Stephanie Spyropoulos, Express Correspondent, Author at Whitman-Hanson Express • Page 18 of 20

Hanson salutes newest centenarian

October 22, 2015 By Stephanie Spyropoulos, Express Correspondent

Cheers and goodwill at Senior Center as Hanson salutes newest centenarian

It’s not every day the town of Hanson salutes newest centenarian. With a room filled with friends at the Hanson Multi-Service Senior Center Tuesday, Barbara Meiggs of Hanson smiled with her entire face as everyone shouted “Happy Birthday!”

Hanson salutes newest centenarian, Barbara Meiggs

Barbara Meiggs wears a purple tiara on her special day of celebration. Click on her image to view more photos from the event.

At 100 years old her silver hair and sapphire eyes sparkled like the starry, night sky. She walked with assistance but, as thrilled as she was by the birthday attention, she was equally modest and thankful for the many greetings she received.

The petite centenarian took her throne, an armchair decorated with a purple fleece throw, and she was wrapped in a shawl scattered with rhinestones.

Celebrating a 100th birthday is quite the occasion staff members told her. She was quick to reply that she was still 99, as her birthday falls on Oct. 27.

She was born in 1915 and raised in Whitman.

In the year she was born, World War I had begun. Newspapers cost one cent, a movie ticket was seven cents, and steak was 18 cents a pound.

Meiggs recalled several historic milestones and answered aloud before Director Mary Collins could read the short list she had prepared.

Meiggs has a sharp memory and, up until her 95th birthday, she was still working at the Jordan Hospital in Plymouth.

She logged over 7,000 hours of service in administration, office work, and answering phones. She did it all, she said.

“I think that is why I am still here. I helped many people,” she said.

Then when she “retired” she volunteered to answer the phones at the Hanson Senior Multi-Service center. She’s been independent from the start.

At age 6 she recalled being scolded for leaving her yard through a wooded path to visit her grandmother’s house. She was in trouble for scaring her mother, she said.

“My mother couldn’t find me and had to get the police,” she said.

She was very close to her grandmother and adored spending time with her. Meiggs said one of the greatest gifts she ever received was a hand-sewn dress that her grandmother had made her.

As a graduate of Whitman High School class of 1933, Meiggs went on to marry her husband Carlton — they were wed for 65 years.

They raised two sons, one of whom became the first Hanson police sergeant and the other a teacher at W-H. She has seven grandchildren and 14 great- grandchildren.

Her recipe for longevity has been going to church, loving her husband — even though she said she would sometimes not speak to him after an argument, but they would always make up — and enjoying ceramics for many years.

She didn’t play sports but she did learn to knit and crochet, which she said she was quite good at.

As she sat in her decorated arm chair Dody Whooten, 95, of Hanson approached her and dropped down to one knee. He professed his fondness for her as all the guests in the room, witnessed his gesture. Meiggs quickly told him she that reached 100 years because she was married only once and she intended to stay that way. She also said he was too young for her.

Whooten kissed her hand and then had a helping hand raising himself off the floor.

Barbara took the proposal in stride as her guests teased that even at 100 years old she was still getting marriage proposals.

View more photos on the Whitman-Hanson Express Facebook page.

Hanson Fire Department open house

October 8, 2015 By Stephanie Spyropoulos, Express Correspondent

Hanson Fire Department’s open house treats kids to some hands-on adventure with the focus on ‘Safety First’

HANSON — The Hanson fire department’s open house was held on Sunday, Oct. 4 in conjunction with fire safety month.

The sun made an appearance allowing dozens of families a fall outing and plenty of time to try out the equipment, tools and turnout gear of their hometown fire house.

Firefighter Charley Barends, public education coordinator for the SAFE program organized the event, which offered children’s activities including putting out a “fire” with the real hoses that firefighters use.

Children lined up to spray the hoses and others jumped in the puddles from the runoff.

Easing fears

ROOM TO GROW: Tiffany Pryor helps her daughter Savannah, 2, try on the jacket in the dress up area as her son Logan, 3, wears full turnout gear during the Hanson Fire Department’s annual open house Sunday. See more photos, pages 10,11. Photo by Stephanie Spyropoulos.

