October 2023 SOCO magazine

SOUTH DARTMOUTH $2,850,000 - Absolute Perfection! Breathtaking water views from most every room of this quintessential beach house set on high, overlooking Buzzards Bay and Beyond Contact Will Milbury at 508-525-5200

WESTPORT $2,795,000 - PRIVATE WATERFRONT ESTATE - Long drive winds through twenty-five pastoral acres to this handsome, shingle-style residence, overlooking the Westport River Rolling lawns, meadows, gardens; a nature lover's paradise! Delightful country living at its best! Contact Will Milbury 508.525.5200 or Sarah Meehan 508.685.8926

WESTPORT $2,595,000 -Westport waterfront with dock! A long lane meanders through 25 acres of woodlands to this handsome antique colonial. Paths wander through woods and across salt marsh to a private dock on the Westport River. Privacy and tranquility abound! Contact Will Milbury at 508-525-5200.

SOUTH DARTMOUTH $1,695,000 Slocum River Waterfront! A long private lane meanders through mature woodlands, past stone walls, to this contemporary cape overlooking the Slocum River. Water views are enjoyed from every room upon entering the home. The 20+/- acre property includes considerable shore frontage where one could fish, launch canoes/kayaks, etc. The ultimate private retreat! Contact Will Milbury at 508-525-5200.

M I L B U R Y & C O M P A N Y

LITTLE COMPTON $1,095,000

Casual yet sophisticated coastal living with western water views over the Sakonnet River! Custom built 3 bedroom home complete with pool, hot tub and water access. Minutes to Tiverton Four Corners and beaches! Contact Sarah Korolnek 774.644.9156

WESTPORT $1,195,000

Elegant home nestled on 1.6 manicured acres offers a fabulous, open floor plan. Tastefully renovated, design details include vaulted ceilings that allow for sundrenched rooms, chef's kitchen, floor-toceiling stone fireplace . . . Close to Westport's beautiful beaches and farmland! Contact Sarah Korolnek 774.644.9156

SOUTH DARTMOUTH $795,000

Spectacular 1.4+/- acre lot on desirable Little River Road in South Dartmouth with simple three-bedroom/two-bath ranch overlooking vast rolling lawns and distant peeks of the Little River. With some renovations, this spacious single-story home is a great opportunity... Contact Will Milbury 508.525.5200

SOUTH DARTMOUTH $1,875,000

Frank Lloyd Wright inspired, this home seamlessly integrates indoor and outdoor living on a luxurious single level, overlooking Wild Pepper Farm's pond and hills and offers gardens, Koi pond and putting green. Contact Will Milbury at 508.525.5200 or Sarah Meehan 508.685.8926.

WESTPORT POINT $1,575,000

Set on high above the harbor, replete with rolling lawn, stone walls and dazzling sunsets, this Antique Gothic Revival offers 2,800 +/- s.f. of beautifully renovated space while maintaining all the charm of yesteryear. Contact Kevin Quinn 774.319.3401

W A C s Contact Will Milbury 508 525 5200

THE BAY CLUB - 1 ROCKY HILL LANE Mattapoisett, MA • $1,625,000 • Joanna Dresser

16 COTTAGE STREET #3 Marion, MA • $1,399,000 • Joanna Dresser

EDITORIAL

MANAGING EDITOR Lynn Palmer

SENIOR EDITOR Rachel Velazquez

ASSOCIATE EDITOR James Holden

CREATIVE

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Sue Hough

CLIENT SERVICES/DESIGN Rebecca Velazquez

PHOTOGRAPHY STEVEN CHAN LUCKI SCHOTZ

CONTRIBUTORS

Steven Chan Susan Fletcher James Holden

Peet Nourjian Margo Roberts Rob Saint Laurent Natalie Simmons Robert Wright

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508-743-5636 | P.O. Box 70214 | Dartmouth, MA 02747

These Individual Sign Letters are a perfect addition to a home, studio, office, or business; hardwired to illuminate, they provide the option for in or outdoor use.

These Individual Sign Letters are a perfect addition to a home, studio, office, or business; hardwired to illuminate, they provide the option for in or outdoor use.

Either suspended or placed upon a shelf or bookcase, these repurposed letters become an ideal accent for any room needing color, theme, or texture.

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Quantities and variations are limited; please call and leave a message for more information or email us with questions. Shipping available.

Quantities and variations are limited; please call and leave a message for more information or email us with questions. Shipping available.

19 WELCOME

It’s a small world with significant events close to home and many afar; if we don’t bring it to you, who will? Our fall line-up is filled with excitement and splendor, from SouthCoast heritage to the slopes of New England

october 20

20 HOME / DARTMOUTH

Oceanfront. We bring you the finest homes on the coast, all beautifully displayed; best of all, our featured properties are more than to look at— they’re for sale!

26 IMPRESSIONS

Great thoughts, exhilarating words, and authentic connections are what love is supposed to be to the beholder

27 INTIMACY

Finding love is enchanting but comes with warning signs. While you watch for a potential mate’s ‘red flags,’ be sure to check your own!

