Whitman-Hanson Express

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
  • Rates
    • Advertisement Rates
    • Subscription Rates
    • Classified Order Form
  • Business Directory
  • Contact the Express
  • Archives
You are here: Home / Archives for Featured Story

Hanson sets its fall TM date

September 10, 2020 By Tracy F. Seelye, Express Editor

HANSON — The Board of Selectmen has set a tentative date of 10 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 3 for the special Town Meeting — at the W-H football field bleachers, so long as it could be arranged with the school district.

Selectman Matt Dyer has suggested moving the Town Meeting to a Saturday, according to Selectmen Chairman Kenny Mitchell who said it was a good idea since the fall session’s warrant is usually shorter and that location is also a concern.

He said Hanson Middle School is not an ideal option and that they should explore options of having it outside or on a Saturday.

Town Counsel Kate Feodoroff and Town Moderator Sean Kealy said logistics for that session will involve weather and lighting conditions and quorum size.

“I’ve been apprised that there are one or two items that are really essential to get done,” Kealy said. “If it’s the opinion of Selectmen that we really need to have a meeting in October, then we should go forward with it.”

He urged that the warrant be kept very manageable, if not kind of short to move people in and out, Kealy said his preference would be to hold Town Meeting outside.

“Obviously, there are weather issues that we didn’t face in July,” he said. The ability to attract a quorum is probably a bigger concern, according to Kealy.

He noted the state is allowing towns to go below their quorum requirement — Hanson’s is 100 and can go as low as 20-25 under special legislation passed to address the coronavirus pandemic. Kealy suggested 50.

“A lot of people might appreciate a Saturday,” Kealy said.

Town athletic fields are also closed to activity until after a killing frost from dusk to dawn due to the elevated risk of EEE and West Nile Virus in the area.

Feodoroff said the emergency public gathering guidelines exempt Town Meetings as a town’s legislative body for indoor meetings, but if the town preferred an outdoor meeting, a Saturday is permissible.

Mitchell advocated meeting outside on a Saturday. With Oct. 10 being a likely date.

Selectman Jim Hickey suggested using high school fields would permit use of the field stands so chairs would not be needed. A consent agenda of grouped, non-controversial items — as had been done in July — was suggested.

Dyer agreed, based on the high school facilities and the mosquito concerns an outdoor meeting on a Saturday was preferable.

Filed Under: Featured Story, News

Lt. Hover hangs up his gear

September 3, 2020 By Stephanie Spyropoulos, Express Correspondent

WHITMAN —With 34 years, and a career full of milestones, under his belt Whitman Fire Lt. Bob Hover spent his last official day at a four-alarm fire in Brockton on a mutual aid call for a building fire.

It was typical of Hover to stay to the end- his greatest responsibilities were to bring his crew home safe to their families after each shift.

He thanked all who attended his retirement open house on Monday afternoon, which culminated with a traditional ride home in the Whitman engine.

Hover, with great wit and intelligence, seemed to recall dates and memories with each friend, family and resident who greeted, wished him well and thanked him.

With department members all over the South Shore stopping in to “wish him a happy retirement” the afternoon was filled with smiles, tears and elbow bumps.

Hover’s family was in attendance his immediate family wife Karen, daughter Nicole and two sons Chris and Allen as well as a large extended family of great nieces and nephews.

Hover received commendations from the State of Massachusetts including:  State Rep. Alyson Sullivan, R-Abington; state Sen. Michael Brady, D-Brockton; U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch, D-Mass.; and various representatives for the Town of Whitman; many also knowing Hover personally for most of his three and a half  decades  in town.

His commands included countless fire calls, including a fatal house fire, hazardous materials; assisting with two baby deliveries and helping citizens throughout Whitman to name a few.

In a prepared statement through Chief Timothy Grenno of Whitman Fire- Hover’s career was highlighted: He began his career as a call firefighter on April 1, 1986. Two years later, he was appointed a full-time firefighter on Aug. 30, 1988, and then promoted to lieutenant on Jan. 24, 1999.

Chief Timothy Grenno thanked Hover at the retirement event and emphasizing his level of commitment to all those in attendance. Grenno  recounted the afternoon (Monday)  that kept him working right up until he sent a direct order that “he leave the building fire in Brockton  because it was time to retire.” Maybe a first under his command to tell someone to return to retire, which was lighthearted but purely engrained in Hover’s commitment of character.

