The Arc of the South Shore, a family-oriented, community-based non-profit providing information, referrals, and community programs for individuals with disabilities, recently hosted a Resource Fair designed specifically for families of teens and young adults ages 15 to 26.
The September 27th event featured 78 registrants and 18 vendors, including The Arc of Massachusetts, Assistive Tech, Comfort Dogs, Commonwealth Financial Group (Child ID Program), Department of Developmental Services, Drew’s Tips, Evoke Change Center, Financial Guide, House of Possibilities, May Center, Norfolk Center Sheriff’s Department, Planned Lifetime Assistive Network (PLAN) of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Reimagine Recreation, Rewarding Work, South Shore Supports, Special Olympics, Supported Decision Making, and Work Inc., Deaf Outreach.
The Resource Fair provided valuable tools, services, and support to help navigate the transition into adulthood. The event also featured break-out sessions hosted by Assistive Technology, PLAN of MA and RI, and Supported Decision-Making.
“We were thrilled to see so many people attend our Resource Fair, and even more buoyed by the amount of vendor interest in demonstrating ways they can provide support as our individuals transition into adulthood, which can be an incredibly challenging and uncertain time,” said Elizabeth Sandblom, CEO of The Arc of the South Shore. “We continue to work to find ways to provide the knowledge and connections needed to feel empowered and supported for individuals, families, and caregivers, and we look forward to future Resource Fairs as one more way to achieve this.”
300 Years in the Making: The Chronicles of Kingston
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).
Understanding the Classification Hearing
This is the time of year when local municipal officials, like the Select Boards in towns across the South Shore, conclude the annual process of property tax classification, making critical policy decisions that determine how the total property tax levy will be distributed among residents and businesses. This annual public hearing is mandated by Massachusetts General Law and is crucial because while it does not increase or reduce the total amount of money collected by the town, it determines how that predetermined burden is shared between property owners.
The Core Decision: Single Rate vs. Split Rate
The process begins when local Assessors classify all real property according to its use into four primary classes: Residential (Class I), Open Space (Class II), Commercial (Class III), and Industrial (Class IV). Personal property forms a fifth category.
The pivotal policy decision is determining whether to adopt a Single Tax Rate or a Split Tax Rate, formalized by the Select Board setting the Residential Factor (RF).
If the Select Board sets the RF at 1.0, a Single Tax Rate is adopted, meaning every property class pays a rate proportional to its assessed valuation share of the town’s tax levy.
If the RF is set to less than 1.0, a Split Tax Rate is implemented. This reduces the tax burden on Residential and Open Space (RO) properties, shifting the resulting cost onto Commercial, Industrial, and Personal (CIP) properties. State law restricts this shift, ensuring CIP classes typically cannot pay more than 150% of their proportional share.
Local Choices: Single Rates in Plympton, Halifax, and Kingston
The majority of municipalities use a single tax rate. For the towns featured in this paper, maintaining a single rate is the prevailing policy, driven by the size of their commercial tax base.
In Halifax, the Board of Selectmen already voted unanimously in September to adopt a single tax rate for Fiscal Year 2026, setting the Residential Factor at 1.00. This decision keeps residential and business properties taxed at the same estimated rate of 14.09 per thousand of assessed value. Principal Assessor Debbie Dean recommended the single rate, with the Selectmen noting a shift may drive away local “mom-and-pops”.
Plympton Selectmen also unanimously (2-0) approved maintaining a factor of one for Fiscal Year 2026 on November 17, taxing residential, commercial, industrial, and personal properties at the same rate. Residential property makes up 75% of the tax levy, with commercial, industrial, and personal property under 25%, a composition that led the Assessor’s Representative Holly Merry to deem a split rate “not recommended.” Plympton expects a tax rate of $14.26 for FY 26.
Kingston similarly sets a single tax rate for all classes, with the FY 2026 rate estimated at $12.83 per $1,000. Principal Assessor Maureen Clarke informed the Selectmen that residential properties made up about 88% of the tax base. Kingston held their tax classification hearing for FY26 on Tuesday.
Hanover’s Choice: Adopting a Split Rate to Share the Burden
In contrast, just north of us the Hanover Select Board voted to set a Split Tax Rate for Fiscal Year 2025. The board approved a split of 1.15, an increase over the previous split of 1.04, following public discussion. The Residential Factor was set to 0.9725. This resulted in a residential tax rate of $12.35 per 1,000 and a commercial tax rate of 14.60 per $1,000.
