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To learn more, visit aarp.org/caregiving.
It’s
By Jennifer Benson AArP MAssAchusetts stAte Director
November is National Family Caregivers Month. A time we recognize and celebrate the more than 63 million Americans, including 780,000 here in Massachusetts, who are caring for loved ones. These family caregivers make it possible for older adults and individuals with health challenges to remain in the comfort and familiarity of their own homes, where they most want to be.
In Massachusetts alone, family caregivers provide an astounding 73 million hours of care each year. That’s the equivalent of $15 billion in unpaid labor. It’s a testament to their commitment, compassion, and sacrifice.
Family caregivers are the quiet force behind our health care system. Every day, they help aging parents, spouses, siblings, and loved ones live independently, often at great personal cost. They manage medications, coordinate appointments, cook meals, and provide emotional support. The toll is real. Caregivers often face financial strain, burnout, and isolation. Yet they continue to show up day after day.
One of the most urgent needs for family caregivers is respite care; temporary relief that allows them to rest, recharge, and attend to their own health and well-being. Without it, caregivers risk burnout, depression, and physical exhaustion. Yet access to respite care remains limited and expensive, leaving many caregivers to shoulder the burden alone.
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Respite care isn’t just about taking a break. It’s about sustainability. Studies show that caregivers who receive regular respite are more likely to continue providing care over the long term, reducing the need for costly institutionalization. It also improves outcomes for care recipients, who benefit from refreshed and emotionally present caregivers.
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That’s why AARP Massachusetts is supporting An Act Supporting Family Caregivers on Beacon Hill. Introduced by Representative Mike Kushmerek (D-Fitchburg), Representative David Rogers (D-Cambridge), and Senator Jo Comerford (D-Northampton), this legislation provides a range of supports designed to reduce the burden on caregivers. Its key features include respite care vouchers, which would help families afford short-term professional care for their loved ones, giving caregivers the essential time they need to rest or handle other responsibilities.
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The act goes beyond simply providing respite care by tackling the financial and workplace challenges that family caregivers encounter. It proposes a range of solutions, including income tax credits to help offset the costs associated with caregiving, and extends unemployment insurance eligibility to those who must leave their jobs to provide care for loved ones. Additionally, the legislation introduces workplace protections to prevent discrimination based on caregiving responsibilities, ensuring that caregivers are not penalized in their employment. The act calls for the establishment of a permanent commission dedicated to studying and responding to caregiving needs across Massachusetts.
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These measures recognize that caregiving is not a private issue; it’s a public one. When caregivers are supported, entire communities benefit. Health care systems are less strained, employers retain valuable workers, and families stay together longer.
AARP has long championed the rights and needs of family caregivers. Family caregivers need commonsense solutions that will save them time and money and provide them with more support. You can find more information at aarp.org/caregivingma.
If you’re a caregiver—or know someone who is—consider reaching out to your legislator to support An Act Supporting Family Caregivers. It’s time we move beyond gratitude and offer real, tangible help.
Because caregivers deserve care, too.
Jennifer Benson is the State Director for AARP Massachusetts. For more articles visit www.fiftyplusadvocate.com.
By shAron oliver contriButing Writer
REGION – No Thanksgiving, and for some, Christmas dinner is complete without a scoop of cranberry sauce. Of course, a tall refreshing glass of cranberry juice or a slice of cranberry tart tastes good all year-long but in 1959, Americans turned their noses on the beloved holiday fruit thanks to one government bureaucrat.
Government warning
Just a few weeks before Thanksgiving, a warning was issued stating cranberries could be contaminated by a chemical weed killer, amino triazole, which caused cancer in the thyroids of rats. On November 9, 1959, “Black Monday” in cranberry history, Health, Education and Welfare Secretary Arthur Flemming held a press conference in Washington, D.C. and said, “The Food and Drug Administration today urged that no further sales be made of cranberries and cranberry products produced in Washington
and Oregon in 1958 and 1959.” In 1959, cancer amounted to a death sentence.
The news could not come at a worse time for cranberry growers, especially in Massachusetts where the berries thrived in the bogs, peatlands and sandy soil in the southeastern part of the state, Cape Cod and Nantucket. Black Monday is the time when growers are in the midst of harvesting, sorting and warehousing more than half of their crop. As a result of the announcement, processing was halted because supermarket chains canceled their orders.
By 1959, some of these bogs had been in families for centuries and Massachusetts growers cultivated 12,800 acres of cranberry bogs, 60 percent of the national total. Two Wareham packers were forced to shut down.
Nationwide panic
People across the nation panicked. However, there were those in the industry who decided to fight back. Ambrose Stevens, general manager of the Ocean Spray coopera-
A government warning about possible herbicide contamination decimated the cranberry industry in 1959, right before Thanksgiving.
tive in Plymouth County stated in a press release that cranberries were “pure and wholesome and untainted by any dangerous substance.” Plymouth radio station WPLM held a party for 5,000 children and served cranberry juice.
Oddly enough, the industry had sort of a forewarning in 1957 when the FDA seized three million pounds of contaminated cranberries in Oregon and the agency did not test the fruit in 1958 because they felt growers knew to use the weed killer only after the cranberry harvest. The Ocean Spray cooperative had warned of the dangers of their zero-tolerance policy, knowing the industry could not afford even one violation and sent a letter to its members banning the use of amino triazole in cranberry bogs on September 18, 1959.
Two presidential candidates took the cranberry industry’s side. U.S. Senator John F. Kennedy of Massachusetts drank a full glass of cranberry juice in front of reporters and asked for more. Vice President Rich-
ard Nixon downed four helpings of cranberry sauce at a campaign stop in Wisconsin.
First Lady Mamie Eisenhower claimed she had served cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving, but her story came into question when actress Rosalind Russell, a guest at the presidential table, let slip that she had actually been served applesauce instead of the tainted relish.
The damage has now been done. Cranberry sales fell to 20 percent of normal and government assistance was needed to maintain the industry until things settled down. In the spring of 1960, Ocean Spray announced it would lay off a third of its workers due to government interference. One thing of note is that Flemming failed to mention that a person would have to eat 15,000 pounds of cranberries each day for several years to get cancer, which scientists testified about before Congress.