Barends, a father of 5-year-old twins said the SAFE program in the schools allows the younger children to familiarize themselves with their local firefighters so if they ever had to call 911 they will recognize the firefighters who are there to help.

He also is present during school fire drills and some of the topics they will be discussing are: fire safety, stop-drop-and-roll, family meeting places and exit plans in case of emergency and when to dial 911.

In the upcoming weeks posters, which decorated the walls of the fire station will be judged by Chief Jerry Thompson and the student winners will receive a gift.

With cotton candy and popcorn as well as a bouncy house and coloring table there was plenty to do both indoors and out. Free pizza was also provided by Papa Gino’s.

View pictures from the event on the Whitman-Hanson Express Facebook page.

Whitman native focuses on movie stills

October 1, 2015 By Stephanie Spyropoulos, Express Correspondent

ON THE SET: Photographer Claire Folger, a Whitman native, is seen during a break from her work on the set of ‘Black Mass.’ Photo courtesy, Claire Folger

Golden-colored plaques line an interior wall of the Dr. John F. McEwan Performing Arts Center at WHRHS, showcasing accomplishments of alumni who have achieved unique and purposeful careers.

One is for Claire Folger, formerly of Whitman, and a graduate of the Class of 1981, who was nominated for the Wall of Fame as a still photographer who works in film production. Her career credits have continued to develop immensely since 1996 with regular jobs on local films shot in Boston and surrounding towns.

As a still photographer, Folger’s work is used for movie posters and marketing materials for online media and promotions by studios such as Warner Bros.

Her usual day is 12 hours, five days a week and she is committed to approximately three months during a filming project.

On set her workspace is tight, yet defined, next to the cameramen and sharing space with the director, and sound operator.

Her photos are recognizable as they are from the actual film. The posters gracing movie theaters is her work in its completed stages.

Her timing is key in her ability to produce the photo that contains all of the right components.

“Sometimes I just know when to take a photo and when not to take a photo, “she said.

Folger defined a typical set as being “absolute silence” when a scene begins.

“Everyone has settled in. The only sounds are the actors performing their lines,” she said.

The “behind-the-scenes” work of movies, even for Folger, can be exciting although she has an intense focus while in work mode. In past movies, she has had the opportunity to photograph at Fenway Park in night scenes and the CIA building, which she was in awe over the interior architecture.

In 2005 she worked on the film “Gone, Baby, Gone” with Ben Affleck and an epic photo of Kate Hudson’s blue hair in “Bride Wars,” in 2009. Folger said the movie was great to shoot.

“I worked with real Vera Wang wedding gowns. They had favors and props, which were all in the movie.” she said. “As part of my job- props, things that are involved in the movie those are the things I also photograph.”

Folger’s stills are now prominently featured in movie theater lobbies as posters of Johnny Depp in “Black Mass,” a film about James “Whitey” Bulger, directed by Scott Cooper.

“It is a very serious role and he (Depp) was chilling watching him on set. There were so many fantastic actors in the movie,” she said.

She looks to capture the relationship between actors that the filmgoer will see as well as the behind-scene glimpses into the process of production.

“I also capture the director … watching him work is also my job — the coaching of the actor,” Folger said. “I am always looking for the nice moments. I like to take pictures of people and show the enjoyable process of film making.”

She also fondly recalls photographing architecture, such as the Charlestown Bridge, and scenic shots through the city during filming of “The Town” (2010). Other recognizable posters, such as the “Nuns with Guns,” based on the Charlestown money heists, sometimes capturing skyline shots and neighborhoods give color and placement to the films’ surroundings.

She has fond recollections of the Charlestown Bridge at dusk with lights draping the bridge her scenic landscapes making the cut for the final posters.

During filming for “Gone Baby, Gone,” she photographed an orange sunset, which also made the posters for the film, but after five hours of filming on a rooftop she found the sunset over the Boston skyline captivating. Noticing the details around her has become her perfected craft.

Folger grew up one of five children. She said she was inspired artistically by her father who recently passed away.

