Whitman-Hanson Express

You are here: Home / Archives for More News Right

A new friend and a mystery

By

By Linda Ibbitson-Hurd
Special to the Express
[When last we met up with Linda and ner new friend, Linda, they were exploring her friend’s family barn, much to the grandfather’s objection.]

“You both come down here – slowly!,” my friend Linda’s Grampa Joe shouted to us.
“Okay Gramp!” Linda shouted down.
He was waiting for us at he closet door. He didn’t raise his voice but was very stern when he looked at us, saying, “This won’t happen again and we’ll never speak of it, agreed?”
In unison, we said yes. He looked weary as he said goodnight and that he’d see us in the morning.
The next morning when we came downstairs for breakfast, Linda’s parents and sisters were up and Grampa Joe had just finished eating. He smiled when he saw us and said, “Sometimes all a body needs is a little sleep.”
When he got up to leave he gave us each a nod on the way out. Everything was back to normal.
When summer came that year we explored the woods near Linda’s house looking for an Indian burial ground that our sixth-grade history teacher told us was supposed to be in that area.
One hot, humid day we were walking across the driveway and as we passed by the corner of the barn, I noticed rocks that looked like they had been part of a building. Linda said when the house and barn were built there had been a carriage house there.
I noticed a door that was slightly ajar and pointed it out.
“Oh my gosh, the tunnel!” she said. “I forgot all about the tunnel. Follow me.”
When she opened the door I realized it was the cellar underneath the barn.

“This is usually locked,” she said, “No one is supposed to be in here, it’s dad and Gramp’s workshop.”
When we went in, there were stationary drill presses, lathes and saws. We walked past them until we came to a dark opening. It was a tunnel.
We rushed to the house to look for a flashlight, to no avail, grabbed a book of matches, ran back to the tunnel and started walking.
The dirt floor was solid and we were surprised there was no trash or clutter other than an occasional stick, some paper, a few mouse remains and no graffiti.
We were determined to find the end to see where it came out. There were places we felt fear, even danger. We had no doubt this had been a tunnel to hide and help keep slaves and possibly others, safe. It got darker in the tunnel and we both lit matches. They went out. We lit two more. They went out again. We realized we were were running out of oxygen. We turned around and headed back, dying of thirst.
We knew we were getting closer to the entrance of the tunnel when it became easier to breathe.
We heard someone yelling.
“I can see them, they’re okay!” Linda’s sister Joan helped us the rest of the way out. We could see that Linda’s mother was quite shaken as she gave us water, telling us to take small sips.
“I was just about to call the Fire Department when Joan saw you, do you realize you could have died in there?,” she said. “I’ve been a nurse for a long time, I’ve seen it happen; let’s get you both into the house where it’s cool.”
We sat around the dining room table. Linda’s mother was still upset as she looked at us.
“What do you have to say for yourselves?” Linda and I looked at one another, I could see her thinking: “We’re really sorry, we didn’t know we could die in there,” but I’m glad we did this, we could feel a little bit what it felt like for those people and I’m proud of our house and the owner during the Civil War who helped people.”
Even though we were aware of the Civil War and slaves, we thought the tunnel was to help hide them until the War ended and then they’d be taken to a place where it was safe for them to live. It was soon after this that we learned about the Underground Railroad and the tunnel’s true purpose.

[Editor’s note: We apologize for the agonizing cliff-hanger last week when we neglected to indicate it ws the first of two parts, and we hope this week’s installment made the anticipation worthwhile.]