Hanover’s policy is controversial, partly because its commercial properties only make up approximately 15% of the tax base, while residential properties account for 85%. Les Molyneux, a member of their Board of Assessors, noted that some experts believe a split rate is truly effective only when the commercial base reaches around 30%.
Proponents of the shift, citing data showing that Hanover’s tax shift is significantly lower than that of other communities with similar commercial drivers, argue that large commercial entities like those along Route 53 disproportionately increase traffic and strain public safety services, requiring them to contribute a greater share to infrastructure. Opponents, including business owners, warned that the increased commercial tax rate, which they often pass on to tenants through leases, hurts small local businesses—the “mom-and-pops”—and makes Hanover less competitive than nearby single-rate towns like Norwell and Pembroke. In Plymouth County, currently only Brockton, Carver, Hanover, Middleborough, and West Bridgewater split the rates.
Rejected Exemptions Across All Three Towns
In addition to the core split/single rate decision, local officials considered three optional exemptions available only to local jurisdictions, opting to reject all of them:
1. Residential Exemption (RE): This option shifts the tax burden within the residential class from lower-valued, owner-occupied homes to higher-valued homes, rentals, and vacation properties. It is intended to help residents using the property as their principal residence. Halifax, Plympton, and Kingston rejected this exemption. Halifax noted it was inappropriate given the town has only about 50 second homes.
2. Small Commercial Exemption (SCE): This grants a tax reduction (up to 10% of assessed value) for commercial properties valued under $1 million occupied by businesses with 10 or fewer employees. The resulting cost is shifted only to larger commercial/industrial properties. Halifax, Plympton, and Kingston voted no on this option, partly because administering the exemption and tracking annual eligibility can be complex and burdensome for assessors.
3. Open Space Discount: This option reduces the tax levy paid by Open Space properties, shifting the cost exclusively to the residential class. Plympton, Halifax, and Kingston all voted no on adopting an Open Space Discount.
Since the tax classification decision is valid for only one year, this mandatory public hearing process will repeat annually, allowing Select Boards around the state to reevaluate their tax policies each fiscal year.
North Easton Savings Bank’s Market Share Jumps
North Easton Savings Bank is proud to announce its continued leadership in the Massachusetts’ banking landscape, as confirmed by the recently released FDIC Deposit Market Share Report. In a competitive field of 14 banks, five of which are among the nation’s largest, North Easton Savings Bank has emerged as a standout performer, capturing more than one-third of all market growth across its 10-town footprint.
Data indicate that the overall market grew by $297.87 million in deposits over the past year, with North Easton Savings Bank comprising $107.12 million or 35.96% of that total. While the regional 10-town FDIC market grew 3.4%, North Easton Savings Bank’s deposits were up 7.5% year-over-year – indicating that better than one in three who moved funds transferred them to the Bank. The Bank’s performance reflects a growing preference among consumers and businesses to choose institutions that not only understand and support their local needs, but also have a solid understanding of the mobile-first digital landscape we are all living in.
The Bank views FDIC Deposit Market Share numbers as a “back of the baseball card”-type stat sheet that reflects customer preference, competitive strength, and community trust.
“We have a motivated and talented team here that is relentlessly focused on creating positive outcomes for their clients,” stated Rich Spencer, President and CEO of North Easton Savings Bank. “Our growth in the market is a reflection of our growth in service platforms, tech-integrations, and most importantly – people. I believe we are creating something special here, we’re working hard at it, and the most recent FDIC data tell me the families and businesses of Massachusetts are noticing.”
North Easton Savings Bank’s recent performance in the FDIC Deposit Market Share arrives during a time of celebration at the Bank, as it has recently finished renovations on new banking centers, received local and national awards as a best place to work, and is managing total assets that are at an all-time high. The Bank is looking to continue its current pace via the addition of its new commercial banking teams, the launch of a family banking suite, and expanded service platforms through mobile and in-person channels. At North Easton Savings Bank, all deposits are insured in full as a member of both the FDIC and DIF.
Echoes Past and Present: The Sound of Survival
Critical thinking about history is often challenging to the mainstream, long-comfortable narrative. It takes the misunderstood, previously marginalized, demonized, and overlooked and requires preconceived notions -often centuries in the making, to be unraveled, untangled, and seen through an unobstructed filter that favors no agenda. It is a common understanding among a growing number of historians that, often times, if history makes you comfortable it isn’t accurate or complete.
