Driving along bustling Plymouth Street in Halifax you might take easy notice of the big box store, the food establishments, and the local businesses lining the main road in the town. But if you slow down a bit and look around you will not be able to miss spotting the picturesque Nessralla Farm stand tucked into the town scene. With a storefront flanked by two large Paperbark Maple trees, dozens of rows of long tables bursting with colorful flowers of all kinds, a sign advertising a local Lebanese festival, and hanging baskets heavy laden with curtains of cascading blooms, it is impossible to resist pulling in to further investigate such a cheery sight.
The inside of Nessralla’s Farm stand is no less charming and stocked with all the jewel-colored produce delights one would expect to find grown on a farm, as well as more preserves, jams, jellies, sauces, and handmade, local gifts than could be accounted for in one trip. Honey from their own hives, fresh local bread, baskets tipped on their sides to display an abundance of onions, garlic, and sweet potatoes and fridges packed with local meats, more produce, and fresh juices leave one inadvertently planning dinner for the evening.
All of this local bounty is the legacy of John Nessralla, who alongside his brother Mansur, are the head farmers and proprietors of Nessralla’s Farm in Halifax. If the beautiful farm store isn’t inspiring enough to visit, then learning about the family behind the operation will quickly make Nessralla’s Farm your favorite local destination. Nessralla immigrated to America in 1968 from Lebanon where his father and uncles were passionate farmers growing fruit, flowers, and vegetables. When his uncle and father came to Halifax they built their greenhouses on the site of the old Sturtevant Farms, at the intersection of Routes 58 and 106. Little by little they began to expand. They started Nessralla’s in Marshfield and took over Penniman Hill Farms in Hingham. Other members of their farm-skilled family have similar businesses in Wareham and Avon. Nessralla spent his youth following his uncle and father around their farms, observing their techniques and soaking up all the knowledge he could. “I learned from my father. Not by a book but by watching him and being out there every day.”
Nessralla certainly gleaned a wealth of knowledge enhanced by what must be a dash of inherited genetic instinct for farming because today Nessralla offers just about everything on the farm’s 55 acres on Hemlock Lane -from annuals and perennials to a wide range of produce and honey from the hives on site. “We grow about 80% of the flowers we sell here. We use greenhouses as that environment is easier to control.” The crops are further enhanced by the farm’s ten beehives kept on the growing fields. “We need the bees to grow this much. We make raw, natural honey, a light and dark honey, with nothing added,” Nessralla explains, “It will crystalize sometimes and that means its real.”
Nessralla is not only dedicated to farming, but dedicated to turning out top quality products with more than a price tag connected to them. It is easy to see in every voluptuous flower pot and the nearly picture-perfect produce displayed like an edible rainbow that nothing less than wonderful gets past Nessralla’s discerning evaluation. “We are not like one of the big stores. I won’t sell you something that I would not take home with me,” Nessralla says, “We offer people the best of what we have.” When asked what sets his grocery- filled store apart from others in the area, Nessralla points out that the quality of small-scale farming can’t be matched in mass-produced goods. “Our products look visibly different. You have to care about what you do and you can see that in what we sell -we care about it very much. We try to get things as picture perfect as we can. You can’t find this kind of quality in a store.”
Nessralla’s enthusiasm for offering only the best is not just a good business tactic, but downright enjoyable. When asked if there is any other profession he would have considered had farming not worked out he quickly says, “No. Farming is all I have ever known. I would not want to do anything else.” Nessralla also says he does not have a favorite crop to grow. “Everything. I like to grow everything. I also like to experiment growing new things.” One crop Nessralla is particularly proud of, “Mums. I grow 10-12 different colors of mums,” he says showing a picture on his phone of a tidy, black landscape fabric field with hundreds of healthy-looking young mum plants in pots being watered. Nessralla also explains that they used to grow pumpkins and corn, but have since stopped for crops less subject to nature’s harsh dealings.
If there is one life lesson Nessralla has learned from farming it is that farming is not a sure thing. “Farming is a gamble. One day it’s nice, the next day its 100 degrees or flooding rain. It is like rolling the dice. One year we had six inches of rain in August, and another six inches of rain in September – our pumpkins were out floating in the field. We lost them all. It is a huge investment to plant, say corn, and then lose it all. You have to adapt to what nature does.”