“Lt. Hover gave 100% every day and was a dedicated and professional member of this department,” Grenno said.

“Bob made a tremendous difference to this department with his strong work ethic and knowledge that you can’t replace. He was the epitome of a good firefighter and fire officer, and we will miss him greatly.”

On the horizon Bob requested a “man-cave” from his wife Karen.  His new found time will be spent with family- the couple is looking forward to milestones with their three, young- adult children, camping and experiencing time on the open road with his motorcycle.

Bob a self proclaimed non- lover of snow will now be home to shovel and clear the driveway all winter long.

Karen said “having Bob home for snow storms and holidays will be different but a much welcomed change at their home.”

He also received various gifts, a hand carved shield from his duty crew, a flag that flew over the state house, and countless cards with well wishes.

Filed Under: Featured Story, News

SST outlines school year

August 27, 2020 By Tracy F. Seelye, Express Editor

HANOVER — South Shore Tech will be returning to the 2020-21 school year under a hybrid instruction model on Monday, Sept 14, according to Superintendent-Director Dr. Thomas J. Hickey, who reviewed the plan during a Thursday Aug. 13 meeting of the SST School Committee.

The committee approved the proposed plan.

All students will be supplied with either a ChromeBook or a laptop to start the year, with the laptops switched out for ChromeBooks when a new shipment arrives later in the school year. A tech help desk will also be established.

Instruction will begin on Sept. 16 after two days of student orientation. The calendar reflecting the new start date was also approved.

Frequent hand-washing requirements and building cleaning, mandatory mask regulations and bathroom monitors to keep students from hanging out in lavatories are being set up. A separate COVID nurse’s room is being designated and LPN hired to assist the school nurse. Ventillation systems are also being monitored.

“The key element of a hybrid model is that it’s going to allow us [the] flexibility to respond to circumstances, should they change,” Hickey said. “This is something to start with and, as things evolve in one way or another, we will adapt.”

Right now, students will be in academic settings for two days out of five in all grades and learning remotely the other three days, Hickey said. The two days will vary for freshmen and sophomores, depending on students’ assigned cohort. Remote learning days will be more accountable than it was in the spring. It will be in real time with a set schedule and attendance will be taken.

Remote strategies are also being designed in case the need arises to quarantine a group of students if one is exposed to COVID-19 or if the state requires another shutdown.

“All of the protocols and structures that we would employ in a face-to-face regular school year, we’ll employ here in the hopes of providing some structure for students,” he said.

For most students, the shop weeks will be a full week of in-person instruction, recognizing that while student safety in important, there must be a hands-on component, which is not easily replicated remotely.

Freshmen and sophomores will be in the school building all week for shop instruction, while juniors and seniors — except for allied health, computer tech, graphics and MET II — will go to school on an alternating day method, half being in the building and half being on remote learning at anyone time.

“We looked at our pressure points,” Hickey said about how the plan was developed. “We all know the building is too small and you layer in a public heath crisis like this and it really exacerbates some of the issues with size.”

Transportation was also examined on the state guidelines of 25 students on a bus.

The school day will be slightly shorter with morning and afternoon bus runs. Freshmen and sophomores will be on the same schedule each week with a 9:05 a.m. start time and 2:25 p.m. dismissal.

“If you’re a junior or a senior, your world is going to be split a little bit,” Hickey said, with instruction beginning at 7:40 a.m. and dismissed on shop weeks and at 1 p.m. The school day, shortened by 75 minutes to allow for the second run of buses, with buses cleaned between runs.

Hickey said it also provides better control of the flow of students into the building and on shop day.

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has permitted the timing modification to allow the safe transportation of students.

With a three-foot spacing between students, PPE will be depended on to ensure safety, while for lunches 70 desks have been placed six feet apart in the gym and another 35 in the cafeteria during five lunch periods.

Hickey said if a minimum of six feet distancing were used for classroom instruction, SST would have been going to a completely remote learning model, Hickey said.

Each cohort of about 60 students will be located in classrooms grouped together with students staying in assigned rooms and teachers will switch rooms.

Shop teachers are being asked to separate students as well.

Seniors will be able to continue with coop jobs with the expectation that employers will continue to comply with OSHA guidelines.

