Betsy Hodge, Chair of the Friends of the Holmes Public Library, led a hands-on meeting at last week’s TRIAD meeting. She shared several “Stay Sharp Kits” which are available through the Library of Things at the library. Stay Sharp Kits are a specially designed collection of activities for people experiencing memory loss or cognitive difficulties. Five themed kits were provided to be explored by TRIAD participants: Movies, Baseball, On the Move, Americana and Trivia. Photos by Linda Redding. We hope that you’ll join us at the next TRIAD meeting on Nov. 4th when we’ll learn about the MOLST form from Ellen DiPaolo of the state’s “Honoring Choices” group.
Plympton Selectmen Table $60K Permitting System Despite State Grant
The Plympton Board of Selectmen declined to authorize a new digital permitting system on Oct. 6, despite having secured a $74,000 state grant to launch the program, after learning the software would cost the town approximately $60,000 annually to maintain—a price tag that prompted concerns from both board members and residents about long-term fiscal sustainability.
Town Administrator Liz Dennehy presented the board with a proposal to implement OpenGov permitting software, which would coordinate applications across multiple town departments including building inspection, Board of Health, conservation, and the assessor’s office. The $74,000 Community Compact grant Dennehy successfully secured would cover startup costs, training, and operation from Jan. 1 through June 30, 2026.
However, the presentation took an unexpected turn when Dennehy revealed the ongoing annual cost. “The annual cost, it would be like a three-year contract that we’d be entering into. They think that the pricing will come in around $60,000 a year,” she told the board. “So that’s not short money.”
The software aims to solve a significant coordination problem in Plympton’s permitting process. Currently, applicants often submit different sets of plans to different departments—one to the building department, another showing wetlands delineation to conservation, and yet another to the Board of Health for septic systems—making it difficult for town staff to verify that all regulatory requirements are being met.
Dennehy cited a recent solar project as an example of the system’s shortcomings. “The plans that they submitted to the fire department did not include wetlands delineation or anything like that. It resulted in a design where the fire department cannot reasonably get apparatus around the entire perimeter of the solar field,” she explained.
When Dennehy surveyed town departments about whether to pursue permitting software or website upgrades with available grant funding, the response was overwhelming in favor of the permitting system. All departments that issue permits—building, health, conservation, and assessors—participated in OpenGov’s presentation.
Vice Chairman Nathaniel Sides pressed on the return on investment. “Other than coordination and efficiency and all of that, which is understandable, I mean, that’s certainly a benefit. Is there another return on investment there?” he asked. “Is there a cost savings labor that we would realize from somebody not having to do a lot of manual?”
Dennehy acknowledged the limitations. “It would definitely save some manpower hours. I don’t think that the savings are that significant that you would be able to make a logical argument that that’s one of the benefits. It’s really just for ease of use for residents and for the town employees,” she said.
Resident Mark Wallis raised a fundamental question about the spending authority. “It seems to me that if you’re going to spend, what was it, $74,000 now, it would be prudent. And where it’s a grant, grants are great, but they cost you money afterwards if they cost you money afterwards,” Wallis said. “If it’s going to be $60,000 a year, I think the town as a whole should be questioned whether they want it or not. And it would be maybe appropriate to go to a town meeting with the knowledge that it’s going to cost $60,000 a year.”
The discussion did yield one notable defense of the software from an unexpected source. Former Selectman John Traynor noted that the same software had been discussed approximately nine years ago. “The legal liability, I think, is what is going to save you the money. When these things don’t agree, we already see it in some of the court cases in front of the town now that may have been solved because everybody knew they were playing on the same playing field,” Traynor said.
Dennehy expressed her own reservations about the pricing. “I was a little alarmed with the $60,000-ish estimate, given that we were going to start off, like, baby steps,” she said. The pricing is based on municipality size and the number of departments participating. Some larger communities integrate police and fire departments and digitize all historical permits into the system.
The board directed Dennehy to return to OpenGov to explore options for reducing costs or adding more departments to justify the expense. “I think that’s definitely worthwhile to look and see what we can do with it and see what other options there are,” Chairman Dana Smith said. The grant deadline extends to July 2026, giving the town time to evaluate alternatives before committing.
In other significant financial news, Dennehy announced that Plympton has been awarded a $200,000 grant from the state’s Rural Development Fund for a water security study. The project, which requires no town match, will be managed by Conservation Agent Brian Vasa and will work with regional partners including the Taunton River Stewardship Council. “It’s going to basically look into some different things and establish some parameters so that we can ensure our water quality and security for many years to come,” Dennehy explained. The study will examine potential threats to groundwater, map aquifer locations, and recommend any necessary updates to local conservation bylaws.
Finding the Greater Perfection
“…and a man shall never see, that, when ages grow to civility and elegancy, men come to build stately, sooner than to garden finely; as if gardening were the greater perfection.” Francis Bacon, Of Gardens, 1625.
If gardening is as much a cultivation of self as it is of the natural world, then it is possibly the greatest connection to nature and our place in it as humans can have. It is also no wonder why the process of gardening can be overwhelming but equally rewarding -as any worthy endeavor in life is. Gardening and life lessons are often one in the same and inexplicably intertwined. Perhaps very few people understand this as profoundly as George Stanchfield.
Born in rural Greenville, Maine, Stanchfield made his connection to nature early on. As the youngest child in his family, and often left to his own devices for entertainment, Stanchfield spent most of his time wandering the dense forests of his Maine home. “I was the creative, artistic one,” Stanchfield recalls, “I would make my mother little jewelry boxes from wood and create with the nature around me. The forest was my refuge.” Life in remote Maine offered Stanchfield plenty of opportunities to explore and learn about nature, use natural materials for handcrafted goods, and live off of the land, but it was too cold to grow much in terms of a garden. “We couldn’t grow much -just potatoes, string beans, peas and very basic stuff,” says Stanchfield. When his parents divorced, however, he found plenty to grow when he moved to the “Garden State” of New Jersey.