Still, Nessralla says that farming is not to be shied away from. Considering that Nessralla’s foundation for farming was built on the example of his family before him, he realizes that farming is something that must be passed on to the next generations. Nessralla’s also aims to show what a local farm can offer in a community. “It is where our food comes from. We need it. Everybody should learn about farming.”
Nessralla sees modern day habits coming between the required hands-on experience that farming requires. “Society is too into gadgets. You can’t watch a video or read something online and learn to farm. You have to be out there -weeding, watering, picking produce -if you aren’t out there in it you won’t learn it.”
Nessralla is certainly one to learn from as during the interview I am given several tips and recommendations for various gardening woes and profitable crop ideas with visible joy in the exchange of his freely shared knowledge. It is apparent that Nessralla truly loves what he does. “I don’t ‘go to work’. I enjoy it. Sometimes I am up at 1 a.m. to go to Boston to pick up produce and then at 5:30 a.m I am out in the field watering the mums. It is hard work but I enjoy it. If people come into the store and they see what we have and they like what they see, that makes me proud. That is what I love.”
As summer winds down, Nessralla says to be on the lookout for his beautiful mums for fall but also says he has plans to eventually bring back a tradition that Nessralla’s used to offer to the community. “I am hoping to do the corn maze again. It is a lot of fun and it’s located in an isolated, beautiful area that is quiet. I just need to be able to find help in running it. But I would like to do this again.”
Whatever the endeavor Nessralla and his family undertake, one thing is sure -it will be done remarkably well, with passion and purpose, and with a true love for the community. What can the community do for Nessralla’s? “Participate in our farm and business. We are not like the big stores. It is all done by us and we can offer quality that they can’t.”
As I leave with an extraordinarily large and vibrant pink Mandevilla plant in a hanging basket and a mental shopping list for next week’s dinners based on clocking several tantalizing jars of sauce, Lebanese bread, and stunning produce grown minutes away, I can’t help but feel that I am also bringing home a bit of Nessralla’s joy because his love for his life’s work in embedded in every product found at Nessralla’s Farm -and that is something that mass production and money can’t buy.
House Committee on Federal Funding holds hearing
Hearing was held jointly with the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development and focused on tourism, arts, culture, museums and libraries
The House Committee on Federal Funding, Policy and Accountability held a hearing on the Trump Administration’s impact on the tourism, arts and culture and library sectors in Massachusetts. The hearing was held jointly with the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development. The hearing featured testimony from libraries including the Boston Public Library, the Cambridge Public Library, the American Library Association and the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. Testifiers from the arts and culture space included museums such as Mass MoCA, the Peabody Essex Museum, the Museum of African American History, the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, and organizations such as the New England Museum Association, Mass Cultural Council, New England Foundation for the Arts, MassCreative and Mass Humanities. Testifiers from the tourism sector included the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism, MeetBoston and a panel of representatives from three regional tourism councils (RTC).
“Massachusetts is home to some of the world’s best museums and libraries, most vibrant artistic and cultural communities, and is a top destination for tourists, both domestic and international. Just five months into this presidential administration, we are seeing devastating effects to these critical sectors that make Massachusetts unique and drives our economy,” said Representative Kathy LaNatra, Chair of the House Committee on Federal Funding, Policy and Accountability (D – Kingston). “This hearing was an opportunity for both the Legislature and the public to better understand the effect that federal funding cuts, program eliminations, tariffs and political rhetoric are having on tourism, culture and the arts in the Commonwealth. I want to thank my co-Chairs, Senator Paul Mark and Representative Sean Garballey for their continued leadership in this space and for their partnership in hosting this hearing.”
Millions of dollars in federal spending cuts have already been made across the Commonwealth, with many stemming from the elimination of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) in Executive Order 14238, as well as the 35% proposed cut to the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Grants supporting artistic, cultural, and historic organizations, as well as libraries have been abruptly rescinded, typically through a non-governmental email account in the middle of the night. While some have been reinstated through court decisions, those cases are still playing out in the judicial system, leaving many organizations uncertain of where there funding stands.