Filed Under: Featured Story, News

Old Cottage Farm keeps Hanson couple busy

August 20, 2020 By Stephanie Spyropoulos, Express Correspondent

Old Cottage Farm in Hanson is hidden away behind wooden, gray fence panels with lush, flowering vines. Commuters on the busy Route 14 through town have perhaps driven past the property un-noticed.

Ruth Sylvester and her husband Dean have raised four children and have been at the homestead for nearly 52 years. They have developed the land into a fruitful farmland with goats across the street on their second piece of property- a total of eight acres.

Undeterred by a hard day’s work   Sylvester says she allows herself to sleep in but not past six o’clock, a luxury compared to 3:30 a.m. in years past.

“Life is not a free trip; what you put in you get out of it,” said Ruth.

The couple in their mid 70’s finds the energy to keep up with the daily tasks of a farm which takes…

“All day long”, they both replied with a laugh.

“You have to keep moving”, she said.

Accompanied by the playful Casey a four-year-old English Springer Spaniel, the Sylvesters wandered their enclosed gardens as four hundred chickens at the far end of the property socialized outside their coop.

“You take a seed that is tiny…  you cannot see it and it produces this, “ said Ruth proudly gesturing her crops with open arms.

  A sweet smell of peaches ripening in the trees lingered in the air with more than 870 plants: 20 varieties of tomatoes, dozens of varieties of squash, lettuce and cucumbers to name a few.  She said there are days when she calls it work depending on the weather and heat but she is devoted to the land and has no foreseeable motivation to discontinue doing what she loves.

Specializing in honey production Dean keeps 30 bee hives strategically placed along the wood line of their property. They will produce upwards of 800 pounds by the season’s end.

Although she is modest and humbled by the flattering remarks it’s Ruth, according to Dean, who begins the entire garden every season starting with seedlings in a greenhouse, planting every last one.

Dean is the resident mechanic on property and there is no shortage of jobs to complete.  Although the couple spends plenty of time ‘together’, working side by side with their spouse has a different meaning. They each plan their daily to-do list simultaneously achieving the same goals needed for the farm, however, quite independently. They both agreed. There is plenty of space for that.

For years they have placed a wooden, French style produce cart in their front yard and using the ‘honor system‘ as payment in their metal box,  locals frequent the farm stand to purchase their produce. Farm fresh eggs along with their jars of honey are also for sale on their indoor screened porch.

Ruth just retired less than a year ago from her full time job at age 76 from Traveler’s insurance as an account manager. She attributes her green thumb to her childhood.  Her dad was Canadian and got killed in the war. Her mother brought her to see her grandparents in Six Mile Brook near Pictou County, Nova Scotia for two months a year. The 400 acre farm had no telephone, no electricity and no running water, she said.

After all is done for the day with the water well on their property and a stretched hose they are fortunate, thankful, and sometimes tired.

The farm stand is located at 744 West Washington Street in Hanson.

Filed Under: Featured Story, News

W-H honors state champions

August 13, 2020 By Stephanie Spyropoulos, Express Correspondent

As Division 2 state champions the Whitman Hanson boys’ basketball team was honored on Monday night at the Dennis M. O’Brien field. Their showcase of talents at the TD Garden played out in March when they clinched the victory but fell short when the season was shortened in June due to Covid.

In June when preparations for the  final game were being made  and immediately following the cancelled game against Taconic Coach Bob Rodgers talked with The Express Sports Reporter Nate Rollins.

“One thing I told the kids is to look up at the banners in the gym on that boys’ basketball league championship banner, there’s a co-champion in there,” said Rodgers, who wrapped up his 20th year on the Panthers’ bench. “Nobody knows what year it is. It’s such a great accomplishment for the kids to win our first-ever state championship. It’s not going to say co-champions; it’s going to say state champions. That’s what they are.”

The team was honored in Monday’s short ceremony as parents and their varsity athletes viewed several clips of their season with memories highlighting the final year for seniors playing at Whitman Hanson.

Pete Smith representative of Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association MIAA also presented the team with medals on behalf of the organization.  The champs received personalized jackets and championship rings as well.

Cancellation of the June title game Rodgers addressed the loss of playing time and the many changes experienced since the spring due to the pandemic.

“For the one last moment to be together as a team and I knew that it would be tremendously disappointing but when you think of what the whole world, the kids that play in the spring and families that have lost loved ones (pause) it really pales in comparison,” said Rodgers, who has officially served his 20th season with the Panthers.