“Eugene Folger — Gene — he was a big influence,” she said. He was a businessman in town, the owner of Folger’s Camera shop, where he fixed cameras and developed film. She recalls being able to practice on different cameras that her dad let her use. She would take photos of friends and learned how to develop film in their basement. She loved photography but most of it was just having fun.

Her mother Margaret was a lifelong Whitman resident until recently and was active in town. She was a long time lecture reader at the Holy Ghost Church.

Following high school, when she was voted class artist at W-H, it was probably unexpected that she chose biology as her college major, she said.

She attended South Eastern Mass. University and earned a science degree in biology.

“I was always interested in art. In conjunction with my sciences I took many art classes drawing, art history and painting,” she said. “You always think you are making the right decision at the time in your career.”

Folger worked as a research technician at Boston University Medical School for 27 years in the anatomy department as an electron microscopist. She work with high powered microscopes, which in similarity she used her visual skills albeit in different ways. She started her own photography studio as well as working on movies for several years balancing three jobs.

“I realized I wanted to continue in a career move and take my work to the next level,” she said.

Her photography career is unique and often draws fascination. People are always intrigued when you work with celebrities, she said. It is also uncommon that in her profession she did not relocate to New York or Los Angeles, both booming regions for the movie industry.

“It took a long time before I got paying jobs,” she said. Nearly ten years later she finally saw continuous income and stability. She joined IATSE the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees film union as well as the Cinematographer Guild in 2000.

Her first job on a small film as a still photographer was

“Darien Gap” with director Brad Anderson. It went to Sundance Film festival in the mid 1990’s and did very well, she said.

His next film “Next Stop Wonderland,” Anderson brought her on board as she slowly changed careers. She worked again several years later with Brad Anderson co- writer and director of “Session 9.”

Allotting her time for three months during shoots usually a film will wrap up a year before it goes into movie theatres.

Folger’s most recent work, “Central Intelligence,” film from this summer she completed on the north shore with Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart will be released next summer.

“The Finest Hours,” a Disney production movie was completed last fall in Quincy and Chatham. It is a true story of a shipwreck and dramatic rescue due to be released in early 2016.

Some of Folger’s most recognizable work includes stills for: “Black Mass” (2014) Warner Bros. Director: Scott Cooper; “Argo” (2011) Warner Bros. Director: Ben Affleck. 2013 Academy Award Best Picture, Best Screenplay, Best Editing;

“Ted” (2011) Universal. Director: Seth MacFarlane;

“The Finest Hours” (2014) Walt Disney Pictures. Director: Craig Gillespie;

“August: Osage County” (2012) The Weinstein Company/ John Wells Company;

“The Town” (2010) Warner Bros. Director: Ben Affleck; as well as dozens of other films, television series and individual episodes.

Getting a kick for 40 years

September 18, 2015 By Stephanie Spyropoulos, Express Correspondent

FUTURE STARS: Almost ready to go the youngest marchers take hold of their team sign before the Whitman Youth Soccer 40th anniversary season kickoff parade on Saturday, Sept. 12. See more photos, on the Whitman-Hanson Facebook page. Photo by Stephanie Spyropoulos

WHITMAN — With hundreds of children on parade, wearing shiny cleats and colorful T-shirts flanked by their coaches and families, traffic in Whitman center stood still as the annual Whitman Youth Soccer parade made their way to the Town Park early Saturday morning.

Kicking off the fall season, WYS celebrated its 40th year in the sport. In attendance were first director of the town league during its inception Marilynn Newcomb and longtime coaches, referees — and past soccer players themselves John Goldrosen, Vinnie and Phyllis Savill, and Richard Terry. The group led the parade stepping off from Whitman fire station proudly displaying the 40th anniversary banner.

Dick Cole, also a coach of 35 years who is the currently with the freshman boys soccer at Whitman-Hanson, spoke at the morning event.

“It’s unbelievable to me,” said Cole seeing the WYS grow over the last forty years. As a past president he recognized several members of WYS who have passed on but are not forgotten in spirit.

“WYS has been building skills, initiative, team work, high standards of fair play and spirit for many years. Try your best and always make sportsmanship your priority,” said Cole.

