WHITMAN — The first round of COVID-19 vaccinations have arrived in town.

Whitman Firefighters received the Moderna vaccine this starting Wednesday, Jan. 13.  First responders are some of the primary front ine workers to receive the vaccination in a state wide effort against COVID.

Whitman Fire Chief Timothy Grenno, Medical Director Dr. Daniel Muse of Brockton Hospital Signature Health Care and Whitman fire personnel combined their efforts to get the area town fire departments the vials of the anticipated inoculation.

The minimum of 200 people required for a vaccine site was not met so the department had to pool together and Brockton Hospital Signature Health Care was nice enough to take on all area departments, said Matt Busch Whitman fire’s EMS officer.

They are operating under the umbrella of Brockton Hospital who does all the ordering to meet the state mandate.

They received 24 doses for department members, which were distributed over two days. The second shot will be in 28 days for the two part vaccine.

Whitman Fire rescue went through a long process with the state to get their Massachusetts Immunization Information certification, said Firefighter Steve Foster infection control officer.

They are now registered as an inoculation site for the state of Massachusetts when and if the time comes Whitman fire will be able to administer vaccinations.

The criteria and information is all pending decisions through the State, which has not been currently established.

HANSON — Raising funds toward his Eagle Scout project, TJ Woodward of Hanson — a junior at South Shore Technical High School — hosted a can and bottle drive last weekend at the Nathaniel Thomas Mill parking area.

For several hours on Jan. 9 and despite the bitter chill, his supporters did not disappoint in the first step of fundraising towards his project he has neared his monetary goal to start gathering materials.

His purpose in the venture is to create a parking lot with leveled gravel, a trail kiosk with a map of the trail system to Poor Meadow, which has over 300 acres of town owned land.

Currently the area which abuts Saw Mill Lane and is about 1/8 of a mile from the railroad tracks is marked by a small sign and is a rough, dirt pull off.  Having the area accessible and clearly marked will create better opportunities for people to explore nature.

Woodward is planning to complete his Eagle Scout project by June of 2021.

His proposal and approval, through both the town of Hanson and Mayflower Counsel, which oversees the region including his Troop 68 was completed on Oct. 26, 2020.   

The beneficiary of the project is Hanson Conservation Commission.

The can drive will aid in funding his materials, and the five plaques highlighting some of the areas in Poor Meadow.  He is still developing ideas on that portion of the project, which will be approximately one to two miles of nature trail.

Woodward received many warm wishes from former Scouts and residents who read about his can drive and dropped off large quantities of bottles.   

With offers of assistance from several attendees during the can drive Woodward said he was pleased with the fluid crowd who kept socially distant in drive up and drop off style.

“I definitely think it was nice – the turnout we had and donations of bottle and cans.  A lot of people mentioned where they saw the event posted and mentioned our signs. They were excited to see that they could drop off their cans, he said.    

During the early restrictions of COVID-19 closures recycling center had limited drop offs and hours. People were saving cans and bottles, which TJ benefited from.

As of now the main materials he is looking for are lumber and recycled gravel or recycled asphalt, he said if anyone still wishes to contribute.

In his deciding factors for his Scout project Woodward knew this vicinity needed sprucing up.

“For me I realized it was a great area of opportunity it will provide a great area for the town to use.

Adding a couple more walking trails to enjoy and see all the nature we have in our town,” said Woodward.

HANSON — Surrounded by branches on nearly three acres of land 10 Nigerian Dwarf Goats were busy munching on Christmas trees at Channel Homestead in Hanson this week.

Goats are known for their fondness of forest fare, making them perfect disposal units for discarded holiday trees.

Christanie, Matt and Hunter Channell  1½,  live on the homestead and are busy with dozens of daily tasks to keep the farm in motion especially during the pandemic.

They recently posted on local town Facebook pages that they were accepting drop-offs of Christmas trees in all varieties. While there is no fee involved, they do ask that the trees are still alive. There are great nutrients for the goats and a natural de-wormer for their chickens.