The tourism industry in Massachusetts is a top driver of economic activity in the Commonwealth. MOTT Deputy Director Ticotsky testified that there was $23.6 billion in direct spending from domestic and international visitors each year, and See Plymouth President Lea Filson testified that tourism is the number one industry in Plymouth and Plymouth County. Despite strong projections last year that international and domestic visitation would see strong growth this year, projections have changed from a near 10% increase from last year to a near 10% decrease. Among the reasons cited for this change were the political rhetoric coming from the Presidential Administration, the concern over visa crackdowns and issues at the border, leading students, workers and visitors not to enter the United States, as well as the funding cuts to organizations, such as BrandUSA that support local destination marketing organizations such as MeetBoston and RTC’s.
The Committee on Federal Funding, Policy and Accountability was created to monitor the effects of federal policy decisions on Massachusetts, particularly in areas like education, public health, veterans’ services, civil rights, and climate policy. The committee will engage with residents, businesses and stakeholders who have been impacted by President Trump’s actions, a process that will allow the House to better understand how to respond to the developments in Washington.
For questions about the Committee, concerns about Federal funding or policy that you would like directed to the Committee, or to submit written testimony to the committee, please email Christopher.Jean@mahouse.gov.
A Tale of Two Transitions
The town of Halifax is once again undergoing a significant leadership transition, with Town Administrator Cody Haddad having recently resigned at the end of July 2025 and Select Board Chair John Bruno not seeking reelection last May. This current transition, however, stands in stark contrast to the turbulent period Halifax experienced in late 2022, marking a notable shift in the town’s civic atmosphere.
In August 2022, Halifax was plunged into an unprecedented crisis when two members of its three-person Select Board, Ashley DiSesa and Alexander Meade, and the new Town Administrator, Marty Golightly, all resigned on the same day. This left Jonathan Selig as the sole remaining Selectman, holding biweekly meetings and daily operations as a “one-man band” for 76 days. Selig noted at the time, “It’s a little strange, I’m not going to lie,” but stated he was “starting to get the hang of being a one-man band here”. Procedurally that involved regularly making a motion, seconding his own motion, and voting 1-0 to approve it.
Among the tensions preceding the departures was a proposed renovation to a cranberry bog by Morse Brothers, Inc., that residents believed would overwhelm their neighborhood. Meetings from April to August 2022 grew “increasingly hostile,” with neighbors shouting over representatives fearing potential damage to roads, danger to children, water contamination, and decreased home values. Some even claimed the bog project was a “coverup for a strip mine”.
The resigning officials cited a deeply “toxic” environment. Town Administrator Marty Golightly, who had only been appointed in mid-July 2022, stated it “wasn’t the right fit” for him. He had previously faced “personal attacks and threats” in his role as Director of Public Health in Abington during the pandemic, which made working in his community uncomfortable. Select Board Chair Ashley DiSesa described enduring a “storm of misogyny, sexual harassment, and underestimation by a select group of loud-mouth residents”. Co-chair Alexander Meade reported being “threatened,” “verbally attacked,” and at one point needed to use an alternate exit to evade an “angry crowd” outside Town Hall. He noted the emergence of “misplaced negative rhetoric and a mob mentality”. The emergency meeting where these resignations occurred lasted only about four minutes.
With basic government operations undermined, Halifax relied on a “skeleton-crew government”. Town Accountant Sandra Nolan stepped in as acting top official, despite having “no interest” in the Town Administrator role, simply because she felt it was “in the best interest of the town”. Police staffing was at a “difficult level”, and though candidates were identified Selig opted not to swear them in solo. The remaining town government largely focused on “rubber-stamp items such as paying bills, filling payroll, and ‘making sure the lights stay on’”. Selig acknowledged the “tough times” but expressed pride in how town workers “leaned in” to help.
The crisis concluded with a special election on November 8, 2022, held concurrently with the state’s mid-term election, to fill the two vacant Select Board seats. John Bruno, a former selectman for 15 years and town moderator for nearly a decade, ran unopposed for one seat, and Naja Nessralla was elected to the other, bringing the Select Board back to a full three members for the first time in 76 days. The new board’s “priority #1” was to find a new town administrator. A search committee, including the Town Accountant, Town Clerk, Police and Fire Chiefs, and three citizens-at-large, was formed to screen candidates.