Fashion renewed in Whitman

By

WHITMAN – If fashion is cyclical – and why else would someone have once said, “Everything old is new again?” – then a good place to catch it as it goes by again would be 560 Washington St. in Whitman.
Business partners Gina Palaza and one of her four her daughters, Isabella Palaza, 20, have opened Pretty Baby consignment shop at the address next door to Restoration Coffee – in the space which once housed the Fashion Fun Pop boutique.
“My daughter and I kind of came up with the idea of opening a consignment shop – we weren’t even quite ready yet, but this space became available,” Palaza said as she opened the shop for the day on Sunday, Feb. 2. “We saw the ‘For Rent’ sign go up in the window, came and looked at it, and we just had to jump on it. It’s such a great space.”
Gina said they named Pretty Baby partly after Lana Del Rey’s lyrics, but also because it captures the timeless, feminine feel of the store.
“It’s a name that reflects our love for vintage fashion and the special bond between me and my four daughters,” she said.
Another saying has it that in choosing real estate, there are three things to consider – “Location, location, location.” And this space, which the women have named “Pretty Baby,” is a great location.
“We’re located next door to the coffee shop, the two new restaurants that just opened, so we just thought it was a really good opportunity, and the space is beautiful,” she said.
All they needed to do was to put their own stamp on it. “Opening a store this time of year – right after Christmas – it’s a little risky, but I know in time, with a little nicer weather and more foot traffic, I think we’ll do well,” Palaza said.
The white walls have been painted a rich red, and handmade accessories here and there for sale to spice up a real find and put one’s own accent on an outfit are complemented on the walls with artwork from local creators and also some other gift items. 
The store has already had customers bring in items to sell on consignment.
“We’re not too fussy about brands, as long as it’s really good quality, almost-like-new condition, we’ll accept it,” Palaza said. “Right now, we have so much, we’ve stopped taking product, but some people donate and some people consign with us.”
There are some pieces that come in with price tags still on them.
Admit it, we all have some of those in our closets that we either weren’t quite sure of, or we were sure we could wear after we lost a pound or two…
Palaza also worked at Anthropoligie for eight years, so friends and coworkers also consign with her.
“I jus think it’s nice to have the opportunity to purchase higher-quality items,” she said, noting that some jeans on her racks originally sold for $250, now going for 60 percent less. “We try to sell items for 50 percent off, but I also consider where we are and [that] $125 for a pair of used jeans is still high.”
They take that into account, sometimes dropping a price a bit more.
“Everything is negotiable,” Palaza said. “We’ll work with them.”
The store’s inventory is mostly new or more recently owned pieces, but there are some vintage items, and try to keep a size range from XS to XL. The shop also offers styling services.

Whitman Health Board issues bird flu caution

By

PLYMOUTH — State environmental and health officials are informing the public that Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), also known as bird flu, which very rarely infects humans, is suspected to be the cause of over 60 deceased Canada geese, swans, and other birds in Plymouth.
The Whitman Board of Health is warning residents of the Avian Flu. It is imperative not to touch any birds you may come across dead or alive
The Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife), the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR), and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) are advising the public to refrain from handling birds or other animals that are dead or appear sick.
The recent outbreak at Billington Sea in Plymouth has impacted over 60 Canada geese, swans, and ducks. Smaller outbreaks of suspected HPAI impacting fewer than 15 geese at each location have been reported in recent weeks in other parts of the state. Officials responded quickly and are collecting, testing, and safely disposing of dead birds. Prompt reporting of sick and dead birds by the public will expedite testing and diagnosis in cooperation with state and federal partners who have been monitoring HPAI for several years.
Both wild and domesticated birds can become infected with HPAI. Raptors, waterfowl and other aquatic birds are most at risk for infection, although any bird species should be considered susceptible. Birds may be infected with HPAI without showing any signs of illness. Wild mammals, especially those that scavenge on birds such as foxes, can also become infected.
Humans are rarely infected with avian influenza viruses. Humans that have prolonged close contact with sick or dead birds infected with HPAI are the most at risk of becoming infected. People with questions about the public health impact of HPAI can visit DPH’s Avian influenza webpage or call the Division of Epidemiology (available 24/7) at 617-983-6800.
Reporting wild birds 
The public should report observations of sick or deceased birds if 5 or more birds are found at a single location using this simple form at mass.gov/reportbirds.