During the ceremony he recalled the contributions, and efforts of players calling their team work ‘unselfish play, with everybody contributing’ to the state championships at the Garden.

He acknowledged several families as well as players who had tough roads and challenges; applauding their countless contributions of time, selflessness and volunteer efforts through the four years in the Whitman Hanson basketball and sports programs.

Sue Moss, retired wellness teacher and sports photographer at Whitman Hanson who is lovingly known as “Boss Moss,” was given a jacket and a hearty thank you for all her time and volunteer work she devotes to the sports department and families.

(Express sports correspondent Nathan Rollins contributed to this report.)

Filed Under: Featured Story, News

W-H’s drive-up graduation

August 6, 2020 By Tracy F. Seelye, Express Editor

While it was not the graduation ceremony anyone envisioned, or wanted, WHRHS held a drive-up commencement ceremony, handing out 223 diplomas over three and one half hours Friday, July 31.

One by one, members of the senior class and family members who could fit in a single vehicle drove up to the school’s front entrance. They picked up their diploma from a low table and approached the spirit rock where they posed for individual photos with Principal Dr. Christopher Jones, Superintendent of Schools Jeffrey Szymaniak and School Committee Chairman Bob Hayes. Family members were then asked to join their seniors for group photos. After a brief delay, a school official played a loop of “Pomp and Circumstance” for the event.

Some students tossed their caps in the air for photos after receiving their diplomas; others just accepted their diploma and departed.

“I can’t even imagine what your life has been like,” one mom told Jone’s Administrative Assistant Siobhan Horton as she organized diplomas. “I have so much gratitude.”

“People that came to the drive-up graduation were very, very grateful the School District did that for the graduating seniors,” Hayes said. “It was very well received. People seemed to be very happy to make the best out of a situation that was very difficult.”

In an effort to provide some semblance or normalcy, the Whitman-Hanson Express is printing our usual graduation section this week [see insert], including the text of speeches student speakers planned to deliver, the Class Gift and Ode, Teacher and Staff Member of the Year honors and lists of scholarship recipients.

Horton does much of the work organizing commencement ceremonies each year. She said seniors who have joined the military and already reported for basic training came in earlier this summer to receive their diplomas, as did an exchange student from Brazil.

The School District has not yet planned how diplomas will be awarded to Community Evening School.

“I do not like the idea of a virtual graduation either, but it was the event I could promise as the next best solution given the time frame,” Jones said in his statement. “In short, it provided an option in the event I could not come up with something else. One last thing. Something I have said from the beginning of this current pandemic. Offer grace, time, and patience because we never know the whole story.”

Reaction was not positive when the announcement was made Friday afternoon, to change the event from a socially distant ceremony only hours after a rehearsal. The social media clap back motivated Jones to respond.

“I typically do not respond to personal insults on social media because they are born from emotion, but this is an exception,” Jones stated in an open letter to parents. “This decision was not arbitrary. It was recommended by the Board of Health in both towns. We just cannot responsibly put 1,600 people in an area together given the information we both have and don’t have.”

Not everyone believed it, judging by social media feedback and requests from some seniors for their class dues back.

But several parents were supportive, either on social media or in person Friday afternoon.

“Just came home from our Drive Thru Graduation for our son! How lovely,” effused Julie Bailey of Hanson on Twitter. “So organized and all the faculty were great!! Thank you for everything!! Great job for our grads.”

A School Committee meeting slated for Thursday, July 30 as a placeholder in the event either town meeting rejected the school budget and/or assessment compromise was also cancelled. The School Committee’s next meeting is expected to review reopening plans for the 2020-21 school year.

It’s wonderful that the people overwhelmingly supported the school budget, so that’s a good thing,” Hayes said. “The school reopening, obviously, changes as we move forward. DESE (the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education) and the governor’s office, everyone’s involved, so each opening seems to be changing a little bit on the regulations. Obviously, this is a first time for everybody. There’s never been this type of a pandemic before.”

Filed Under: Featured Story, News

Assessment pact, budget win unanimous votes

July 30, 2020 By Tracy F. Seelye, Express Editor

WHITMAN — Voters unanimously approved the assessment compromise for the school budget before moving on to the school budget during an outdoor Town Meeting in the blistering heat at WHRHS ball fields Monday, July 27.