Fast forward to 2025, and Halifax faces a different scenario. Town Administrator Cody Haddad’s resignation is a personal decision as he returns to Dartmouth. This departure is being managed with a clear transition plan, with Haddad giving ample notice and committing to assist during the transition. Select Board members have universally praised Haddad’s two-and-a-half-year tenure, crediting him with bringing “stability” to the town and charting a new course. Selectman Jonathan Selig noted that under Haddad’s leadership, the town shifted from, “putting out fires in the now to thinking down the road”. Board member Thomas Pratt stated he “always felt prepared” and “never surprised” with Haddad at the helm, calling him a “shining star”. Haddad himself noted a positive shift in town culture, experiencing “tremendous” support from residents, contrasting with the “vocal minority”.
The transition is marked by continuity, not chaos. Robert Fennessy, a former Town Administrator in Carver and Kingston with over 40 years of municipal and law enforcement experience, has been appointed as Interim Town Administrator. Fennessy was expected to get “up to speed within a week” and has expressed his intent to support the board and staff without disrupting ongoing operations. He is interested only in the interim position, not the permanent role. The board aims for an overlap between administrators to ensure a smooth handover.
The search for Halifax’s next permanent Town Administrator has already begun, with Haddad initiating contact with search firms for proposals. A new search committee has been formed, composed of citizens, a Finance Committee member, and the Town Clerk. The goal is to have a candidate in place by mid-August.
While the immediate leadership transitions are vastly different, it’s worth noting that Halifax continues to grapple with underlying community issues. For example, the ongoing dispute with Morse Brothers, Inc. over the cranberry bog project and alleged illegal sand mining activities, which was a flashpoint in 2022, resurfaced in 2024 with the Select Board issuing a cease-and-desist order and a $30,000 fine for multiple violations of the town’s Soil Removal By-law. Residents continue to express concerns about truck traffic, road damage, and water quality issues related to the operations. Additionally, the town is still dealing with challenges related to the MBTA Communities Act and discussions about a potential override for the fiscal year 2027 budget due to rising costs. These issues highlight that while the town’s governance has achieved stability, many challenges remain.
The contrast between these two periods highlights Halifax’s journey through challenging times to a more stable and collaborative environment. As the town embarks on finding its next permanent Town Administrator, the experience of 2022 serves as a stark reminder of past difficulties, while the current orderly transition reflects a significant improvement in town governance and community relations. The Board of Selectmen even named Selig chair, succeeding Bruno. This time he chairs the meetings with other members alongside him.
Roger Williams University grads Graduates
BRISTOL, RI – Michael Beals of Kingston and Samantha Kelley of Halifax received their degrees in May as part of the Class of 2025.
Roger Williams University is a comprehensive university with a liberal arts core and professional programs, with campuses on the coast of Bristol and in the state capital of Providence, RI.
Across eight schools of study, we provide real-world learning focused on social and environmental justice, small classes, and direct access to faculty and staff
Kingston BOS approves ‘hybrid hiring’
During their July 15 meeting, the Kingston Board of Selectmen unanimously approved adopting a Massachusetts Civil Service Hybrid Model that allows the police department to hire officers through lateral transfers while maintaining traditional civil service requirements.
The Local Register Hiring Program, authorized under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 31, provides an additional hiring option for the police department without abandoning the existing civil service system. Lieutenant John Bateman of the Kingston Police Department explained that the program addresses ongoing hiring challenges across the commonwealth.
“It’s a good option for the town,” Bateman said. “There’s issues with hiring all throughout the commonwealth, and to be able to retain people, sometimes it’s fiscally responsible to be able to take someone as, per se, a lateral, take them on and hire them from a non-civil service town.”
The hybrid model requires that no more than 50% of officers can be hired outside the traditional civil service process after five years. Town Administrator Keith Hickey emphasized this provides flexibility while maintaining standards.
“It allows for us to attract, potentially recruit and hire a sworn officer for a lateral transfer, where right now we may not be able to, or may not be able to as easily,” Hickey said. “So it just makes life a little bit easier for the police department to keep their sworn officer fully staffed.”
The board also authorized the Police Chief and Town Administrator to engage in impact bargaining with affected labor units regarding the new hiring program.
In other personnel matters, the board appointed Krystal Rich as Assistant Town Treasurer with an anticipated start date of July 28. The appointment followed a competitive interview process conducted by Town Treasurer Ken Moalli.
Board member Carl Pike had requested to see the candidate’s resume, stating he wanted assurance about qualifications when asked to approve hiring decisions, but questioned whether it was necessary to involve the board in all hiring.