  • Reporting domestic birds: The public should report sick or dead poultry or other domestic birds by calling MDAR’s Division of Animal Health at (617) 626-1795.
  • Handling birds and other wildlife: The public should strictly avoid handling any sick or dead birds or other animals. Report sightings as indicated above or call the local Animal Control Officer.
  • Keeping pets safe: Pets should always be kept away from wildlife. Cats are highly susceptible to HPAI and may die from an infection. Cat owners in affected areas should keep their pets indoors to prevent them from being exposed to infected wildlife.
  • Hunting geese: While eating wild game meat is generally considered safe, licensed hunters can minimize risk from wildlife diseases by following best practices when handling and processing game.  

Hanson moves ahead on accessory dwellings

By

HANSON – Town Planner Anthony DeFrias discussed with the Select Board on Jan. 14, the accessory dwelling units amendment to the town’s bylaw, which would to bring Hanson into alignment with new state legislation involving Section 3 of the Zoning Act, aimed at improving housing affordability in Massachusetts.
The board voted 4-0 to accept the proposed bylaw amendment, and forwarding it to the Planning Board for their recommendation. Member Joe Weeks was absent.
Approved almost six months ago, the legislation goes into effect on Feb. 2. Hanson’s public hearing will be Jan. 27, putting the town ahead of the Feb. 2 enactment date of the law.
If the town has a public hearing and notice before that date, anyone coming to the town for an accessory dwelling unit will follow these new bylaws until such time as they are approved at Town Meeting.
“If we do not have something in place, our current bylaw will become null and void on Feb. 2 and, in essence, we will not have any bylaw,” DeFrais said. “We’re doing this to be pre-emptive and protect the town.”
With the regulations in place, the town can go through the process of putting it before the Town Meeting in May for approval, according to DeFrais. As part of that process the Planning Board is asking the Select Board to consider the bylaw, and send it back to the Planning Board for a report. The Select Board would then hold a public hearing and make any amendments, adjustments or edits as it has in the past with other bylaw changes.
Town Counsel prepared the language for the Planning Board request.
“Currently, as our bylaw stands, accessory dwelling units, whether attached or detached – attached, under our definition of ‘in-law apartments,’ detached would be a separate structure on the site that would be a dwelling,” he outlined. “We require that a special permit process be followed to obtain permits for an in-law apartment and a detached accessory dwelling through the Zoning Board of Appeals.”
The new legislation changes that process to an “as-of-right building” process.
“A person will be able to, as-of-right, apply for an attached or detached accessory dwelling unit,” he said.
Chair Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett asked if the bylaw change would come under the purview of the Planning Board or ZBA going forward.
“I do like the idea of more consistency,” she said. “I think they could be a wonderful attribute if done properly.”
DeFrias said it would come under the ZBA purview.
“One of the things that we are asking for is that there be a site plan review required, so it’s not just a wild west show,” he said. “It wouldn’t be a situation where the ZBA would just shoot it down, but they could condition it, and it also gives the abutters the ability to come in and know what’s going on in their neighborhood and have some input.”

