Tuesday, Aug. 6, Ken Vinton, president of TRIAD, was surprised with a room full of birthday well-wishers at the regularly scheduled August meeting.
Vinton noted, before realizing that the celebration was for him, that there were a record number of attendees on Tuesday, 34 in fact, there at the August meeting.Asked how long he plans to remain president of TRIAD, Vinton responded that he was having a lot of fun with the group and that it’s always easy to get speakers.’
State Rep. Kathy LaNatra presented Ken with a Citation from the Massachusetts House of Representatives praising his leadership and activities promoting senior citizens’ rights with Halifax TRIAD and congratulating him on the celebration of his 90th birthday. Plymouth County Sheriff Joe MacDonald presented Ken with a ball cap from the sheriff’s department.
A beautiful birthday cake was enjoyed by all.
Vinton introduced Fred Corrigan, this month’s speaker, an active 89-year-old Halifax citizen who spoke about growing up in the White Mountains in Randolph, NH, in a three-room house with his parents, his brother, and baby sister.
Years later, the little house was moved, as was the custom, to become a garage to another home. The owner would brag that she had the only garage with wallpaper on the walls, Corrigan told the group.
He showed a photo of the one-room schoolhouse in Randolph, NH, where he had the same teacher as his father. She taught there for 33 years, grades 1 through 8 in the one-room schoolhouse, where she had to keep an authoritarian rule on the group – the youngest in the front rows, and older kids in the back. There was a blackboard in the front, and another in the back, so she could teach separate lessons to separate age groups.
There was no electricity, no running water, and an outhouse in the back. Life was simple. High school was in Lancaster, NH with about 30 kids in the senior class, Corrigan told his audience.
Fred told about Saturday nights in Lancaster, where the entertainment was movies at the Rialto Cinema. “Drive from the three-room house in Randolph to Jefferson, then to Lancaster. It was shopping night, ‘because you don’t run that trip every day to pick up a loaf of bread,’” Corrigan said. “Shopping night was Saturday night; we stocked up for the week. While Mom and Dad went shopping, we three kids got to go to the theater to see whatever was playing. Fred’s brother was an usher at that theater. The cost to go to the Rialto theater was five cents. That theater is still operating today.”
Fred told some of the history of the area that was his home so long ago, and showed a photo of a sculpture of a wolf erected “to honor the brave men and women who redeemed Lancaster from the wilderness. This memorial is erected by their local sons and daughters upon the 150th anniversary of the founding of the town of Lancaster. July 6, 1913.”
“Lake Coos and the Presidential Range. Lancaster, founded in 1763, lies on the bed of glacial Lake Coos, formed as the glaciers receded 14,000 years ago.
“Today, the Connecticut, an American Heritage River, flows along the bottom of the ancient lake. You stand at a gateway to the Great North Woods Region.
“To the east, aligned from north to south, are Mounts Madison, Adams, Jefferson and Washington, the highest peaks of the White Mountains Presidential Range. Mt. Washington, at 6,288 feet, is the highest in the Northeast.
“The strongest winds ever recorded, 231 miles per hour, were measured on its summit on April 12, 1934.”

Nate Rollins
Express correspondent
He’s headed pro.
Halifax native Stephen Quigley has signed with the Cincinnati Reds organization.
The Silver Lake alum graduated from Wheaton College in 2022.
Quigley made the transition from shortstop to the mound for Wheaton during his junior year and was named to the D3baseball.com All-Region Second Team as a utility player following the season.
In 2021, Quigley was named the Region 1 Pitcher of the Year by both the American Baseball Coaches Association and D3baseball.com in addition to previously earning Pitcher of the Year honors from the New England Women’s & Men’s Athletic Conference. He capped his breakout season by being selected a Third Team All-American by the ABCA and earning a Fourth Team All-America designation by D3baseball.com. Quigley struck out a league-high 73 batters, while posting a 2.22 earned run average for the Lyons.
He then went on to play two seasons at the University of Connecticut where he continued to flourish.
He earned First-Team All-Big East accolades in his debut season with the Huskies. His calling card was the strikeout, duplicating his effort with Wheaton by striking out a team-high 74 batters for UConn in 76 innings, which also topped the staff in 2023.
Quigley fanned a career-high 87 batters to lead all BIG EAST hurlers, en route to being named to the ABCA All-Northeast First Team.
The 24-year-old finished his collegiate career with an 18-10 win-loss record between Wheaton and UConn to go with 253 strikeouts, while issuing just 72 walks in 266 innings pitched. He recorded a 3.62 ERA, while making 52 appearances, including 44 starting assignments.