Mike Newcomb, Marilynn’s son, is now the president of Whitman Youth Soccer taking over the reins after his family was raised playing the sport.

Amid laughs from the crowd Newcomb described their early apparel. “Our uniforms were long, wool sleeve shirts … we had wooden goal posts and it was not fun to line the field in real chalk before each game. My brother Larry and I walked in the first parade here in Whitman soccer,” said Newcomb.

Gathering at the Whitman fire station to line the streets amid a sea of neon T-shirts, a transformation of the times was evident, players wore lightweight, easy dry apparel and fun, patterned knee socks and hair bows to match.

The early years featured four boys’ teams and one girls’ team with the second season jumping to 40 teams, said Marilynn Newcomb, who was observing the immense growth of players around her prior to step-off.

Soccer — known as football in other countries — is by far the healthiest sport on the planet, said Richard Terry. He was a coach for 20 years and referee following his tenure. His children grew up playing soccer in town.

“You can’t learn unless you do, and everyone had to play at least half the game on the town leagues,” he said as he reminisced with his comrades.

Joe Molito and Eric Frank, who were raised in Whitman, are now also taking roles as coaches and board members as their children play soccer.

Frank played WYS, continued his athletic career at Whitman Hanson high school then played in college. He coaches his daughter Emma, 9, and is the director of instructional leagues.

Emma who loves to run said she plays forward position on the field and loves soccer because of the running within the sport.

Several Whitman teams went above and beyond the regular season making their presence known in the playoffs last year. They work was recognized at the morning gathering Saturday.

Five teams went to playoffs last year, said Newcomb. He introduced the young ladies of the Under 16 and Under 18 teams who played in the Massachusetts Team of Champions (MTOC) tournament representing Whitman. They proudly wore white jackets with their names embroidered on the back.

“We wouldn’t be here today without these people who are and always have been volunteers,” Newcomb said.

He read an alphabetized list acknowledging dozens of families who played, volunteered and donated to the organization over the last 40 years.

June and Joe O’ Leary were also recognized for their restoring work at the town park and fields.

The Rev. James Mahoney of the Holy Ghost Church in Whitman and St. Bridget’s Church in Abington opened the event with a prayer of blessing and fair play. Alex Moulthrop, 15, of Kingston sang The National Anthem before a rousing crowd.

View more photos from the event on the Whitman-Hanson Express Facebook page.

Box truck hits Whitman house

September 16, 2015 By Stephanie Spyropoulos, Express Correspondent

Two injured, truck driver subdued with Taser

INVESTIGATION: Whitman officers wait for the box truck involved in a morning car crash on Auburn Street as it is towed from the scene Wednesday morning. Photo by Stephanie Spyropoulos.

WHITMAN — A box truck crashed into a house after striking a full-sized landscape truck from behind and reportedly driving erratically in a 6:30 a.m. crash on Route 14 in front of 1120 Auburn Street in Whitman Wednesday.

The driver of the box truck, identified by police as David Anderson, 30, of East Bridgewater became belligerent yelling obscenities, and assaulting Bridgewater paramedics who had arrived on scene to assist after they happened across it while returning from a previous call at the hospital.

Describing the scene, several witnesses said the driver of the white Enterprise box truck, which was reportedly a contracted driver for Lowe’s appeared “out of it,” cursing and becoming physical with EMS and police officials as they were attending to him.

Police Chief Scott Benton confirmed his officer did tase the driver based on the actions and mannerism in which he was exhibiting toward officials.

Anderson, who was initially found unconscious by the first arriving personnel, was receiving medical care and speaking with officials when he became combative.

“He failed to comply with verbal commands given by officers and as a result of his continued assaultive and combative behavior he was drive stun tased,” said Benton.

Anderson continued to kick and resist personnel as they strapped him to the stretcher. Benton commended officials for their exemplary action during a “very active and progressively violent scene” he stated in a press release.

Homeowner Jill Bekerian assesses the damage to her home after a box truck crashed into it at 6:30 a.m. Wednesday morning while the couple was asleep inside. Photo by Stephanie Spyropoulos.