Blind ‘dates’ and tall tales

By

Bookstores are doing it, Etsy alone seems to have an entire cottage industry devoted to it, and libraries are doing it – the “it,” for those not up on the latest internet craze or marketing trend – is “Blind Date with a Book.”
It started in bookstores, including larger chains such as Barnes & Noble. Shoppers would encounter tables, usually in the fiction section, where a table would feature books wrapped in brown paper, with a clue about the book inside written in fancy script.
For “The Wizard of Oz,” on might imagine a clue like, “Midwestern girl needs a better weather forecaster.”
Hanson Public Library’s program, is called a Mystery Box, which many online retailers have begun to take to dizzying heights.
“Truthfully, it’s not my program, it’s Julia’s [Nee] program,” said Adult and Youth Services Librarian Hanley Callahan a recent college grad who started in November. “She’s no longer with us, but she spear-headed it from the start. It’s been really popular. We get 20 out of 20 sign-ups every single month.”
Circulation/Customer Service assistant John Carrozza said Nee has always had a talent for coming up with concepts of things that people might like after doing some field research.
“She visits libraries and wherever I go I try to visit libraries and try to get ideas,” he said. Carrozza and Nee borrowed one of the more popular visual puns in the library – a handful of books on a rafter labled “Books for Tall People” – from the Truro Public Library.
At Whitman Library, Senior Library Technician Mary Casey, said a “Blind Date with a Book” will be offered as part of the library’s Valentines Day programming in February.
But Whitman’s promotional project through April is the Non-fiction Reading Challenge, which is taking something of a literary Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride through the Dewey Decimal System.
“We’re going through each category – from the 100s to the 900s, including biographies – and for each category that people read, we give them a raffle ticket and there’s a prize at the end,” Casey said, noting that it is aimed at bringing more attention to the non-fiction titles as Library Technician Petra Reitz conducts the lengthy regular process of “weeding” those shelves.
“That’s what spurred this,” she said. “I think we’re also so programmed with our phones, it leads you to the next read. I wish we could move the Circulation Desk to force people to walk through the collection and look around. The serendipity is no longer there.”
The hope is that the non-fiction challenge pairs off people with something they might not ordinarily read – just as the “Blind Date” and mystery box programs are designed to do.
Casey said more people come to the library in winter anyway, and they are seeing an uptick in use of the study rooms, especially post-COVID if they work from home and want a change of scenery.
The library’s Head of Youth Services/Assistant Director Stephanie Young, is also conducting a children’s reading challenge with two gift card prizes to be awarded.
“Ideally, somewhere in the future, I’d love to be able to extend it,” Callahan said about Hanson’s Book Box program.” “Instead of 20, maybe 25 or 30, as more people become familiar with it.”
Any patrons interested in donating items for inclusion in a month’s boxes, would certainly be welcomed to, she said.
Libraries, however, have focused on the idea as a way to bring more patrons to the library while introducing readers to new writers, while throwing in a bookmark and a craft or two.
“There’s mystery box these days for any interest,” said Julia Nee, a former staff member at Hanson Library, now working as director of the Pembroke Library, who introduced the program at Hanson. “There’s a seasonal one for fashion or jewelry and there’s monthly ones for kids’ events with different craft projects. I can’t remember the library that did it first, but it seemed such a good idea to combine a book and a craft and other fun stuff for readers.”
Nee said her intent was to put a Mystery Box program together that could also be done for free, especially since library budgets can’t support some of the more elaborate offerings in the retail arena.
“We tried to do fun things,” Nee said of her work in Hanson. “It’s the little things. But I also love picking out books for people or recommending books, so that was already a fun part, too.”
While some online vendors still favor brown paper packaging, others go in for fancier paper, often color-matched to the page-marking sticky notes, highlighter or pen for making notations, stickers galore, a reading list to fill out, a tea sachet or packet of hot chocolate, a bookmark and sometimes floral decorative touches. More deluxe sets might include soft, fuzzy socks, a bakery item, special water bottle and perhaps some under-eye patches for a mini-spa treatment while you read.
Then there are the deluxe boxes, which can run $100 or more and include candles, a small cheese board, makeup samples, a bigger assortment of treats and more.
The idea has, from the beginning, been to entice readers to read a genre they might not have considered before. But questions have cropped up.
“Is it really just a marketing ploy to get rid of unpopular books?” some critics have wondered. Is it too good to be true? Aren’t you taking a risk ordering them online sight-unseen?
The answer to all these is – yes. While one can end up with a really interesting book – or one you may have already read, as is similar to the risks of a human blind date, but there are also rip-offs lurking in the internet, so buyer beware.
Online vendors’ order forms usually ask what genre – fiction, romance, thriller, historical fiction and the like – and some may ask an open-ended question for a few lines about what people like to read about, just as Hanson Library does. They are honest about the fact that most books, while new, were overstocks in an effort to save them from landfills.
“I stick with brand-new books,” Nee said. “It was a way to get a book that you didn’t even know that you wanted yet. When people sign up, they tell me what they’re looking for in terms of genre and up to a paragraph about what they wanted. Some people did that, some people didn’t, and there were people who did that month after month and I kind of got to know what they are gravitating toward.”
Hanson Library still offers the Mystery Box program, with the first boxes distributed last week to the 20-or so people planned on to sign up.
Nee, who said she doesn’t recall where she got the idea – the internet, a bookstore or another library, but the program began during COVID, when a lot of libraries were looking for virtual or distance programs. It was a natural extension of the take and make craft kits they were already offering in Hanson.