In his new home, Stanchfield continued to pursue his many creative passions in the arts. After graduating high school he worked for a company in the advertising department while attending what is now Rutgers University. He later worked for a newspaper but recalls how different the job was at the time. “I worked in newspaper before there were even computers. I was dealing with hot type. You would make lines of text by using brass letters and injecting molten lead into the mold.” When the paper went under and he lost his job, Stanchfield decided to move to Massachusetts to be with his partner at the time. “I kept working various jobs, but I also just kept learning about plants and being interested in nature,” he says.
One such job was with Billingsgate Farm in Plympton where he began working in landscaping. Billingsgate farm, originally owned by the Perkins family of Plympton, then the Billings and later the Sheehan family, provided Stanchfield many opportunities to further his education and studies in nature, gardening, and landscaping. Stanchfield says, “There were always new plants coming in and I learned about all of them. I lived in a little studio on the farm and, in the winter, I went to school. I learned a lot at my time with Billingsgate Farm.”
Stanchfield continued to refine his horticultural experience by working at the Arnold Arboretum in Boston under the direction of Gary Koller. Here, his knowledge of plants and trees increased exponentially. “The Arnold Arboretum is such an important place in American horticulture,” Stanchfield explains, “A lot of plants and trees were sent here to be observed and studied and it actually served as a huge testing ground for many current day plants on the American market.” In addition to his work at the Arboretum, Stanchfield took classes from the Massachusetts Horticultural Society.
With an impressive and growing range of knowledge, Stanchfield then started working at local garden centers in Norwell and Kingston where he became an official garden designer. Stanchfield says, “I really got to know plants. I learned about what they like and dislike -they all have different personalities. You know, if you are around a certain tree for 30 years, you are going to know exactly what to expect from that tree and you know if something is off or different.”
After establishing himself as a gifted garden and landscape designer, as well as an expert in horticulture, Stanchfield began to take on private clients and became self-employed. Stanchfield’s work can be found throughout the state in various places from grand manors to public spaces. Often inspired by the ecological garden design of renowned English garden designer and plantswoman, Beth Chatto, and ecologist, horticulturist, and botanist, Dan Jaffey Wilder, who specializes in native plants, Stanchfield’s gardens and landscaping style is both distinct and blended perfectly into the natural surroundings -be it at a woodland edge or in a raised garden bed next to the ocean.
When asked about his garden and landscape style, Stanchfield says it greatly depends on if it is his own property or a client. “When I work with a client, at a venue or at their home, I make an agreement with them that I will customize the design to their taste, but I also want to make sure I am working in the best interest of the environment.” Stanchfield also educates his clients on their choices -giving advice, and sometimes warnings, about plants that might either harm the environment or cause trouble for the client. “I try to use non-aggressive plants, but sometimes even native plants are aggressive so they need to be kept in check,” Stanchfield warns, “Sometimes you have a native plant that can survive, say, on a beach in terrible soil, but you put it into lush garden soil and suddenly its massive and not what you originally thought it would look like.”
Stanchfield’s own gardens are a lesson in mastering ecologically sound landscaping while creating a transcending, lush experience for anyone lucky enough to visit his home. Bordering the edge of a tranquil forest, Stanchfield has created an enchanting woodland garden with pine needle paths, archways, a vibrant sea of native and woodland plants, and plants with stunning foliage, form, and natural color scheme. Inside his cozy Cape home that is peppered with décor and art inspired by and often made with nature and natural materials, it feels like stepping into a magical storybook cottage. In addition to breathtaking paintings, art, and photography by Stanchfield, the entire house feels like nature’s art gallery showcasing the outside world through large-paned windows that provide perfect framing for the design of the gardens and woodland beyond. Stanchfield has perfected the immensely difficult skill of incorporating landscape and garden design to be viewed not just outdoors but from the inside of the house.
A man of many talents, Stanchfield is more than proficient in many artistic endeavors, but he is nearly a living encyclopedia when it comes to botanical and horticultural knowledge. He shares this wisdom freely and generously every day with over 6,000 people on the South Shore on his infamous Facebook page, South of Boston Gardeners with George Stanchfield. Here, he offers the wonderful opportunity to glean knowledge from what he shares as well as provides a platform for others to ask questions, share their own advice, or raise awareness for relevant issues or causes. Stanchfield explains, “I started this page because I saw a need. I answered a gardening question on another Facebook page years back and I found more and more people followed that with more questions for me. I became the go-to garden guy on that page. I decided to start my own page. I wanted to give people a place they could ask questions and not be advertised to or bullied. I wanted to also infuse the page with humor.”
Through the South of Boston Gardeners page, many have come to learn priceless lessons about the environment and the impact individuals can have in their own local ecosystems. “People need to remember that the choices they make in their yards and gardens will have implications, for better or worse, for future generations of those who live there. People need to remember that they won’t be there forever, but the impact they make on their property will be there for a long time,” Stanchfield says. He also bans the suggestions or recommendations of the use of toxic chemicals and unsound landscaping maintenance practices on his page.
Stanchfield’s page is a wealth of wisdom and insight readily available to anyone who is interested. “People need to know what they are doing out there,” he says smiling, “You can’t just go out into the garden and have success without a bit of learning first. You need to learn about the plants you want but also you need to learn your site. You must understand if you have full sun, dappled shade, clay or sandy soil -your environment will determine what you can plant and where.”
One of his biggest tips for gardeners? “Read the plant labels! Read the tags. They will tell you about what the plant needs.” He further advises, “But don’t confuse the phrase on tags ‘will tolerate’ with ‘thrives in’ or ‘requires’. If a plant can tolerate something that doesn’t mean its happy or thriving there. Many plants can ‘tolerate’ a site to death and people don’t understand why their plant was okay for a few years and then it dies. It’s likely because it wasn’t given the conditions it really wanted to thrive in. Don’t spend your time and money on plants without learning about them.”