“I believe that the Board of Selectmen should be involved when you’re hiring department managers or directors, whatever we call them, but that the human resources group, the department heads, the town administrator should have authority to hire some of these lower positions without coming before the Board of Selectmen,” Pike said.
The board approved a temporary road closure request from Christopher Kastanek for Foxworth Lane on Saturday, Aug. 30, from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. The closure includes conditions requiring emergency vehicle access, proper barricade placement, and neighborhood notification.
Multiple one-day liquor licenses received approval for Forty Second Brew Co. events, including a Gears and Beers event at Jones River Storage on July 26 and South Coast Cruisers events at Kingston Collection on July 19, 26, and Aug. 2.
The board also approved an amendment to a pilot agreement with Kearsarge Kingston LLC for solar panels on the town landfill. The modification clarifies language regarding land ownership, as Kingston owns the property being leased to the solar company. Hickey confirmed the amendment is revenue neutral.
Four individuals received appointments as special police officers through Dec. 31, 2025: Scott Peterson, Edward McDonald, Kaitlyn Mori, and David Hurley. These positions allow officers to work details and provide additional coverage when needed.
The board approved end-of-year line item transfers totaling approximately $250,000 after Finance Committee review. Pike noted the transfers represent less than 1% of the annual budget excluding education costs.
“Anybody that thinks they can budget within 1% on an annual basis, I’d like to hire them,” Pike said. “So I think it’s a good job.”
A special town meeting timeline received approval for Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. The timing aligns with Massachusetts School Building Association requirements for the school roof project.
During his administrator’s report, Hickey announced several upcoming initiatives. The Kingston School Committee plans to request creation of a school zone on Second Brook Street in front of Elementary and Intermediate Schools, with full police department support.
Street, Trees, and Parks will repave sidewalks on Main Street from Elm Street to Summer Street using Chapter 90 funds. The temporary repairs will address tree root damage and safety concerns.
“We’ve had a couple of people trip and fall, and we want to address that before it comes to liability,” Hickey said.
Hickey also reported initial discussions with Veterans Agent Sara Lansing and the Duxbury Town Manager about forming a Veterans district between the two communities. However, he expressed concerns about increased costs, as guidelines would require adding a full-time administrative position to support the Veterans Agent.
The regionalization study committee continues meeting with UMass Boston’s Collins Center to examine potential school regionalization with Plympton and Halifax, regionalizing Silver Lake through all grade levels.
“The Collins Center estimates it’ll take about 18 months, so we won’t see anything at next spring’s town meeting,” Hickey explained. He stressed that the study will stick to the facts. “It’ll be objective, giving people the information they need to make their own decisions,” Hickey said.
The study will look at population trends, financial forecasts, and get input from staff, teachers, and administrators across the school districts involved. Selectman Melissa Bateman highlighted the importance of including school employees in the study group.
The Collins Center plans to kick off the study with public meetings in each town to gather community input. They’ll likely present their final recommendations to all participating towns together.
Hickey pointed out that the study could have extra benefits beyond just looking at regionalization. “It might give us useful insights into budgeting and staffing for all three schools going forward,” he said.
Board members discussed scheduling collaborative budget meetings with finance committees and school committees from both Kingston and Silver Lake regional schools for fiscal year 2027 planning. These discussions aim to create unified budget presentations for next spring’s town meeting.
The board concluded the public session before entering executive session for non-union contract discussion.
Not your grandmother’s library…
If you still think of libraries as places of books and mandatory silence, all you need to do is stop by the Holmes Public Library in Halifax and speak with Cataloging Librarian and Assistant Director, Maria Bumpus, to learn that this idea could not be further from the truth. As you enter the Holmes Library you are greeted by a glass case exhibiting impressive Lego creations and an elegant display of folded paper cranes above the circulation desk dangling like crystals on a chandelier -evidence that a great deal more than reading and book circulation takes place here. Seated at a cozy table in a bright corner surrounded by colorful tomes and meticulously organized shelves, Bumpus speaks with tenderness and pride about the library she has been expertly and lovingly curating and maintaining for the last ten years.
The love of libraries was instilled in Bumpus from a young age. She recalls frequenting the Taunton Library in her youth that was located upstairs from an old fire station. Though finding a vast collection of books hasn’t changed from when she was visiting the library as a child, many other aspects have. “Back then, quiet was demanded. You went to the library to read and that’s it. Now, on any given day, we have children laughing with puppet shows going on and adults meeting and chatting for book club. The library is a place of community more than quiet.”