In short-changing our inherited, passed on rhetoric with ideological absolutes, we are making it continually and ever-easy for those who have done much of the telling and “preserving” of history, but usually doing a great injustice to those who are given a backseat in the story. “Comfortable history” assures the defenders of the status quo that they came by their standing and privilege in society honorably, heroically, righteously -but the insistence to guard complexly inherited privilege does the peace, humanity, and happiness of a society no long-term favors.
The remedy? Growing up enough as a nation to understand that a better, raw understanding of the past is critical to healthfully reforming the present. Learning without an agenda can, of course, leave us with more villains and tragedy in the human story, but also more heroic figures and triumphs than we could have imagined. Two such heroic figures in modern times are Danielle Alonso-Wynne and Malissa Costa of Juniper + Pine Indigenous Collective. Alonso and Costa are two local, Indigenous women who have dedicated their lives to honoring, preserving, and teaching about their cultures.
Alonso-Wynne is a third-generation Mexican American and descendant of the indigenous P’urhépecha diaspora in the northwestern region of Michoacán, Mexico. Raised in Chicago, Alonso-Wynne grew up with a passion for her culture and heritage. She visited her P’urhépecha grandparents in Mexico once a year and these visits fostered an already inherent love for her Indigenous heritage. Drawn to the majesty and sacred nature of the forests her family came from, Alonso-Wynne often felt a bit out of place when she returned home to Chicago and she sought out ways to feel more connected to her family and ancestors.
One such endeavor took her to the American Indian Center. There, she found camaraderie with the Indigenous people working in the museum. “They greeted me as ‘cuz’ -which is a term of endearment short for ‘cousin’ among Indigenous people. I learned that they didn’t see borders. Borders are man-made. Knowledge systems and spirituality are passed throughout Turtle Island by all Native people sharing the first seeds,” Alonso-Wynne explains. Turtle Island refers to the continent of North America in various Indigenous oral histories. The story tells of a great turtle that holds the world on its back. For some Indigenous peoples, the turtle is considered an icon of life, longevity, and perseverance. It also provides the belief that we are all connected inextricably to the land and one another. This was a comforting message to Alonso-Wynne and she was further moved to pursue higher education and a career immersed in Indigenous studies.
Alonso-Wynne went on to obtain a degree in Associate of Arts in Anthropology from City Colleges of Chicago-Herold Washington College, and later a Bachelor of Arts with a Concentration in Native American Studies from the University of Chicago in 2015. She followed her education as an anthropology collections intern with The Field Museum and as a student researcher with Plymouth Colony Archeological Field School. Alonso-Wynne can now be found sharing her expertise and wisdom in the role as Curator of Indigenous Material Culture and Research at Plimoth Patuxet Museums. Working alongside Alonso-Wynne is Malissa Costa.
Costa is Afro-Indigenous and from the Mashpee Wampanoag and Cape Verdean communities here in Massachusetts. Raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota as well as Cape Cod, Costa grew up surrounded by the vibrant traditions, arts, and beliefs of her cultures. Costa’s upbringing in one of the largest Mashpee Wampanoag families instilled a deeply rooted and personally connected knowledge of Indigenous arts, crafts, herbalism, history, and language. After attending Cape Cod Community College and becoming a mother, Costa became a certified herbalist and Doula. She has a passion for horticulture and served as the horticultural specialist at Plimoth Patuxet where she specialized in the cultivation of the Wampanoag homesite gardens and Indigenous growing methods. She is now the Associate Director of Indigenous Outreach and Guest Experience where she develops programs that elevate Native perspectives.
A true knowledge keeper of Indigenous arts and crafts, Costa is always making, doing, and creating. “I always have a project I am working on,” Costa says as she holds up the beautiful beadwork she is currently adding to, “I am constantly multi-tasking and doing research and making sure to pass it on. I love making sure that the kids are included in the things I am doing.” Some of Costa’s many Indigenous artisanal skills include quillwork, beadwork, weaving, and harvesting and preparing Indigenous food. Costa and Alonso-Wynne began working together at Plimoth Patuxet Museums, and Alonso-Wynne also married Costa’s cousin, Phillip Wynn, a Mashpee Wampanoag.