This past weekend, a pile of nearly 100 trees and counting were lined against their penned property and in their pickup truck bed — waiting to be served.

Due to COVID-19 the family are currently not allowed to  have visitors come to see the  Nigerian Dwarf Goats, but as restrictions change they will be welcoming people back for visits. They plan to continue having themed family farm days similar to last year, which they said were successful.

Among their livestock are Flemish giant rabbits, blue Swedish ducks, Wynadotte chickens and two horses, that are available for riding lessons.

Christanie teaches individual riding lessons in the afternoons as well as rising early to care for the animals. 

The COVID pandemic gave her the push to expand all of her products she had begun to work on Christanie said. She is aiming to add additional products in the future but currently  handmakes body soaps, lotions hand sanitizers, shampoo and conditioner bars and body scrub products as well as bath bombs all with their own goat milk just to name a few. Lavender-scented calming room spray has been a hot product as she is already working on new items for the coming months.

These products, several varieties are unscented, are for sale at the farm stand at the front of their property.

She has received feedback from customers on the benefits of their goat milk products, which has been helpful for people with sensitive skin, eczema and other skin issues.

They also have product with activated charcoal and two CBD oil soaps- made in a tea tree and a citrus scent. ‘’It’s as good as you can get for your skin’’, she said. They are committed to using all natural, raw ingredients in their cold process.

Jarred honey, honey sticks, candy and eggs direct from the farm are also available for purchase.  Spring will be full of activity as they have planned breeding for several of the animals for their own as well as client breeding services.

The spacious barn has also been host to bridal showers. They have pre-order custom favors and seasonal gift baskets. They also schedule on location, outdoor pony parties.

For more information on their services and contact information visit their webpage channellhomestead.org  they are also on Facebook at Channell Homestead

The 20th annual Whitman Area Toy Drive is working hard to gather donations, as they are weeks away from the Christmas holiday in a year of apprehension and doubt.

“We want these kids to have something under the Christmas tree … and COVID is not going to stop Christmas in Whitman,” said a determined President of the Whitman Area Toy Drive Donnie Westhaver.

Along with Vice President and co founder Jane Plasse, Westhaver said the organization is unwavering in their mission to meet the need of families in Whitman.

Seeing the community prevail over this year’s health and financial challenges of 2020 has been heartwarming for organizers as they look toward another drive-by toy drop off  this week being hosted in Abington to benefit the Whitman Area  Toy Drive. The community is encouraged to provide a toy for those in need.

The call to lend a hand in filling Christmas wishes is being answered as members of the community have amped up donations.

On Sunday, Dec. 6, Whitman Police held their sixth Annual Stuff-A-Cruiser benefit to assist the toy drive outside at the Whitman police station — filling nine cruisers in total throughout the day. Sunday’s turnout was larger than years past.

School Resource Officer Kevin Harrington extended a thank you to everyone that brought toys to their annual Stuff-A-Cruiser. He also thanked his partners in the event Whitman Officer David Hickey, Plasse and Westhaver for what they do for the community.

“Without people like you those in need would not be able to provide a Merry Christmas for their families. A big thank you to the Whitman community for your generosity during these trying times!” Harrington expressed in a social media post.

The community support is unwavering even though the changes of this year’s drive started with “mild concern,” Westhaver said.

Toll booth fundraisers normally set up in the Town Center had been cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions placing a deficit of $3,500 that the non-profit would have had at this time in December compared to past years, according to Westhaver.

Other donors have stepped in to help close that gap.

This week, Plasse and Westhaver were presented a “sizeable” donation from North Eastern Savings Bank on Bedford Street helping to offset the loss of other fund raisers that had been successful in past years but had to be cancelled this year.

We are concerned with the safety of all staff included (due to CDC regulations) we find that this is the safest way to continue the toy drive this year for the families to do their pick up via a drive through process, he said.

They are asking that residents be patient as they are answering as many direct messages and phone calls daily.

“We are taking a wish list for the children and we are going to do the best we can. We cannot allow parents to come in to the pavilion like in years past to pick out or handle the toys,” said Westhaver.

