Here’s a little ditty about me changing my profile photo and name on FB. It’s a funny story actually, if you look at it in the right light. I’m telling you all here, because I trust you. Please, though, nobody breathe a word of this to my kids. They’d never let me live it down.
Here goes:
If you know me, you understand I enjoy creating things, and this often involves watching DIY how-to videos online. Usually it simply ends there. Until today.
Today while on FB I fell upon a gifted, creative woodworking site. It was too good to be true! So good, I thought to myself, “Self, you should follow this site.” So, I innocently clicked the “Follow” button.
Unbeknownst to me, the woodworking site did not originate on FB. It was simply visiting and had its home base on another Meta site – Insta.
I was prompted to log into my Insta account in order follow my woodworking guru. The all-wise Internet asked me to provide my password, or (and here’s the trickery part) OR, I could log in using FB.
I don’t have an Insta account – nor an Insta password – so I decided to take the easy peasy route and clicked on the FB alternative. Next, I was provided with an opportunity to approve and/or change my username (or maybe it was a nickname or just my name – some sort of social media name, anyway). Since I haven’t used Insta in the past, I contemplated what my new name should be for approximately 20 seconds before typing in something that gave nod to both me and the column I write.
Done deal. (Feeling quite accomplished at this point.)
Somehow, my FB photo magically appeared on the new Insta account, which was okay, but then I thought: “Maybe I don’t want everyone to see this photo on this account.”
I mean, I only wanted to follow the woodworking guy, did I really need a photo for that? Facetious question. I deleted the profile photo and called it a day.
Except.
Except 10 minutes later I went back onto FB and my profile photo there was gone! Not only that, but my name had been changed – without my permission! (Except apparently permission was automatic when I changed it on the other site.)
Meta is as meta does, I guess.
I was in a bit of a panic. I had no photo and a weird new name. (Feeling less than accomplished at this point.)
My first reaction was to find the original profile photo and replace it.
Except.
Except I couldn’t readily find the old photo. It was buried deep within my photo stash and I was feeling the heat of my errors (not to mention the moment). I picked an alternate photo and hit “Post.”
One problem solved. One username change yet in the wings. I thought to myself, “I’ll just change the name back to the old name.” That couldn’t be too hard.
Except.
Except you can’t change your name willy-nilly on Meta. It makes you look like a scammer or hooligan or something even worse – like a bot. Even if you change your name by mistake – totally and completely accidentally – without any intent to become a hooligan or scammer or bot.
You. Cannot. Change. It. Back.
For 60 days.
Meta rules, not mine.
So that is how I inadvertently got a new name and new photo on my Meta accounts this morning.
All because I wanted to learn a little more about woodworking. My bad, I guess.
(So hit me with a two-by-four!)

Jill Pertler is an award-winning syndicated columnist, published playwright and author. Don’t miss a slice; follow the Slices of Life page on Facebook.

 Following the recent and devastating floods in Texas and in light of this week’s flash flood warning across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, Best Friends Animal Society, a leading national animal welfare organization working to end the killing of cats and dogs in America’s shelters, is urging people to take proactive steps to ensure the safety and well-being of their pets during weather-related emergencies. Flash flooding can happen quickly, so advanced preparations can mean the difference between life and death for pets. 
“Many pets become separated from their families during severe weather evacuations due to lack of preparation—don’t let yours be one of them,” said Sharon Hawa, Senior Manager of Emergency Services, Best Friends Animal Society. “For those living in flood-prone areas, now is the time to make plans for your pet to ensure their protection and care in the event you need to evacuate.” 
From packing a pet emergency kit to identifying emergency shelters and caregivers, Best Friends is offering the below guidance, as well as five essential safety tips to ensure people and their pets are flood-ready: 
Prepare Your Pet: 

• Should separation occur during an evacuation or other emergency, safeguard your pet’s health and chance for a swift return by: 
  Microchipping your pet and making sure the registration is up to date with your current phone number and address. 
