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Congratulations Cheryl!

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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.”

OCES honors 220 volunteers

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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 to State Park

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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.

Route 58 closed for fatal accident

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A news release from Plympton Police Chief Matt Ahl stated the following:
Tuesday, July 11, 2023, at approximately 2:07 p.m., Plympton Police Department and Plympton Fire Department were dispatched to a t-car motor vehicle collision involving a roll-over an entrapment on Palmer Road.
Upon arrival, officers observed a truck and a sedan involved. The truck was operated by a male Plympton resident and he was the sole occupant of the vehicle. The sedan was operated by a male non-resident and he was the sole occupant of the vehicle.
The male non-resident driver of the sedan was transported to BID-Plymoouth with non-life threatening injuries. The male Plympton resident from the truck was promounced deceased on scene.
Palmer Road was closed from Center Street to Main Street, as well as Main Street from Palmer Road to Mayflower Road for multiple hours due to the collision and investigation. Halifax and Carver Police Departments assisted with road closures. The Plymouth County Bureau of Criminal Investigation, as well as the Massachusetts State Police COAC Unit and Collision Analysis & Reconstruction Section responded to the scene. The investigation is ongoing.
We extend our deepest condolences to the loved ones of the resident who succumbed to their injuries. The family has been notified and we ask the public to please respect that we will not be releasing further information on the deceased at this time. This is a time where our communty must come together and our department is committed to offering support to all impacted by today’s tragedy.
Respectfully,
Chief Matthew Ahl

Happy 247th Birthday, America!

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Halifax’s traditional July 4th fireworks display lit the skies Saturday, July 1, to the delight of all. The family- friendly fun began at 11 a.m. with kids’ games, face painting, dunk tank, corn hole, cookie decorating, and the hula hoop competition.
The evening events began at 5 p.m. with food trucks helping to feed everyone, and more music kept the tempo upbeat for the party.

Balloon animals, face painting, t-shirt sales, all led up to the main event – the fireworks. The nearly full moon watched over the events which went off without a hitch.
The majority of the expense of the fireworks was borne by contributions from Flower and Soul cannabis dispensary and MacDonald Industries, both of Halifax.
Go to pages 6 and 7 for more photos of Fireworks day!

Plympton welcomes new fire chief

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The Town of Plympton is pleased to announce that Captain Cheryl Davis has been appointed as the Plympton Fire Department’s next Fire Chief pending successful contract negotiation. Ms. Davis has been serving on the Fire Department in various capacities since 2007 and was promoted to the rank of Captain in March 2015. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Bridgewater State University and is pursuing a Master’s Degree; additionally, she is a licensed EMT-Paramedic and has completed the Massachusetts Firefighter I and II Certifications through the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy.
We had the privilege of interviewing three very capable finalist candidates and we are delighted to be able to promote from within and look forward to watching the Fire Department continue to grow and experience new accomplishments under this future capable leadership.
Plympton Board of Selectmen and Town Administrator

Halifax Beautification Essay contest winners

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The Halifax Beautification Committee sponsored an essay contest for Halifax Elementary School students on the subject of litter, pollution, and it’s negative effects on the environment.
One essay contest winner each from 4th, 5th and 6th grade was selected by the Halifax Beautification Committee.
The 4th grade winner was Madison Balboni with her Essay “The Mama Turtle That Swam with Fear”, 5th grade essay winner Joshua Grispi with his essay “What Can Litter and Trash Pollution Do to the Environment”, and 6th grade winner Peyton Scuilli with her essay “Everything Connects.”
Each winner received a $50 check, a plaque and a tree to be planted at Halifax Town Hall and Halifax Elementary School from the Halifax Beautification Committee, all three trees were planted the first weekend in June.
On page 12 find excerpts from each of the winning essays and see that we are leaving the world in capable hands.

 

Beautiful black bear in Plympton

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Calls started coming in to Plympton police about 10:50 a.m. Tuesday to report a beautiful juvenile black bear roaming the streets, Lt. Dan Hoffman of the Plympton Police Dept. told The Express.
Coming from the pond behind Competition Auto Body on Main Street, the bear stopped on the fence to look both ways and when Plympton’s finest held traffic at bay, the bear cossed the street to continue through the woods to Parsonage Road, then again to Elm Street. From Elm St., the bear didn’t bother the sheep, donkeys, and llamas, but continued behind the houses there and into the woods where he probably settled down for a much-needed nap.
What do you do if you see a bear? First of all, leave it alone! The Massachusetts Dept. of Fisheries and Wildlife say that bear attacks are seldom, and much of the time you can quietly back away. Don’t run, and don’t climb a tree. Bears can run faster than you, and climb trees very well.
Bears are omnivores, meaning they eat everything, both animal and vegetable. Don’t put out the welcome mat by leaving your garbage unsecured, or putting out yummy suet cakes for the birds – bears like them, too!
For a full detail of what to do when you see a Northern Black Bear, go to: https://www.mass.gov/doc/what-to-do-if-you-encounter-a-black-bear/download?_
They have all the information you need for the safety of both you and the bear.ga=2.1255027.372540900.1686683450-593656785.1673282875

New Beginnings at Sirrico Field

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Silver Lake Regional High School awarded 261 diplomas at Friday evening’s ceremonies at Sirrico Athletic Field at the Silver Lake campus, the school’s 68th annual commencement.
Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance was played by the Silver Lake Band, as students filled the stadium, passing by the game shirt and photo of Aiden Ramsey, one of their classmates who lost his life to suicide last Dec. 28.
The Massachusetts Army National Guard Honor Guard placed the colors into their stanchions, as CTE Student of the Year Benjamin Harrison Carroll led the Salute to the Flag.
The National Anthem was performed by the Select Choir and Senior Band members, conducted by Theodore Madsen, followed by the Select Choir’s rendition of A New World, conducted by Ms. Kelley DePasqua.  The Modern Band and Select Choir Seniors then performed Rivers and Roads by The Head and the Heart.
Carson Patrick Rose, President of the Class of 2023, introduced by Lily Grace Canniff, vice-president, recounted some of the challenges during their past four years, including the loss of a loved classmate.  His message was you can learn something from everyone.  “Graduates, ask your parents about balancing a checkbook or changing a tire, and parents, ask your child about changing a password and solving algebra equations.  The truth is, you can learn something from everyone.”
Aislin Aki Dalyrmple, Class Treasurer, introduced the invited faculty speaker, Sean Donovan, AP psychology and sports psychology teacher, who told the audience, “We are in good hands. The young people you see in front of you, ‘they got this.’”
Salutatorian Ella Pamela Hughes was introduced by Adeline Grace Hamilton, Secretary, who proclaimed Hughes a “truly exceptional and extraordinary person.”  Hughes spoke about her loss of her cousin Aiden Ramsey, or “Ramsey”, as he was known, and the challenges she and her class faced through the four years at Silver Lake, and how they all came together to overcome these times.  “As we head toward the future, I will always remember my Silver Lake family.”
Class Historian Rosella Marie Hoffman introduced Valedictorian Sarah Patricia Thomas, as one of the most “remarkable, tenacious, and benevolent students to ever walk these halls.”   Thomas asked the audience to remember the loss their dear friend Aiden Ramsey, his infectious passion, his radiant personality, and his unwavering care for others.  “Our time as a class has certainly been a whirlwind of emotions, happy and sad moments, of fear and hope, of chaos and resilience.”  Thomas concluded by saying, “There is nothing weak about rest and there is no shame in caring for yourself over all else.  Our most brilliant triumphs begin in our minds and in our hearts, so take care of them.”