Boardwalk options limited

By

HANSON – The town may still lean on a proposal to use a boardwalk to Burrage project to draw tourism dollars to Hanson, without ending up having taken a long walk on a short pier.
It all hinges on planning, prioritizing and voting to divide $170,000 in state budget earmarks between the Bonney House restoration, High Street part development and a boardwalk connecting Main Street access to trails in the Burrage Wildlife Management Area
The Select Board was updated on the boardwalk project eyed for Main Street about a month ago on Dec. 3, 2024.
“The reason I’m bringing this to the board is, obviously, the earmark says the construction of a boardwalk from Main Street to the Burrage, and – I’ve said to you before – when you tell an engineer, ‘You can’t do that,’ we always say, ‘Challenge accepted.’” Planner Anthony DeFrais said at the time. “But we also know where there’s a point of saying, ‘Sure, we can make this work,’ you know 10 pounds of sugar in a two-pound bag, but by the time its cost [analyzed], it’s not worth doing.”
He suggested a pivot to a secondary option.
“I wanted to show you what the options were and the real-world logistics of what would work and what wouldn’t and how we have to pivot,” DeFrias said. “There’s also a timeline for using these earmarks and getting them spent.
The town had received “a few earmarks” from the state budget in 2022, one of which totaled $170,000 going toward three projects – the Bonney House, the High Street park and a boardwalk along Main Street at the Burrage wetland.
DeFrias said the spending deadline for the earmark covering those three projects is 2027. How it is divided between the three projects is a responsibility of the Select Board as they set priorities and spend accordingly, Chair Laura FitzGerald-Kemmett said.
Weeks made a motion to divide the earmark funds among the three projects and the board unanimously approved it.
“We have had a consultant, a company named Perdantis, take a look at that concept and see if it is actually a feasible project,” DeFrais said of the boardwalk at the Dec. 3 meeting. “They’ve given us a breakdown of three different options, and created [a] map that talks about the different options.”
Once an option is chosen, it will be easier to get an idea of the cost, according to DeFrias.
Option 1 is a new boardwalk through Burrage, traversing south from the former fire house on Main Street that can either be 3,600 feet long, connecting to an existing unnamed trail, which is on privately owned property; or 4,600 feet long to connect to the Bay Circuit Trail. The shorter of the two would head toward the former Hubble property and Crooker place.
“You would need an access agreement to go through the Mass. Wildlife property and, obviously, the private property,” he said. “This particular option doesn’t comply with the Mass. Division of Fisheries and Wildlife walking trails policy … and it would require exceptions from Mass. Wildlife.”
Those policies include the requirement to use existing trailbeds unless the agency approves an exception, according to DeFrias.
“The policy also notes that Mass. Wildlife rarely grants approval for trails that are not inherently compliant,” he said. The regulations also “strongly discourage wetlands crossings,” which is a major portion of Option 1’s proposed pathway.
“It is not likely to be approved,” DeFrias said.
Option 2 falls in line with previous proposals at town meetings to purchase parts of the Hubble property to create a 1,000-foot trail along an “unconnected trail” that exists in the Crooker Place area, also connecting the Bay Circuit Trail.
“This option is minimal disturbance … however, a wetlands crossing would be required on property to be purchased by the town,” DeFrias said.