The plan, as in almost all events is to use the drive through method of distribution.

As of right now  there will be announced times for pick up as details become  finalized, organizers are asking for those in need to privately direct messages on Facebook to their  Whitman Area Toy Drive page.

In the meantime, the toy drive is also seeing people helped in the past, stepping up to give back.

Westhaver’s heart was warmed on Sunday after receiving toys from a woman who had been down on her luck several years ago.

She had received help from the toy drive and was giving back to help others now that she is back on her feet, he said.

Having a moment such as this was exactly why they continue to do the toy drive, he added.

An easier modification that can also assist the toy drive directly is a new Venmo account; reducing contact for people who wish to donate to cash orders but are socially distancing from outside events. Cash was used online for the Black Friday sales and free delivery specials allowing for increase in momentum as the shelves are expanding each day.

Residents are reminded Marcello’s sub shop, and Duval’s Pharmacy has a toy drop box as well as the main lobby at the Whitman police station.

Westhaver also commended the continued work of the Food pantry of Whitman St. Vincent De Paul who they work closely with in providing holiday meals.   A giving tree at the Holy Ghost church in Whitman is also a direct benefit to the Toy drive.

Abington Colony Cares for the Community located at 277 Washington Street on Dec. 11 from 5-8 is hosting a toy drive-up -drop off.  

Santa’s helpers will be outdoors with boxes excepting food pantry (non perishable) donations and unwrapped toys.

Some recent trends for tweens include LED lights in new decorating fads for bedrooms.  Westhaver said there are also requests for crafts, sketch pads, art supplies and gift cards to local businesses, nails salons, and coffee shop treats.

HANSON — This year residents appear to be decorating their yards and homes earlier in the milder days of November — with colorful lights, tied pine wreaths with red bows  and oversized ornaments hanging in trees — to create an aura of hope and holiday joy.

Instead of Black Friday shopping last week, several families were lining their yards with pre-lit holiday inflatable characters, setting up oversized reindeer and even an antique carriage with holiday floral.

In Hanson, Jan Pompeo had wrapped up Thanksgiving dinner and was hanging lights by Friday morning to start celebrating Christmas with her grandchildren.

“They are my life – all the therapy I need,” she laughed as she hugged a grandson. The pair enjoyed their time as they un-knotted a small set of white lights.

Her 14-year-old grandson Sam Pompeo of Whitman was doing the climbing as he hung the strands of lights from her arbor way; a giant, pre-lit, golden, wicker deer glistened at the front doorway.

Spending time decorating with his grandmother was a way of making memories, he said.

Sam had anticipated a Thanksgiving holiday and the upcoming Christmas season as still one full of excitement and he wasn’t feeling as though he missed out on anything given the CDC requirements for smaller gatherings.

Al and his son Michael Di Carlo who live on Indian Head Street decorate each year with inflatables spread out to create a splattering of colored lights across their yard they wave as they hear honks on their busy street.

Michael, who is a sophomore at Whitman-Hanson and works at Shaw’s in Hanson, enjoys social interaction and creating a Christmas vibe. His large, extended family of several generations normally gather for both traditional turkey and authentic Italian foods but this year was a smaller gathering non-the-less with great food.

“We keep spirit strong for the holidays,” said Michael, who agreed with his father it was time to flip the power on to blow up Frosty the Snowman. They shook out the plastic characters as they bloated themselves upright. He says like his grandfather he will accept the torch to carry on the holiday decorating tradition something he is proud to do.

At the other end of town off King Street The Holiday House of Hanson on 16 Woodbrook Lane is getting prepared to  host its Second Annual Scavenger Hunt to benefit the Hanson Food Pantry.

Owners Tim and Kimberly Young moved here in 1998. Their teenagers have grown up with the decorating, assisting and adding to the collections.

Each year the ornaments and inflatables have multiplied and increased in scale.

“Just come by… it will lift your spirit,” said Tim, who has dreamed up the yard design for just that purpose. “It is creating happiness, which is much needed at this time.