30 HOME / MATTAPOISETT

No comparisons. It takes vision, taste, opulent design, and attention to detail to appeal to affluent homebuyers. This Mattapoisett gem is an enchanting example of all these essential components

36 LIVING WELL

The state of youth is troubling and getting worse; without parental intervention, the problems kids face will only lead to further destruction of their growth, both physically and emotionally. It’s time to stop the madness

38 REAL-TY NEWS

SouthCoast Real Estate brokerage adds to its ranks

39 GOOD NEWS

Regional bank keeps an eye on community needs; their support ensures an improved quality of life for hundreds of families

40 EVENTS / NEWPORT

Learn how Newporters and the Chinese joined forces and built an American era. The Celestial City exhibition entertains while providing an educational opportunity for the whole family

46

EVENTS / BOSTON

Boston Lyric Opera to present La Cenerentola/Cinderella in November, featuring Cecelia Hall

50 IN CLOSING

We get thousands of messages from readers; one requested we share them— here we go!

SOCO Cover Courtesy of Artist Betsey MacDonald

Fall Has Arrived — Let’s Celebrate!

For those who agree with last month’s feature, “Welcome, ‘It’s Not Over!’” acknowledging summer was weeks away and the season wasn’t going to end until September 23, congratulations, you once again squeezed every drop of sunshine and pleasure from the final days of summer!

With that passing, let’s regroup and swing into fall.

As the leaves become a kaleidoscope of colors and the skies, unladen with haze, deliver a refreshing crispness to the air, anticipation for an enchanting holiday season reverberates within.

With this change, we would like to share a basket of information with you, so let’s begin.

We have been supportive of the people of Ukraine by various means; one is the placement of the country’s colors on our cover since the war began, another is making contacts with groups that are assisting those escaping the tyranny

of Putin, and supporting the Annual Ukrainian Festival held on the campus of Boston University at the tail end of August.

The cultural event was educational and affirming, showcasing the richness of Ukraine and its people; the beautiful day heightened our commitment to those on the quest to halt the aggression inflicted by its neighbor and promote the need for allowing refugees through our borders.

This month, you’ll also notice another designation on our covers: a pink ribbon indicating our support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This terrible disease has touched many families, and only through a consciousness of regular screening and immediate treatment can it be eradicated.

We urge you to talk about breast cancer, not just in October, but every month, and make it a point to ask others if they have visited their doctors and selfexamine for signs and symptoms.

October is also the launch of the newly created South Coast Harvest Festival, to be held in Westport, Massachusetts. The

reinvented three-day festival will focus on farms, agriculture, the sea, and all aspects of the rural but tony community. A kick-off Preview Party will be held on Thursday evening, September 28; go to Eventbrite for tickets.

October is our Fall Real Estate Issue, featuring the finest luxury properties along the SouthCoast and around New England. As a unique addition to our usual presentation, this month includes two in-depth Home Reviews, each exemplifying a lifestyle hidden from the limelight but offering radiant appeal.

Soon, the slopes will be coated with powder—which has been known to happen early in the season. Believe it or not, many recall skiing on Halloween not long ago!

It’s not premature to pull your skis and boards out and get them tuned, pick up your season passes, and supply your winter homes with everything you’ll need to get through what some predict to be a very white winter.

And, naturally, “Think Snow!” H

BY STEVEN CHAN

With breathtaking water views from nearly every room, the pinnacle of beach houses oversees a spectacular horizon, much like a home further down the coast that sold for almost $19 million not long ago.

If asked where the legacy homes are located on the SouthCoast of Massachusetts, what comes to mind are those magnificent seaside ‘cottages,’ hidden from sight, in an area called Round Hill, made famous by Edward Howland Robinson Green (1868–1936), fondly known as ‘Colonel’ Ned Green, and his mother, Henrietta ‘Hetty’ Howland Robinson Green (1834-1916), known as the ‘Witch of Wall Street,’ once the wealthiest woman in the world, at a time when America was celebrating the Gilded Age. Upon her death, the heiress turned capitalist—known to wear rags, was worth approximately $100 million (estimated at $2.5 billion today), absent of property and other assets not listed with her name. Referred to as a brilliant investor, a ‘ruthless loan-shark,’ and a ‘glorified pawnbroker’ by some, the Smithsonian magazine contributes the concept of ‘value investing’ (the same technique billionaire Warren Buffet has followed) to ‘Hetty,’ calling her a ‘genius.’

Proudly represented by Milbury and Company, One Beach Lane, less than a mile from a mansion once owned by the Colonel, is a desirable home pitched above the shoreline where the Slocum and Little Rivers meet the Atlantic Ocean.

With breathtaking water views from nearly every room, the pinnacle of beach houses oversees a spectacular horizon, much like a home further down the coast that sold for almost $19 million not long ago.

Desirable features include a great room on the upper level, maximizing the sought-after vista with a wall of windows and French doors opening to a water-side deck.