The property in question had already been purchased by the town and would minimally alter the Burrage Wildlife Area, but a wetland crossing would still be permitted. said
“One is too expensive, three doesn’t seem to make a lot of sense and two, from what I’m hearing even now, isn’t even the best option,” Weeks. “It’s just the best of the three options.”
DeFrias agreed that it is a tough project to accomplish.
“The one thing about Option 2 is that it works into what you’ve aready started,” he said.
Option 3, also near the Main Street fire station, would “provide a vista to the Burrage Wildlife Management Area, but doesn’t directly connect to the Burrage,” according to DeFrias. Also partially on private property, this option would also require access agreement from te property owner(s). A stream crossing at Meadow Brook is also involved. A stand-alone vista with no connection to Burrage (situated on town property) would require no access agreement and would not cross wetlands or streams.
Th consultant concluded that Option 3 as a stand-alone vista, with no ecological impacts but requiring no access agreement, also fails to provide direct access to Burrage.
“Which is exactly what the whole purpose is,” FitzGerald-Kemmett said.
“You’re on your own property and you can kind of see it through the trees,” DeFrias said.
Option 2 is the most likely permittable option to provide access to and through Burrage, and provides the missing connection to the Bay Circuit Trail.
“Option 1 is likely not to be approved by Mass. Wildlife, would have the greatest ecological impact to build and would have the highest construction cost, exclusive of property purchases,” he said. “Combining two and three would provide visual access to the Burrage on currently owned town property and provide direct access Bay Circuit Trail through currently owned and expanded town property.”
“Vista, schmista,” said FitzGerald-Kemmett of the approach the Economic Development Committee was taking in an attempt to bring people into town for recreation, potentially leading to economic benefits. “That wasn’t what we were trying to do. We were actually trying to get people out to the Burrage.”
She noted that while Option 1 had been the hope, she said she understood the Wildlife policy roadblocks.
“Our hopes are dashed frequently,” she said, adding that the only real problem with Option 2 is that it is further down Main Street. “We’re not trying to attract people to Crooker Place. … I’m concerned about parking and additional traffic, going through there, and on top of that, it really isn’t meeting what our original objective was.”
“The vista one to me is…” she added.
“That’s dumb,” Select Board member Ann Rein said, finishing the thought. “What I like about Option 2 is that you’re bringing together the Bay Circuit Trail. … It’s important. To have that all connected through Hanson is kind of cool.”
Select Board member Ed Heal noted that a lot of Option 2 already exists.
FitzGerald-Kemmett raised the concern that of a lack of a sidewalk along Main Street to the access area.
The sidewalk drops off opposite High Street at the new Egan buildings.
“If we could somehow get connectivity to that area via a sidewalk there … part of it is we want walkability,” she said.
FitzGerald-Kemmett suggested that, in light of the required connection between state grant funding and the MBTA Communities program Hanson rejected, perhaps a solution is more budget earmarks.
She had already spoken to state Rep.-elect Ken Sweezey about that need weeks before he was sworn in last week.
“That’s not contingent on us being an MBTA Community, so we’re going to need more earmark money, Mr. Sweezey, bring it home,” she said.