In the aftermath of the cranberry scare, some newspaper editorials lauded Arthur Flemming as candidate for vice president while others asked President Eisenhower to fire him. The government ultimately helped the cranberry industry recover and indemnified growers for their losses to the tune of $10 million.
By MAtt roBinson contriButing Writer
FRAMINGHAM – While bands like the Rolling Stones and The Who (or what is sadly left of them) continue to bang out their hits in apparently endless “farewell” tours (some of which have been sponsored by senior organizations!), it is rare to hear a story of a long-time musician who was taken off the scene for a significant time (and for a significant reason) and then returned with new things to say.
Ron Murphy is such a story.
Developing his voice
Growing up in the suburbs of Boston in the city of Newton, Murphy was fortunate to have a musically-inclined family and, as with so many other legendary vocalists, the venue of the church in which to develop his own voice.
“I had friends and family that loved and cared about me,” he added, appreciatively.
Unfortunately, life outside the church was not always so pleasant and Murphy developed a drinking problem as a teenager.
“When I became grown enough to think I could handle things on my own, I found alcohol,” he explained. “That led me down a dark and dreary and sometimes funny path [that was] unsafe…and pretty scary!”
As a result Murphy did not really reach his prime until much later in life. When he did, however, it was quite a series of accomplishments.
Having taught himself piano, Murphy eventually started his own record label (Life Records) and publishing company (Murphy & Murphy Publishing).
He cited such diverse influences as gospel greats like Mahalia Jackson and Sister Rosetta Tharpe, jazz and standard standouts like Johnny Mathis, Joe Williams, Ella Fitzgerald and George Gershwin. And also soul stars like Lou Rawls and Aretha Franklin and Motown moguls like
Smokey Robinson and the Four Tops and Temptations.
Traveling the world
Murphy became a member of the R&B vocal group The Montclairs and also sang as part of a revived rendition of the popular doo-wop group The Platters, with whom he performed in Las Vegas. He has also been the subject of command performances all over the world and has performed in Barcelona, Madrid and Paris.
“One day, I got a call from a lady in Russia who said she wanted me to play there,” Murphy said with a grin. “I said, ‘Sure!’”
Murphy is also a first-call actor who has appeared in popular hits like “The Heat” and “The Fighter” and who recently had his film “Soul Family: A Day in the Lives” featured in the Houston Film Festival and the New Bedford Film Festival, where his original song, “Cookie,” won the award for Best Original Song.
“It’s a love song about what peo -
ple mean to each other,” Murphy explained, smiling.
Just as he was able to rub elbows with his musical heroes as a singer, Murphy also collaborated with legendary director Esther Terry and met Grammy-winning singer Natalie Cole while on stage.
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Health challenges
Unfortunately, further challenges arose when Murphy, a Framingham resident, was diagnosed with a string of maladies, including multiple sclerosis, diabetes, glaucoma, and a series of mini-strokes.
“Through it all,” he realized, “my voice…is still there and God has blessed me to keep it.”
Eager to capitalize on this gift, Murphy has recently reentered the studio to reexamine old favorites and craft some new ones too.
“I recently signed with a company and now my music is on YouTube,” Murphy laughed, his booming baritone shaking the microphone. “I am still writing, teaching myself piano, acting, walking, talking, singing. All of it. I am not allowing myself to be ruled and controlled by physical issues or illness.”
In fact, Murphy mused, as his voice is such a gift, he feels it would be foolish (if not sacrilegious) to put it away.
“Returning to the studio is what I was supposed to do,” he reasoned. “It’s here in front of me and was never something I could leave or walk away from.”
Ever in touch with his truth and his emotions and not afraid to share them, Murphy waxes philosophical when asked about the longevity of his career.
“At 76 I’ve been writing and singing and performing for more than 60 years,” he observed. “I have to ask myself what it is about music that never leaves my life.”
Music as a stabilizing force
In response, Murphy cited music as “A staple [that] provides structure when things can go astray,” using words like “calming,” “resilient,” and
‘‘ My voice… is still there and God has blessed me to keep it.
“permanent” to describe his muse and his music.
“[Music is] a fighter,” he observed, “and no one is allowed to mess with it!”
And as he prepares to turn 77 in November, Murphy continues to see his music as a “gift” that apparently keeps on giving…at least for some.
And he’s happy to still be able to share his talent with the world. His
next gig is at the Fox & Hound tavern in Quincy on November 6.
“Music…[has] provided me a way through and to overcome some of the most difficult times in my life,” he said, crediting the music itself for allowing him to return to it after so many challenges. ”Music…was there through my adolescence, teen, young adult, adult… and now my senior years… and I want it every minute of every day!”
By shAron oliver contriButing Writer
TRURO – Distinctly known for her bright, ruby-red mane and as a member of the Athens, Georgia-based new wave party music innovators the B-52s, Kate Pierson knows a good location to call home when she sees one. The “Love Shack” singer settled on outer Cape Cod in Truro to put down roots, at least part-time, and has named a few local restaurants like Montano’s in Truro and Moby Dick’s in Wellfleet as some of her favorites.
During a recent walk on the beach, the Jersey girl told WBUR, “I just pinch
myself to think I can be here. Just to look out at those waves and the colors. I always see seals here. I don’t see any right now. Maybe they don’t dig the seaweed either. I’m a big rock collector and to me, finding these special rocks is like finding jewels. I always carry a bag with me while collecting.”
Beach house
Aside from her Kate’s Lazy Cape vacation beach home, the singer professes a love for Truro for its quiet, beautiful stretches of beach, the seafood restaurants, markets, and farmers markets and her love of swimming in the ocean with sharks. Kate’s Lazy Cape is available for
weekly rentals with a maximum occupancy of six people. Described as the “ultimate beach house,” the location has three private bedrooms and two bathrooms and is walking distance from the Cranberry Hill private beach.
No stranger to the state, according to The Boston Globe, Pierson worked at Massachusetts General Hospital while earning a journalism degree from Boston University in 1970 and unabashedly admits to being involved in lots of protests at the time. After co-founding the B-52s in 1976 with Fred Schneider, Keith Strickland, Cindy Wilson and Ricky Wilson, Pierson changed her solo composing to collaborative songwriting with her bandmates. According to her, “I was writing songs all the time. We’d record our jams and then piece the good parts together like a collage.”