Through his Facebook page, Stanchfield offers applicable advice to both the expert and seasoned gardener or landscape designer as well as invaluable knowledge and tips to new gardeners. “Don’t choose plants based only on their flower. Foliage is just as important. When it is out of bloom you still want to like looking at it. You have to ask questions. If you are just starting out gardening, don’t buy plants from a big box store. Purchase plants from garden centers where the people who work there are knowledgeable and will give you advice appropriate to the area you are looking to plant in. Read plant labels, look on the internet, and read books about your plants. And you have to read more than two sentences -it requires a bit of effort. Visit the gardens of people who you can see are doing something right. Visit public gardens and botanical gardens. They are learning centers of putting the right plants in the right places.”
Long a champion of native plants and ecologically sound garden and landscape design, Stanchfield recommends several of his favorite gardens and nature preserves to take inspiration from. “The New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill, Arnold Arboretum, the Rose Kennedy Greenway in Boston, Garden in the Woods, Burrage Pond, Cato’s Ridge -all of these are places you should go to see how things should be done and work best and to be inspired by nature.”
Anyone who follows Stanchfield’s page knows his early morning walks at Burrage Pond result in some of the most stunning landscape and nature photography around. “It is just a magical wonderland there,” Stanchfield muses, “There is one area where if you look closely there are hundreds of funnel spider webs in the hedges and when the sunrise hits them with the dew on them they just sparkle.” Through his updates on the wildlife spotted on a given morning to endangered or native plants discovered on his walks, Stanchfield is a perfect example of how to fully immerse oneself in the local ecosystem and appreciate and respect the many intricacies taking place.
When asked what he would like the community to know, Stanchfield says, “We need to integrate natural and organic gardening methods. Even baby steps are good steps,” he assures. “Learn about the importance of native plants. Our climate is headed in a different direction and you have to know what you are doing. We need to start making careful and conscientious choices about what we are putting on and into the earth.” He assures, “I am not asking people to make massive changes or plant only native plants, but just removing one or two harsh chemicals from your routine or adding one or two native plants to the garden -little things will make a difference -you will see. You will also come to understand the seasons locally by how the native plants change with the seasons.”
Perhaps the most important contribution Stanchfield makes to our local horticultural community? “Hope. I have this silly little hope that people will start doing the right thing and changes will start to come about. I have to hope that people who learn are people who will change and it will make a difference.” With Stanchfield’s admirable and selfless spreading of not only sound but truly ethical and wise advice and expertise, the gardeners on the South Shore are well on their way to preserving, rather than exploiting the environment and working with nature in our gardens and communities instead of trying to fight or dominate it. Stanchfield is one to be watched and emulated to better find our way as respectful participants in the environment and perhaps to find increased success, learning, and joy in our own endeavors with the “greater perfection” in our yards and our communities.
Halloween Surprise
I met my husband Dave several years after I’d been divorced. We were both taking Psychology classes at Massasoit Community College. He had two children, a daughter Donna who was eight, the same age as my son Brian and a son Davey who was five, the same age as my daughter Heidi. Donna and Brian were also in the same class in the Halifax school system and knew each other, although they weren’t particularly friendly with one another. Dave lived in an apartment in Whitman and his children lived with their mother, Dottie, in Halifax. I admired the way Dave was close to and involved with his children and what excellent parents he and Dottie always were.
As we got to know one another we slowly introduced the kids to each other. We took them swimming in summer and on walks with us in the fall. They seemed to have fun with one another as they got used to each other, until they realized that Dave and I really liked each other; then things became a little tedious. My kids, especially Heidi, took to Dave and was happy to have a father image. Times when my ex-husband did take my kids to his house, I spent time alone with Donna. She liked going to Friendly’s for ice cream and I enjoyed her company.
When things got very serious with Dave and me, he invited me to supper at his apartment on Valentine’s Day. That night he got down on one knee and I wondered what he was doing until he slipped a diamond ring on my finger and asked me to marry him. I said yes. We were married that Fall. All four of our kids were in our wedding, well behaved and so darn cute. My parents hosted our Wedding Reception at their home in Hanson. Everything went beautifully and we had a memorable time. Our Honeymoon consisted of coming home to our house in Halifax to enjoy the peace and quiet before my kids came home that Sunday.
Divorce can be hard on some adults and even more so on children. Once Dave and I were married, the reality for his kids was hard for them to accept. There were times they didn’t want to come over and times they wanted to be alone with their father and other times they wanted to be at their house with both their parents. I have to give my stepchildren credit; I admired some of the ways the two of them worked together to do everything they could to get their parents back together. They were so clever -they would’ve fit right into a Walt Disney movie. When Halloween came around that year, they didn’t come to our house. We did get to see them briefly at Christmas.
The New Year didn’t start off very well. All four kids were upset for different reasons and Dave and I were upset with ourselves because of mistakes we made in dealing with our kids. We had to change things for the better. Dave started by making it clear to his kids that even though things weren’t going to be as they used to be, he and their mother would always be there for them. I told them I realized I wasn’t their mother but I’d like to be their friend and they could call me Linda. Dave told my kids they could call him Dave or whatever felt comfortable to them. About six months later, Heidi started calling him Dad, which never changed.
Things got better after that. When Fall came that year and it was time to decorate for Halloween, Brian, Heidi and Davey helped. Davey’s favorite Halloween treat was candy corn, so I made sure we had some. I had a big cardboard skeleton that I called Alley after the song “Alley-Oop”, that was popular in the 1960’s. Brian was the tallest out of the three kids so he hung Alley up and positioned his movable head, arms, hands and legs. We had two cloth pumpkin faces with little orange lights on them that lit up their eyes and mouth that Heidi hung in both the dining room and kitchen door windows. Brian put my cackling witch with the green eyes that glowed outside on the step railing where she could be heard. After Davey helped Brian and Heidi fill our big bowl with candy that was to be given out, his mother and sister came to pick him up. We wished him a good time Trick ’n Treating with his cousins.