Along with two counts of assault and battery on an officer, Anderson is facing charges of OUI, drugs; negligent operations; two counts of assault of EMS officials; assault and battery dangerous weapon to wit, shod foot, of fire personnel; disorderly conduct; operating with a suspended license and possession of less than one ounce of marijuana, said Benton.

Witnesses stated to officers that the truck had been operating erratically prior to the crash, which occurred as the landscape truck was waiting for a stopped school bus, which was picking up children only yards away.

“Whitman police personnel handled the situation appropriately and according to policies and procedures of the Whitman Police Department based on the actions of the driver,” Benton said. “He will be facing charges and the incident is an ongoing investigation.”

Homeowners Jill and Ricky Bekerian, startled but unharmed, were asleep in their home when their dogs’ barking awakened them.

“We got up to see what they were barking at and the truck was here in the garage,” she said.

Less than two hours later elementary school children and parents were waiting for the bus, feet from the after math of the crash scene where remaining pieces of wood were scattered on the ground.

“We were happy no one was outside yet,” said Brenda Shaefer of her younger children. A large piece of tree bark was stripped next to their driveway. The family lives right next door to the crash site.

A loud bang and continuous sirens causing a chaotic start to their morning – drawing them outside as the family quickly recalled a similar close call last year.

“We had a car crash here last year… it took out the telephone pole and stopped right on our island on the front lawn,” said Shaefer.

The road is well traveled and has been known for its share of motor vehicle accidents on the straightaway that extends from Whitman to Brockton.

The driver of the landscaping truck Isis Barbosa, 24, of Bridgewater sustained non-life threatening injuries. He was transported to the hospital for care.

It’s ’safety first’ for students at the Whitman Library

September 10, 2015 By Stephanie Spyropoulos, Express Correspondent

AW, MOM: Eli Randolph, 4, was not thrilled as his mother Laura Homokay of Whitman made sure his helmet fit properly. Chin straps on bike helmets should fit snugly. Photo by Stephanie Spyropoulos.

WHITMAN — Whitman Police Resource Officer Kevin Harrington met with students and parents Friday, Sept. 4 to discuss bike safety awareness at the Whitman Library.

With a hearty round of high fives and a discussion about wearing the correct clothing and shoes to cycle safely Harrington demonstrated hand signals, and talked about the importance of wearing a helmet.

Harrington always wears his helmet when he rides his police-issued mountain bike, stressing that even adults need to protect themselves from an accident.

“You are never too cool for a helmet,” he said. “It will protect your brain and Massachusetts law cites helmets must be worn until age 16.”

Cyclists also have to obey the rules of the road such as adhering to light signals and stopping at stop signs.

Crossing you bike from one side of the street to another is safer than riding through the street and riding a bicycle is a great form of exercise, said Harrington.

Keeping yourself visible for drivers is a key point in safe bike riding and as a walker outside; including wearing reflective strips in darker light, using cross walks and making eye contact with the passing driver signaling you see one another.

Harrington admitted to falling off his bike and eventually some of the children did, too. In a light hearted moment he encouraged them to get back on their bike and try again, because everyone falls off sometimes.

The nonprofit government agency Old Colony Planning Council Senior Transportation Planner Ray Guarino and Jimmy Pereira Community Transportation Planner were on hand to present free bike bells, lights and neon strips, which can be worn on wrists or legs to glow in the dark. They also addressed proper hand signals in the street so cars will observe your path.

Harrington closed the event by reading the book, “Officer Buckle and Gloria” by Peggy Rathmann.

Harrington is currently working on grant funding to receive more bike helmets as the department has given out their allotment.

See photos from the day at the Whitman-Hanson Express’s Facebook page.

Hanson family tees off to fund fight vs. Lupus

August 19, 2015 By Stephanie Spyropoulos, Express Correspondent

30-year tradition honors Leonard family patriarch

Billy and Bobby Leonard,back row, and
(front at left) sister Donna Leonard, mother Gerry Leonard and sisters Nancy McGee and Patty Fullerton pose for a family photo during the Leonard Family Golf Tournament. Photo by Stephanie Spyropoulos.

EAST BRIDGEWATER — In memory of their father and grandfather Robert W. Leonard, Sr., his family and their loved ones have played golf for 30 years to raise money for a cause near and dear to their heart.