Varied musical ventures
Pierson’s venture as a solo artist earned the 77-year-old gigs at venues such as the Wequassett Resort and Golf Club in Harwich a year ago and more recently at the Blue Ocean Music Hall in Salisbury and the Provincetown Town Hall. The mezzo soprano lyricist and musician has decades of experience under her belt, especially when it comes to collaborations and pop culture influence.
• “We Are Family,” a single released to raise money for the victims of the September 11 attacks, features Pierson and Schneider in the chorus and on the DVD documentation.
• Pierson and the B-52s appeared in an episode of the CBS soap opera “Guiding Light” in 1982.
• For the big-budget, live-action film adaptation of 1994’s “The Flintstones,” the B-52s made a cameo appearance in character as a Stone Age rock band called the BC-52s.
SNL celebration
The B-52s performed “Love Shack” at “SNL50: The Homecoming Concert” in 2025 as part of the 50th anniversary celebration of the long-running “Saturday Night Live” television show.
• She sang on Iggy Pop’s top 40 hit song “Candy.”
• The R.E.M. 1991 album “Out of Time” features guest vocals by Pierson on the songs “Shiny Happy People,” and “Me in Honey.”
• The 1998 soundtrack for “The Rugrats Movie” contains the track “The World Is Something New to Me” and features Pierson, B-52s bandmates Schneider and Wilson along with other artists.
The band was joined on-stage by Sarah Sherman, Bowen Yang, and featured Fred Armisen on drums. “SNL” alum Armisen is also the former bandleader for the “Late Night with Seth Meyers” house band. It was the B-52s’ third SNL appearance, after their debut there in 1980 and second appearance in 1990. Long before the B-52s formed, the band members were already part of the lively alternative music scene in Athens. The popular college town would later be a home for R.E.M., who were, like the B-52s, also a more audience-friendly antidote to more aggressive and angry punk rock.
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By DeBBie sPingArn contriButing Writer
REGION – If you’ve ever been bereaved over a beloved pet with nowhere to turn, you are not alone. For individuals over 50, the feelings of sadness and depression can hit especially hard.
Norwood Senior Center Director Kerri McCarthy sees people at the Prospect Street center suffering from loss of a pet. “We help them find grief groups,” she said, as the center does not have its own group. “We could probably use it,” she added.
A growing need for support
The good news is that society recognizes the immense feelings of grief felt by many when beloved pets die or are diagnosed with serious illness. A Pew Research study shows 97 percent of pet owners believe their pets are part of the family. “Nearly everyone I know has grieved the loss of a pet,” says 77-year-old Susan Clare of Norwood. “But I wasn’t even aware such support groups exist,” she added.
Groups do exist and in growing numbers. A September 2025 story in Psychology Today says the global market for digital pet bereavement apps is projected to grow by up to 12 percent by 2033. The MSPCA in Jamaica Plain offers a free Zoom-only support group with the organization’s licensed clinical social worker. Call 617-522-7282 for information on signing up for the monthly group which includes parents of all types of animals including dogs, cats, birds and other pets.
Another popular group sponsored through Laps of Love, an in-home hospice and euthanasia service, offers free sessions or week-long grief groups featuring curriculum as well as Zoom support from a certified Laps of Love grief
counselor.
Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine based out of North Grafton offers a 24-hour hotline, staffed in person by veterinary students between 6 and 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday with 24-hour voicemail available.
Nikki Vettel of Winthrop is a 73-yearold certified pet bereavement counselor offering support through pet guinea pig therapy. Her therapy pet guinea pig Hermie is often actively involved in her grief groups. Vettel holds a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling.
“Without their dog, they may find no reason to leave the house, get exercise and fresh air, but most importantly, continue having relationships (even if very casual) with people on their ‘route.’”
Veterinary social workers
owned by certified pet bereavement counselor Nikki Vettel.
There is a growing need, especially for seniors, for grief groups mourning the loss of a pet or a pet diagnosed with a serious illness.
Vettel suggests that pet owners facing anticipatory grief (faced with a pet’s terminal diagnosis) may benefit from photographs of themselves with their pet either done informally or through a pet portrait photographer. Contact her at Niki.vettel@gmail.com.
“For older people, the loss of a beloved pet can bring many specific dimensions to their grief,” Vettel said. “Memories hold a different space for people who are facing less years ahead for themselves.”
“A pet may have been shared by a child or a spouse who has previously died,” she explained, “so the death of their pet marks the end of a living connection to that important person, now also gone.”
“A dog may have been the reason for its owner to get up in the morning for a walk, and a way to break any bonds of isolation by greeting neighbors or passersby,” Vettel continued.
Veterinary social workers have been added to veterinary hospitals to help clients navigate both grief of a deceased pet as well as assessing pet quality of life and decision making for an ill pet.
The Massachusetts Veterinary Referral Hospital located in Woburn is a Level One emergency and critical care facility as well as offering specialty care. The hospital’s special services include a veterinary social worker. The contact number is 781-932-5802.
Grief groups have etiquette rules, including discussion of sensitive topics like euthanasia, mental health topics and rules around sensitivities of other group members. It can be difficult to find places where individuals can discuss their own emotions and although pet grief support groups offer that, other mental health concerns may need to be addressed by individual therapy.
Digital support options
Online resources like 1-833-PET-1234 offer information and videos for support, anticipatory grief, and online groups.
For people who have difficulty with technology, organizations like Tufts’ “Paws for People,” which is affiliated with the pet therapy organization Pet Partners, brings specially trained therapy animals of all species (dogs, cats, bunnies, miniature horses, and guinea pigs) to visit nursing homes, libraries, and assisted living facilities. Hermie, Vettel’s pet therapy guinea pig, is a registered pet therapy guinea pig. “He has a great number of fans across Massachusetts who have enjoyed cuddling with him and feeding him treats,” she said.
To learn about possible “Paws for People” visits, email pawsforpeople@ tufts.edu.