The $15,367,392 school assessment line item in the Article 2 budget was also approved unanimously.

Before the votes, Finance Committee Chairman Richard Anderson addressed the meeting on its work and focus throughout the past year as well as a perspective on how it arrived at its budget recommendations. He also credited Town Moderator Michael Seele for appointing a more diverse Finance Committee than any previous board.

Town Administrator Frank Lynam requested the assessment Article 7 be considered before Article 2 because of the impact it could have on the school budget line item.

When the meeting granted the change of order, Lynam went on to review the assessment issue.

“We became aware recently — in the last two years — that a change was made to the assessment process by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE),” Lynam said, noting that the change credits each town for its efforts in funding schools. “The Chapter 70 funding is different per pupil in virtually every town.”

Differences stem from the formula’s consideration of the tax burden for each town, ability to raise money and need, Lynam explained.

“Once the towns of Whitman and Hanson became aware of this the towns began discussions both with the towns and the School Committee because the preferred method for assessing each town is referred to as the statutory method,” he said. “Over the last several years, it has become evident that we have been paying more than our fair share.”

The School Committee proposed a budget assessment for this year that would take the increase to Hanson and divide it in half as a way to move forward. The assessment will then become purely statutory as of July 1, 2021.

“That’s a moving target,” Lynam said. “From year to year it moves based on the relative wealth of each community.”

Without approval of the article, he said in recommending approval both the School district and town budgets would be at a standstill.

Finance Committee Chairman Richard Anderson said his committee voted 8-1 against recommending the school budget because of the assessment formula.

“The very basic principal of what a Finance Committee’s responsibility to a community,” Anderson said, calling arguments to the contrary emotional appeals that ignore the facts.

Both Article 7 and the School line item on the Article 2 budget needed to be passed to approve the school budget.

FinCom member Rosemary Connolly said that financially it is not a sound choice, but that this is a “very different financial year”  and this is a big consequence to fall on children.

Beth Stafford, a former Whitman Middle School teacher and union representative, said she usually supports the Finance Committee, but urged passage of the school budget.

“This time I respectfully disagree with them,” she said. “When we’re talking about the budget, it’s Whitman-Hanson and we’re supposed to be working together.”

She said the compromise is intended to prepare Hanson for what they’re going to need to do in the future and that passing the assessment compromise is vital to help the district move on.

School Committee member Fred Small suggested they “forget for a moment” about the 50-50 split and talk about education and its cost as well as what is at risk.

“Every single child that goes to Whitman-Hanson [schools] is at risk of not getting the proper education,” he said, noting that Hanson needs Whitman’s help this year.

He and Stafford both noted COVID-19 would present problems for the budget as well as the effect the lack of a budget would have on property values.

Resident George Coffey asked if other town departments would have to be cut if the school budget was passed. Lynam said the fiscal 2021 budget was balanced on the assumption that the 50-50 split would be approved.

“This isn’t something that’s just a slam-dunk,” Lynam said. “It’s maintaining a relationship that educates our children for years to come.”

The district receives aid in the amount of $4.6 million in state funds above and beyond what it is entitled to receive to hold the district harmless as it moves from year to year with Chapter 70 funding, Lynam said.

When we stand alone as communities, the incentive aid is gone,” he said. “I believe if we approve this article, if we approve the budget, all debate is over — next year, it’s very simple, it is statutory. … Come on, folks, these are our kids.”

Resident Cindy Landeville said she felt Whitman has been duped and wanted to know if Whitman’s budget dollars would benefit students “coming over the border from Hanson.”

Lynam said that is a disingenouous argument. The tax increase on a $300,000 home is about $54 for one year before it rolls back when the assessment formula goes to statutory.

“I would gladly write that check to settle this whole thing,” he said.

School Committee member Dan Cullity said it wasn’t a plot by Hanson or a financial penalty for Whitman.

Chris George, of the Budget Override Review Committee said the Finance Committee and Selectmen each did the right thing. But a no vote decimates the school budget.

“We need to move this forward,” he said. “It’s the right thing to do. … We can’t afford not to do this.”

He said it is a great compromise in view of the fact that finance committees in both towns have voted against recommending.

Selectman Randy LaMattina said he has lived the assessment formula for more than a year.