Its spacious open kitchen features professional appliances and stone countertops, opening to a living room with a cathedral ceiling. Adjacent is a formal dining area and sunroom. The primary suite is found on the mezzanine with a walk-in closet, marble bathroom, and wall of glass overlooking the bay.

The main level has a cozy office, two bedrooms, and a guest bathroom.

Privacy is ensured by the home being positioned down a private path onto a peninsula out to the bay; old growth surrounds the property, leaving ample room to build a new terrace for entertaining.

The beach and water access are within reach, while the meticulously maintained residence is minutes from Padanaram

Village, where a new owner can find everything needed for family and guests.

The living space measures approximately 2,336 square-feet and is in move-in condition. The home is suitable for seasonal or year-round occupancy with hot water baseboard heating zones and central air conditioning.

As close to coastal living perfection as possible, One Beach Lane, in South Dartmouth, is a remarkable find and an outstanding value offered at $2,850,000 by Milbury and Company, 304 Elm Street, located in the same town. H

For more information or to view this outstanding listing, contact Will Milbury at (C) 508-525-5200, (O) 508-997-7400, or visit milburyre.com.

The beach and water access are within reach, while the meticulously maintained residence is minutes from Padanaram Village, where a new owner can find everything needed for family and guests.

LOVES GOT LEGS

Love’s got legs, love’s got speed

Love’s got everything you need

To sing, to dance, to tell some jokes

And bring love home to meet the folks

We show our love without the words

A weightless love like soaring birds

On hot days love is always cool

Splash of love in a swimming pool

Love is fancy, love is plain

BY PEET NOURJIAN

Love is sunshine and love is rain

Soaking wet from head to toes

Love has us take off all our clothes

Love is breakfast, love is lunch

Love is flowers by the bunch

A face lights up when love’s around Love shouts but hardly makes a sound

Singers make love with their song

Lovers are apt to sing along

To celebrate the love they make

And feel the jolt of love’s earthquake. H

Love—Don’t Coach!

BY STEVEN CHAN

In 1711, in an essay about patient care, Alexander Pope wrote, “To err is human, to forgive is divine.” It was a message about forgiveness because humanity is flawed. In today’s convoluted search for a satisfying relationship, the term ‘Red Flags’ is a pennant associated with alerts to those seeking partners; it’s a list too comprehensive to memorize, but essential to consider when diving into the pool of love.

Principally, these ‘flags’ are a battle cry, a resounding shout-out about the necessary observations required during the initial phase of dating, say, the first three months. They are also a clear warning when you spot someone showing signs of emotional flaws or toxic behaviors, much of which are embedded in their attachment style.

Indicators include trust issues, manipulation, narcissism, anger or outbursts, low self-esteem, and, all too often, co-dependency characteristics.

One can expect to see hints of minor infractions at the beginning stages of courting. But unless they persist and become a problem, such issues can be allocated to the awkwardness of settling into a new connection.

Most interesting, although often ignored—and the basis for this column, is the unrecognizable self-contained ‘red flags’ ignored when initiating a relationship.

While there are plenty of warning signs from the start, one requiring the most attention during bonding is the need to form ‘Expectations’ of another person. It is not the role of either partner to coach a love interest because they show potential or to shape their personality. However, it continues to be a primary motivator for many when partnering.

The dating game can be confusing; rather than looking for someone different, enjoyable to be with, and having qualities that enhance or complement them, ‘Projection’ comes into play, resulting in assessment followed by efforts to mold a potential mate.

Too often, expectations are set high and unrealistic, with the possibility of a connection being forced into an internal mental narrative that selfishly meets only one of the partner’s wishes.

The judgment doesn’t occur suddenly, like a plane taxiing on a runway; it slowly builds speeds until the wheels are up. The same here; those who see potential in a love interest

slowly evaluate whether the new person fits their idealism— which they won’t, and so begins the task of behavior and social modification.

An extreme example of this red flag is when meeting someone whose taste in food, art, entertainment, education, hobbies, or values is vastly different, leaving the new partner contemplating fixing what is viewed as a problem. Believing in improving or changing someone into a representation of their best selves or total capacity becomes a ritualistic and frustrating task, ultimately leading to emotional discord.

The shadowy view of this interaction is the non-disclosure by the modern-day Svengali—male or female. Still worse is if both individuals possess similar intent, causing the road to a functioning relationship to become as muddy as the one heading out of Burning Man.

‘Potential,’ also called ‘Fantasy Bonding,’ is a zero-sum game; even if one partner claims victory, it’s temporary and toxic; following this path, neither partner will cheer success in the end.

Attempting to manipulate or force another into a predetermined personality profile is not just perverted; it’s cruel, albeit not unusual. Not long ago, husbands subjected wives to intensive training and demands, expecting them to walk, talk, and behave in a particular manner. The result of one gender ruling another caused physical and emotional pain, unsatisfying relationships, and many screwed-up children.

According to psychologist Robert Firestone, this type of bonding is essentially invalid; it isn’t love but theatrics laced together. A relationship built on fear, protection, or financial reward is superficial and by no means a committed connection; on the contrary, an appropriate metaphor describing this type of relationship is the polarization of two magnets forced together.