Donna Leonard of Hanson and her daughter Alyssa Oldfield, 18, are only two sets of hands that organized the Friday, Aug. 14 annual day of golf, which has celebrated her father’s life cut short by complications from Lupus in 1985.

Since then, his widow, and family matriarch, Geraldine “Gerry” Leonard of Hingham and her five children two boys and three girls have participated in raising donations for the Lupus foundation each year in his memory.

Patty Fullerton of Weymouth the eldest of the three daughters has been a driving force in keeping the golf tournament on course. She oversees many of the fine details in organizing the occasion.

“The event over the last few years has become more of a day of golf rather than a tournament in which the family still makes an average of $1,200 to contribute to the Lupus foundation,” she said.

Friday’s tee times began at 8:30 a.m. at the Ridder Country Club in East Bridgewater. They average 70 to 100 people most years, said Fullerton.

Last week there were 13 foursomes in the tournament.

With only two days over 30 years receiving a rain out their good fortune brought early sun, heat and smiling faces for 2015, Fullerton said.

Prizes and raffles have aided in raising funds with everyone donating something to the table. An amazing home-cooked turkey dinner followed at the home of Gerry Leonard with family fun and camaraderie just a few key factors that the siblings and cousins were projecting on the day.

Catching up with their eldest brother/uncle who returned just for the event from Savannah, Ga., was also eagerly anticipated. Brendan Leonard a grandson of Leonard’s was also home on leave from Ft. Riley Army base in Kansas especially for the day.

Friday there were five generations reuniting and enjoying a turkey and ham dinner with all the fixings. The cost of the dinner has considerably risen over the 30 years, with cranberry sauce alone now at more than $1.50. Leonard joked that she was feeding a small army.

Paul Brennan has not missed a single year and it is his way of paying tribute to his brother in-law.

As a grandchild Alyssa said the gathering has kept her in touch with more than a dozen of her cousins. She was quickly named the family photographer as she has documented each year since she was old enough to take control of the lenses; snapping shots of each foursome heading out on the course, with candids, and perfectly capturing a impending scrapbook for her grandmother’s memories.

After this August the family will place the tournament on hold, but Alyssa, who will head to college in the fall, called the pause on the event temporary.

“I can see the tournament being resurrected in the future when the cousins are old enough to take over,” she said. “Right now we are going in different directions but it is only temporary.”

Among the golfer prizes Flo Lydon, 82, of Rockland announced she was hoping to grab the ribbon for “the oldest golfer” at the event. She is a lifelong friend of the Leonards, and she gave thumbs up as they headed out on the Ridder course.

Although there were countless reasons for enjoying the day in memory of her husband, Gerry said having everyone together and back at the house was the crowning element.

Seeing her grandchildren and friends together she couldn’t wait to see the kids jump in the pool.

“Once a year seeing such a big family like ours get together and celebrate their father- grandfather’s memory is the highlight of my day,” she said.

Sizzlin’ time at South Shore DARE camp

August 6, 2015 By Stephanie Spyropoulos, Express Correspondent

at right DARE Camp host officer William Frazier of Hanson police stands under the rain from Hanson fire department ladder truck on the field at WH.

CHILLIN’ OUT: At right above, DARE Camp host officer William Frazier, Hanson Police DARE and school resource officer, stands with campers under the rain from hose of the Hanson Fire Department ladder truck at WHRHS during the 21st annual Plymouth County DARE Camp. Below, Hanson Firefighter Tim Royer dumps nontoxic foam over campers on the field at WHRSD during DARE Camp on Thursday, July 30. Photo by Stephanie Spyropoulos.

HANSON — More than 350 burgers and hot dogs were served hot off the grill on a day campers felt equally sizzled on the field as the Drug Awareness Resistance Education (DARE) Camp was held for youths from 19 towns on the South Shore at WHRSD last week.

Host Resource Officer William Frazier, of the Hanson Police Department, was praised by District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz at the graduation services held Friday, July 31.

Cruz congratulated Frazier on his first and very successful DARE camp week. The DA had attended several events and said he was pleased at the success of the camp over the last two decades.