On Friday, July 12, the Boston Red Sox and Red Sox Foundation commemorated the foundation’s 22-year commitment as a co-presenting sponsor of the Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC) with PMC Night at Fenway Park.
The organization has raised $28 million toward its $75 million goal for this year, officially surpassing $1 billion in lifetime fundraising for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (Dana-Farber) since 1980. During the ceremony, 40 members of the PMC Living Proof community, PMC riders and volunteers who are currently undergoing or have undergone treatment for cancer, rode around the warning track while being cheered on by Red Sox Nation, followed by the official unveiling of the PMC logo on the iconic Green Monster. Halifax local and cancer survivor, Jainey Holland, was among those honored on Friday night.
On August 3 and August 4, more than 6,500 riders will come together with a goal of raising a record $75 million to support lifesaving cancer research and treatment. The PMC donates 100 percent of every rider-raised dollar to Dana-Farber as its largest single contributor, accounting for 62 percent of its Jimmy Fund’s annual revenue. The PMC is co-presented by the Red Sox Foundation and M&T Bank.

Mike Saccone
Special to The Express
Thursday, July 18, the US Postal Service hosted a dedication ceremony honoring the first responders of the Plympton Fire and Police departments.
First introduced in 2018, the Honoring First Responders Forever stamp recognized the vital role of firefighters, law enforcement officers, emergency medical service professionals, and other emergency personnel in safeguarding our communities. This stamp stands as a lasting testament to their bravery, commitment, and sacrifice.
The ceremony, hosted at the Plympton Fire Department, began with Denise Meurch, a US Postal Service employee, singing the national anthem. Sarah Etro, Plympton’s Postmaster, delivered remarks highlighting the importance of this national symbol in honoring our first responders. Additional remarks were given by Plympton Fire Chief Cheryl Duddy and Plympton Police Lieutenant Daniel Hoffman.
“We take great pride in dedicating this stamp to the Plympton Fire and Police departments, whose members embody the highest ideals of public service and community dedication,” said Etro. “Their courage and selflessness serve as an inspiration to us all, and it is only fitting that we commemorate their contributions with this stamp.”
Chief Duddy added, “The Honoring First Responders Forever stamp stands as a powerful tribute to the bravery and tireless efforts of our firefighters and all first responders. This stamp symbolizes the trust and gratitude our community places in us every day and we are deeply honored by this recognition.”
Plympton Police Chief Matthew Ahl expressed his appreciation, saying, “This recognition holds significant meaning for our officers, reminding us that our work is valued and respected by the community we serve. We stand together with our fellow first responders in celebrating this honor.”
Rep. Kathy LaNatra sent her remarks for the occasion through her aide Christopher Jean, saying “Our first responders are the cornerstone of our community, always prepared to act in times of crisis. This stamp beautifully acknowledges their unwavering dedication and countless sacrifices. I am proud to join the US Postal Service and our local heroes in this celebration.”
The Honoring First Responders Forever stamp is available for purchase at the Postal Store (usps.com/shop), by phone (80-STAMP24) and at Post Office locations nationwide, including Plympton. Philatelic enthusiasts can order special products such as first-day-of-issue postmarks and covers for this stamp through USA Philatelic at usps.com/collectors.

The Plympton Fire Dept. answers calls for all kinds of dire emergencies and in this case it was to rescue two Carolina Wrens that had become trapped between the walls of a horse stall in town.
Firefighters used their tools to remove the plywood wall and move the birds to the area of their nest, a little shaken up by the experience but unharmed.
Thank you to responding firefighter/EMTs William Austin and Brent Eaton, with Captain John Sjostedt for your big-hearted rescue.