By nAnce eBert contriButing Writer
MEDFORD – He was a three-term mayor of New York City, and he’s one of the richest men in the world, with an estimated net worth in excess of $100 billion. But Michael R. Bloomberg grew up middle class in Medford and graduated from Medford High School.
Business success and philanthropy
Bloomberg went on to also graduate from Johns Hopkins University and Harvard Business School and subsequently made a fortune in the business world, much of which he has given away as a leading philanthropist.
At the dedication of the Charlotte and William Bloomberg Medford Public Library on June 1, 2022, Bloomberg addressed a crowd that included Medford Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn, Senator Markey, and others with humorous stories about his childhood in Medford.
“Seeing everyone here reminds me of the last time I stood in front of a big group of people in Medford,” he recalled. “It was just down High Street, in front of Gaffey’s Funeral Home. I was ten years old, and it was my very first experience with public speaking. I was picked from my Boy Scout troop to read a poem at the annual Patriot’s Day celebration, which began, ‘Listen my children and you shall hear…of the midnight ride of Paul Revere.’ The lines still come back to me.”
“It was the honor of my young life,” he continued, “and probably the reason I checked out ‘Johnny Tremain’ from this library, which I must’ve read a hundred times,” said Bloomberg.
He said he was thrilled to be a part of this dedication because the library meant so much to his family and the building is a significant part of Medford’s future.
He added, “ It’s very exciting that Medford has a library like this. But really, every community should. Libraries are some of our most vital gathering spaces. They’re a source of knowledge for people of all ages. And they’re a true symbol of freedom.”
Bloomberg says he was focused and determined to succeed after completing college. His first job after graduation was working an entry-level job at Salomon Brothers. When the company was acquired in 1981, he was let go. He pivoted and started an information technology start-up that would ensure “transparency and fairness to the financial system.” Bloomberg LP is now a global company that built his fortune and employs over 25,000 people in countries all over the world.
Political career
Bloomberg was elected New York City mayor a few weeks after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and he is credited with the city coming back stronger and faster than anyone had anticipated.
“We may not always agree with every one of our neighbors,” he observed in a speech in 2010 defending the construction of a mosque near the World Trade Center site. “That’s life. And it’s part of living in such a dense and diverse city. But we also recognize that part of being a New Yorker is living with our neighbors in mutual respect and tolerance. It is exactly that spirit of openness and acceptance that was attacked on 9/11,” stated Bloomberg.
During his time as mayor he was known to be a proponent of social causes and a supporter of strict gun laws. He ran for president of the United States in 2020.
After leaving City Hall, Bloomberg returned to Bloomberg Philanthropies. He is passionate about the environment, education, stem cell research,
the arts, public health, government innovation, the Greenwood Initiative (whose goal is to quicken the pace of wealth accumulation in African-Amer-
ican communities and address systemic underinvestment in them) and other issues. He says he gives back whenever he can and has donated over 21 billion dollars to a wide array of organizations and causes.
Legacy and honors
His friend, the late journalist Barbara Walters attested to his generosity and philanthropy. “I knew he wanted to do something with his life besides making money,” she told Globes, an Israeli business publication, in 2008. “This was not a man who used his money because he was going to take us all on a yacht.”
Joan Rosenbaum, director of the Jewish Museum told New York Magazine in 2005, “Being charitable is an important part of Jewish identity. Michael has been an extraordinarily generous supporter of the museum since 1988.” In 2024, President Biden presented Michael Bloomberg with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. This award recognizes those who have made extraordinary contributions to the United States.
Bloomberg gave $1.8 billion to
Michael Bloomberg and his sister Marjorie Tiven in 2022 at the dedication of the Charlotte and William Bloomberg Medford Public Library, which received a $3 million gift through the Bloomberg Philanthropies.
Johns Hopkins, his alma mater, to guarantee “need-based admissions” for all students. He has also reputedly given away hundreds of millions of dollars with no strings attached to friends, worthy causes, even to strangers in need.
He told the Harvard graduating class of 2014, “Throughout your lives, do not be afraid of saying what you believe is right, no matter how unpopular it may be, especially when it comes to defending the rights of others.”
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BOSTON – Before Boston’s North End Italian neighborhood and nearby Quincy Market became popular tourist havens, it was notoriously known for making headlines and called something else. During the 1800s, segments of the area consisted of streets named Ann, Conduit, Drawbridge, Fish and Ship. Ann Street was an infamous neighborhood known as the “Black Sea.” Before the rise of Boston’s Combat Zone in the mid-20th century, the Black Sea’s surrounding alleys had already formed a red-light district where 227 brothels, inns, gambling dens, jilt shops looking to rob their customers, and taverns could be found.
Sailor’s playground
Famed minister and Salem Witch trial judge Cotton Mather believed many girls and women living in the north area were also witches, includ-
ing Ann “Goody” Glover who was a laundress for the Goodwin family and was accused of stealing linens by one of the Goodwin children. When overheard saying the Lord’s Prayer in her native Gaelic, locals mistakenly thought she was speaking gibberish, convincing the public even more that the elderly Irish widow was a witch. She was the last person in Boston to be hanged as a witch.
One of the terms used by English sailors from 1775 to 1776 to designate the red-light districts in their various posts and ports of call was “Mount Whoredom.” By the late 1840s, crowded living conditions in the North End were among the worst in the city and poverty was rampant. Police occasionally patrolled the dangerously seedy Black Sea area knowing establishments relied heavily upon sailors who came ashore to looking for a good time at the “sailor’s playground.” During one police raid in March of 1851, 50 cops arrested 86 gamblers, 35 brothel keepers
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North Street in the North End was formerly known as Ann Street, as shown in this 1881 photo, when it was part of the “Black Sea” redlight district in the 19th century.
and 95 women who were mostly prostitutes.
Boston rechristened Ann Street to North Street in 1852 but renaming the street did little to change the neighborhood. At least not for a while. By the time the 1900s arrived, tragedies and famous crimes began to darken the community. Many children were orphaned due to the 1918 Spanish Influenza breakout and the following year, the Great Molasses Flood flowed through the streets.
Infamous residents
Boston’s North End is now a tourist destination famous for its Italian restaurants and shops, but in the mid-1800s it was a notorious haven for prostitution and gambling.