• Making sure your pet’s vaccines are up-to-date to protect them from illness and injury, as well as ensure they can be accepted into an evacuation shelter or boarding facility if needed. 
   Pack a Go Bag
  Evacuations can happen quickly, so it’s vital to be ready to leave at a moment’s notice. A pet emergency “go bag” should include: 
• Printed vaccination records and a week’s worth prescriptions, medications and a list of medical needs, dosages and vet contact info. It’s also a good idea to store this information in a secure cloud storage service or on a backup device to ensure access even if phones or paper documents are lost or damaged. 
  •A 3-to-5-day supply of wet and/or dry pet food and water 
• Collapsible water bowl 
• Toys, treats, and a familiar item like a worn sweater of their humans to reduce stress 
• Leash, collar with ID tag/microchip, and a labeled crate 
• Waste bags, blanket, towels, and a small litter box with litter for cats 
• Bowl, can opener, and spoon 
   Pet First Aid Kit 
  Veterinary access may be limited during disasters. Your pet’s first aid kit should include: 
• Pet first-aid guidebook and emergency contact list 
• Antiseptic wipes, gauze, and wraps 
• Antibacterial ointment, tweezers, scissors, gloves, and cold packs 
• Cotton swabs/balls, 3% hydrogen peroxide, and a sterile saline syringe 
• Muzzle, emergency blanket, sling for larger dogs, and flashlight.  
  Designate Pet Caregivers and Boarding Options 
  Pets should never be left alone at home or tied- up outside during a storm. In the event people are displaced or unable to care for their pet, it’s important to: 
  Identify trusted caregivers and provide them with your pet’s daily routine and emergency supplies 
  Research pet-friendly lodging within a 5–50-mile radius.  
  If caregivers are unavailable, know your nearest pet-friendly evacuation shelters and boarding facilities 
   Take and Store Photos of Your Pets on Your Phone and Computer Hard Drive: 
  Photos are key to reuniting with a lost pet: 
  Take a clear photo of your pet alone, and one of you with your pet 
  Store them on your phone and print copies in case of device failure or power loss 
  “Pets are family, and they depend on us for their safety,” said Hawa. “Preparing now can prevent heartbreak later. Take the time to build an emergency kit, plan for care, and ensure your pet’s identification is up to date.” 
  For more detailed information on preparing your pet for a weather-related emergency, visit https://bestfriends.org.  
  Best Friends Animal Society is a leading animal welfare organization dedicated to saving the lives of dogs and cats in America’s shelters and making the entire country no-kill. Founded in 1984, Best Friends runs lifesaving facilities and programs nationwide in partnership with more than 5,000 shelters and rescue organizations. From our headquarters in Kanab, Utah, we also operate the nation’s largest no-kill animal sanctuary — a destination that brings our mission to life for thousands of visitors each year. We maintain the most comprehensive animal sheltering data in the country and make it accessible to the public — empowering communities with critical insights into the needs of their local shelters and how they can help. We believe every dog and cat deserves a home. And we believe that, by working together, we can Save Them All®.  
  Best Friends Animal Society has the most comprehensive, accurate data for sheltered dogs and cats in the United States, which is collected from over 7900 shelters and rescue groups.

STOW—State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine announced the graduation of 25 recruits from the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy’s Call/Volunteer Recruit Firefighter Training Program last month.
The members of Call/Volunteer Recruit Class #118 trained at the Academy’s Bridgewater campus and graduated at the Department of Fire Services’ main campus in Stow. They represent the fire departments of Avon, Dartmouth Fire District 1, Dartmouth Fire District 2, Duxbury, Freetown, Grafton, Halifax, Hanson, Lakeville, Norwell, Onset, Raynham, and Westport.
 “Massachusetts firefighters are on the frontlines protecting their communities every day, and today’s graduates are needed now more than ever,” said State Fire Marshal Davine. “The hundreds of hours of foundational training they’ve received on nights and weekends will provide them with the physical, mental, and technical skills to perform their jobs effectively and safely.”
