick Donnelly from the Halifax Police Dept., Steve Hayward, Highway Superintendent; Kim Kressler from First Student Inc. school busses, and Shamus Ricciarelli and Derek Coveney from the Halifax Fire Dept shared their time, expertise, and big shiny vehicles with more than 60 people.
Transportation Night is an annual event held every August at the Holmes Public Library and this year’s theme tied in well with the Holmes Summer Reading Program titled “Every Hero has a Story”.Children visited with local heroes from the police, fire, and highway departments, as well as the school bus company, asked them questions, and tried out the horns and sirens on all of the vehicles.

First day of school is always exciting, but doubly so with these two cousins, climbing onto Bus 26, the same number bus that their fathers rode to school a couple of decades ago.
Wednesday the kindergardeners got to ride the big bus and begin their school careers. Grades one through six started school last week.
This day, as parents and friends congregated to see their little ones off, they were treated to backup chimes and trucks preparing the road for resurfacing. The younger siblings of these two were delighted of course to see the big trucks dumping hot Macadam and a steam roller packing it all down. The school bus driver, not so much…
What could have been a sad story with late bus arrival and parents late to work was turned into a fun experience when the big trucks pulled over to let the school bus go by and gave the little ones on the bus a great view of the work being done.

The number of black bear sightings this season is like nothing we’ve seen before in Southeastern Massachusetts. Steve Wright, Southeastern District Wildlife Biologist for the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife, said there are “at least a few” black bears in our neighborhood, young male bears out looking for a new area to call home.
It looks like bears will be among us for the foreseeable future and we should equip ourselves with the knowledge of what to do and how to discourage them for setting up housekeeping near our homes.
Check out the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife at https://www.mass.gov/doc/living-with-black-bears-fact-sheet/download to get the facts and what to do and not to do with black bears nearby.
The most important item is to make sure all food is put securely away. All trash should be secured. Bird feeders should be taken in. Perhaps only feed them when bears are sleeping – December through March.
Black bears are large – males weigh in at between 130 to 600 pounds. Females from 100 to 400 pounds. They have good eyesight and hearing, and an extraordinary sense of smell to locate food and sense danger. They have good memories and can remember where was. If you have corn growing in your garden, it is a favorite of bears, too.

Photos and text by
Mary Schiess
Express correspondent
Nick Cotoulas wants to share his passion for history. As Kingston’s archivist/librarian, his job offers that opportunity. Nick has curated an exhibit titled “A History of Kingston Schools” that will occur at the Adams Center from August 16 to August 31, 2023. Kingston’s archives, housed at the Adams Center, are rich with materials tracing educational initiatives. The exhibit will span the period dating from the 1700’s to 1990. Publications, photographs, objects, and personal documents will reinforce Education’s importance to Kingston.
Nick’s preoccupation with history began with his family. His grandfather was a collector and dealer in antique postcards. His father, a picture framer, continued the exploration of historic art works. As a child Nick was a collector (coins, a Lincoln piggy bank) His first childhood exhibit was a display case of presidential coins. His college career included volunteering as an assistant archivist, working in the Clark University Book Conservatory Lab, and interning at the American Antiquarian Society. He earned a Master’s Degree from San Jose State. Each step advanced his learning of and love for history.
A wealth of archival materials related to the Kingston schools inspired the current presentation. A traveling schoolmaster from the 1700’s, teachers and educational activists, and timing at the end of the library summer reading program and at the rapidly approaching school year combined to add this exhibit to the calendar.
Historical stand outs included in the exhibit are Walter Faunce (1844-1924), Catherine Drew Russell, educator and school committee woman, and Hannah Thomas Brewster Adams (1796-1858). The exhibit will introduce each of these and more educational leaders.
Nick’s goal is to create exhibits and events for as wide and diverse an audience as possible. Visitors will see original school books, a report card, and photographs of students and educators. Nick hopes to inspire residents who are not aware of the archival collection. Displays can pique interest and encourage further studies. Out-of-towners may find connections to their own histories. Viewing a 200-year-old letter can create a respect for history and an inspiration to preserve family artifacts. An object, a photo, a personal writing can lead to a more in-depth look.
A comparison of dated text books with today’s computerized learning tells its own story. A desk and chair bolted to the floor relate a previous style of learning.
Nick will be lecturing on the History of Kingston Schools on Saturday, Aug. 19, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Adams Center.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation is hosting a Live Virtual Design Public Hearing on the replacement of the beloved Winnetuxet River Bridge in Plympton on Winnetuxet Road. Citizens have been vocal in their quest to keep the bridge as a rustic view and the DOT is listening.
The hearing will be Tuesday, Aug. 29, at 6:30 p.m. To attend, go to www.mass.gov/orgs/highway-division/events.
To ensure that its meetings are accessible, MassDOT reasonably provides: translation, interpretation, modifications, accommodations, alternative formats, and auxiliary aids and services.
To request such services, contact MassDOT’s Chief Diversity and Civil Rights Officer at 857-368-8580 or go to MasDOT.CivilRights@dot.state.ma.us. Please make requests as early as possible, to allow adequate time to process the request.
The Winnetuxet River Bridge, on Winnetuxet Road, has had structural repairs done several times in the past 40 years, the most recent four years ago when the guardrail was replaced and rotten substructure was encased in epoxy to temporarily reinforce it. The new construction will replace the bridge with a similar size and still include wooden guardrails. The deck, however, will be asphalt. MassDOT anticipates there will be a three-month detour around the work site to allow construction of the project.
Inquiries regarding the bridge project may be addressed by mail to:
Carrie A. Lavallee, P. E., Chief Engineer, MassDOT, 10 Park Plaza, Boston, MA 02116, Attn.: Project Management, Project File No. 609435.