Bumpus’ fondness for libraries was enhanced as a mother of four. She found the library a vital resource for her children not only in exposing them to books but in helping them socialize. Bumpus, a geography major from Salem State University, became so enamored with the library that she sought employment there and in 1993 she began working at the Bridgewater Public Library. Twenty years later she moved to the Ames Free Library in Easton and worked as the part-time circulation assistant. Following this, Bumpus decided to try something very different from a public library and she joined the library staff of Massasoit Community College. The academic library of the college proved quite a different experience from public libraries -largely due to a quick turn around of patrons who were usually at the school for only two years. Public libraries, she points out, often have the same patrons for many years and the librarians get to know them well. Following her time at Massasoit Community College, Bumpus found a position at the Holmes Public Library working at the circulation desk. Ten years later and she now runs the cataloging department full time and is the assistant director of the library.
Bumpus explains that her role as the cataloger is essentially being the curator and collector for the library. She must also be a scrupulous perfectionist when it comes to the details of numbers, authors, book titles, and the systematic organization of materials. “I like the evolution of my career,” says Bumpus, “I started with children and patrons, now I purchase books and keep the collection organized, flowing, and relevant. Cataloging is unique in that it is just me and the books.”
Bumpus also realizes that what she collects for the library plays a crucial role in maintaining its relevance in the community. Bumpus purchases the materials for the Holmes Library from Ingram Content Group with an annual budget of $46,000. These purchases include books, eBooks, magazines, DVDs, CDs, and all offered forms of media. Bumpus is always on the lookout for works to acquire by studying best seller lists, receiving emails from companies like BookBub, and being made aware of books that are making a public splash through social media. She also loves to glean ideas from patron requests and book club discussions. “I want to make sure I am adding things that are relevant to the community.” Bumpus also realizes that keeping up with the latest trends is essential in encouraging the community to be engaged in the library. “Right now, for instance, graphic novels are very popular with the kids. They have rather replaced comic books so I make sure to have lots of graphic novels to offer our younger guests.”
In addition to offering materials through various medias, the Holmes Library offers free community access to computers, free internet, printers, and fax machines. “Some of the patrons do not have access to computers at home or they are not quite computer literate. We offer that access and assistance to the community.” Bumpus explains that the libraries computers are also used in job searching and collecting unemployment while seeking work. “To apply for jobs now everything has to be done online. Bumpus also points out that the public computers are used for things like genealogy which is a growing interest in the community. “We have a genealogy program that meets once a month. This digital dive into ancestry has become one of our most popular programs.”
In addition to materials and machines available at the Holmes Library, experiences and community engagement are equally important and focused on. “We offer many programs for all ages and interests. We just had a ukulele player come perform for the children and they brought in a ukulele for each child so that they could experience the instrument for themselves. Today we are having a Zentangle class which shows children that drawing can be meditative as well as entertaining.
We have story times, music, and crafts for kids and then we have things like the COA Book Club for seniors.” Bumpus says she also hosts two Historical Fiction Book Clubs at the library because when she started the club, she had four people and now she has 21, so she had to split the group. “We are welcoming to all in the community. The library is a place for books but also a place to socialize and learn. We often become emotionally invested in and connected to our patrons, knowing many on a first name basis after years of seeing them.
Bumpus is not exaggerating when she says the Holmes Library is invested in meeting the needs of the community. One of the most important and meaningful services the library provides is the Bookmobile. This is a free service for the town of Halifax where library employees drive around to visit the homes of those who are housebound and unable to attend the library. They deliver new books, collect the books from the last visit, and check in on the patrons who, oftentimes, don’t get many visitors. “Books give people something to do -to look forward to,” says Bumpus.
Keeping the elderly, adults and children in the community active in the library is not, however, the libraries greatest challenge. When asked what age group she would like to see more of at the Holmes Library she answered immediately, “Tweens. It is quite difficult to appeal to that particular age group. They are gaining their independence and their social life is increasingly important,” Bumpus is always looking for ways to make reading and the library exciting. She wishes tweens would start to view books rather like they do movies -thinking about them and talking about them amongst their peers.