 “Massachusetts Firefighting Academy instructors draw on decades of experience in the fire service to train new recruits,” said MFA Deputy Director of Training Dennis A. Ball. “Through consistent classroom instruction and practical exercises, tonight’s graduates have developed the tools they’ll need to protect their communities.”
 The Martin H. McNamara Outstanding Student Award was presented to Firefighter Kayla Kalamajka of Dartmouth Fire District 1. The award is named for Martin “Marty” McNamara V, a call firefighter with the Lancaster Fire Department who lost his life in the line of duty in 2003 while battling a fire in a multifamily home. It is presented to one recruit in each graduating call/volunteer training class and recognizes their academic and practical skills, testing, and evaluations over the course of the program.
 Video of the ceremony will be posted tomorrow at the Department of Fire Services’ YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/dfsosfm.

WHITMAN – John Duval is one of those people who personify the adage, “love what you do and you’ll never work a day in your life.”
Retired from working in the pharmacy – or drugstore if you prefer – founded by his grandfather just after WWII, in 1946, he can still be found there three days a week from 9 a.m. to noon.
“I work, I get to see my two sons. It’s about the only place I see them,” he said with a laugh. “I still put in my two cents worth, and I like it – it’s my whole life.”
A career of 60-hoour weeks hadn’t lent itself to the development of hobbies.
“I’ve met so many wonderful people over the years,” he says. “Whitman’s been great.”
The feeling is evidently mutual.
Kathleen Teahan, also retired, is also hardly taking it easy. The former English teacher and state representative, has been working at something of a “third act” in life – as an author. She has recently penned the children’s book, “The Cookie Heard ’Round the World,” about the origins of the Toll House cookie in Whitman – illustrated by former W-H Express graphic artist Larisa Hart – and “For the People, Against the Tide,” about her tenure on Beacon Hill.
“That cookie, and the story behind it, kind of personify the character of Whitman,” Teahan said this week. “Just the coming out of troubled times with something that was very positive.”
In addition to his own career as a pharmacy, Duval’s store has been a fixture in Whitman Center – with its own Toll House cookie connection.
His store was ground zero for the New Year’s Eve Cookie Drop in 2013/14 and 2014/15.
Now the two have received another feather in their caps – they’ve been named co-grand marshals of the Whitman 150th anniversary parade by the Whitman 150 Committee.
“We were thrilled,” Duval said of his family’s reaction. “I’m so happy to be with Kathy Teahan. She’s a great person.”
“It’s very exciting,” Teahan said about being chosen. “It’s totally a big surprise. I mean, I knew Whitman was having a birthday and a big celebration, all kinds of projects, but I wasn’t expecting this at all.”
When she got the call, she said she was honored and humbled because she respects John Duval so much.
So, how does one become informed about being chosen as a parade grand marshal?
“I was sitting home watching TV and I got a telephone call from Richard Rosen, who said the committee ha chosen me and Kathleen to be co-grand marshals,” he said last week in the store. “I said, ‘Are you sure?’ Maybe he should be because he’s so involved. But he said, no, at this point he didn’t want to do that.”
He said he doesn’t know how the committee came to choose him, but noted, “I’m happy to be chosen.”
Now he has to select an outfit.
“I told my wife, ‘I’m practicing my wave on you,’ and every once in a while she goes by and I wave,” he said. “She’s ready to throw me out of the house.”
For her part, Teahan seemed taken aback by the honor.
“I’m still connected, and still always interested in the people of Whitman,” she said. “I loved the years that I grew up there, it was such a special place.”
“We have sponsored every children’s thing that came down the road and many other things,” Duval said of the business. “And many years ago, when the Tri-Town Parade was here, my father was grand marshal.”
He said he tries to carry on the tradition of his father and grandfather, and “do a little extra when I can.”
Aside from those unspoken “little extras,” and finally being able to purchase their building after years of trying, they are investing in a pharmaceutical future – assisted living and group home clients and robotic medication packaging.