Brian went to work carving his pumpkin, helped Heidi with hers and they set them outside with candles in them while I made grilled cheese sandwiches. Dave came home just as the kids and I were leaving to walk through the neighborhood. He said he’d take care of passing out candy while we were gone. Brian dressed as a cowboy and Heidi wore a cute little clown costume. The moonlight helped us find our way as we went from house to house in the clear, cool night, greeting friends and neighbors in all their various costumes. Candles flickered in each yard showing the creative carvings of Jack-O-Lanterns that glowed in the dark. Strobe lights showed ghosts and skeletons swaying in the night along with spiders and bats which caused Heidi to grab onto the long black cape I had on. As we turned a corner, a gust of wind came up and a streetlight went out. The kids looked up at me; I knew they wanted to go home.
Dave was happy to see us and there was still some candy in the bowl if more kids came. Brian and Heidi got ready for bed and asked for candy. I let them each pick two pieces out of their bags which they ate while they watched television. Dave and I were in the kitchen talking when we heard a knock at the door. I grabbed the bowl of candy and went to the door. The outside light had gone out and it was so dark out I could hardly see through the kitchen door window. I pressed my forehead up against the window and saw two little faces peering in at me, one with a mask on. I wanted to get them inside as it was getting cold out, so I opened the door to let them in. The three of us stood looking at each other as I was trying to figure out who they were. The taller one was grinning and the smaller of the two pulled off a mask and yelled “Trick or Treat!” Dave, Brian and Heidi came out to the kitchen. Brian and Heidi started grinning when they saw them. Dave did a double take and scooped them into his arms.
It was the best Halloween surprise we could have gotten. Davey’s costume depicted a superhero (I forget who) and Donna made a mustache she stuck on that looked very real and was dressed in Dave’s Sailor hat and shirt he had worn in the Navy. Seeing Davey and Donna in Dave’s arms and the smile on his face said it all. I’m also very happy to say that the Halloween nights after this one brought us many good memories. Donna and Davey are now grown with families of their own. Including my own two kids, Donna and Dave are also two of the best friends I have.
Road to Responsibility Opens New Residential Program in Brockton
MARSHFIELD, BROCKTON, Road to Responsibility (RTR; http://roadtoresponsibility.org), one of the region’s largest and most successful nonprofit organizations supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, announces the opening of a new residential program, located on Wendell Avenue in Brockton, Massachusetts.
The residence was formerly used to house Boston College graduate students participating in a teaching program at a nearby Catholic school. The 16-bedroom, 7-bathroom home includes three kitchens and a garage used for storage for a church-run food pantry. Following the dissolution of the teaching program and the departure of its final resident, the house was made available to RTR by a private owner.
The food pantry operations will continue from the garage, and the home will now provide a nurturing environment for five young adults with Autism and complicating needs.
While this marks the 52nd residence operated by RTR, this is the first home located in the city of Brockton, expanding the reach of the organization to provide more services to more people. Similar to other RTR residential programs, the Brockton home offers a supportive environment with a wide range of services, 24-hour staffing, and independent living options including smart technology.
“This residence is a powerful example of how spaces can evolve to meet changing needs,” said Christopher T. White, Ed.D., president and CEO of Road to Responsibility. “We’re deeply grateful for the opportunity to repurpose this home and continue our mission of empowering individuals to live with dignity, support, and connection, and to bring our services to the great city of Brockton.”
Look for the Helpers
In this day and age, it can be difficult to find and focus on the positive things happening in our communities and the world. We are exposed on a daily basis to over stimulation and an over saturation of constantly flowing information, good and bad, to an extent that humans have not experienced before. It sure is loud out there, but if we reign in our focus to a local level and, as Mr. Rogers said, “…look for the helpers…”, you will be amazed at what good is going on around you amidst the chaos.
One such source of good and decent is found in the South Shore Community Action Council. The SSCAC is a private 501(c)(3), non-profit Community Action Agency -one of 23 in Massachusetts and over 1,000 nationwide. The SSCAC mission statement is, “To eliminate poverty on the South Shore by coordinating, strengthening, and supplementing community efforts to empower and support individuals and families so they can live in decency and with dignity, realize their full potential, and participate to the extent of their capabilities in all that our communities have to offer.”
To back up this incredibly powerful and moving mission statement SSCAC has a team of dedicated, talented, and altruistic employees and volunteers that work tirelessly to ensure that people in our communities are supported in their times of need or where they may lack support and resources. Last year SSCAC employed 240 people and had 696 volunteers. In 2024 $33,075,620.00 program and service dollars were used by SSCAC on behalf of low-income residents of all ages. 28,970 residents were served, 322,627 meals were provided, and 14,459 residents were kept warm. With thirteen assistance programs and services available, from providing food over summer break to children with food insecurity to free assistance filing income taxes, SSCAC is able to make a significant and much needed positive, local impact.
The South Shore Community Action Council was founded in 1965 under the Economic Opportunity Act. This year SSCAC is celebrating its 60th birthday and six decades of local success with support and direction from the state as well as federal advocacy from the National Community Action Foundation. SSCAC branches out its services and programs throughout the state, covering as many as 38 towns for various assistance programs and as many as 50 towns for elderly services.
One of the most utilized services the SSCAC offers is their Food Resource Program. Over 450,000 pounds of fresh and non-perishable food items were gathered last year to provide meals and alleviate food insecurity on the South Shore, Cape, and Islands. They supplied 63 food pantries, schools, and Councils on Aging as well as other various food emergency assistance providers. SSCAC CEO, Lisa Spencer, says that donations from local farms, agencies, organizations, and individuals keep the supply of food flowing. “We get a lot of our fresh food from nearby Plymouth County Farm. They are very generous in donating fresh and local food. We also get food from the Greater Boston Food Bank and other larger food producers. But we also accept donations of non-perishable goods. We even have a rolling cart in the front office that you can drop your donations on.” In addition to donations, the SSCAC benefits greatly from food drives and fundraisers. “We get a lot of supplies when organizations do food drives for us. We never have enough of the non-perishable items, so anything coming in for the food warehouse is appreciated and needed,” says Spencer.