Vacation week ups and downs

By

The Whitman-Hanson Regional High boys’ basketball team is rolling. 
The Panthers returned home from their annual swing through the Sunshine State with a perfect 4-0 record. 
Bob Rodgers’ bunch entered Florida with two wins and doubled it. 
On Friday, Dec. 27, senior captain Dylan Perrault poured in 22 points, while fellow senior Jah Estrela added 19 to pace the Panthers to a 60-55 victory over host Flagler Palm Coast (Florida) in the Bulldog Classic.
Then on Saturday, senior captain Jason Paretchan netted 16 points and Estrela added 10 in a 53-38 victory over Aubrey Rodgers (Florida). 
The girls’ team, meanwhile, continues to look for answers. 
Mike Costa’s crew returned back from the Amsterdam Classic in New York with a 1-3 mark. 
On Friday, junior Dylan Hurley scored a team-high 14 points but it wasn’t enough in a 48-44 loss to Shenendehowa (New York).
W-H dropped another close one on Saturday but in a different fashion, 71-67, to Webster Schroeder (New York). Sophomore Maliah Pierre scored 14 points in the loss. The Panthers look to rebound in league play against Hingham this Friday. 
Boys’ hockey beat Auburn, 3-1, on Saturday to win the Dartmouth Holiday Tournament. 
Junior assistant captain Chris Ryan opened up the scoring .40 seconds in to take a 1-0 lead. 
The Rockets would tie it midway through the second until senior captain Domenic Visocchi pushed the Panthers back in front two minutes later. 
Junior forward Jack O’Hearn tacked on another for a 3-1 final. Junior goaltender Nick Zaccaria made 31 saves in the win. 
The Whitman Hanson Varsity Girls Ice Hockey Team lost to Norwell/Scituate/Abington Dec. 21 at Rockland Arena.  Freshman Zoe Sullivan scored her first varsity goal with the assist from Cam Dematos.  Jenna Henley picked up the second goal for WHSL unassisted.
The Lady Panthers also lost a hard fought game 2-1 to West/East Bridgewater Dec. 28 at Bridgewater Arena.  Brooke Hohmann tied the game at 1 with a blast from the point assisted by Chloe Duff and Sammie Webb.  WEB was able to get the game winner with 12 seconds left in the game.  
WHSL was dropping the puck against Marshfield on Monday, Dec. 30 in the WHSL Winter Classic at Hobomock Arenas in Pembroke.  
Wrestling took part in the Marshfield Holiday Tournament on Friday and Saturday. 
Out of the 37-team field, Whitman-Hanson placed 13th with 120 points.  Captain PJ Katz led the Panthers with his second-place finish at 126 pounds with a tough 11-9 loss in the finals. 
Captain Tristan Forest took fourth place in the 138-pound division. Lawson Giove earned a respectable sixth place at 106 pounds. Captain Tim Donnelly and fellow senior Eric Sidlauskas both placed 10th at 144 and 215 pounds, respectively.
— Nate Rollins

Absentee ballots ready in Hanson for January SST district vote

By

Absentee ballots are now available at the Hanson Town Clerk’s office for the Jan. 25 Special District Election for the South Shore Regional Vocational School District. Absentee voting is done at the Town Clerk’s office and can be done up until 12 Noon on Friday, Jan. 24.
For more information call the Town Clerk’s office at 781-293-2772.

WHSL hockey finds the upside of loss

By

If there was ever a promising loss in the annals of sports, the Whitman Hanson Silver Lake Girls varsity ice hockey team had one on Dec. 14, as they lost to Duxbury 3-1.
Eighth-grader Jenna Henley from Whitman made her Varsity debut a good one by scoring her first career goal to give WHSL the lead in the first period. 
Senior Captain Chloe Duff and Sophomore Grace Keshishian assisted on the goal.  WHSL held the lead during the 2nd period thanks to Junior goalie Sadie Watchorn turning back the strong Duxbury onslaught.  Duxbury was able to break through in the third to tie the game and got the game winner with seven minutes left in the third period.  Duxbury ended the game with an empty netter with .7 seconds remaining.  The final score does not show the heart the WHSL girls played with as they battled the State Champs in a hard-fought game.    
Whitman Hanson girls basketball team (0-1; 0-1) dropped the home opener on Tuesday night to North Quincy by the final score 49-44. Sophomore Maliah Pierre led the Panthers with 12 points and junior guard Leah Daley added 10 points. Freshman Madeline Moore gave the Panthers a great effort off the bench and chipped in 7 points in her first varsity action. The team is back in action on Friday night when they travel to Plymouth North. 
The Panther Wrestling team traveled to Oliver Ames High School Dec. 14, and placed seventh at the Devin Ness Memorial Tournament. The Panthers produced three champions. Junior Lawson Giove and Captain PJ Katz both secured gold medals with first round pins in the 106 and 126 pound divisions, respectively. Captain Tristan Forest fought his way to a gold medal in the 138 pound weight class with a decisive 10-4 decision. Senior Christian Grimaldi battled his way to a 4th place victory in the 132 pound division. Senior Eric Sidlauskus continued his streak of tournament placements with a 5th place finish in the 215 pound division.
Whitman Hanson Silver Lake swim team had their first meet tonight against Quincy/ North Quincy. Both Girls and Boys teams lost, girls 85-59 boys 63-29, creating the league Record 0-1, however WHSL had some outstanding performances from the Boys team with Sam Fernandez placing first in the 50 freestyle with a 23.51, and first in the 100 Breastroke with a 1.04.01. Connor O’Brien placed second in the 100 Yard Freestyle and Nathan Piper also placed third in the 50 yard freestyle. WHSL also had some great performances from the girls team. Brielle Shelly placed first in the 500 Freestyle and in the 100 Breastroke. Liv Berte Placed First in the 200 IM and placed second in the 100 backstroke. Emilia Cooke placed second in the 100 Freestyle and also assisted in a second place win for the 200 yard Medley Relay. Hanna Simpson placed second in the 200 yard Freestyle and also assisted in a second place win for the 400 Freestyle relay. Also Sarah Anderso assisted in the 200 yard Medley Relay, 200 yard Free relay.