“It’s very integral for our business to succeed,” he said.
Duval had also served as a member and chair of the Whitman Board of Heath for many years.

HANOVER — Family.
That was the feeling running through the Thursday, June 5 South Shore Tech commencement ceremony, as speaker after speaker noted the support they’ve always enjoyed from family at home, and the new “family” of teachers, mentors and friends they’ve found in deciding to attend vocational school – a decision often viewed as “risky” by those who’ve never walked in their work boots.
Today, we honor all of the hard work and dedication it took for our class to walk across this stage. But that hard work didn’t come only from us — it also came from everyone else in the audience not wearing a cap and gown this evening,” said Salutatorian Reese Hughes. “Their support allowed us to get here. So before I begin, some words of appreciation— and at some point today I hope you do the same.
“We’ve grown comfortable not just with each other, but in who we are together,” Student Body President Jeremy Leonard said to his classmates before addressing their parents in closing. “We’re all products of our surroundings, and it’s clear that the one you built for us was something truly special.”
Some represented their own family’s legacy of attending a vocational school – and SST in particular – as Sienna Molla does. Her late granduncle Robert Molla, a graduate of Weymouth Vocational and served as a member of the SST School Committee from 1979 to shortly before his death in 2023. Molla was a proud spokesman on the benefits of vocational education.
His grandniece no doubt found inspiration there as much as she took valuable life lessons from learning the violin:
“In school, we often treat success like a single note: Get the grade. Pass the test. Win the award,” she said. “ But life—like a violin—isn’t one perfect note. It’s a whole symphony of moving parts. Your health, your relationships, your timing, your sleep, your passions—even the small things you don’t think matter—they do. They shape the sound of your life.”
Still others walked in as freshmen thinking they had their future planned out, only to follow that detour to their real calling, again supported in their choice by those intertwined family units.
“Being a vocational student has changed what I wanted to do with my life. When I was little, I wanted to be a nurse. I saw how cool nurses were and decided that one day I would be one. Like how little kids change their minds every five minutes, I decided that I would be a pediatrician, and then a pediatric nurse,” said Vocational Student of the Year speaker Maya Crawford.
“When I got into the Allied Health program, I decided that becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant was a wonderful stepping stone to achieve that goal. After getting my CNA license, I was faced with a choice. Either work in a nursing home, stay at school for extra learning, or work in an early education facility — and I chose the latter. Working at Primrose School of Rockland through cooperative education has made me change my career choice once again, to be a child behavioral therapist.”
This was a class with major accomplishments of their own of which they are no doubt proud – as school Principal Sandra Baldner certainly is.

• Students in the SST Class of 2025:
• Qualified for, and competed in the SkillsUSA national competition four times;
• Earned 13 individual and 14 team spots at the FFA nationals;
• Won six Mayflower League championships for SST teams;
  • Graduates have been accepted at dozens of prestigious colleges and universities and
• Earned more than $1,104,000 in co-op salaries while at SST.
  “You made us feel happy when you joined clubs and athletics than we’ve seen in years – possibly ever,” Baldner said. “Y’all are joiners, and we love it. It will be different next year but keep participating. Choose opportunities in your workplace, at your college or university or community – just stay involved and make connections.”
  The Class of 2025 has been inclusive.
  “You made us feel human, “Baldner said. “The Class of 2025 interacted with us not always as teacher-student or coach-athlete. Sometimes we just talked … In fact, we talked a lot – some of you never stopped talking, in fact, you’re probably still talking now. Some of you made appointments to talk, some of you got hall passes to walk and talk. Some of you – and it was often – it was human to human. Labels did not apply.”
  They also came out of the COVID lockdown that hit while they were in seventh-grade and had to navigate a whole new way of doing shop exploratories in a world of social distancing, hand-sanitizer, vaccines and masks. They aced that, too.