It is not just food that SSCAC provides to the community. Other programs and services offered include Home Energy Assistance or Fuel Assistance, Weatherization of Houses, Heating System Repair and Replacement (HEARTWAP), Appliance Management, Early Education and Childcare, Transportation, South Shore Family Network, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, Consumer Aid, and Emergency Assistance.
“We offer various services that enable independence and participation in the community,” says Spencer. Services are not only offered to the South Shore area but as far as the Cape and Islands and as far west as Attleboro. One of the most used programs offered is the SSCAC Transportation Program. In 2024, 90,788 trips were provided around the South Shore and beyond. “We have 38 vehicles that transport elderly or disabled individuals who can’t otherwise drive themselves. Even if the town they live in offers transportation within town boundaries but not out of town boundaries then we can offer to take them, door to door, where they need to go regardless of where it is.”
Another leading program offered by SSCAC is the Fuel Assistance Program. Residents can apply online to qualify for assistance in paying to heat their homes during the winter months. In 2024, 14,459 residents were kept warm through $9,950,782.00 in direct payments made by SSCAC to local heating companies. Spencer explains that paying heating bills is just one of the ways SSCAC can help with keeping homes and livings spaces safe and inhabitable during the winter months. “We can also help you maintain and even replace your heating system at no cost to the individual. We can get your heating system inspected, maintained, and replaced if needed. We put over a million dollars into heating system repair and installations last year.”
It is not just home maintenance offered by SSCAC. Outside of the home SSCAC offers the South Shore Early Education program. Last year 588 children in the state received care through the Early Education Program. “We offer Head Start, Early Start, and state funded preschool and before and after school programs for children in Plymouth, Marshfield, Wareham, and Cape Cod,” says Spencer, “This includes their daily meals, bus transportation, and any needed health screenings. We offer this at no cost to families.”
One of the SSCAC’s most used programs is their Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. “Last year we got tax payer returns for over 600 people,” says Spencer, “This was over a million dollars in tax refunds for locals which makes a big difference in people’s lives. We have one staff tax accountant and the rest are volunteer tax experts who donate their time to help people file their taxes.” In addition to helping community members save money on taxes, the SSCAC also offers Consumer Aid. This free consumer education and mediation program helped 519 Plymouth County households avoid costly court resolution valued at $136,571.00.
In spite of a seemingly endless list of offerings and funding, Spencer explains that some programs are facing cuts this year. “Our funding for Emergency Services this year was cut significantly. This is money used to help people pay their rent or mortgage in times of crisis and avoid food insecurity, foreclosure, eviction, and utility shut offs. Unfortunately, we do not know how much of this service we will be able to offer now due to government cuts in our funding for that. Our funds for this program are very limited right now.” Spencer goes on to explain that funding can also come through donations and fundraisers. One of the most impactful ways the community can help the SSCAC, however, is through donations of time and skill.
Last year SSCAC had 11,165 hours donated by their nearly 700 volunteers. Spencer explains the crucial role volunteers play, “We have individuals who show up regularly to volunteer -often retirees, but also families. Groups can also help out. We often have Scouts volunteer and other organizations looking for community service opportunities. We could not do any of this without our volunteers.” In addition to volunteers SSCAC also provides work opportunities with 239 local employees. “We are always looking for community members to offer their time, services, and expertise,” says Spencer, “and applications can be found on our website for anyone interested in applying.”
The SSCAC is also playing an ongoing and crucial role in assisting residents of the towns Plympton, Halifax, and Kingston. A look at a few of the local service reports (these are not full reports) shows the following:
Plympton:
57 residents received Home Energy Assistance
5 residents received Energy Conservation
2 children received South Shore Early Education
3,080 pounds of food was provided to Plympton residents
Halifax:
370 received Home Energy Assistance
15 residents received Transportation Services
4,079 pounds of food was provided to Halifax residents
121 children benefited from the South Shore Family Network
13 households received Consumer Aid
Kingston:
376 residents received Home Energy Assistance
14 children received South Shore Early Education
41,472 pounds of food was provided to Kingston residents
17 residents use Transportation Services
22 residents received income tax assistance
The SSCAC plays an undeniable role in the benefit, stabilization, and growth of our community. People from all walks of life, from senior veterans to preschoolers, and single mothers to large families needing help through unemployment, can find some of their burdens alleviated by the services and programs of the SSCAC. Hardship is never planned and can strike anyone, at any time. It is crucial that those of us who have excess and abilities to offer do so when and how we can. When the most vulnerable among us are supported and helped back on the path to self-sustainability we all benefit with a strengthened community. As long as people on the South Shore are willing to look beyond themselves and offer their time and money -to be “the helpers” in our community, the SSCAC will continue to positively impact thousands of lives of children, seniors, individuals, and families across the South Shore, Cape, and Islands. We may not be able to save the whole world, but we can save each other in little ways right here at home.
Two paragraphs on services -local town reports highlighted as well as overall impact: Food/heat/transportation/ head start/emergency funds (losing funding for this -mortgage, rents) 3. Volunteers and donations needed 4.WE are really only successful when the most vulnerable in our community are alleviated and thrive and when hardship strikes that community bands together for the collective good.
Visit: Welcome To SSCAC | Providing Access To Opportunity for more information on how you can apply for assistance or donate and volunteer.
Halifax VFW Proposes Veterans Memorial Garden
The Halifax Board of Selectmen gave preliminary approval Sept. 23 to a proposal from the Halifax Veterans of Foreign Wars to create a Veterans Memorial Garden surrounding the town hall patio, marking what organizers say would be the town’s first dedicated veterans memorial space. The multi-phase project would be entirely funded and maintained by the VFW at no cost to the town.