American serial killer Jane “Jolly Jane” Topan lived in the neighborhood as did anarchists Sacco and Vanzetti, who were later executed after being convicted of a robbery and murder in 1921. It’s where convicted fraudster Charles Ponzi set up shop, creating a scheme of theft using postal coupons and the 1950 Brink’s robbery also happened there.
Breaking ground during Boston’s “Big Dig” during the 1990s unearthed a treasure trove of artifacts that included hair combs and hygiene items believed to have come from a brothel near the Black Sea’s red-light district. According to Bostonia magazine, Mrs. Lake operated a “parlor house” at 2729 Endicott Street and described it as a home where patrons could also gamble, be served meals and receive “special services” at an extra cost. Although prostitution was illegal, police did often look away and city records did show that one policeman lived on her property while it operated as a brothel. It is believed most of the women came from rural areas looking for work.
According to Boston city directories, Mrs. Lake was married to a
doctor and some of the objects found and believed to have come from the house also include medicine bottles of copaiba oil which was used to induce abortions. According to Discover magazine, Louisa Cowen took over as madam of the brothel in 1856. As an alternative to the area’s seediness and hardships, there had been a shelter set up at the corner of Lewis, Fulton and North Streets called the “Quincy Home for the Friendless,” in what Phebe Anna Hanaford described in her poem “The Midnight Meeting” as “where sin-cursed women might find a friend.”
Despite its risqué past, the North End’s history is rich in arts, culture, cuisine and fascinating stories. It is one of the nation’s oldest neighborhoods and continues to attract tourists from around the world.
By shAron oliver contriButing Writer
BOSTON – Thanksgiving is celebrated every fourth Thursday in November thanks to magazine editor and author Sarah Josepha Hale. The New Hampshire native’s advocacy for the holiday began in 1846, with a pile of letters written to every U.S. president from Zachary Taylor to Millard Fillmore to Franklin Pierce and James Buchanan. She was finally able to persuade Abraham Lincoln into supporting legislation establishing a national holiday in 1863. At the time, the country acknowledged only two federal holidays: George Washington’s birthday and Independence Day.
From regional to national holiday In 1827, Hale published the novel “Northwood: Life North and South.” The book’s success led to her hiring as editor of Godey’s Lady’s Book, the largest women’s magazine before the Civil War and a position as editor of Boston’s new publication, the Ladies’ Magazine (later, the American Ladies’ Magazine) in 1828. In 1833, Hale founded the Boston Ladies Peace Society and the Seaman’s Aid Society which assisted surviving fami-
lies of Boston sailors who died at sea. She famously championed and helped with the completion of the Bunker Hill Monument, using the $30,000 generated from a huge women’s craft and bake sales fair held at Quincy Market.
During this time, only New Englanders celebrated “Thanksgiving,” but the six states scheduled their own dates to celebrate, ranging from October to January. It was a regional holiday, as northeastern U.S. states had declared civil holidays of thanksgiving in autumn since the 1810s. Hale believed a national holiday would unify the country following the effects of the Civil War, but how would one celebrate this Yankee tradition?
Using what would become a template from her book “Northwood: Life North and South,” she described a white damask tablecloth with every child having a seat; “The more the better, it being considered an honor for a man to sit down to his Thanksgiving dinner surrounded by a large family.”
A letter to Lincoln
A roasted turkey (stuffed and basted) would take center stage at the head of the table. Other items include pork legs, mutton, sirloins, vegetables, gravy, a
goose, ducklings, pickles, wheat bread, preserves, and chicken pie. For dessert, the “celebrated” pumpkin pie. Every setting had a wine glass and two tumblers. A serv ing of plum pudding, custard, pie, cake, sweet meats and fruits for des sert is suggested and all topped with homemade mild spirits: currant wine cider and ginger beer for drinks.
tember 28, 1863, began with:
‘Lady’s Book,’ to request a few min utes of your precious time, while lay ing before you a subject of deep interest to myself and – as I trust – even to the President of our Republic, of some importance. This subject is to have the day of our annual Thanksgiving made a National and fixed Union Festival. You may have observed that, for some years past, there has been an increasing interest felt in our land to have the Thanksgiving held on the same day, in all the States; it now needs National recognition and authoritative fixation, only, to become permanently, an American custom and institution. Enclosed are three papers (being printed these are easily read)
Within the building amenities include:
• A Theater-like media center
• Handicap-accessible lounges on every floor
• Library equipped with two computers and free internet access
• Physical fitness center
• Game room with billiard table
• Community room with bingo board and large screen TV
27 Mount Vernon Street, Worcester, MA • O ffice O pen D aily 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
To receive an application please call 508-755-6062 TDD# 508-755-0228
Now accepting applications for 62 years of age and older and those who are under 62 years of age and are permanently disabled. Applicants must meet HUD annual low income guidelines. Preference is given to individuals 62 and older.
Boston author and magazine editor Sarah
petitioned several U.S. presidents to make Thanksgiving a national holiday, and she finally succeeded with
which will make the idea and its progress clear and show also the popularity of the plan…”
The then-president liked Hale’s idea. On October 3, 1863, Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation declaring the last Thursday of November to be National Thanksgiving Day and ordered all government offices in Washington to close on that day. The holiday’s customs have evolved over time to include charitable organizations offering Thanksgiving dinner for the homeless, attending religious services and watching or participating in parades and football games.
• Contemporary styled 1 & 2 bedroom apartments
• New kitchens with built-in microwaves and granite-like countertops
• Small pets welcome
• Heat and Hot water included
• Bus route / ample parking
• Beautiful landscaped grounds with gazebo
By MichAel PernA Jr. contriButing Writer
WORCESTER – In 1829, after the Massachusetts state legislature initiated a study to determine what conditions existed in each city and town in the state regarding the care and treatment of people with mental conditions, it was found that said “lunatics” were kept in “dark dungeons,” “dressed in rags” with “no bed, filthy straw, no orifice for lights…air so fetid as to produce nauseousness” and so on.
Noble intentions
The following year, it was decided to build a “lunatic hospital” that could house 120 patients, the goal being to “restore” inmates to “health.” It was decided to locate the facility on a 12acre plot of land on Summer Street in Worcester. The location was chosen due to being close enough to needed markets and so on, but far enough away from local neighborhoods so as not to cause issues with residents. By 1833 a huge building was erected, with two wings located on either side
of a central administration building, one wing each for males and females.