  “At first, we were excited — school being canceled sounded great,” Leonard recalled.. “ ‘Yay — two weeks off!’ we said. But those two weeks turned into more than three years before things finally felt normal again. Freshman year brought its own chaos — the confusion of exploratory, picking our first shop, and getting lost in the maze that was South Shore Tech. Sophomore and Junior year became a time of real growth. I watched as the loud, restless kids we once were, began to mature into young adults with drive and passion for their trades. We found our people — friends who, hopefully, stay with us for life. And then came Senior year, where everything started to feel real. We realized that our childhoods were coming to an end, and adulthood was waiting for us just around the corner.”
  Superintendent-Director Dr. Thomas J. Hickey noted how his niece’s graduation from Blackstone Valley Vocational recently gave him renewed appreciation for being a family member at graduation, He’d been there before, as his two sons graduated from Whitman-Hanson Regional High School.
  “We’re here to celebrate our students for their personal, academic and technical accomplishments,” he said. “To rhose folks siting on the other side of the rope [line], the parents, the caregivers and extended family members who are part of the success of our graduates, thank you for being such great partners over the past four years.”
  As the proud uncle of a vocational-technical school graduate, Hickey said this year, more than ever, I fee the emotions on this side of the podium as superintendent, and on that side of the podium on the other side of the ropes makes me reflect on this moment.”
  Whie coaches and staff have spent a of time with the Class of 2025 over the past four years, “family members know a more complete story of our graduates.”
  It reminds me that there’s more to the story,” Hickey said. “There’s a touching and powerful story for each of our graduates. Stories are so important – we tell them and learn from them in many different ways. … Stories come in all forms. They tell the world who we are, what we value, where we come from and where we hope to go next.”
  This promises to be a class that will have fascinating stories to tell – to the friends and family of today – and the families ahead of them.

The Whitman Historical Commission, in partnership with Whitman Fire/Rescue and Whitman Veterans Services, will host a rededication ceremony for the historic Arch on Temple Street at 11:30 a.m., Sunday, June 8, marking the completion of preservation efforts and celebrating the town’s 150th anniversary.
The Arch, a longstanding symbol of community service and remembrance, recently underwent a comprehensive restoration that included the replacement of compromised granite stones, repointing of mortar joints, shoring of keystones, and resetting of capstones.  This project was made possible through collaborative funding and support from local and state partners.
The June 8 ceremony will include remarks from town officials, a blessing of the Arch, and participation by local veterans.  Community members are warmly invited to attend and take part in this historic moment.
The Arch restoration is one of several projects commemorating Whitman’s 150th Anniversary and reflects the town’s ongoing dedication to preserving its historical landmarks for future generations.
Right after the rededication, The Whitman Historical Commission is also sponsoring a scavenger hunt for all in conjunction with the 150th Anniversary celebrations.
The Whitman Historical Commission works to identify, preserve, and promote the town’s historic resources through advocacy, education, and restoration efforts. The Commission supports initiatives that honor Whitman’s unique heritage and foster public engagement with local history.

The postseason is almost upon us. Here are the results from the last batch of spring sports at Whitman-Hanson Regional High: 
Baseball (12-8) was defeated by Plymouth North 7-2 on Memorial Day. The Panthers were able to rally in the seventh thanks  to RBI hits from Matt Flanagan and Tyler Pruitt, but ultimately came up short. Caine Allen threw 2.2 shutout innings in relief.
Boys’ lacrosse was blanked by Duxbury, 16-0, to cap its season on Thursday, May 22. The Panthers had a strong defensive effort in the first quarter as they held the Dragons to 3-0 at the end of the first frame. Duxbury proceeded to pull away after that, but it wasn’t due to the Panthers lack of effort and determination. W-H was led by seniors, Domenic Visocchi and Ronan Cafferty as they kept the energy and enthusiasm up all game. Starting goalie, Brady Johnson, was impressive, making 13 saves on the day. Junior Victor Marques came in the fourth quarter and was also great between the pipes, making two saves on the doorstep.  