It was standing room only at the Deborah Sampson meeting room in the Plympton Town House Monday morning as fire chiefs and personnel, family and friends came to witness the swearing in of Plympton’s first female fire chief, Cheryl Davis.
Davis addressed the group, saying she grew up a third generation firefighter using the fire trucks as her jungle gym and climbing the fire pole for fun. Fire fighting was not her first choice for profession, “maybe because I never saw anyone in the station that looked like me. Or maybe because at 8-years-old, the firefighters were larger than life Super Heroes.”
Cheryl gives lots of credit to her parents who encouraged and supported her throughout this journey. Her mother, who worked in the state correctional system when many felt women had no place working in a jail, told her daughter, “if the boys say you can’t do something, do it twice and do it better than they do!” She is a Super Hero … she earned her cape.
Over her 17 years with fire service, Cheryl thanked those who mentored her along the way. She especially thanked the members of the Fall River EMS where she spent part of her career. “I wouldn’t be half the paramedic I am today if it wasn’t for all the amazing people I had the opportunity to work with there.
She continued her thanks to her current co-workers for their outpouring of support and encouragement over the past several weeks. “I love the motivation, fresh ideas … the truth is, I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for all of you. There is no Plympton Fire if you guys don’t show up. 24/7 365 you guys step up an answer the call. You make it fun to come to work.”
To all the area Chiefs who have offered advice, guidance, and assistance, thank you… Lastly, to the town administrator and selectboard, thank you for entrusting me with the opportunity and helping me ensure that every little girl who tours the fire station gets to see someone who looks like them, and maybe one day, they too will find their capes.”

More than 220 volunteers from Southeastern Massachusetts attended Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon and awards ceremony held at Indian Pond Country Club in Kingston.
The Plymouth County based non-profit agency that serves older adults and individuals with disabilities, honored their volunteers and presented special awards to 22 volunteers.
OCES is a National President’s Volunteer Service Award (PVSA) Certifying Organization which honors outstanding volunteers and recognizes the impact they make. Armindo Rocha, OCES’ Volunteer Program Manager and Cidalia America, Volunteer Coordinator, hosted the event and bestowed the awards.
Sharon Frank of Wareham was presented with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award.  The PVSA’s highest honor, the Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes 4000+ volunteer hours in a lifetime.
The Annual Gold Award is given to those who have volunteered for more than 500 hours during the year. The PVSA’s Annual Gold Award was presented to Anne-Marie Borsje, David Drain, Peter Keohan, Mi Kim, Nancy McDermott, Joanne Protasewich, Sophia Loc-Tringali, John Tuffy, Gary Peterson, Marie Claire Ording, Richard Shoemaker and Sherry Williamson of Duxbury; Steve Meissner of Easton; Christina Butta of Middleboro; Kathleen Breen of Plymouth; and Sandra Saltzman of Stoughton.
OCES’ Make a Difference Award recognizes exceptional volunteers for their dedication to helping others making an impact on the community. Sharon Perry of Halifax, along with OCES staff members and volunteers Rochelle Degany, Rick Alvarnaz, Paul and Neal Mullen were each presented with the Make a Difference Award.
“We recognize and thank all of our generous volunteers for their tremendous dedication to helping others in our community and making the world a better place,” said Nicole Long, CEO of OCES.
More about the PVSA
In 2003, the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation founded the President’s Volunteer Service Award to recognize the important role of volunteers in America’s strength and national identity. This award honors individuals whose service positively impacts communities in every corner of the nation and inspires those around them to take action too. Led by AmeriCorps and managed in partnership with Points of Light, this program allows Certifying Organizations to recognize their most exceptional volunteers.  As an AmeriCorps Seniors grantee, OCES receives funds through the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) for volunteers age 55+. RSVP of Plymouth County (RSVP-PC) volunteers help OCES and other local agencies that are Community Service Partners.
Volunteering for OCES
The Volunteer Program supports OCES and other RSVP-PC Community Service Partners. With the help of more than 550 Nutrition Program volunteers, OCES serves 2,000 meals each weekday as part of its Meals on Wheels Program. Money Management Program (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, MMP and RSVP Community Advisory councils and contribute to many other important efforts.
To learn more about volunteer opportunities, visit www.ocesma.org.
Founded in 1974, OCES proudly serves greater Plymouth County and surrounding communities. OCES is a private, non-profit organization headquartered in Brockton with a second office in Plymouth. OCES is designated as one of 23 Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in Massachusetts.
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 www.ocesma.org.

Plympton seniors were treated to a trip to the Myles Standish State Forest organized by Capt. John Sjostedt of the Plympton Fire Dept. In addition to the history of the forest, the group learned about fire prevention and detection, with a special presentation by Smokey Bear. The day’s activities culminated in a cookout. Who could ask for more? The COA sends special thanks to the Plympton Fire Department and Capt. John Sjostedt for arranging the event. For more photos by Capt. Sjostedt, go to page 7.