Patients were then separated by their “social standing and type of illness.” The surrounding area was used as fields where inmates could help grow fruits and vegetables that would then be used to feed the hospital’s population. Known as the Worcester Insane Asylum, this was the first facility of its type in Massachusetts. The hospital superintendent was Dr. Samuel Woodward, a well-known figure in the treatment of mental illnesses.
At first, the hospital used what were described as “moral treatment principles,” stressing individualized treatment and a “healthy, comfortable environment,” but over time the facility became overcrowded. This resulted in changes in treatment, which included such things as shock therapy and hydrotherapy.
Expansion of capacity
By 1836, two additional wings were added to the building, which nearly doubled the number of patients that could be housed. Despite this, the
demand for services continued to increase. More facilities were requested from the state, based on the need for “separate accommodations for imbeciles, the violently insane, African Americans, and immigrants.”
By the 1870s it was decided to construct an entirely new facility. The new complex, completed in 1876 at a cost of over a million dollars, was located on the eastern edge of the city, off what is now known as Belmont Street. The main building, known as the Kirkbride complex, had an elaborate structure in what is known as gothic architecture, a building style that dates back to the Middle Ages in Europe.
Even with the larger hospital, problems soon returned. With a much larger patient population, more fields were required to help supply food. As the city of Worcester’s population grew, the area of land available to the hospital shrank. Soon it was necessary to purchase large parcels of land in Shrewsbury, where more crops could be grown to help feed the patients. Other problems arose due
to a failing water supply, inadequate dining and bathing facilities, faulty wiring which ran the risk of fires, and so on.
A strike by the hospital’s nurses in 1902 highlighted these issues, which only continued to worsen as the facility’s population continued to grow.
By 1901, a facility which would become known as the Grafton State Hospital, was opened to ease crowding and give non-violent patients a place to “engage in therapeutic work in a rural environment.”
The large-scale operation in Worcester housed thousands of patients. It was so well known that Life magazine ran an article about the hospital in 1949.
Another improvement was the building of the Bryan Building in 1958, which helped ease crowded conditions. Little by little, patients were transferred from the older facility to the Bryan Building. The original Kirkbride Building, which eventually was placed on the National Register of Historic Places, was abandoned in 1985. In 1991, several fires damaged much of the Kirkbride Building.
Tarnished legacy
As time went on, institutions such as what had now become known as the “Worcester State Hospital” became viewed as “barbaric” and “human warehouses.” Efforts were increased to use social workers, outpatient care or anti-psychotic drugs to treat people who previously would have been housed in these facilities.
The building itself was torn down in
2008, with a rebuilt clock tower, what was known as the Hooper Turret, and the Hale Building being the only portions left standing.
In 2009, construction of a new hospital, to be known as the Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital, was begun. The new facility was completed in 2012.
The old clock tower is a poignant reminder of the old Worcester State Hospital’s history.
By MAriAnne lyons Delorey, Ph.D.
“There are only four kinds of people in the world: those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need caregivers.” - Rosalynn Carter
The visually stunning Worcester State Hospital main building, a masterpiece of gothic architecture, was torn down in 2008, but the clock tower was rebuilt using some of the original materials, and remains standing to this day.
In honor of National Family Caregiver Month this November, I want to imagine a world where caregiving is recognized for how hard it really is. In this world, children still play games, even video games, but their video games mimic the goals of caregiving.
In the Game of Care (GoC), we see a world like Minecraft, the most popular video game of all time. In our game, users can create their own world, using raw materials to build houses and tools. At some point after starting the game, the player is assigned a person for them to take care of. We will call this person their client. Having a client instantly makes the resources the player has gathered inadequate. The house is too small, the pantry needs more items, and the health of the player is dealt a blow, sometimes small, sometimes very large.
The extent of each hardship that players experience is randomly generated from 0 to 100, but is largely modeled after real caregiving statistics largely taken from the AARP’s recent study.
· 29% are also supporting children.
· Over 40% provide high-intensity care such as managing injectable medications or equipment for which they are likely not trained.
· 20% report poor health.
· 25% have taken on debt because of caregiving costs.
· 20% cannot afford basic needs like food.
Just like Minecraft, the GoC toggles between creative mode and survival mode.
Creative mode gameplay allows players to figure out how to get enough resources, how to get a cranky person needing care to accept care, and how to get anything else done while caregiving.
Players often find themselves in survival mode. The user needs to avoid angry mobs comprised of the client, medical professionals, and other family members. Players are forced to follow strict instructions about care, arrange transportation, meal preparation, and appointments, all while keeping the client relatively happy. When the person is not happy, game play slows down until the base level of happiness can be reset.
The goal in the Game of Care is to feed, clothe, and otherwise care for a person while not succumbing to hunger, mobs, and falls. Drowning is common. The player wins if their person dies peacefully in their own home and the player has not lost all their health, resources, and sanity.
Extra points are given to those who are caring for someone who is increasingly forgetful, verbally abusive, unable to be left alone for small stretches of time, and those with other obligations. More points are awarded for each extra burden carried: household chores, childcare, paid work, and failing health.
Players can cooperate to win, and the game is significantly easier if two people are providing care for the same person, but somehow it just never seems to work out that way and most users end up in PvP (Player vs. Player) mode. PvP mode with the same caregiver usually looks like a competition to care for the same client and whoever is most vocal about how difficult they have it tends to get more “likes” and therefore more points.
OK, so this game kind of stinks. But the problem is, it is real. Let’s use the month of November to let caregivers know they are seen and to give them a break if possible.
Thank you to all of you providing care. You are the world to your person, even if they can’t tell you themselves.
Marianne Delorey, Ph.D., is the executive director of Colony Retirement Homes. She can be reached at 508-755-0444 or mdelorey@colonyretirement.com and www.colonyretirementhomes.com. Archives of articles from previous issues can be read at www.fiftyplusadvocate.com.
By JAnice linDsAy contriButing Writer
When my sister and I were teenagers, she was walking home one day when a gray squirrel approached her, scampered up her clothes, and perched on her shoulder. Clearly, this was not your typical wild squirrel. And not a stupid one, either. My sister was an animal magnet, an incurable collector of four-legged creatures.