“We have had more participants than any other year. The campers are learning about safety, respect, drug awareness and anti-bullying,” said Cruz.

Chief Patrick Dillon of Plympton, Deputy Chief Hanlon of Whitman, Chief Michael Miksch of Hanson and many other officers, lieutenants and volunteers were on hand for the chock-full week.

“These campers are going to sleep good tonight and so are we,” the officers agreed.

With Mother Nature on their side, sunny days allowed for lots of water play, games, cold snacks, an ice cream party and positive peer interaction.

Officer Dana Smith of Plympton has also been involved with the camp as a resource officer for four years, he said.

“It is not just the officers who interact with the kids but the peer leaders who kids are looking up to. I think DARE Camp has been a great thing for kids,” he said.

The campers were surprised by Kristen Merlin’s appearance during graduation. The hometown finalist of NBC’s reality competition show, “The Voice,” sang the national anthem and congratulated campers on their accomplishments.

She told campers she had also attended camp, “back in the day.”

Campers played field games such as four way tug-o-war, water balloon fights, enjoyed special guest performances, and lots of food.

Olympic events, 50-yard dash races, egg toss, obstacle courses and a visit from the State Police helicopter, which landed in the upper field, also highlighted the week.

The pilots spoke with campers during a question and answer session and a visual tour inside of the aircraft was offered before the chopper left to the enthusiastic applause of campers and staff.

Amp 103 Radio station DJs made a visit providing music for all the field events on Tuesday.

As each day wrapped up leaders and officers sent home hundreds of worn out kids — many covered in popsicle syrup and mud — hoping they learned countless lessons about positive choices to take along in their journeys of life.

View photos from the event on the Whitman-Hanson Express Facebook page.

Whitman painter shares craft with children

July 22, 2015 By Stephanie Spyropoulos, Express Correspondent

Art is a labor of love

Gina Palaza at right teachers her students how to work with canvas and acrylic paints. clockwise :Victoria, 9, Megan, 8, Kiley, 9, and Maddie, 10

Gina Palaza (at right) teaches her students how to work with canvas and acrylic paints.
clockwise: Victoria, 9, Megan, 8, Kiley, 9, and Maddie, 10

WHITMAN —In a bright home studio in Whitman a cool breeze blew through the open windows as birds chirped in unison nearby. Inside four students painted as if lost in their own creativity and color palettes.

Their instructor is Gina Palaza of Whitman, a local artist, wife and teacher. She is also a hardworking mother of four girls, Lila and Ginger, 9, Isabella, 11, and, Angelina, 13.

Gina Palaza of Whitman and her students work on a cupcake canvas piece that students will take home at the end of class.

During last week’s studio class at her home Palaza instructed four girls, several of whom draw and paint regularly. Her students were four girls of a similar age range to her own children: Maddie, 10, of Pembroke and Whitman residents Kiley, 9, Megan, 8, and Victoria, 9, all focused on their canvases depicting oversized, whimsical cupcakes on a tablecloth.

Palaza allows her students to choose their own color palettes as she mentors their projects.

“I would rather they pick the colors because they make their pieces unique – and have the color theme to hang in their own bedrooms,” said Palaza. “Greens and aqua is a strong color trend and the girls really seem to like it.”

The girls love art as much as their teacher, and their painting evokes that sheer enjoyment, as they mixed paint to change the tonal effects and learned what size brushes are best to use.

Students start with paint and lighten the shade to their own taste with a swirl of white.

Victoria has made several paintings and her flip-flop canvas signifying summer is one of her favorite pieces.

“I can design whatever I want,” said Megan.

Olaf the snowman from the Disney’s “Frozen” was her first painting.

Maddie, who aspires to be an artist someday, said she loves painting because it becomes whatever she wants.

“Even if you mess up, everything is art,” she said. “It doesn’t have to be perfect and I like what I make. Painting is a lot of fun. You get to express your feelings.”

Palaza balances her family schedules with her Sharpie pen but you will often find her in studio — brush in hand — or on her porch painting pet portraits.

She has always painted and had lessons as a child. She said she was not into sports as a kid and art was always her passion. In fact, she graduated from Massachusetts School of Art in Boston in 2003 with a degree in painting.