In the long term, these flawed relationships become bitter and end in a slow death. Both partners feel disappointed and emotionally drained, if not injured. The rule of complimenting personalities is voided because one partner never actually fit the prerequisite of the other; it was a non-starter from day one— it was just a dream.

Expectations surrounding physical attributes aren’t uncommon or unhealthy for the most part, but to believe in having the right or obligation to modify or enhance emotional awareness, behavioral traits, or intellectual capability is an unrealistic and unattainable objective with couples.

Healthy relationships include the development of self-aware and mutually beneficial bonds. It also includes monitoring a potential mate’s actions, words, and deeds while looking in the mirror and examining one’s motivation and long-term interests.

Accepting that personal growth is essential between two individuals who desire to stay together is the first step in finding a match. However, attempting to control the outcome will inevitably fail.

Happy hunting. H

Home / Mattapoisett

A STELLAR TRANSFORMATION,

AND A ONCE IN A LIFETIME FIND!

BY STEVEN CHAN

Having reviewed well over 200 homes for publication, fortunate to be a guest at a plethora of the most remarkable residences— far and wide, and enjoyed the privilege of attending spectacular events held at locations from every conceivable era and period; few properties leave me breathless from the vision, planning, and design required to elevate— what is best described as a non-descriptive coastal cottage, into an elaborate and remarkably tasteful residence that encompasses all senses.

Lacking any trace of hyperbole, this review of 22 Pine Island Road, Mattapoisett, Massachusetts, could never meet the elevation this designer home has achieved and the level of luxury instilled. What is exciting about this property is the thoughtful, refined, and tasteful application of form and function, with the inclusion of quality, art, and science.

The hidden utilitarian applications subscribing to the essence of sustainability are subtly, sometimes hidden, but a powerful force that resounds stability and longevity.

In many ways, it can be agreed that good taste is subjective, held to the tenets of pre-subscribed experiences of individuals, insomuch allowances are arbitrary and forgivable. As for imposing design and

This home is an oasis and a distinctive environment with a purpose; the ocean, a mere half-mile away, contributes to the tranquility and higher standard of living unmatched by most in this category.

architectural superiority, these separate yet complimentary visions must be harmonious, as they are in this case.

An exquisite home, born of a unique collaboration between a Maine architect and a nationally recognized interior and garden designer, Jessie Davidson, rests comfortably surrounded by lush plantings, hand-selected species of trees, hedges, numerous stone accents, and a terrace fitted with a koi pond. It faces southern and eastern exposures, with enchanting park-like grounds anchored by a world-famous, fully-equipped Hartley Botanic glasshouse for yearround cultivating.

As the sun wans westward, the afternoon light animates and texturizes the home’s intricate spaces, enhancing its dramatic pitched peaks while brilliant torches—strategically placed—ignite and illuminate its pathways.

The impressive charcoal exterior of the two-level home, complimented by a barn/ garage combination, causes pause; notably, its high-standard ranks with homes recognized by international publications.

Serene, emotionally satisfying, and physically grounded, the appeal of the

22 Pine Island’s ‘single-axis’ design culminates with a flow of natural energy, as if the outdoors is as much a part of the living space as its interior.

According to Davidson, the challenge of transforming what existed and enhancing the location was achieved by placing seven-foot windows and sliding glass on both sides of the area reserved as a dining space, flanked by an airy living room with a romantic wood-burning fireplace. Just beyond, the unobstructed flow is witnessed by a first-level bedroom and bath, offering convenience and privacy.

The kitchen is delicious; its intricate lighting, counters, views, and professional-level appliances, such as Liebherr and SieMatic, to name a few, are primary examples of the quality that went into the construction of the home and its many amenities.

Other attractive details, too numerous to discuss, include refined touches like wall-papered closets, hidden retractable screens to allow uninterrupted views, painted wide-plank floors, sturdy raw beams, and a mudroom with a brick floor and sink!

The home is a cross-section of farmcoast aesthetics and elevated luxury living, as evidenced by the second-level bedroom and bath refinements.

As for the barn/garage, highlights include a generator, sink, and an expansive and finely appointed room with built-ins, a full bath, and a loft bed under a fabulous cathedral ceiling. The space will perfectly serve someone as separate living quarters, a top-tier office, or design studio.

This home is an oasis and a distinctive environment with a purpose; the ocean, a mere half-mile away, contributes to the tranquility and higher standard of living— unmatched by most in this category.

Upon entering, there is a feeling that this home is infused with love and awaits its soulmates, which could very well be you. H

Represented by Converse Company Real Estate—Celebrating 100 Years of Service, located at 166 Front Street in Marion, Massachusetts, 22 Pine Island Road, Mattapoisett is offered for $1,675,000 and can be viewed by contacting Margaret Gee at 617-308-6537 (C), 508-748-0200 (O), or mgee@conversere.com.

IS IT JUST BACK-TO-SCHOOL BLUES?

YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH

Still a Pressing Concern Post-Pandemic

BY ROB SAINT LAURENT, M.ED

ccording to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), depression, anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and behavioral problems are the most diagnosed mental health conditions in American youths. Between 2016 and 2019, estimates of these disorders in children aged 3-17 were: 4.4 percent, or about 2.7 million kids, with depression; 9.4 percent, about 5.8 million kids, with anxiety; 9.8 percent, or about six million kids, with ADHD; and 8.9 percent, or about 5.5 million kids, with behavioral problems.1

The US Surgeon General declared a youth mental health crisis in America in 2021 as a response to the challenges posed by COVID-19, yet the American Psychological Association (APA) notes that youth mental health problems have been trending upward in the decade prior to the pandemic. 2 During this period, the CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System shows a roughly 40-percent rise in persistent sadness and hopelessness, including suicidal ideation and behavior.3

New York University child and adolescent psychiatry professor Kimberly Hoagwood, Ph.D. says “really high rates of suicide and depression” have been ongoing and “certainly got worse during the pandemic.” 2

Meanwhile, a lack of sunlight during fall and winter may lead to seasonal affective disorder (SAD). A type of depression, SAD is believed to be linked to a decrease in brain serotonin levels that can lead to mood swings. Since the sleep-related hormone melatonin is produced when it’s dark, more of it is made when days are shorter, leading to excessive tiredness. Though SAD is more common in adults, it can also happen in older children and teens.4-6

There’s a much darker reason than shorter days for why youth mental health declines significantly during the school

year. Psychology researcher and author Peter Gray, Ph.D. says there’s “ever-growing evidence that school is a major cause of anxiety, depression, and even suicide in children and teens.” While social media gets all the press, he says the proof of school’s role in teen mental illness is “overwhelming” and largely ignored. Gray found that suicides and, to a lesser extent, milder mental breakdowns in school-aged children and teens (only) consistently show a steep rise at the outset of each school year, followed by a precipitous decline during summer break.5

His research is supported by that of hospital emergency psychiatrist Tyler Black, M.D. Black discovered that between 2000 and 2020, July showed the least suicides; followed by a slight uptick in August with the anticipation of the new school year; a sharp jump in September; and by October, a suicide rate 43 percent greater than in July. From there, the rate remained steady until it dropped during winter break, and then declined significantly at the end of the school year in June. Going deeper, Black even found that youth suicides were much higher on Monday-Thursday versus weekends during school months. In contrast, he found that suicides in people aged 18-30 were highest during summer.5-7

Suicides abated when schools closed during the pandemic, then rose again when kids returned to in-person learning.5

Gray says there’s no simple answer. Bullying is a likely cause, which happens most often in school and can be an immediate cause for suicidal behavior. Black suggests that bullying can also come from teachers and the structure of schools. School can be “incredibly stressful” because of bullying, Black says, as well as for its health and disability barriers, discrimination, sleep loss, and sometimes abuse.

But Gray explains that teens have been found to feel the most stressed of any age group, and most of their stress is from school pressure and not bullying. The idea of school competitiveness and pressure being behind major mental breakdowns is support-

ed by higher-achieving schools having greater breakdown rates than schools that don’t place as much of a premium on grades.

Another stressor is that many children, especially girls, have been experiencing earlier onset of puberty for decades. Experts say this can make it hard for children to process complex feelings and know how to respond. During early puberty, brain regions associated with feelings and social behavior are developing faster than those that help us with emotional control. Young people react by seeking peer approval, as through social media.2

MANAGING YOUR CHILD’S MENTAL HEALTH

Johns Hopkins Medicine explains that depression is often

associated with anxiety, so it’s important for SAD to be diagnosed and treated early. Diagnosis is through a careful mental health evaluation and medical history. Standard treatment can involve sunlight exposure, light therapy involving a special light if natural light isn’t possible, psychotherapy and, sometimes, prescription antidepressants.4

According to AAP, depressed youths may feel sad and lonely, but it often manifests as moodiness and irritability. They can also lose their appetite or overeat, develop sleep disturbances, or withdraw socially. Depression rates are especially high in children of color, children identifying as LGBTQ, and those with special needs.

Author, mental health advocate, and molecular biologist Bethany Yeiser says people aged 15-25 are particularly vulnerable to stress, which can impact their underdeveloped brains and lead to mental illness. Persistent, elevated cortisol from stress can lead to excessive dopamine in an immature brain that can harm its growth. Yeiser, who recovered from schizophrenia that arose during a jam-packed college schedule, says it’s important that parents discuss the impact of stress on young minds and the importance of work-life balance with their children. 8

Some helpful resources for parents are, Mental Health America’s back-to-school campaign; the CDC’s Division of Adolescent and School Health (DASH); AAP’s Mental Health Resources for Families; and the parent/carer organization Not Fine in School, for kids struggling with absenteeism because of disabilities and unmet special educational needs, mental or physical illness, and bullying, assault, or trauma.

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, March 8). Data and Statistics on Children’s Mental Health.

2. Abrams, Z. (2023, January 1). Kids’ mental health is in crisis. Here’s what psychologists are doing to help. Monitor on Psychology, 54(1), 63.