He rode on her shoulder all the way home, where we put him in a cage and tried to figure out what to do about him. Squirrels do not make good pets. They gnaw, which isn’t healthy for household items like door frames and chair legs. I don’t remember if we tried to find his previous human companion, assuming he had one. If we did, nobody stepped forward.
We placed the cage near an open window that opened onto a roof with convenient tree access and left the cage door ajar. We put food in the cage. Eventually the squirrel ventured out but came back to eat. His favorite was brownie pudding, further evidence of his intelligence, in my opinion. Over time, he came back less and less and finally didn’t come back at all.
I think of him now because at this time of the year, many of our bird friends have left us for southern climates. Some of our human friends have, too. And our other mammalian neighbors like chipmunks and skunks, while not exactly hibernators, are preparing to spend much of the winter underground.
Squirrels stay here, above ground like us, some of our most faithful year-round neighbors.
Faithful, but perhaps a little odd, and not given to logical thought.
For example, at the house where we used to live, oak trees grew on our side of the road. The squirrels seemed determined to hide our acorns on the other side of the road. Oak trees grew over there, too, but those acorns must be hidden on our side. The result was much scurrying back and forth across the road.
One day I watched a squirrel that apparently craved the stimulating presence of extreme danger.
Acorn in mouth, it crouched alertly on the sidewalk’s edge. It looked both ways. No cars were coming. It flicked its tail. Still no cars. Then a car came into view. Just at the last second as the car approached, Squirrel darted into the road and raced toward the opposite sidewalk. The car came to a hasty stop. Another few inches and Squirrel would have been the day’s luncheon special at Crow Cafeteria. I’ve seen this behavior several times.
Many people have squirrel stories. Like the bird-lover faced with “Emily,” the dive-bombing squirrel, who could land on a bird feeder from a tree branch ten feet above it and ten feet over. She gobbled every seed while the birds looked on in helpless dismay. It was hard for this educated human person to admit being outwitted by a squirrel. Fortunately, squirrels have a shorter life span than we do. The best this human could do was to outlive Emily.
Then there was the householder frustrated at hearing a squirrel’s hurry-scurry inside the kitchen walls of his old house. He stood in the kitchen with his shotgun and blasted the walls. There was no evidence that he harmed the squirrel. The same could not be said about the wall.
Like any neighbors, squirrels can be both annoying and entertaining. Even as I write this sentence, a gray furry neighbor tries to figure out how to scale the pole to my bird feeders. The squirrel baffle confuses it. For now.
By shAron oliver contriButing Writer
BOSTON - Boston’s Sugar Shack music nightclub opened as one of the “chitlin circuit” outlets where African American artists could perform, but it exploded into something much more than a place to hear sweet soul music.
The Sugar Shack was the hottest club for soul and other forms of Black music in Boston during the 1960s and 1970s.
Staffed by local Italian-Americans, The Sugar Shack was located at 110 Boylston Street and owned by Rudy Guarino, who had fallen in love with soul music as a youngster. His brother “Sticka” manned the door and ordered the alcohol. Since the façade was partially obscured by the Colonial Theater marquee, one would have to know about the Shack to know where to go.
Black music haven Eddie B., Charlestown’s unofficial soul music ambassador called it the “best venue in the history of the city of Boston for Black music.” He also remembered the first time Chi Lites played there but no one knew who they were. Six months later, their hit single “Oh Girl” took over the airways and the next time the Chicago-based group came to the Shack, people lined up outside waiting to get in. The only groups who did not play there were The Supremes and The Temptations. Psychedelic funk rock band Parliament-Funkadelic perform there early in their career and allegedly were so broke at the time that they camped out on Boston Common. Other standout shows include James Brown, Wayne Cochran, Ray
Sugar Shack
owner Rudy Guarino, who died in 2020 at age 91, kept in touch with many of the performers who played at the Sugar Shack for the rest of his life.
Charles, The Dells, The O’Jays, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight & The Pips, The Four Tops, Sly and The Family Stone, New England’s own Tavares (then known as Chubby & The Turnpikes) and The Ambitions. The Shack also offered a matinee on Sundays for kids 12 through 17 for only a dollar.
Frankie Valli crooned at the Shack. Jeff “Skunk” Baxter proved his guitar prowess at the club. He later hooked up with Ultimate Spinach, co-founded Steely Dan and then joined The Doobie Brothers in 1974. The club’s 13-piece house band was
was
Man.”
“Boston’s
Breaking racial barriers
With music that had the power to unite, the nightclub broke racial barriers. Everyone was welcome at the Sugar Shack. In fact, it did attract patrons from all walks of life including Black underworld figures along with the notorious “Whitey” Bulger and “Jimmy the Bear” Flemmi, who were frequent visitors. Former bartender Jerry Maffeo was also in charge of keeping the Mob quiet and behaving, ensuring everyone could have a good time.
Several people shared memories on YouTube including Etten99, who wrote:
“In the late 60s my sister went to college in Boston and made friends with the Sugar Shack’s owner’s daughter. She invited my sister for a yummy Italian dinner with her family. My sister got The Delfonics a gig at the Sugar Shack and we never had to pay! We knew most of the groups that appeared coming from the Apollo in New York. I miss the Sugar Shack & the Boston Tea Party club too! I used to play keyboard at 14 years old, and Joe Jackson heard me jam with the Jackson 5 in their dressing room and he wanted me to play keyboard for the Emotions!
I knew I was too young to live out of a suitcase and declined the offer. Besides, it was more fun having impromptu jam sessions backstage with different groups and hanging out with them. My dad was a jazz musician, and his best friend was Apollo’s backstage head of security and he’d let me in backstage to meet all the acts.”
The Sugar Shack opened in 1965 and closed in 1977. Owner Rudy Guarino passed away in 2020 at the age of 91 in Las Vegas where he and his family had moved years ago.
Change Brings Uncertainty — Are You Prepared?