Palaza’s pet portraits are commissioned, with several recent clients connecting through the retailer Setting the Space and her clientele range from gift givers to those wanting a memorial pet portrait for a special pet that has died.

Palaza says teaching is a dream come true, being able to do what she loves and pass on, the love of art to others. She has recently added summer classes for her students as well as securing a display of her own works at Setting the Space, in their four retail spaces located on the South shore.

Palaza likes to host a small art show in culmination of each class with snacks and champagne glasses of sparkling juice for student artists.

“They get to show off their work to siblings and family and it is a boost of their confidence,” she said.

Private lessons usually run a month long and children’s classes are the most popular. She has met many of her clients through word-of-mouth.

The students work with canvas and acrylic water based, fast drying paint. Private art lessons involve all different mediums but group classes usually involve the popular acrylics.

As Palaza teaches the students how to mix paints they learn to use white to tweak their shades.

The canvas soon transforms into a cupcake with flair, inviting and bright. Their hands swirl their brushes and soon the girls are deep in their composition.

Palaza guides them in technique as they turn their canvas on its side and paint each edge.

Palaza says she is rewarded by seeing her students design freely. She has discovered that children don’t overthink their art, they let their minds wander unfettered and they use that freedom to create.

For more information visit ginapalaza.com

Carousel hosts send-off party for Nationals-bound skaters

July 9, 2015 By Stephanie Spyropoulos, Express Correspondent

WHITMAN — Whitman Carousel Family Fun Center held an open house with family and friends of local skaters on Monday night to help defray costs for more than a dozen local skaters who are competing in the 2015 USA Roller Sports Figure Skating Nationals in Albuquerque N.M. from July 19 to Aug. 1.

The night hosted performers of all ages who are traveling to New Mexico as well as beginners and intermediates who are not traveling but performed their first routines — such as brother and sister Christopher, 6, and Laura Miller, 5, of Brockton. The pair skated with light-up skate boots, which glowed neon, and their performances earned enthusiastic applause.

Skating is a family affair for the Urzua children of Whitman. Five of the six siblings skate and have accomplished great skill all learning from their mother in the very skates she wore as a child in their toddler years.

Now mother Betty Urzua works at the Carousel center as does eldest brother John, 21, a manager at the complex.

Family ties

The family, who are from Spain, are fourth-generation skaters dating back to their great-grandparents, who owned a skating rink in Michigan.

“Daniel, Ethan and I all learned on our mother’s skates. Our grandfather told us he could skate before he could walk,” said John. “I am most comfortable in skates. It’s freedom and I felt like I am flying,” he said.

The younger brothers Joshua, 11, and Isaiah, 13, have excelled in their skating. Even though they only began official lessons since September at the skate center, it is quite clearly in their blood.

Both boys placed in regionals last month in Fairhaven, Mass.

Each said they enjoy practicing and they like seeing their own improvements along with the abundant exercise. Joshua performed for the crowd on Monday, with his young sister Elsy, 7, who sparkled in a baby blue uni-tard as she twirled on wheels.

Most of the skate club choreography is ballroom method although there are numerous different styles of skating throughout the sport.

John and Deedee Viola are coaches at the Whitman center along with daughter Jodee and her husband Scott Cohen the pairs are set to travel with their teams.

The techniques they teach use quad skates, the traditional four wheel booted skate.

Over the years Scott Cohen said he has seen changes in popularity to the inline skate boot, which some teens use during skate times.

“What is old is new again as now the quad skates are making a comeback,” he said.

David Renna has been skating since age eight and after college in his early 20s he hung up his skates.

“I took a hiatus for 30 years,” he said. But upon his return and in the best shape of his life the fifty-something skater is heading to New Mexico in late July.

Renna who is from Malden travels to practice and skates 16 or more hours a week. He estimates his commitment to physical health and his upcoming competition are some of the best choices he has made.

He joked that skating changes as you get older, falling seems a lot harder on the body, so there is less jumping and elegant ballroom choreography — he leaves the splits and daring tricks to the younger ones.

He will compete in esquire team dance and master solo this month.