“The people of Hanson are not the enemy,” he said. “If you know this situation, they are not our enemy. They unknowingly benefitted from a very flawed process.”

He called School Committee Chairman Bob Hayes out, challenging him to fight hard for passage of the school budget when Hanson met Wednesday night.

Filed Under: Featured Story, News

Heidi’s Hollow changes hands

July 23, 2020 By Stephanie Spyropoulos, Express Correspondent

HANSON — You scream, I scream…

Heidi’s Hollow is open for the season.

There is plenty to scream about including new owners and the same great ice cream.

Taking the reins this week, new owners Candace Reich, a longtime Pembroke resident and her partner Maren Rojas, are ready for a sweet summer. The couple has officially purchased the shop and longtime owners Tony and Lynda Quigley (lovingly known as Ma and Pa) are signing off after three decades of scooping. They are retiring to Myrtle Beach, S,C., where Tony sees a lot of golf in his future.

With the summer came changing temperatures and coronavirus creating new “normal” for everyone, Reich and Rojas have kept everything the same including the delicious and ever-popular Richardson’s Ice Cream. They are also welcoming a few new flavors that will soon be on the menu.

Heidi’s Hollow is offering party packs to serve four and eight to have an at- home ice cream party.

Social distancing is uncomplicated with plenty of outdoor seating in bright blue chairs and benches along the shadow area of the fence. Several picnic tables with umbrellas allow for open-air eating and plenty of breathing space.

Heidi’s Hollow started out in the Myette’s Country Store on Liberty Street within five years they outgrew the space.

Their home was built in 1820, and it made sense to add on the ice cream shop remaining in its current location ever since.

Chatting with the residents and locals- many who have become friends- is the element they will miss the most, said Tony Quigley. He was quick to say they would be returning for visits.

“You always remember your first ice cream shop that you loved,” he said with a laugh.

For Tony it was Charlie’s at Field Corner in Dorchester. Little did he know for Reich it was Heidi’s Hollow of Hanson.

Reich, who comes from a family of entrepreneurs, sat with The Express this week and recalled as a high school freshman that he drew up a business plan for successfully owning a bakery and ice cream shop. She kept that childhood plan, and the dreams, always reserving the thought that if opportunity arose she would pursue it.

Tony who always had frozen food in his life as a grocery stocker during Vietnam and before as a kid hustling popsicles —he made a dime on the beach walking the sea shore with a bag of dry ice and frozen treats. During a rafting trip he had a dream that he bought an ice cream shop and told his wife the next morning when he awoke. Lynda was a longtime nurse and also needed a change. She set out to secure a small business loan, according to Tony and the rest is history. They didn’t know the first thing about running an ice cream shop but they taught one another and three decades have proven the pair had sugar in their DNA.

“It’s sort of sad,” said Tony who reminisced about their shared memorable times but ice cream makes everything happy, he said.

Seeing families expand by generations and revisit year after year for a cold treat and chitchat … are just a few things the Quigley’s said they will miss as they retire and cherish the most.

Tony spoke highly of a former employee that began her first job with Heidi’s as a teen and grew up like a daughter with the Quigley’s. She has become a success in her career, has a family and is still in their lives.

Reich said when her family set out for ice cream as kids they would devour Heidi’s ice cream and imagine how pleasant and adventurous it would be to own Heidi’s. Little did she know her vision would evolve and three decades later would be reality.

The charm of the established shop and their countless childhood memories at the delicious ice cream shop were also deciding factors on buying the shop.

The couple who are both still working full time (Rojas a longtime established professional collegiate soccer coach is now a consultant for Sport for development and Reich is in sales) they are like a well oiled machine.  Maren calls herself the ‘executor’ keeping the books and running the business side behind the scenes they agree that Candace is the ‘visionary’.

They emphasized their appreciation for the generous time the Quigley’s  have given to make a smooth transition in the changing of hands.

The extensive local family of Reich is also at the shop and pack a cone like it’s nobody’s business. They have all been supportive and have also grown up on Heidi’s sundaes, said Reich. Green Hanson has streamlined the use of paper cups versus Styrofoam cups in July- one slight change that patrons may notice.

They accept debit and credit payments now and offer window pickup as they abide by CDC’s COVID guidelines on social distancing.