Dave Walsh, representing the Halifax VFW, presented plans for the memorial garden during the meeting, describing it as “step one of four steps” in creating a comprehensive veterans memorial at the town hall grounds. The initial phase calls for a six-to-seven-foot garden buffer zone surrounding the main patio, featuring two small ornamental trees such as weeping cherry or Japanese maple, with a maximum growth height of 10 to 15 feet.
“I think we’re one of the few towns that doesn’t have a Veterans Memorial of some sort, and I think that would be a very apt name for it,” Walsh told the board. He emphasized that the project would be “absolutely no cost to the town whatsoever” and would be maintained by VFW volunteers and a local landscaping contractor as backup.
The proposal comes on the heels of the successful installation of a memorial bench earlier this month. Walsh reported that the granite bench, weighing approximately 650 pounds and measuring four feet long by two feet wide, arrived on Sept. 12 and was installed with assistance from the town’s Department of Public Works. The bench, provided by Swenson Granite of Hanover and custom-chiseled in Vermont, is scheduled to be dedicated on Veterans Day, Nov. 11.
Board Chair Jonathan Selig expressed support for the concept but requested to see formal plans before giving final approval. “I think it’s a great idea. I just had two quick questions. Number one, do we have any sort of rough sketch or plan of what it will look like?” Selig asked. He also raised concerns about long-term maintenance, citing past experiences with Eagle Scout projects that lacked sustained upkeep after completion.
Walsh assured the board that the VFW had commitments from multiple volunteers, specifically naming Kathy Garland and her husband, who had volunteered to handle ongoing maintenance. Additionally, the VFW has arranged for Naja Nessralla to serve as both the project lead for construction and as a backup for maintenance if volunteer efforts fall short.
Selectman Thomas Pratt raised an additional concern about insurance coverage for the work. “Do we have proper insurance for Naja?” Pratt asked, noting that the board needed to verify that the contractor and the VFW would have appropriate liability coverage before work begins. Walsh acknowledged he had not yet addressed the insurance question, and the board agreed to table final approval until those details could be confirmed.
Walsh outlined an ambitious long-term vision for the memorial space that extends well beyond the initial garden installation. Phase two would involve lining the walkways with perennials. Phase three would add granite mementos for each military service branch facing Hemlock Lane. The final phase would incorporate memorial bricks honoring deceased veterans, purchased and installed by family members. Walsh emphasized that each phase would require separate board approval before proceeding.
The board discussed the possibility of hosting a ceremonial groundbreaking on Veterans Day if formal plans and insurance documentation cannot be finalized in time for actual construction before November 11. “We could do a groundbreaking. I don’t know if it would be too late in November. I don’t think the ground’s going to be frozen yet,” Selig said, suggesting the ceremony could mark the official launch of the project even if physical work would need to wait until spring.
Walsh selected the Nessralla family’s landscaping business to handle the construction, citing their contributions to the town. “We figured since it’s a Halifax project, we would use a Halifax site. We selected the Nessralla’s. They have done so much for the town,” Walsh explained. Former Selectman Naja Nessralla, who would head the project, has already expressed enthusiasm about participating in the memorial garden’s creation.
The board instructed Walsh to return to a future meeting with formal sketches or plans showing the proposed layout and footprint of the garden, along with documentation of insurance coverage. Assuming those requirements are met, the board indicated strong support for moving forward with the project.
“I think in theory, we’re all on board, obviously. It’s a great thing. Continuation of an excellent project,” Pratt said. Selig agreed, telling Walsh, “It’d be an honor to do it, Dave. Thank you for all your efforts.”
The discussion reflected the board’s effort to balance enthusiasm for honoring local veterans with due diligence on practical matters of insurance liability and long-term maintenance responsibilities. The Veterans Memorial Garden would be coordinated with Veterans Agent Steve Littlefield, though Walsh noted that Littlefield is currently deployed with the Army.
Dave Walsh will return to the Board of Selectmen with formal sketches of the proposed Veterans Memorial Garden layout and documentation of insurance coverage for the construction work. Once those materials are reviewed and approved, the VFW can proceed with the first phase of the memorial project. The board and VFW are exploring options for a ceremonial groundbreaking on Veterans Day, November 11, 2025, with potential completion in spring 2026 if construction cannot begin before winter. Future phases of the memorial project will require separate board approvals as they are developed.
Comfort Me With Apples
“Comfort me with apples, for I am sick of love.” Song of Solomon 2:5.
There is no way to summarize in words the intrinsic bliss of spending an autumn afternoon picking apples. Wandering the rows of tightly packed, gnarly trees with branches so heavy with pommes that they look like overly decorated Christmas trees, you can’t help but be present. Some orchards are quiet and serene and you can hear the snap of each apple twig as you gently roll and pull it off the branch. Some orchards sing with the laughter of children and the happy conversations of passengers as they ride on tractor pulled wagons around the farm. No matter if you find yourself picking apples alone like it is your own paradise, or have family and friends along for the hunt, the thrill of gathering this most beloved fruit holds a simple pleasure that is lost on most modern day food acquiring processes. It doesn’t hurt that New England orchards are also the apple of everyone’s eye when it comes to apple orchards and Pick Your Own perfection.
The first recording of an apple in North America was in 1623 in Massachusetts. It was a Roxbury Russet, a richly flavored apple with a citrusy flavor and a defining rough, brown skin. Prior to colonists bringing them over from Europe, the North American continent only had Crabapples. The European settlers brought apples to America as a symbol of continuity -a sentimental connection to their homelands. At this time most apples were not used for fresh eating, but for cider making -both fresh and hard. Nearly any apple high in tannins (a naturally occurring compound found in apples and other fruits that adds astringency) will work for cider. Even apples referred to as “spitters” because they were so astringent that they were spit out after one bite could be utilized for the best resulting cider.
Apple cider was more than just a seasonal beverage, it was the main drink for the colonists as it was safer to drink than water and offered nutrients and sugar to an otherwise often sparce diet. In addition to being used for cider, apples were a valuable part of the colonist diet as they could be baked, sauteed, eaten raw, dried, made in to vinegar, and used to feed livestock. Apples became such an integral part of the early American diet that anyone who had even a small garden grew their own apple trees.
