The Holmes Public Library, 470 Plymouth St., Halifax, hosted its annual Hallowe’en Costume Parade last week.  Children from several nearby towns came dressed in their best  costumes to Trick or Treat as the Holmes welcomed their new Children’s Librarian, Holly Iannucci.

Plympton Girl Scouts let their fun sides show at their Hallowe’en Party Sunday night at the Soule Homestead Education Center at the Plympton/Middleboro town line. Pictured above are the costume winners and the judges for the event.  Prettiest :Anna Fraser as a Royal Princess; Scariest: Haley Petersas a scary clown; Most Original: Taylor Hempel the black angel; Funniest: Charlotte Medas the cupcake; Cutest: Carmella Boccalini the monster; Most Halloween Spirit: Avery Lorenz the witch.  Judges were the Senior Girl Scouts from Troop 80210,  Jilian Hart, Jenny Winslow, Sydney Adams. Other party helpers were Lilly and Ally Foye.

Colchester Farm celebrated their annual Fall Fest Celebration Oct., 5, with hay rides around the farm and pumpkins for sale.

Many festival goers purchased Tom’s Wood Fire Pizza  and Harper Lane Brewery  concessions  while they enjoyed musician guitarist  Hayley Sabella at the outdoor event.

With face painting and beanbag toss games along with visiting the goats, there were plenty of activities for all ages. Many families were delighted to pick their own flowers and put them in Mason jars – a popular choice.

The Halifax Fire Department Open House  brought  kids, adults, and families together on Sunday, Oct. 6.

People got to meet their firefighters, tour the station, and have a lot of fun while they tried on the real firefighter gear and checked out the trucks!

Kids had fun in the bouncy house, ate cotton candy, popcorn, pizza, and soda, and learned about fire safety with demonstrations.

Shanks Restaurant at the Halifax Country Club lit up the sky Sunday night as flames demolished the popular dining spot at 100 Country Club Drive in Halifax.

According to HFD Captain Jeffrey Cuozzo, an alarm was activated at 10:39 p.m.  Halifax Fire Department responded and while en route were informed of fire coming from the building.  When HFD arrived, heavy fire was showing from the rear of the restaurant and through the roof, according to Cuozzo’s report.

Tower 1 truck got a workout as crews attacked the blaze aggressively to bring the fire under control.  A working fire protocol was initiated at the rear of the building and the call went to a third alarm through county control.

Responding towns included Kingston, Hanson, East Bridgewater, Bridgewater, Pembroke, and Onset.

The fire department also connected to the existing sprinkler system to help aid in extinguishing the fire.  Multiple handlines, ventilation, and search crews were utilized to bring the incident to a close.

HFD succeeded in containing the blaze to the restaurant section of the building, saving the remainder of the structure.

The State Rehab vehicle assisted, and the State Fire Marshall was also contacted.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Nessralla’s Corn Maze in Halifax opened for its 12th year in mid September to the delight of families near and far.

Fifteen acres were planted in the spring and cut to represent “Super Girl” in a challenging maze experience.

This young adventurer, Lydia Giarratana, 10, of Whitman, appeared as an aerialist in the sky as she slid down the zipline into the sunset.

Tuesday afternoon Halifax Police Chief Jao Chaves smiled as he accepted a check from Walmart manager Martin Disla to help fund a six-month trial for the Halifax motorcycle program.  Chaves, who has been chief in Halifax for the past year, came from New Bedford where his department used motorcycles.  Chaves has wanted to begin a motorcycle program in Halifax and got the go-ahead for a six-month trial from selectmen at an August meeting.   Officer Michael W. Schleiff underwent 40 hours of intensive training, focusing on how to use the bike to help in various situations.  Disla said that Walmart has helped in other aspects of its community outreach project with radar and protective vests for Halifax officers.  With Walmart’s help, the motorcycle trial program  will cost Halifax taxpayers nothing.

Both Plympton and Halifax first responders stood at attention while remembering those who were lost 18 years ago.

Plympton’s Fire Chief Stephen Silva led them out to the flag for a 10 a.m. service Wednesday morning.

Halifax Fire Chief Jason Viveiros led his department to the strains of bagpipes played by Nathan Campbell, the tolling of the bell by Firefighter Schindler, the reading of the 9/11 timeline detailing the flights of the three planes by Captain Cunngham, and the recitation of “The Firefighters’ Prayer” by Lieutenant Hogan.

Tolling the bell, Chief Viveiros explained, likely had its origins back in history when bells were  necessary to communicate over a distance.  Tolling four sets of five tones signals the death of a firefighter.

In Plympton, the bell ceremony was lead by Captain John Sjostedt.  Firefighters Steve Galambos and Shannon Worton lowered the flag.

Plympton photos by Stephanie Spyropoulos

Halifax photos by Deb Anderson 

The 70th annual East Middleboro 4-H fair was held on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 31 and Sept. 1, at the 4-H Fairgrounds on Thompson St. It has been a great family friendly event that kids and parents enjoy!

This true, old-fashioned fair has plenty to do for everyone. On Saturday afternoon there was an old tyme country auction, followed by the animal costume parade and then the tractor parade.

The East Middleboro Fair is sponsored and presented solely by volunteers. Most of our volunteers are members of the East Middleboro Community Committee or 4-H members and their families.