Sleepy little Plympton has seen an influx of Hollywood as filming has begun for a new major motion picture, “At the Sea” starring A-lister Amy Adams and Australian actor Murray Bartlett of White Lotus fame, who plays her husband.
While this is her third movie in Massachusetts, we haven’t seen Adams in Halifax or Plympton before. Her Boston-based performances in The Fighter and American Hustle each won her Oscar nominations. Our small-town vibe must be quite an experience for the cosmopolitan entourage.
The film, written by Kata We’ber and directed by husband Kornel Mundruczo’, has many familiar faces in the cast, including Brett Goldstein, (Ted Lasso); Chloe East, (The Fabelmans); Dan Levy, (Good Grief); Jenny Slate, (Marcel the Shell with Shoes On); and Rainn Wilson, (The Office); according to IMDb.
The story line, as reported in Deadline, follows the life of Laura, played by Adams, after a long rehabilitation, as she returns to her family at their beach holiday home where she must readjust to the complicated life she left behind. Now she is forced to face the following next chapter of her life without the career that gave her fame, fortune, and her identity.
Adams has been nominated for an Academy Award six times, for her performances in American Hustle, Junebug, The Master, Doubt, The Fighter, and Vice.
Readers will likely remember her break-through performance in Enchanted, where her dance and singing abilities shone as she came to life as a real Disney-style princess; and Arrival, as a linguist tasked to translate language from creatures from another world.
Seeing the familiar location transformed to into a seaside set is quite a shock at first, but then what is film but a glimpse into what’s possible with a bit of sleight of hand? It’s really a magical experience.
Adams is busy with several projects either in the works, just finished, or coming soon.
The film has brought a nice bump to the local economy as it hires locals for police details, parking area rental, food for the cast and crew, actors and stand-ins, and more. Residents should welcome more film-making to the area.

The Friends of the Holmes Public Library finished their June fundraising Book Sale taking in a total of $1.464.50. Some books will stay behind for the Friends ongoing book sale.
The Library has two bookshelves located in the entrance lobby that offer books throughout the year for the “ongoing book sale.” Hardcover books, CDs and DVDs are $1 and paperback books are $.50.
If people want to become involved, or get more information, they can contact the group through the Freinds email: [email protected]. Meetings are open to all and are held on the 4th Wednesday of the month at 6 p.m. in the Community Room at the Holmes Public Library. There are no meetings in July or December.
The Friends also have a Facebook page: Friends of the Holmes Public LibraryHalifax MA.

Halifax kids were treated to a shower from the tower – Halifax’s Tower 1 truck – last Thursday, in the midst of the area’s first heat wave. Tower 1 was at the Halifax Elementary School Thursday, June 20, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, providing a misting water station for the kids to play in and get wet.

By Bob Lessard, Historian
American Legion Post 64,
Middleboro
Jeffrey Montelo of Main Street Plympton was awarded a first-place gold medal in Denver, Colorado at the National Veteran’s Creative Arts Festival.
His winning artwork of a bearded veteran, which was titled “Through the eyes of a Veteran” captured the top prize.
Montelo, a United States Marine Corps Vietnam veteran, had earned a spot in Denver, when his artwork placed first in the creative art contest held at the Brockton VA Medical Center.
Commenting on his winning creation, Montelo stated, “He’s probably homeless and looking into his future and it looks a little brighter.”
Montelo is an active member of Middleboro’s Simeon L. Nickerson Post 64 American Legion. He was Commander in 2014 and currently holds office as Senior Vice Commander of District 10, where he is the Commander-elect. He also is a member of Middleboro’s Veterans Honor Guard, which provides a contingent of flag holders and a firing squad for funerals of Middleboro veterans. In Plympton, he is an active member of the Fire Department’s Community Emergency Response Team…CERT.