Filed Under: Featured Story, News

‘Back to school’ has new meaning

July 16, 2020 By Tracy F. Seelye, Express Editor

HANOVER — South Shore Tech remains closed to staff over the summer due to coronavirus concerns, but plans are underway to determine how school will re-open in the fall — and exactly when.

Superintendent-Director Dr. Thomas J. Hickey said Monday the school is still awaiting more guidance from the state.

“There are so many scenarios that we need to try to prepare for to build confidence with both staff for their safety, and families for student safety, before we open in September,” Hickey said, acknowledging that nobody wants kids to be home longer than necessary. “Student and staff safety comes first and we’re going to listen to medical experts at the state level, because if families and staff don’t feel confident in the plan, then we’re not creating the best educational environment for kids.”

Districts have until the end of July to submit a plan, but the main goal is to fit as many students back in the building as can safely be permitted. It is not a one-size-fits-all solution, according to Hickey. Plans would not likely be announced until early August. Right now, the SST school year is slated to begin Sept. 1.

He expressed support for how the state is handling the pandemic, through its emphasis on following the data, which he said is a key to any decisions made.

“The math is telling me right now that we cannot bring everybody back,” he said. “We are definitely going to prioritize vocational time.”

Hickey said methodical protocols are being followed to determine how to best make use of cooperative work placements.

“If we’ve got a returning senior who happened to be out on coop as a junior, and they’re in the same job, that might be a bit easier, but we’re going to have to do new safety visits and make sure the employer is adhering to [COVID safety] protocols,” Hickey stressed. “But we also know, for the rising senior who wasn’t out on coop, we may want to spend more time with those kids — given that they’ve lost three months of hands-on learning.”

In the long run, however, if a student is looking for a coop and there is a business ready to partner with them, the school would support that.

Incoming freshmen are another priority, with the goal to have that class in the building all the time, if possible. Students with disabilities are another priority.

“You cannot use remote learning to accommodate all students and their needs,” Hickey said. “We may [also] have students who, even though they are learning remotely, they might be better suited to be in the school building just to provide them some structure.”

Last week, SST began surveying families about transportation, opinions on remote learning and technology needs, Hickey said. W-H schools have also been conducting such surveys.

“We have a working group of administrators, teachers and staff and we’re meeting remotely and sharing information, and we’re looking at scheduling models,” Hickey said. “But, right now, we’re trying to test some capacity.”

For example, if only one student were permitted per seat on a bus, what would be the capacity for the buses, which are owned by the bus company. The group has also gone through classrooms, setting them up per the three-foot guidelines from the state.

“The goal is that, whatever we come out with, would be routine that people could easily understand and that, if we are going to do remote learning in any dosage, it’s not going to look exactly like it did when we were building the plane while it was in flight back in March through June.”

Teachers will be incorporated into the process so a more robust remote learning platform is also built at the same time. Hickey said he is hoping the state will be issuing more guidelines soon, including what will happen if students contract coronavirus. Controlled isolation rooms are being planned at schools in some states for students showing COVID-19 symptoms after they arrive at school, for example.

“A very important piece for us is transportation,” he said. “They have not given us clear guidance on bus capacity. And bringing kids from eight towns — that’s going to have a big impact.”

Some school districts across the country are using assigned seating on school buses, loading students from rear seats to front and requiring drivers to wear PPE and to drive with open windows when weather permits. Buses are also being disinfected before and after every route in those districts.

The number of families prepared to drive their children to school would also factor into bus ransportation plans.

“What I know for a fact is that I have classrooms with fewer seats and that is going to be a challenge,” he said. “I don’t see how we can go back 100-percent, mostly because of classroom size.”

Sports programs are another concern if participation is safe an dictated through the MIAA as to whether students can participate on game days if they are not physically attending class in the school building.

Filed Under: Featured Story, News

This community blossoms

July 9, 2020 By Stephanie Spyropoulos, Express Correspondent

WHITMAN —  A group of community gardeners have hopes for bumper crops of vegetables, herbs and flowers this summer.

Passersby may have noticed the raised garden beds on the old Essex Street softball field in Whitman with dozens of tomato plants, peppers and even multi-colored flowers in the outfield —the new Whitman Community Garden.

On Tuesday, July 7, there were gardeners at the patch tending to their various plots all raised and wooden boxed each space is approximately 4X8, and 6X12-feet, but are personalized the vegetables and herbs to their taste.