Apple varieties were expanded upon and experimented with. For example, you cannot grow a Roxbury Russet from the seeds of a Roxbury Russet. The seeds do not yield true to the parent. Instead, a branch from the Roxbury Russet must be grated onto root stock from another apple tree -one usually selected for a sturdy trunk or being cold hardy. Grafting was perfected by early colonists and the quality of apples available began to expand throughout New England. This means that when you bite into any variety of apple, you are essentially biting into a direct descendant of the original tree that the variety was started on.
There was one person, whoever, that believed grafting an apple tree was unethical and cruel to the tree. He was a Massachusetts born, literate (rare for the time), rugged, social anomaly known for being a naturalist, passivist, Native American supporting, anti-materialist, herbalist, whose spiritual beliefs were based in nature. His name was John Chapman, or as American lore has deemed him, Johnny Appleseed.
Referred to as America’s First Great Walker and a pioneer nurseryman, Chapman traveled from the East Coast to the Midwest carrying apple seeds that he collected from places like the back of Ale Houses where the pulp from cider pressing was discarded. He would sift through the pulp, take and cure the seeds, and then choose about three acres of land before accelerating natural selection by planting the seeds in neat rows and fostering orchard growth for forthcoming settlers.
Chapman also acquired land of his own and sold and gave away thousands of seedlings to pioneers traveling West. It is impossible to know how many orchards or trees he planted in his fifty years of propagating and establishing apple orchards. One thing that is known by his refusal to graft apple trees and only use seeds is that these orchards were planted, not to feed people with fresh fruit, rather to make apple cider to sustain people through harsh Midwest winters. When Chapman passed away in 1845 he owned 1,200 acres of planted land and had established countless orchards that were sold off to and now inhabited by pioneers.
During the 1800’s America began to ship apples to England and the West Indies. They were packed in barrels and transported in rough seas so only the sturdiest and longest lasting varieties (like Roxbury Russets) were used. Apples were shipped mainly from Portland and Boston and soon apples were a notable part of the American trade. As a result America began to expand their little private orchards and the first large scale orchards were opened.
Apple cider remained the king of beverage and hearth until the mid-1800’s when German immigrants brought a new drink with them -one that proved just as popular and quickly displaced cider as the preferred average beverage: Beer. Cider also fell out of favor under the new temperance movement. The Temperance movement gained momentum and alcohol consumption went from a normalized, daily practice and safer alternative to water to a stigmatized, socially unacceptable practice. Early American apple orchards were forced to destroy and burn cider-specific trees and focus entirely on apple production for fresh eating or processing as food.
With the downfall of cider, the apple industry had to remake itself. In 1904 the World’s Fair in St. Louis provided that opportunity. Professor J.T. Stinson, a 20th century fruit specialist, gave an address to the crowd at the fair. Stinson lectured on the health benefits of apples and during this presentation he coined the phrase, “An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away.” This single phrase took hold and sparked a nationwide interest in eating fresh apples for the health benefits. The most popular varieties at the time of the fresh apple movement were Northern Spy, Rhode Island Greening, and Baldwin -all New England varieties.
American continued to grow and enjoy a wide variety of apples until 1933 when a harsh winter killed over a million Baldwin trees. Orchardists and pomologists began to look for a variety that was cold hardy to avoid this agricultural tragedy again. The Mcintosh was discovered and valued for its cold resistance and high yield production. Soon, many other heirloom varieties were lost for more generic, hardy counterparts. In the mid 1830’s there were around 17,000 varieties of apples in North America. Today there are only about 2,500 varieties and only 100 are grown commercially in the United States. It is likely that only five or six kinds can be found at the local supermarket.
Apple orchards continued to find new ways to thrive in an increasingly modern world. In 1970’s there was a lifestyle movement where people wanted to eat food that was local, fresh, and ethically grown. With a return to respecting nature and connecting with food and food sources responsibly and sustainably, a new way of farming was born: Pick Your Own. Orchards such as Jaswell’s Farm in Rhode Island began to offer their goods directly to the consumer -often including things like hayrides, baked pies, and fresh apple cider. Soon apple orchards became not only a place to purchase food, but a place to be a part of the farm and harvest experience.
Today New Englanders are still enjoying the best of what orchards have to offer. Though less than 2% of our nations fresh apples come from New England, it is a well known fact that New England apple orchards set the standard for Pick-Your-Own. New England is also the heart of preservation, education, and propagation for heirloom varieties of apple. If you are looking for the perfect autumn afternoon adventure that will likely result in wandering the rows of fruit-laden trees, a bit of taste testing between varieties, and perhaps even some baked goods cooling on your windowsill, then here is a list of ten of the best ranked apple orchards in New England. Don’t miss the chance between now and the first hard frost to participate in this pastime that is as American as apple pie.
Alyson’s Orchard, New Hampshire
Red Apple Farm, Massachusetts
Lyman Orchards, Connecticut
Shelburn Orchards, Vermont
Applecrest Farm Orchards, New Hampshire
Champlain Orchards, Vermont
Scott Farm, Vermont
Super Chilly Farm, Maine
Sauchuk’s Farm, Massachusetts
Rocky Brook Orchard, Rhode Island
Kingston Officials Project Nearly $1 Million Override Needed
Kingston officials are projecting the need for a Proposition 2 ½ override of just under $1 million for the fiscal year 2027 budget, according to a five-year financial forecast presented during a joint meeting of the Board of Selectmen, School Committee, and Finance Committee.
Town Administrator Keith Hickey outlined the challenging financial landscape facing the town, which narrowly avoided an override last year by finishing with only $3,000 remaining in excess levy capacity.
‘Fiscal 27 is going to be a challenge, certainly,” Hickey said during the meeting. “We started ‘fiscal 26 when the budgets were approved of excess levy capacity of $1,775. So we spent almost every penny we had.”