Girls’ lacrosse lost to Duxbury, 8-7, on Thursday. Meave Gavin and Shannon Balfe each had two goals in the defeat.
Girls’ outdoor track placed seventh at the Patriot League Championship Meet Tuesday, May 20, finishing with a total of 43 points. Sophomore Maliah Pierre led the Panthers with a first-place finish in the high jump, matching her personal record with a leap of 4 feet, 10 inches. 
Boys’ outdoor track finished ninth overall at the Patriot League Championship Meet. Kevin Brzuszek led the way with a second-place finish in the triple jump and sixth-place finish in the long jump. 
The Whitman Hanson boys tennis team punched their ticket to the state tournament Tuesday, May 27, with a win against Bridgewater-Raynham., 3-2. It was a great match on all 5 courts. Winning for the Panthers at second singles today, was sophomore, Cian Nott (6-4, 6-1) Secured the teams first point. First doubles pair, senior captain, Connor Thomas and sophomore Logan Peterson also won their match (6-2, 6-3). Second doubles sophomores Eoin Flynn and James Denton captured the win for the team (6-4, 6-0).
The team Travels to face ,Hopkinton In the first round on Thursday. Match time is 4 PM. Go Panthers!

WHITMAN – A new state statue aimed at increasing available housing in the Commonweath has meant Whitman voters were asked to amend a Zoning bylaw to enable residents who can, the chance to hielp their neighbors find shelter in an unforgiving housing climate.
Voters passed Article 13 by the required two-thirds majority..
“For almost 25 years, Whitman has had a provision in its zoning bylaws that allows accessory apartments within a residential dwelling, provided that the occupants living in the accessory apartments are relatives of the owner of the residential dwelling,” said John Goldrosen, 238 South Ave., who chairs the Zoning Board of Appeals.
Such dwellings also require a special permit from the ZBA.
Planning Board Chair Adam Somerville said his board voted unanimously to send the article to the Bylaw Study Committee for some public hearings and recommended approval with no reservations. Peter Sumner of the town counsel’s office said he has worked closely with Goldrosen on the bylaw.
“We did send this to the attorney general’s office and a former AG who has been assisting towns with reviewing their ADU bylaws,” Sumner said. “After review by them, we feel this will meet the requirements of the state law.”
In 2024 the General Court passed the new statue, requiring that all Bay State municipalities allow what the statute refers to as “accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and that towns cannot limit the occupancy by family members alone.
They also do not require a special permit, he said, effectively overriding the existing by law. But it does allow municipalities to adopt “reasonable regulations,” providing that those regulations do not serve to prevent ADU useable housing from being developed. Those regulations will no longer include a “family-occupied” or special permit requirements, effectively overriding the existing by-law.
Still, Whitman’s by-law will contain some constraints in the town’s interests, Goldrosen said, and accepting the article permits that, he said. And he cautioned that, if the article were rejected the ZBA would have no control over ADUs in Whitman.
Brittany Cavallo of Washington Street asked the main changes in the statute and what the ZBA wants to require.
“We’d have site plan review, we’d have a public hearing and abutters get notified,” he said. “It still provides for some negotiations, ‘jawboning,’ and pubic input. We think that’s important.” Accessory units would be allowed to go in a free-standing building, like a garage, Goldrosen said.
“Under our Zoning bylaw, garages can be within 10 feet of a property line.” he said.
The town’s bylaw adjustments to the statute would require site plan review by the ZBA. Without it, all anyone need to is go to the building inspector and get a building permit with no notice to any abutters.
Ed Winnett of Raynor Avenue said the size specifications for some allowable uses “has the potential to have developers build tiny homes that encroach on open spaces we hadn’t considered, which could threaten Whitman’s character and potential resources.”
He asked why those specifications weren’t listed under the regulations.
“We went as far with the bylaw as we could without being struck down as inconsistent with the state law,” Goldrosen said.
Goldrosen said the bylaw has worked pretty well, with an average of four a year have been approved.