“I have always loved Christmas and that is how it started,” Tim said of his passion for the cheery collectables. He has kept his original collection of over 20 years ago the pieces are nostalgic amidst the newest characters of trolls, gingerbread men, nutcrackers and lots of Disney characters to list a few.

Young has favorite a T-shirts (his holiday attire) including one from from the iconic National Lampoons Christmas Vacation with the Griswolds.

Over the years they’ve received enormous feedback from families who stop, photograph, and walk the sidewalk to get a look at the collectables many whom return each year.

A family from Hanover who lives on King Street  stopped to say thank you and hello as they walked the sidewalk.

“This is so much fun and we came last year said the Ingle family who brought their 4-year-old Kaylee Ingle who was happiest to see the Trolls in the front yard.

The Young’s have a collection box, a letter to Santa mailbox (they are good friends with the guy in the big red suit) and as of last year were able to donate $900 raised through collected donations to the Hanson Food Pantry.

They also have four tubs of food prepared so far this fall, which they began to assemble for the food pantry during their Halloween light show.

As for a total tally of holiday inflatables Young would not create a spoiler alert because that is one of the questions on the upcoming scavenger hunt Dec. 12 and 13. The event is limited due to social distancing and participants need to fill out a form through their Facebook page to make an appointed time of arrival for the event. The details are listed on their page along with recent donations given to the food pantry.

Chris Cameron Director of Hanson Food Pantry was thrilled to hear of the upcoming event to benefit their program.

“The community support in Hanson is just amazing we are blessed to have so many caring people,” she said

The Pantry averages serving 100 families monthly and in compliance with the State regulations for COVID-19 they are using a drive up distribution.

“We are so blessed with donations,” Cameron said. “We are well stocked and work with the Greater Boston Food Bank, Target of Hanover and Shaw’s in Hanson.”

The Hanson Shaw’s location is currently hosting Turkey Bucks, which is to alleviate food insecurities via the food bank. Shaw’s regional headquarters has also given grants to the Hanson Food Pantry, according to Cameron. The drive-up distribution hours are Tuesday’s from 10 a.m. to noon and from 6 to 8 p.m.

Scavenger Hunt guests are asked to donate $10 that will go to the pantry.

Information can be found on the Facebook page The Holiday House of Hanson.

Guests can listen to Christmas music on radio station 105.3 as they watch the lights outside the home.

Weather such as high winds can affect the nightly viewing and the Young’s post on their Facebook page if there are any changes to create the best viewing possible for guests.

Catwoman and Robin rode into the sunset after an eight-hour mission on Saturday, Oct. 23 to distribute 314 bags of candy to kids in a Halloween-themed adventure.

Melissa Clark of Hanson, a Plymouth County Deputy combined her love of cars and Halloween and used her cool Polaris Sling Shot three-wheeler ride to create a fun-filled day.

After the event blew up via Hanson’s social media Connect pages Clark decided they should organize a route so she could include as many families as possible. They also posed for photos but remained in the vehicle to keep socially distant for all involved.

They started the day at 10 a.m. in her Catwoman attire she rode with side kick Robin — whose alter-ego is her mom Michele Clark. The pair made deliveries of individual bags of candy (COVID regulations in place) to 49 different streets throughout Hanson, and Monponsett within the Halifax Twin Lakes.

They tossed the bags to children and families who were on a pre-scheduled route.

Clark, who calls herself a car enthusiast and drives a Camero,  was exuberant to involve her Cat Mobile in the Halloween plans. When she purchased the Polaris  Sling Shot in March 2019 it was  originally white. The three-wheeled, open-air ride positively turns heads. She designed her custom wrap to emulate the Catmobile, which was special ordered  from AMR Racing Las Vegas. It was installed by Anthony Crisafulli of Northeast Auto Spa in Pembroke.

Clark who grew up in Hanson, where her family still resides, and has a heart for her community. Her father Ron Clark is a long time veteran officer of the Plympton Police Department and is a fellow car enthusiast.

Following the day long adventure Clark said she felt completely “fulfilled.”