3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, April 27). Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS).

4. Johns Hopkins Medicine. (n.d.). Seasonal Affective Disorder.

5. Gray, P. (2023, August 17). “Back to School Blues” May Be Worse Than Just Blues. Psychology Today.

6. Gordon, S. (2022, February 25). Everything You Need to Know About Seasonal Affective Disorder in Kids. Verywell Family.

7. Black, T. (2022, August 22). Children’s Risk of Suicide Increases on School Days. Scientific American.

8. Yeiser, B. (2021, September 10). Back to School: Managing Your Mental Health. Psychology Today.

Robert Paul Properties Acquires SouthCoast Real Estate Brokerage Firm

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

Robert Paul Properties, a division of Commonwealth Realty Group, LLC, has announced the accession of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Mel Antonio Real Estate, located in New Bedford, Massachusetts.

The acquisition combines two real estate firms previously listed separately under the prestigious Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices brand, which now embodies a precise and uniform presence in the region.

President of Robert Paul Properties, Emily Clark, was enthusiastic about the acquisition. She stated, “We are thrilled to welcome the talented team of professionals from Mel Antonio Real Estate into the Robert Paul Properties family. Our shared

commitment to delivering exceptional customer experiences and our mutual passion for the industry will undoubtedly lead to even greater success as we move forward together.”

“Mel and his team have built a strong reputation for providing their clients with the highest quality of service, experience, and support,” said George Patsio, Managing Partner of Commonwealth Realty Group, LLC. “Joining these two highly reputable companies marks a significant milestone for both organizations and represents our clear commitment to providing unparalleled customer service and resources to our valued clients.”

The highly visible and capable real estate company Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Robert Paul Properties has built a formidable organization serving buyers and sellers of luxury real estate on Cape Cod, the SouthCoast, South Shore, and Boston and beyond. H

BayCoast Bank Recognized As Major Sponsor of YMCA SPLASH PAD PROJECT

On August 21, just in time to add a refreshing note to a scorching and sticky September, the Stoico/FirstFed YMCA announced the opening of a giant, fun and interactive 2,400 square-foot splash pad, featuring a slide and multiple spray zones for the entire family.

“The brand-new splash pad is the first step towards even more aquatic fun,” said Scott Munro, Swansea YMCA board member and lead donor for the splash pad project. “With continued support from the community, we are working to achieve the ultimate goal of building a world-class natatorium. The families and the kids of this community need and deserve this!”

The splash pad is the latest addition to the Stoico/FirstFed YMCA located on 36

acres, offering a multitude of indoor and outdoor activities, including a state-ofthe-art wellness center, adventure course, sports fields, basketball court, indoor/outdoor pickleball courts, archery, and dance.

BayCoast Bank is a proud sponsor of the project, one of the many efforts the community bank supports in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Providing vital financial services to individual families and businesses, BayCoast Bank prioritizes public enterprises and engagement within its scope of stewardship.

“BayCoast Bank is thrilled to provide a grant to the Stoico/FirstFed YMCA for the development of the splash pad,” said Nicholas M. Christ, President and CEO of BayCoast Bank. “This engaging new activity will offer hours of enjoyment to kids of all ages in our community. We are proud to have a role in making this project a reality.” H

The Preservation Society of Newport County, Rhode Island Provides Insight Into A Relationship Of Deep Connections With An Installation of

THE CELESTIAL CITY:

NEWPORT AND CHINA EXHIBIT

BY STEVEN CHAN

PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVE HANSEN / THE PRESERVATION SOCIETY OF NEWPORT COUNTY

Walking along Newport’s narrow streets, lined with historic homes, may seem tedious for some, while in contrast, others view the same stroll as a unique opportunity to travel the identical paths of those responsible for building—and enjoying, a period remembered as the Gilded Age.

To think, if it weren’t for a few intuitive citizens working in concert with organizations dedicated to rehabilitating, preserving, and protecting monuments and infrastructure that speak to the legends and vigor responsible for creating the mystique the City by the Sea is wrapped, its landscapes would have likely been developed into a metropolis of brick and concrete, condos, and offices. Surely, the result would be the deposit of

its rich history onto library shelves of tattered books, covered in centuries of dust—distant memories lacking recollection to what America looked like during its growth and maturation.

It’s also necessary to blend society’s ills into the narrative, not to berate or justify aberrant behavior or console feelings of ill-garnered appropriations, but to shine the light onto the labor and successes of those who built the marvels of human ingenuity not often recognized, less appreciated.

Today’s Newport celebrates the inclusion of all people and cultures; it’s a community mindful of intellectual, financial, and physical labor contributions made by generations, past and present. Future efforts aimed at shaping the City’s legacy are conducted through contemporary sight rather than a myopic vision of the past; learning is not repeating mistakes while growing together.

In this spirit, the Newport Mansions have announced a spectacular art and media exhibition illustrating the contributions and interactions between Newport and China from the 18th century to the Gilded Age.

The much-anticipated event opened at the beginning of September and will host thousands of spectators through its conclusion, scheduled for February 11, 2024.