Both women, being passionate about their Indigenous heritage and committed to advancing Indigenous sovereignty in their communities, found it a natural fit to form an initiative-driven collective where they could use their expertise, knowledge, wisdom, perspectives, and passion to elevate and share the beautiful voices, culture, and businesses of Indigenous people in the community. Costa and Alonso-Wynne decided name their collective after two sacred trees -the Juniper and the White Pine. “The Juniper tree is a sacred medicinal herb for many reasons to Indigenous communities in addition to being used for protection. It is also used to manage labor pains,” says Alonso-Wynne -which is something both women understand and respect as mothers. Costa further explains, “The White Pine is particularly sacred as Wampanoag stories say the Creator made the Wampanoag people from White Pine.” As a P’urhépecha, Alonso-Wynne is an ancestral guardian of the Pine-rich forests of Michoacán, Mexico. Combining the two trees and their shared passions and heritage, Juniper + Pine Indigenous Collective was born.
The mission statement of Juniper + Pine Indigenous Collective is to honor the land, culture, and traditions of Native people with meaningful action. Alonso-Wynne and Costa’s work center on cultural advocacy, creativity, and storytelling as essential ways to preserve and celebrate Native ways of life. Their storefront for Juniper + Pine is an extension of these values: A Space to uplift Indigenous voices and share authentic designs inspired by the land and the natural world. Each design is a reflection of deep connection to place, tradition, and community. Their shop says, “These are not just shirts -they are wearable stories, symbols of resilience, and pathways to deeper understanding.”
Juniper + Pine Indigenous Collective offers a wide variety of services and goods. Expert consultations, education, public speaking, collaboration, education in the art, music, and dance of Indigenous people, trades and crafts, merchandise, and advocacy are all under the proverbial umbrella of what the collective covers and reaches into. “We want to make sure that the culture of our communities is not reduced to mere research. It needs to be kept alive and passed on. Our goal is to make sure it passes on to the next seven generations. Colonization tried to hide our traditions, but we are resilient and we want to solidify these arts and crafts and traditions as permanent parts of our community,” says Alonso-Wynne.
Even in its first year, Juniper + Pine is making cultural waves throughout Massachusetts. They were asked to be guests at the New Britain Museum of American Art and recently spoke at the NEARA Fall 2025 Conference about Ancient Places, Living Histories, Stones, Stories, and Settlement. Costa and Alonso-Wynne delivered a brilliant educational presentation on The Wampanoag’s Relationship with the Natural World. “They came up to us after and said it was the best lecture they had ever had at this conference. We really connected with them,” says Costa. Local museums, historical societies, schools, libraires, and any group or organization can connect with Juniper + Pine for educational experiences and opportunities to learn about and cultivate Indigenous culture.
With a recent article featured in Edible Southeastern Massachusetts, collaborations with House of the Seven Gables about Native knowledge systems, an invitation to the Mohegan Wigwam Festival at the Tantaquidgeon Museum, participating in the Herring Run Festival, and many more appearances and collaborations, Juniper + Pine is well on its way to becoming a powerful force in the community. “It is our priority that we stand in solidarity with all different people who have been shaped by genocide and survival,” says Alonso-Wynne, “We have been shape by our blood memory and have found a way to pass on sacred lessons and knowledge in modern times. We made survival an art.”
When asked what challenges their collective faces in establishment and progress, Costa and Alonso-Wynne say that it is a struggle to be able to meet the many demands coming in for connection and collaboration that require travel. “We have lots of people and places that reach out and want us to come speak or do a consultation, but we are like, ‘Okay, but how will we get to you?’,” Costa explains. In addition to the cost of travel, both women are busy young mothers with careers and are learning to manage their time with family, work, and the collective. As opportunities continue to come about for Juniper + Pine, financial burdens and obligations will be able to match the immeasurable potential they offer, but it will take steady community engagement and support.
With their growing collective, Costa and Alonso-Wynne have a long-term goal of being able to purchase land and use it as a homestead to promote, teach, and preserve Indigenous land practices, growing methods, cultivate heirloom and heritage crops, and foster a strong arts and crafts center. “We need to reclaim our place in the land in terms of ownership and stewardship,” Alonso-Wynne explains, “These lands are ancestral hunting grounds, waterways, and homesites where we know how to honor and coexist with the environments and the living things there. We hunt and gather with symbiotic respect and understand that we are distinct, but we are also all woven together.” The disparity between the Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities with property ownership and division is due to centuries of development and demographics being shaped and controlled by colonial mindsets. These ownership opportunities have been disproportionately denied to and kept from Indigenous communities as their lands were stolen and their people displaced by locals, laws, and government for centuries. These injustices carry on even in modern times.