The library is seeing an increase in reading enthusiasts due to the new phenomena of “BookTok” and “Bookstagram” which are beginning to make reading “cool” again in this digital age with entertaining bibliophile influencers touting the latest reads with accompanying reviews, skits, art work related to the books, and discussions (some quite heated) among followers. For Bumpus, the most enjoyable of these modern-day offerings in the book world are the author interviews. “It is wonderful to be able to learn about the thought process behind any given book -especially from the author. Many new authors are rising from obscurity through social media such as thriller author, Freida McFadden and Colleen Hoover. All were unheard of until the social media frenzy and now their books are constantly sought out by library guests.”
Whether increased admiration of books comes through social media or book club discussions the Holmes Library is always available and ready to offer in person connections as well as materials and resources to satiate everyone’s literary appetite and interests. “From ages 3 to 103, we offer something to everyone in the community,” Bumpus assures. One thing she will take away rather than leave behind when she reaches the end of her library career someday: An extensive reading list for herself that she has built up for years. “I also collect book recommendations for myself through my work and the patrons and now I have a retirement reading list that will take me the rest of my life to read.”
For now, Bumpus is busy in her constant efforts to make the Holmes Public Library a place or order, resources, learning, and community. “Libraries are one of our most important learning centers and gathering places in our communities. I am happy to share the Holmes Library with our community.” As I leave with my eye on a few new releases and as the sentimental sight of the children’s area instantly evokes memories of weekly storytime with my children when they were little. I can easily agree with Albert Einstein when he said, “The only thing that you absolutely need to know is the location of the library.” I invite anyone reading this to venture to 470 Plymouth St. in Halifax and you will undoubtedly discover what makes the library relevant to you.
NESB announces Cate Adams as Chief Commercial Banking Officer
North Easton Savings Bank welcomes Cate Adams to the Bank’s Senior Management Team. In her role as Chief Commercial Banking Officer, Adams is responsible for the overall management of the Bank’s Commercial Banking department, which includes leading a growing team of Commercial and Small Business Banking experts.
Adams is taking the helm of a growing and successful business unit, injecting her expertise to further cement NESB as the go-to bank for area and regional businesses.
Throughout her career, Adams has been passionate about working at mutually owned banks and using their community first ethos to develop long-standing partnerships with businesses of all sizes.
“We are excited to welcome Cate to lead our growing commercial line of business,” stated President and CEO, Rich Spencer. “We believe that Cate’s passion and expertise will help cement NESB as the leading community bank partner for businesses located in New England.”
“This is an exciting time to join NESB, as I truly believe we’re building something special here for area businesses and the families that power them,” stated Adams. “We have a great team here at the Bank; it’s really a standout organization that I’m proud to be a part of. I’m eager to build on its past successes as we continue to lead as the community bank of choice in the area.”
As a passionate supporter of local communities, Adams has been actively involved in several nonprofit organizations. She volunteers with the Duxbury Beach Reservation, and has previously served on the Board of Directors at South Shore Chamber of Commerce, South Shore Stars and acted as Treasurer for the Duxbury Student Union.
A graduate of Bridgewater State University, Adams continued her education at the ABA Stonier Graduate School of Banking along with participating in the Wharton Leadership Program, Banking and Financial Support Services at the Wharton School.
Adams is a resident of Duxbury.
, Massachusetts, prior to joining North Easton Savings Bank, Adams was the Commercial Banking Team Leader at South Shore Bank, Senior Vice President Commercial Lending at Eastern Bank, and a Vice President, Middle Market and Commercial and Enterprise Banking at Citizens Bank.
About North Easton Savings Bank
An award-winning financial institution with over $1.6 billion in assets, North Easton Savings Bank has a proven track record of growing the community through fair banking practices, financial advising, and local philanthropy. Founded in 1864, NESB is well-positioned as the preferred area banking partner with a powerful combination of convenient features like mobile and online banking and the personal, hometown touch of a local bank. North Easton Savings Bank is fully insured by the FDIC and the DIF and is an Equal Housing Lender. For more information, please visit nesb.com
Kingston Library hosts Master Gardener Gretel Anspach to speak at Library
Master Gardener Gretel Anspach will present a “Lawns and Lawn Alternatives” session on Wednesday, Aug. 13 at 6 p.m. at the Adams Center, 33 Summer St..
Anspach will discuss different options to help tailor your needs, potentially eliminating hundreds of hours of labor and expensive treatments each year. Lawns are imported garden fixtures from places with cool, wet summers.