Located at the splendidly refurbished Rosecliff Mansion, with its expansive oceanfront lawn, mesmerizing sea views and crashing waves, it is regarded as a favorite ‘cottage’ by many and serves as a personal invitation to the entire family. Relaxing, educational, and fun, enjoying the experience of what it would have been like to be part of the Gilded Age, comes alive!

The Celestial City: Newport and China includes more than 100 extraordinary works in various mediums, including paintings, sculptures, prints, and photographs; to fashion, ceramics, lacquerware, and lanterns. The collection’s provenance is related to The Preservation Society of Newport County’s ownership and that of individuals and institutions.

Highlights include treasures of Chinese

art collected by Newport merchants and industrialists, plus media artifacts such as photographs and stories from Newport’s early Chinese community, along with writings, portraits, and family heirlooms of Chinese women suffragists who inspired American women’s rights leaders, including Alva Vanderbilt Belmont of Marble House.

Contemporary artworks by Yu-Wen Wu and Jennifer Ling Datchuk illuminate Chinese contributions to Newport and hidden connections between the Newport Mansions and the ChineseAmerican experience.

“This exhibition gives visitors a new perspective on Newport’s past,” Preservation Society CEO Trudy Coxe said. “Some aspects of the Newport-China

connection are well known, such as the fortunes made in the 19th century China trade by the families of Chateau-sur-Mer and Kingscote, and of course Alva’s Chinese Tea House. But many are not aware of the extent to which many different people of Chinese heritage contributed to life in this city, including immigrant entrepreneurs, suffragists, merchants, makers, and sailors.”

The Celestial City was informed by research into the experiences of Chinese women’s rights activists and the Chinese community in Newport in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, including interviews with descendants.

The Celestial City: Newport and China includes more than 100 extraordinary works in various mediums, including paintings, sculptures, prints, and photographs; to fashion, ceramics, lacquerware, and lanterns.

Admission to The Celestial City: Newport and China is included with admission to Rosecliff, 548 Bellevue Avenue, Newport. The exhibition will be open through February 11, 2024. For more information, visit newportmansions.org.

The Preservation Society of Newport County, Rhode Island, is a nonprofit organization accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. It is dedicated to preserving and interpreting the area’s historic architecture, landscapes, decorative arts, and social history. Its 11 historic properties – seven recognized as National Historic Landmarks – span more than 250 years of American architectural and social development. H

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Events / Boston

Internationally Acclaimed Mezzo-Soprano Cecelia Hall To Perform In Boston

COMPILED AND EDITED BY JAMES HOLDEN

For five days, November 8-12, 2023, the Boston Lyric Opera will present La Cenerentola / Cinderella!

Having been more than 30 years since the last BLO production of Rossini’s adaptation of the enchanted story, a sweet but tormented Angelina, performed by the inimitable Cecelia Hall, in her BLO debut, the young woman from an ungrateful family, learns her true value with the help of a sympathetic guardian.

Naturally, she meets and marries a prince, although this rendition is set around some of Boston’s iconic neighborhoods. The libretto dispenses with fairy dust in favor of more earthly interventions while maintaining its magic with Rossini’s beautiful melodies and energetic score.

As an accomplished and highly regarded mezzo-soprano, Hall sings leading roles as a member of Oper Frankfurt’s prestigious ensemble and appears regularly as a guest artist on many of the world’s finest stages.

Highlights of the 2023-24 season for the performer also include Mozart’s Requiem in a series of concerts at New York’s Lincoln Center with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Jaap van Zweden and the title role in a new production of Mozart’s Ascanio in Alba at Oper Frankfurt.

During the 2022-23 season, Hall held title roles as Xerxes for the Komische Oper Berlin, a performance of Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream at New York’s Carnegie Hall with the Orchestra of St. Lukes conducted by Harry Bicket with narration by David Hyde Pierce, played Ariodante for The Israeli Opera conductor Jean Christophe Spinosi, and leading roles at Oper Frankfurt, including Charlotte Werther, Irene Tamerlano, Second Lady Die Zauberflöte, and Iseut aux blanches mains Le vin herbé.

During the 2021-2022 season, Hall made an acclaimed debut as Romeo in Bellini’s I Capuleti e i Montecchi in a new production directed by James Darrah and conducted by Christopher Allen at Opera Omaha. Kevin Hanrahan of Opera News wrote, “It was Cecelia Hall who outshone them all as Romeo. The dynamic flexibility with which Hall sang, shaping every phrase with dramatic intention, was a delightful example of bel canto singing.”

Other highlights to her credit entail a concert performance of Second Lady Die Zauberflöte at the Tchaikowsky Concert Hall with the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra conductor Christo -

pher Moulds, her debut at Opera Holland Park in the title role of Handel’s Xerxes, Dorabella Così fan tutte, and Dido Dido and Aeneas at Oper Frankfurt.

As was true across the performance-art industry, the period of 2020-2021 was marked by many cancellations for the mezzo-soprano, including returns to the Canadian Opera Company and Carnegie Hall, debuts in Québec and Detroit, and her role debut as Octavian Der Rosenkavalier in Frankfurt.