With so much on the shoulders of Juniper + Pine -its mission, its potential, its heart and soul, and the ancestral energy at the foundation, it is a fortunate thing that its capable creators are Costa and Alonso-Wynne. These two Indigenous women are the new generation of powerhouse figures in the community. Their kindness is matched by their intelligence and talent. The gift of a simple conversation with them is guaranteed to inspire and set one at ease while also proving to be, to put it mildly, eye-opening.
Though young, they exude wisdom and clarity that is palpably ancient and rare in these oft out-of-touch modern times. Yet, in spite of their permeating connection to the past, they are ever so present and keenly aware of how their heritage should be received, respected, and given room and relevance to thrive in current day society. They are the tangible echoes of their ancestors and if you hear them, you will hear the story of survival. Here in New England, the Indigenous community deserves reform and attention in the long-accepted, highly-flawed narrative. Their story is often told inaccurately, incompletely, and through the accounts of people who were colonizers with agendas to uphold and points of view that differed greatly in perspective and understanding. The best way to learn about the local Indigenous community, no matter where you live, is to ask them. They are still here, and they have so much to say.
Thanksgiving in Vermont
In the Fall of 1963, our Mom received a call from her Father and stepmother, Nellie, inviting us all to their home in Vermont for Thanksgiving. Mom was overjoyed as she hadn’t seen them in over a year and had been especially missing her dad. My sister Penny was thirteen that year and I was sixteen. Neither one of us were too happy about having to go to Vermont. Penny had always wanted a horse and now that she had one she didn’t want to leave him. I had a boyfriend and I wanted to spend time with him. Our brother Dave was ten and he didn’t care one way or another about going anywhere. Our little sister Barb was seven and she was all excited about going; she loved traveling from a very early age. Grampa Spud, who lived next door to us, assured Penny he would take good care of her horse while she was gone and would put him in his barn with the cows and Mike the sheep. Several days before Thanksgiving we headed to Underhill, Vermont.
When we arrived, Grandpa had dad park in the garage in case it snowed. As the four of us kids tumbled out of the car, Grandpa’s arms were open wide and there was a big smile on his face. When he saw mom, his face lit up as he folded her into his arms. Penny and I stole a glance at one another, both of us now very aware of how much this meant to both Mom and Grandpa. Nellie came out to greet us as well and between all of us we were able to get our luggage into the house. Nellie had an upstairs room for Penny and I with a bathroom nearby, a downstairs room off the living room for Mom and Dad and a small room near them for David and Barb. The house wasn’t too big or small, just cozy with picturesque views from each lovely window.
The mood was jovial as we sat around the supper table listening to the adults. All four of us were quiet, taking in the conversation while eating some of the tenderest chicken we ever had. Mom was telling us that when she was growing up, Grandpa was a clock maker and when she and her sister, our Aunt Phyllis, went to bed at night, the sound of the clocks lulled them to sleep. I could tell from the looks my siblings gave me they didn’t want clocks lulling them to sleep.
When I woke the next morning, I wanted to be the first one in the shower near the room Penny and I were sleeping in. At our house there was only one bathroom and shower and it seemed I was always last and sometimes didn’t get a shower at all. So, before Penny or brother Dave could occupy the room, I grabbed my clothes and locked myself in the bathroom. The next thing I heard was a whole lot of yelling coming from downstairs. Then it sounded like dad yelling up the stairs. I ignored it all so I could get into the shower before anyone else. The yelling didn’t stop but neither did I. I jumped in the shower, lathered my hair with shampoo and turned on the water. I screamed! It was freezing; there was no hot water! The next thing I heard was laughing. I started laughing at myself. What else could I do but step into that freezing cold water to get the shampoo out of my hair and that’s what I did. It’s not like they didn’t try to warn me; the next time I hear yelling, I’ll pay attention.
Everyone was in the kitchen when I came downstairs. I was well-teased about the shower while I helped myself to some breakfast. At seven years old, Barb was already bored and asked if we were going to do something fun. Grandpa smiled and asked her what she’d like to do. Barb asked him if he had a mountain in his town. He smiled and said he did and he’d take whoever wanted to see it when he went to the store for Gramma Nellie. Mom spoke up, suggesting we all help clean up the kitchen and we’ll all go. We made short work of it and piled into their station wagon.