The projected override amount drops significantly in subsequent years, with fiscal 2028 requiring only $209,000. The forecast shows excess tax levy capacity returning in fiscal years 2029 through 2031, ranging from $394,000 to $1.1 million.
The town’s financial challenges stem largely from limited new growth due to the recently lifted water moratorium. Hickey estimates new growth of about $1 million for fiscal 2028, maintaining that level through fiscal 2029 before declining in outer years.
“New growth, as I think everybody’s aware over the last couple years, has really slowed because of the water moratorium,” Hickey explained. “We expect that to start to pick back up now that the water moratorium has been lifted.”
The forecast assumes annual increases of 4.5% for state receipts and 2.75% for local receipts. Town wage increases are projected at 2% for fiscal years 2027 and 2028, then 3% for the following three years, with operating expenses increasing 1.5% annually.
School Committee member Jeanne Coleman highlighted additional budget pressures facing the district, particularly the loss of $800,000 in shelter funds that helped balance previous budgets.
“We’re looking at about a $5 million hole that we’re digging out of, to start,” Coleman said, referring to regional budget challenges. “Just knowing that, I think, in good faith, we can say, I think we need to have the honest conversation that in order to have a level service budget, we’re going to be looking at an override this year.”
The school department has already implemented an earlier budget timeline to address concerns about meeting town deadlines. Director of Finance and Operations Sarah Hickey said preliminary budgets from principals were due Oct. 1, with the goal of delivering a votable budget to school committees in December.
“Superintendent Proulx and I met in July to go over the budget timeline and we changed the budget timeline for this year because I knew that timeliness of the budget process was going to be crucial,” Sarah Hickey said.
Board of Selectmen Chair Eric Crone emphasized the importance of early communication about potential overrides, drawing from the town’s experience with previous budget challenges.
“If we do need an override this coming year, it might pass one year, but it’s not going to pass multiple years in a row,” Crone said. “So we’re going to have to look at a potential strategy of putting in enough money that would last just a couple of years or more.”
Selectman, and former Finance Committee member, Carl Pike stressed the need for realistic budget numbers and careful public communication about any potential override.
“I firmly believe that we’ll very apt to have to go to the town for a Proposition 2 ½ override,” Pike said. “But I don’t want to get everybody excited at an unrealistic number.”
Pike noted that while schools might successfully sell a $2 million override, larger amounts would face greater challenges with voters.
The town faces additional departmental requests beyond standard budget increases. Keith Hickey said the police department continues seeking additional staffing to meet community needs, which would require supporting supplies and equipment.
Officials acknowledged the complexity of budget planning given uncertainties in state aid, special education costs, and regional transportation funding.
“There’s so many things we don’t know like the schools,” Crone said. “You guys don’t know what the federal and state aid looks like for anything. Regional transportation, special ed. These things go up and down.”
The school department’s challenges include ongoing contract negotiations with both teachers and support staff, adding another variable to budget projections.
Finance Committee member Marsha Meekins noted the importance of explaining the rationale behind any override request to voters.
“I don’t think it’s just the amount. I think it’s also why,” she said. “I think the why part is probably the most important part of selling anything.”
The town has experienced mixed results with override attempts in recent years. School-related overrides have generally passed, while other municipal requests have faced more difficulty.
Officials plan to continue meeting throughout the budget process to refine projections and coordinate messaging. The forecast represents a living document that will be updated as more information becomes available about state aid and other revenue sources.
The town’s annual meeting timeline may also face scrutiny, as school officials consider requesting changes to budget submission deadlines to better align with state aid announcements and regional district requirements.
Hickey, who recently accepted the Town Administrator job in Fairhaven, emphasized the importance of maintaining communication between the three boards involved in budget decisions.
“I think it’s important for all the three boards to understand what’s happening and have that line of communication be maybe a little bit better than it has been in the past about what the challenges are,” he said.
Kingston’s Lucas Campbell awarded $4,000 scholarship
Kingston— Kingston’s Lucas Campbell was recently among 36 high school seniors and college students awarded more than $178,000 in scholarships by Sheet Metal Workers Local 17, a division of the SMART Northeast Regional Council (SMART NERC).
The scholarships, fully funded by Local 17 membership, range from a one-time $1,500 award to four-year scholarships totaling up to $16,000. Since 1983, the union has contributed over $2.3 million to the futures of local students.
SMART Northeast Regional Council President Bob Butler said the scholarship program reflects the union’s commitment to giving back to the communities where members live and work.
“Higher education is expensive. These scholarships help put students on the path to success,” said SMART Northeast Regional Council President Bob Butler. “We’re proud to have such dedicated members who believe in giving back and investing in the next generation.”
SMART NERC Financial Secretary-Treasurer Russell Bartash extended thanks to the Hayward family—Bob, Scott, and Sean—for leading the scholarship committee for three generations. He noted that their dedication has helped the program grow and adapt to meet students’ diverse academic paths.
“Whether scholarship recipients are enrolled in a four-year college, community or technical college, we’re thrilled to continue to lift up students as they strive for success,” said SMART NERC Financial Secretary-Treasurer Russell Bartash. “It’s one of the many ways we give back and support the next generation. We want to thank all Local 17 members who contributed to this meaningful fund.”
For every hour a member works, seven cents goes into the Local 17 Scholarship Fund. These contributions, small in scale but large in impact, have helped hundreds of local students afford tuition, books, and other academic fees. Scholarships are awarded based on state Labor History Exam performance or through a lottery drawing.
About Sheet Metal Workers Local 17: Sheet Metal Workers Local 17 is a building trade union representing more than 2,700 skilled and licensed workers throughout Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. We stand together as the most highly trained professionals in the industry, bringing top safety standards and quality to every project. Local 17 was formed in 1896 so that men and women working in the sheet metal industry could bargain collectively for better work standards. Today, our members enjoy dignified contracts, industry-leading wages and healthcare, and a sound pension plan they can count on after retirement.
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