Hanson Middle wins literacy, learning grant

By

Broadlands, Va. —Oct. 31, 2024 — Hanson Middle School has received a grant from the Foundation for Impact on Literacy and Learning (FILL) and Albertsons Companies Foundation’s Nourishing Neighbors Program to help combat hunger due to food insecurity in the community. Hanson Middle School is proud to be selected as one of the grant recipients of this year’s Explore.Act.Tell Program.
The Explore.Act.Tell. Program helps students in grades 6 to 12 recognize food insecurity issues in their neighborhoods. The students learn skills needed to be responsible citizens and advocate for community service. This initiative is funded by Nourishing Neighbors, a charitable program of Albertsons Companies Foundation, which seeks to ensure at-risk children, adults, seniors and families have access to the food they need to thrive. Since 2020, FILL has been partnering with Nourishing Neighbors to recognize students’ efforts as they work to end hunger in their communities throughout the United States.
The students partnered with the Hanson Food Pantry and the Hanson Fire Department. Their efforts helped the Hanson Food Pantry provide food for those in need. 
More than 210,000 students and nearly 2,500 teachers and educators nationwide participated in this year’s program, which engages young people in service learning by practicing leadership and civic engagement. Through four interactive lessons, students define food insecurity issues facing their communities and then create and implement a hunger solution project. Finally, the students share their stories and results by developing promotional PSA videos.
 “The success of the Explore.Act.Tell. Program is a direct testament to the incredible passion with which students and educators have embraced our curriculum and message,” said Diane Barrett, Executive Director of the Foundation for Impact on Literacy and Learning. “As another school year begins, we are excited to observe how students learn to collaborate, plan actions and research hunger and food insecurity in their communities.”
 
Christy Duncan Anderson, President and Executive Director of Albertsons Companies Foundation Nourishing Neighbors said, “We are incredibly proud to partner with Hanson Middle School in our shared mission to end hunger in our neighborhoods. Together, we are committed to making a tangible difference in the lives of those in need, ensuring that no one goes to bed hungry. This partnership is a testament to our dedication to building stronger, healthier communities.”
 
This fall, Explore.Act.Tell. will be launching the fifth year of the program. Designed for students in middle and high school, Explore.Act.Tell. works in all settings and subject areas such as class, clubs, homeschoolers and youth groups. Interested teachers can visit exploreacttell.org for registration updates, additional details and information.
 
About the Foundation for Impact on Literacy and Learning
 
The Foundation for Impact on Literacy and Learning is an IRS tax-exempt 501c3 organization that has developed and executed cross curricular educational programs and resources for schools since 2003. Our resolve is to bring important resources to educators and students with the help of our generous donors. www.fill.foundation.