Our ideal of a “perfect” lawn can be a major drain on water supplies, a source of pollution, and hard work. Anspach’s talk will also include some discussion of alternatives to the traditional grass lawn.
Anspach is a Trustee of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, a Lifetime Master Gardener with the Massachusetts Master Gardener Association, and a recently-retired systems engineer for Raytheon. She won the MMGA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016.
Anspach established and presently maintains a 20,000 square foot food production garden that has provided fresh produce to the Marlboro and Maynard Food Pantries for the last 10 years. Her primary interest and focus is always the science behind horticulture.
She delivered an outstanding presentation this past spring at the Kingston Council on Aging titled, “Vegetable Gardening 101,” which was sponsored by the Kingston Agricultural Commission.
This program is part of the 2025 Adult Summer Reading Program, Level Up at Your Library. Attendees will be eligible for a raffle ticket for one of three prizes on display in the Circulation area. The Kingston Public Library has generously funded this program. To learn more about how the KPFL supports our library please visit kplf.org.
To register for this event, please visit – https://kingstonpubliclibrary.org. For more information, contact Steven Miller, Reference Librarian at (781) 585-0517 x6272 or at smiller@kingstonma.gov.
LaNatra, Police Chief sound alarm
State Representative Kathleen LaNatra and Kingston Police Chief Brian Holmes are raising urgent concerns about the growing availability and use of kratom by minors in the region. Kratom, a substance derived from a Southeast Asian tree, is being sold openly in gas stations, smoke shops, and convenience stores – with no age restrictions – and is increasingly ending up in the hands of teenagers.
“Too many parents have never even heard of kratom, and yet their kids can walk into a local store and buy it right off the shelf,” said Representative LaNatra. “We’ve seen firsthand how this substance is being marketed as a harmless herbal supplement when in reality it can lead to addiction, psychosis, and even fatal overdoses.”
Kratom is not regulated by the FDA and poses unique risks to adolescents, whose brains are still developing. It acts on the same receptors as opioids and can have sedative or stimulant effects depending on the dose. Regular use has been linked to dependence, withdrawal symptoms, liver toxicity, and seizures. In high doses or when mixed with other substances, kratom can cause respiratory depression, coma, or death.
Chief Holmes echoed the concern: “We’ve encountered young people in our community who are using kratom, unaware of how dangerous it really is. It’s flying under the radar, and that’s a serious problem. There are no safeguards in place – no age restrictions, no proper labeling, no public awareness. Regulating this substance should be a strong consideration towards community safety through legislative priority.”
Kratom is often sold in capsules, powders, or liquid shots and marketed as a “natural” solution for energy or focus, a message that resonates with vulnerable teens. Social media influencers and online content have further fueled its popularity among youth.
“This is a community health and safety issue,” said LaNatra. “We need to act before more kids get hurt.”
For more information on kratom and how to protect young people from its dangers, visit the Mayo Clinic’s guidance on the topic or contact the Kingston Police Department for local resources.
Attorney General turns down Halifax’s watercraft restrictions to limit access to Monponsett Pond by use of a resident sticker
Massachusetts Attorney General Disapproves Proposed Watercraft Restrictions on Monponsett Pond – Monday, July 14, 2025
The Town of Halifax received official notice that the Massachusetts Attorney General has disapproved the by-law amendment proposed under Article 2 of the December 16th, 2024, Special Town Meeting. The amendment sought to prohibit the use of personal watercraft (PWCs) on East and West Monponsett Pond unless the operator held a resident permit.
The Attorney General cited that Monponsett Pond qualifies as a Massachusetts Great Pond as it exceeds 500 acres in size and therefore is considered a public resource under Massachusetts law. Local governments do not have statutory authority to restrict the public’s use or access to boating on these waters.
Additionally, during their review, the Attorney General also determined that two earlier amendments — enacted in 1997 and 1998 concerning speed limits and nighttime PWC operation on the Pond — were also in conflict with state law and would likely be unenforceable.
What This Means for Residents
Public access to Monponsett Pond remains protected under state law.
The Town cannot implement resident-only PWC permits or enforce prior restrictions without special legislative approval.
The Town will work with state agencies to explore legal alternatives to ensure safe and responsible use of the Pond.
To view the Attorney General’s full decision, please use the link below.
Download Official Notice from the Attorney General (PDF)
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