DPW Superintendent Bruce Martin has been overseeing the garden plot availability and DPW workers have helped several people construct the raised beds. They had 30 plots in total at the start of the season in early April.

“The DPW takes the applications and maintains the area making sure the water works for the public hose,” Martin said. “We assist in helping build the boxes if needed but most have put their own together.”

The boxes have been especially convenient for those who have little space but would like their own garden or are perhaps modestly finding their green thumbs.

Owners have their own garden to water, weed and within the rules of the community garden adhere to growing their crops, he said.

There is a Facebook page (for those who request to join) where garden tips, photos and other gardening socialization is posted.

Diallo Ferguson of Whitman is a first time gardener.

“It has always been an interest and when I heard about the plot gardens it struck a chord. I knew I wanted to do it and it was a great opportunity. So far so good,” he said on his generation of produce.

He called the experience fun as he learned how to garden, proudly exclaiming that he had successfully harvested kale, zucchini, mint and cilantro. He is also seeing tomatoes on the vine that are still in stages of green but he is hopeful they are on a strong track. 

Ferguson said people are helpful in offering to help with weeding and general tips.

Girl Scout Troop 66187 parent Tarcia Davis said the girls ages 12 to14 decided they would also maintain a plot as a project. She assisted with creating the Facebook page and the girls painted the welcome sign at the front gate.

The gardening projects has been a great learning experience as the Girl Scouts’ mission is teaching skills (with guidance and pointers) as the girls  become more independent.   The four girls who are maintaining the plot have some assistance from parents but the idea is to help them become skilled through the process, said Davis.

Having started the vegetables from seeds and not plants they learned quickly that they had placed the seeds too far in the soil and had to start again. Their hope is to pass the plot on to the next younger troops so they can experience the process and benefits as well.

Davis is also developing a farm stand by August to encourage sharing and swapping produce in an organized fashion.

Lee Anne Burton of Whitman a beekeeper has up kept half a dozen hives in the outfield that are assisting with the pollination and benefits for the gardens development.

The group of growers is learning from one another as they also recently released a large quantity of ladybugs as part of a natural insecticide.   

Burton updated her fellow gardeners and The Express on the bees’ status.

“Last Thursday I checked on Queen Nova and her attendants, the hive is growing, full of new babies, lots of comb-building going on. I added a third brood box to the hive and will remove the feeder next week.

She also applauded Martin for weed whacking to keep the area neat.

She is planning the next boxes numbers 5-6 to be the honey boxes, called Honey Supers.

“Hopefully we will be able to harvest some from this hive in the late summer early fall. It looks strong, about 30,000 bees or so, and is growing nicely! Burton posted.

In April there were a dozen plots many have been filled but there are additional spaces for inquiries contact the Whitman DPW.

Filed Under: Featured Story, News

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • …
  • 24
  • 25
  • 26
  • 27
  • 28
  • …
  • 49
  • Next Page »

Your Hometown News!

The Whitman-Hanson Express covers the news you care about. Local events. Local business. Local schools. We honestly report about the stories that affect your life. That’s why we are your hometown newspaper!
FacebookEmailsubscribeCall

IN THE NEWS

Pet snake habitat sparks house fire

July 31, 2025 By Tracy F. Seelye, Express Editor

WHITMAN — No injuries were reported as the Whitman Fire Department quickly extinguished a house fire … [Read More...]

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK

Whitman-Hanson Express

FEATURED SERVICE DIRECTORY BUSINESS

LATEST NEWS

  • Be summer-wise in heat emergencies July 31, 2025
  • Alisha speaks her mind … July 31, 2025
  • Pet snake habitat sparks house fire July 31, 2025
  • Hanson rolls up welcome mat July 31, 2025
  • Low- salt diet? Healthy summer eating need not be boring July 24, 2025
  • 10 things to do in the late summer garden July 24, 2025
  • Helping a family fight cancer July 24, 2025
  • Setting goals for open spaces July 24, 2025
  • It computes — or does it? July 17, 2025
  • Prepare yourself, your pet for flash flood dangers July 17, 2025

[footer_backtotop]

Whitman-Hanson Express  • 1000 Main Street, PO Box 60, Hanson, MA 02341 • 781-293-0420 • Published by Anderson Newspapers, Inc.

 

Loading Comments...