Friday evening, May 31, Silver Lake Regional High School graduated 230 seniors. Among those was a special presentation, a surprise, when US Marine Corporal Patrick Andrew Ganley appeared to present diplomas to his sisters Caitlin Marjorie Ganley and Eileen Shannon Ganley. Cpl. Ganley has been stationed in Okinawa, Japan since 2021 and his sisters had no idea their oldest brother was going to be able to make it home to help celebrate their accomplishment.
The touching reunion brought many to tears, including Principal Michaela Gill.
Erin Christina Flaherty, CTE Student of the Year, led the audience in the Salute to the flag. The Silver Lake Select Choir, conducted by Choral Director Kelley DePasqua, sang the National Anthem, followed by “Measure Me, Sky” by Elaine Hagenberg, Conducted by Department chairperson and Choral Director Kelley DePasqua, accompanied by Ms. Shu-Hui Chen, pianist.
The Select Choir Seniors performed “Only We Know” by Keane/Lojeski. Soloists were Ella Cox, Paige Bachyrycz, Alison O’Connor, Alana Borges, Sami Areski, Pyper Goguen, Julia Cartright, Emma Christensen, Madison Brown, Rebecca White. Modern Band performed, with Dylan Cicone on Guitar, Benjamin Webby on Bass, and Benjamin Gulinello on Drums.
Nikhil Harish, class vice-president introduced Grace Patricia Faherty, President of the Class of 2024 who gave opening remarks in a welcome address. Harish spoke of Faherty’s volunteering with Best Buddies, and her work at Silver Lake to make it an inclusive atmosphere, praising her abilities to bring people together. She was also the service project coordinator for the National Honor Society. Coordinating food drives and charity events, “giving back”.
Faherty thanked her family and friends, saying, “no matter where I end up in the future, we will always have each other.” She spoke about being at the edge of the known and the unknown, ready to step into a world that is as unpredictable as it is exciting.”
Invited faculty speaker, Anthony Weber was introduced by Ella Ruth Crotty, Class Treasurer, who praised Weber’s dedication to his students and promoting a sense of inclusion, thanked him for “believing in us even as we struggled to believe in ourselves.”
Weber took the podium and spoke of navigating the highs and lows of the post-COVID school year, the teamwork, in scholastics and athletics. He ended his remarks with a favorite quote from Calvin Coolidge, “Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts.” Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent,” he said.
Class president Grace Faherty introduced Honor Essayist Kristen Marilyn Arieta, her longtime friend and Class Salutatorian. Arieta told of the many things her class has to be proud of. She said one of the best analogies was to think of ourselves as an iceberg. The very tip of the iceberg is all that’s visible. “… what’s shown to the rest of the world is just a small fraction of who we are. .. Now we have an opportunity to show even more of who we are.”
Alexander James Risio, Valedictorian, was introduced by Ella Elizabeth Cox, Class Secretary, telling of his accomplishments including captain of the Silver Lake Track and Field, and serving on the student council’s executive board. One of the most humble and genuine people I know… and he will be attending Harvard University in the fall, majoring in computer science and biomedical engineering. Risio spoke of the cycles of life in nature, adapting, changing, As author John Shedd said, “ A ship in the harbor is safe, but that’s not what ships are for.” Our next step is difficult but just like in nature, we can find our footing among the shifting tides. He recalled his first day as a freshman trying out for track and field, failing miserably. His parents said he could quit but urged him to give it one more day. It was a simple act of kindness from a senior who took time to explain how the system worked, set him on a path to success in long-distance running. “Simple acts of kindness can completely change one’s life.”
Mrs. Michaela Gill, Principal, was introduced by Class Historian Matthew Daniel Meal, who described her as someone who embodies excellence and leadership, perseverance and unwavering commitment to our education. Her ability to lead our school reflects the success we have seen in our clubs, organizations, record-setting sports teams and vocational-technical programs. Her personability is what makes her a great leader…. She fosters a sense of belonging and inspires us to strive for excellence.
Principal Michalea Gill recalled that the Class of ’24 had a unique entry into high school learning, with hybrid learning, desks 6 feet apart, challenging for all, learning names with faces hidden behind a mask for a year and a half. These challenges ultimately helped foster their resilience with each setback. “I’ve witnessed them bounce back stronger and more capable than ever before.”
Class Vice-president Mikhil Harish introduced Silver Lake Superintendent Dr. Jill Proulx. “Since Feb. 2020, Dr. Proulx has provided in-service training to support inclusive practices including social, emotional learning, and effective technology integration as well.”
Superintendent Jill Proulx accepted the Class, saying that the hard work and dedication they have put into their education is shown by this accomplishment. “They have all spent days and nights, working both in and out of the classroom to reach this point. They should be proud of themselves for being here today and for putting in all that effort. … I know that every one of you is more than adequately prepared to face what comes next. … Class of 2024, you are the next generation of innovators, thinkers, and creators for this country, the best country in the world.”
Diplomas were presented to 230 students by Principal Michaela Gill, assisted by Paula Hatch, Chair of Silver Lake Regional District School Committee, Assistant Principals Catherine Pratt and Steven Blette.