However, happily, Oper Frankfurt saw Hall’s debut in the title role of Xerxes, conducted by Roland Böer, and reprise Cherubino in Caterina Panti Liberovici’s production of Le Nozze di Figaro with Finnigan Downie Dear. Further performances included Mozart’s Requiem with Thomas Guggeis and a Love Songs Livestream recital with Samuel Levine and Anne Larlee.

Previous seasons in Frankfurt have included several notable debuts for Hall: Idamante Idomeneo, Irene in R.B. Schlather’s production of Tamerlano, conductor Karsten Januschke, Hänsel Hänsel und Gretel, Marguerite La Damnation de Faust, Dido, and Fulvia in Gluck’s Ezio. Frankfurt audiences are very familiar with her talent, having seen her as Mercèdes Carmen, Zerlina Don Giovanni, Zweite Dame Die Zauberflöte, Dorabella Così fan tutte, Pippo La Gazza Ladra, as well as Dimitri Fedora.

Other European highlights include Cherubino Le Nozze di Figaro at the Bayerische Staatsoper with Ivor Bolton and Zaida Il Turco in Italia in Aix-en-Provence, led by Christoper Alden and Marc Minkowski.

Handel Arioante Israeli Opera 2023

PHOTOGRAPHY BY: YOSII ZWECKER

Rossini Barber of Seville NY Opera 2016

Hall made her Russian debut singing Komponist Ariadne auf Naxos with Vladimir Jurowski and the Moscow Philharmonic Society.

Highlights of the artist’s work in North America include Don Ramiro La Finta Giardiniera at the Santa Fe Opera, conducted by Harry Bicket and directed by Tim Albery; Rosina Il Barbiere di Siviglia at the Canadian Opera Company, conductor Rory MacDonald, director Joan Font; Sesto La Clemenza di Tito with Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, conductor Stephen Lord, director Stephen Lawless; and the Page Salome with the Philadelphia Orchestra, conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin.

The opera star has sung multiple times with Opera Philadelphia: as Ruby Thewes in the east coast premiere of Jennifer Higdon’s Cold Mountain, conductor Corrado Rovaris, director Leonard Foglia; and as Clorinda and Sorrel in War Stories (a double bill of Monteverdi’s Il combattimento di Tancredi e Clorinda and Beecher’s I Have No Stories To Tell You, conductor Gary Wedow, director Robin Guarino as part of the inaugural Festival 017, for which she was featured on the cover of Opera News. She sang Wellgunde and Rossweisse in Seattle Opera’s Ring des Nibelungen, conductor Asher Fisch, director Stephen Wadsworth, which was recorded and released commercially.

An alumna of the Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Ryan Opera Center, Hall received much critical acclaim for her turn there as Annio La Clemenza di Tito with Sir Andrew Davis and David McVicar and her performance in the title role of Handel’s Teseo at Chicago Opera Theater.

As an alumna of the Metropolitan Opera’s Lindemann Young

Artist Development Program, she has appeared at the Met as Javotte Manon and Second Priestess Iphigénie en Tauride.

A noted recitalist, Hall has appeared several times at Carnegie Hall in a Spotlight recital and gala with the Marilyn Horne Foundation and Carnegie’s Ensemble ACJW. In Frankfurt, she gave a much-lauded Liederabend with Hilko Dumno. As a Samling Artist, Hall sang in recital with Sir Thomas Allen and Malcolm Martineau at Wigmore Hall. She made her Mostly Mozart debut as the mezzo soloist in Mozart’s Mass in C minor and Requiem with Maestro Louis Langrée and appeared with the Bay Atlantic Symphony singing Les Nuits d’Eté.

An alumna of The Juilliard School and DePaul University, Cecelia Hall is a recipient of a 2011 Sara Tucker Study Grant, a 2012 Brian Dickie Outstanding Young Singer Award, the 2013 Lynne Harvey Foundation Scholarship from the Musician’s Club of Women, and Third Prize from the 2013 Gerda Lissner Foundation.

This new production is helmed by Dawn M. Simmons, the award-winning Boston theater director and artist who brings her talent into opera for the first time. The cast includes Dana Varga, another BLO debut, as Clorinda, 2023/24 BLO Emerging Artist Alexis Peart plays Tisbe, Levy Sekgapane (BLO debut) as Don Ramiro, Levi Hernandez (the BLO film, “B.”) as Dandini, Brandon Cedel (BLO’s 2019 “The Rape of Lucretia”) as Don Magnifico, and Philip Lima (BLO’s 2022 “Romeo & Juliette”) as Alidoro. H

Performances will be held at the Emerson Cutler Majestic Theatre, 219 Tremont Street, Boston, with tickets available at blo.org.

Massenet Werther - Charlotte Oper Frankfurt 2023

As an accomplished and highly regarded mezzo-soprano, Hall sings leading roles as a member of Oper Frankfurt’s prestigious ensemble and appears regularly as a guest artist on many of the world’s finest stages.

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