There was enough room in the car for Barb and Dave to sit in the front seat with Grandpa and Dad while Mom, Nellie, Penny and I sat in the back seat. Vermont is a beautiful State and in 1963, Underhill was a sparsely populated rural community. When we got to a place where there was an excellent view of Mt. Mansfield, Barb was so excited she wanted to get out of the car; we all followed. We were in awe of it where our grandparents and parents had seen it many times before we were born; mom, dad and grandpa being avid skiers when they were younger. Barb pointed to it saying, “Look, it goes all the way up to heaven!” We all chuckled a bit at that but from where we were standing, it did look like that. Grandpa told us it was the highest summit within the State, the peak elevation being four thousand, three hundred and ninety-three feet. We piled back into the car and went to the market to get the food we’d need for the next few days and for Thanksgiving.
That afternoon after lunch, Mom, Nellie and us girls helped with baking pies, breads and other desserts. Nellie put a big tray of chocolate chip cookies on the table to keep us away from the other desserts, especially the men who kept coming back into the kitchen. Nellie and mom made a beef stew and set it on the stove to simmer for supper. Grandpa, Dad, and Dave came back into the kitchen and asked if anyone would like to go for a walk with them before sunset. We all headed for the coat rack. We followed our parents and grandparents through the Vermont woods that I thought were as beautiful as our woods back home. The sun shone through the trees and I enjoyed listening to the four adults talking and having a good time. When the sun got low in the sky it lit up the woods in the most beautiful colors. As we turned around to go back to the house, I heard mom and grandpa talking about his new hobby. I got curious enough to ask him if he still made clocks. He smiled and said when he had made enough money he didn’t have to make anymore clocks, he was able to retire and enjoy hobbies like oil painting. I asked him what his new hobby was and he said he would show me when we got back to the house.
When supper was over and dishes were done, Grandpa announced he made a promise, as he smiled at me, and asked if everyone would follow him. At the very back of the house he opened a door and turned on the lights that revealed a good-sized room with a big picture window that looked out onto the spacious backyard. In front of us was an oversized wooden desk with deep drawers on either side, a long workbench that was built into the desk and a big long shelf across the top of the desk that contained beautifully sculptured birds of all kinds including herons and cranes. He announced that this was his new hobby. Nellie stood behind him, smiling. We were all in awe and so impressed with his flawless and beautiful work, words of praise came out of us all. Nellie also told us that a woman who is the editor of a local paper asked if she could come to interview him and she brought a photographer with her who took pictures of Grandpa and the birds, all in color, that were in the paper. We were all so proud and very happy for Grandpa.
The next morning Mom and Nellie were up early to get the turkey stuffed and in the oven. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with them and Mom and Grandpa stayed in touch more often and we got together with them yearly, sometimes in summer instead of fall.
Both Harold (Grandpa) and Nellie Austin were creative people. Nellie made doll furniture out of Quaker Oats containers, couches and chairs for our dolls when we were growing up and covered them in pretty material. When we were grown with kids of our own, she made us Santa and Mrs. Claus standing figurines using dish soap containers as the Ivory liquid bottles back in the 50’s had a better shape. She filled them with something that gave them weight and made Santa and Mrs. Santa outfits for them. If I learned nothing else, I learned more about both sets of grandparents by spending time with them and getting to know them better; a precious gift I’m totally thankful for.
Silver Lake Students Take a Hike
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.
Silver Lake Girls Soccer Playoff Games
A hat trick from Caitlin Snow powered the No. 31 Silver Lake girls’ soccer team to a 3–1 preliminary-round win over No. 34 Bishop Stang at Sirrico Field, earning the Lakers a 125-mile trip west for a Round of 32 match-up with second-seeded Longmeadow Lancers. The Lancers, who entered that game with only two losses, ended Silver Lake’s run with a 3–1 decision. As the Lakers graduate 10 seniors, the program turns its focus to next fall, supported by a solid core of returning talent, including freshman standout Avery Ross and junior midfielder Kyleigh Walsh.
Silver Lake Hosts Scituate for Senior Night
The Silver Lake Boys varsity soccer team celebrated its 11 seniors on Senior Night with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Scituate under the lights at Sirrico Field. Honored were goalkeeper Josh Peck; Captains Ryan McAuliffe, Kyle Ross, and Jack Lynch; along with Conor Burns, Max Stewart, Cam Lydon, Tyler Ruisi, Josh Howell, Jack Kelly, and Jose Fernandes. The Lakers closed out their season with a 7-8-3 record, highlighted by competitive wins over Patriot League rivals Quincy, Marshfield, Whitman-Hanson, Plymouth South, and North Quincy. The tie against Scituate capped off a season marked by grit, teamwork, and steady play across the pitch.
Letting Heaven and Nature Sing
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.
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