“There were no debates, arguments, stress or negativity as we have in the world right now,” she said. “It brought smiles. It was a great day.

“We even stopped at Mc Donald’s. We gave out candy there,” she said with a laugh.

There were lots of pictures posted throughout the day on local town pages. She was pleased at the positive comments she received from so many families; several messages that particularly touched her heart.

With no immediate planned upcoming events Catwoman will ride again … stay tuned.  Meow!

Life is always sweeter with cake. For Hanson native Abby Burke, owner of “Cake Art by Abby,” a thriving business as a cake decorator six months into a pandemic is not the scenario for success she would have imagined.

Guidelines on properly celebrating while still being socially distant has taken some of the pizzazz out of special occasions but Burke — who has a strong social media presence and has begun to raffle off her cakes — has reinserted some of that birthday joy.

She is discovering that families are looking for unique cakes to make their loved ones feel extra special during this unsettled time.

Burke is a 2010 graduate of Whitman Hanson, ironically her maiden name was Mixer, with a passion for confection.

She met and married her husband who is originally from Whitman. They now live in East Bridgewater with their two young children. She is also a financial planning associate. Her strong point is remaining structured and organized as a key to balance in her busy life.

She always had an artistic eye and tried different mediums but realized watching cake decorating videos gave her a strong sense of satisfaction.

After her first attempt at making her daughter a unicorn cake she gave herself a harsh critique.

“I made one…I wasn’t happy with it – it wasn’t that good,” she said. “So I began to make more, finding a flaw in each one and figured out how to perfect it for the next one.”

She began to put in the work as she continues to educating herself. Her cakes are not of a cookie cutter variety.

Nearly all her communication for orders is through social media platforms, direct messenger and her website. During the peak months of COVID lockdown, it provided a solid platform through which her clients could easily continue to reach her. Her clientele normally has a birthday theme, which they communicate to her. She then asks if they are OK with her artistic spin and her magic production begins.

She has heard from clients that they have had virtual birthdays, driveway visits and other creative ways to make memories. As new norms are formed in ways of celebrations she has noticed families want to have a unique cake adding extraordinary cheer.

She is a 2013 graduate from Bentley, which helped her launch her cake design business. Burke also credits her high school days describing herself as a girl who “had her hand in countless activity and was wildly involved” in both public speaking and the business foundation of DECA (formerly known as Distributive Education Clubs of America).   

In the start up for her confections she raffled off all of her cakes for free to people within the South Shore. The unique cakes were out there for all to see and taste and she did not waste a sweet drop of the icing.

“I didn’t want to throw it away,” she said.

Burke connected on Facebook with a local family who were down on their luck during COVID.

She was thrilled to be able to donate a cake to them, she said.

Belonging to several ‘mom groups’ with women, who help network and support one another, she always chooses to shop local and small when she can.

Burke says her social media presence and growth has allowed a wider age demographic especially with children’s birthdays. She uses TikTok and Snapchat  and her videos have over 300,000 views. Connecting with all ages from the teen bracket through retirement she was hired to make a retirement cake for a knitting group and reconnected with one of her most influential teachers, Lydia Nelson of Whitman Hanson.

One of the most unforgettable cakes she “set up” was  during the height of quarantine when her sister Becca Feldmann of Halifax was celebrating her baby’s first birthday. Feldman was caring for her new baby — who at birth had a severe gastrointestinal condition and after so many milestones the first birthday was extra special for their family.

“It was a big deal for me,” said Burke.  The next best thing she could do in celebrating her niece’s health and birthday milestone was to construct a cake kit with step by step instructions. Her sister could construct the baby’s first cake with the decorative design Burke created.

Happily her niece is doing well and still remains in strict quarantine.  They are looking forward to days ahead when they can spend time celebrating all together.

With a family and running her own business Burke calls time management the key to her growth. She recently launched a six-month, beginner’s subscription goodie box, which arrives every month. It also comes along with an instructional, virtual class with Abby who enjoys teaching others about her craft.  There are also frosting recipes with helpful hints.

To view and order cakes and for information on her products visit her website  cakeartbyabby.com