I’m hearing:
• Social Security and VA benefits might be changing
• Retirement accounts plummeting
• Real estate values dropping
• Tariffs increasing
• Higher real estate taxes & insurance costs
• More expensive doctors, prescriptions, and at home care
• Credit card balances growing
• Children & family financial needs increasing
• Being forced to sell your home
• And, of course, the unknown financial surprises that we all face
The Good News — Reverse Mortgages May Be The Solution
A reverse mortgage may be your solution to reducing financial stress and being able to afford your home. A reverse mortgage is a government guaranteed loan that allows qualified 62-years or older homeowners to receive tax-free cash when needed or desired.
Primary Benefits of a Reverse Mortgage Are:
• No monthly mortgage payments are required
• Note — you are responsible to pay your homeowners insurance, real estate taxes, and meet loan guidelines
• Eliminate your current mortgage or equity line payment
• Receive a lump sum amount of cash, a monthly check, and/or a line of credit that grows as you get older
• Easier income qualification than conventional loans
• No minimum credit score required
• May be used to pay off current mortgage and other debts
• You continue to own and control your home
Alain Valles
Reverse Mortgage Specialist
781-724-6221
A great place to start is get your free “How to Use Your Home to Stay at Home” 36-page book. This is the official reverse mortgage consumer booklet approved by the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development and published by the National Council on Aging.
To receive your free copy, please call or text me at (781) 724-6221 or email me av@powhse.com
I am also available to evaluate your specific situation, answer your questions, and calculate how much money is available to you.
Alain Valles was the first designated Certified Reverse Mortgage Professional in New England. He obtained a Master of Science from the M.I.T. Center for Real Estate, an MBA from the Wharton School, and graduated summa cum laude from UMass Amherst. He is the senior reverse mortgage loan officer MLO#7946 at Powerhouse Funding Corp. NMLS #1740551. He can arrange but does not make loans. Alain can be reached directly at (781) 724-6221 or by email at av@powhse.com
By shAron oliver contriButing Writer
BOSTON – Former WBZ-AM radio talk show producer Ken Meyer passed away on August 23, 2025. He was 79 years old. The Massachusetts Broadcasters Hall of Famer was not only one of the 11 chosen out of 200 nominees for induction in 2011, but he was also blind.
Passion for radio
Born in Rochester, New York, Meyer was a graduate of the New York State School for the Blind in Batavia where he studied piano tuning but had a lifelong passion for radio. Meyer would use his tape recorder, a gift given to him by his parents, to mimic radio broadcasts. While in the tenth grade and convinced that a career in radio was for him, Meyer took a day off from school to visit Rochester’s WHAM radio to speak with radio personality Bill Givens. The pessimistic Givens told him, “You’re trying to get into a business where you have got to read. You can’t do it.”
Undeterred, he lobbied Vocational Rehabilitation Services to allow him to study radio and wrote to the president of Cambridge School of Broadcasting
(now Graham Junior College) where he got an interview and took a typing test in 1967. Meyer got another lucky break when Ed Walker, who once worked with NBC’s “Today” show broadcasting personality Willard Scott, agreed to sponsor his college enrollment.
Meyer said in interview with The Daily News of Batavia, New York, “It was the only time I got a 4.0. I was never so scared in my entire life. I really had a rough time adjusting. In Batavia you’re the rule, not the exception. I remember crying my eyes out. I thought, ‘Whatever made me think I could get into broadcasting?’”
Producer for WBZ Meyer talked Vocational Rehabilitation Services into paying for his WBZ tryout and in February 1971, he began his stint as the producer of The Larry Glick Show. Meyer even filled in for the evening talk master after Glick overslept one night, proving he could also champion on-air duties. That same year, WBZ radio celebrated its 50th anniversary with Meyer producing the Jerry Williams show. Old time radio guests included celebrities such as Milton Berle, Bob Hope and Art Linkletter.
During the July 4, 1975, weekend, Meyer produced an old-time radio
event, The Big Broadcast of 1975. The show aired on WBZ-AM for Muscular Dystrophy and featured recordings of old shows such as Nick Carter Master Detective, The Jack Benny Show and The Shadow. As his radio broadcast career snowballed, Meyer met people such as Muhammad Ali, Jane Fonda and Marlo Thomas. The devoted Boston sports fan also got the chance to meet former New York Yankees shortstop Phil Rizzuto and interview him at Fenway Park.
From 1978 to 1980, Meyer produced “Calling All Sports” with Bob Lobel and Upton Bell. In addition to that, he produced David Finnegan’s talk show (1980 to 1983). Meyer got his own WBZ radio program in 1979 on Saturday nights and hosted until he left the station in November of 1985, moving to WEEI to host “Radio Classics.”
Admired by colleagues Meyer credited people like WBZ program director Bill Shupert, Graham Junior College trustee Lamont Thompson, veteran radio engineer Dick Walsh and Fred “Voice of the Bruins” Cusick for helping him reach is goal in radio broadcasting. Podcaster Dick Summer referred to Meyer as “the most fa-
By Kristin BrADley contriButing Writer
WESTBOROUGH – Patrons come to the Westborough Farmers Market for fresh produce, not necessarily a family reunion. But on Sept. 11, that’s exactly what happened. The market became an unexpected setting for a heartwarming reunion that left bystanders with tears in their eyes.
“Chief” is a beloved and loyal fixture at the market. The longtime retired Westborough fire chief brightens every Thursday with his stories of growing up in town, his late wife, and his family. He lives for the camaraderie, the music, and the chance to chat with anyone who crosses his path.
On Sept. 11, Chief was engrossed in conversation with a group from a local training and rehabilitation center (MAB/TRC & Artful Learning). These individuals, all living with brain injuries, attend the market weekly to be part of the community. As Chief chatted with the group, he looked at a new
participant and remarked, “You look like a cousin of mine.”
The man, a little unsure of how to respond, gave an uncertain laugh. But Chief, recognizing something deeper, added, “You sound like him too.” Intrigued, the gentleman asked for the cousin’s name. Chief replied, and the man’s eyes widened in disbelief. “That’s my name,” he said.
What followed was a revelation. It turned out this gentleman was indeed Chief’s cousin through marriage, a connection forged decades ago. Chief and his late wife spent years with this man’s parents going dancing. Even more astonishing, Chief had actually rescued him from a terrible car wreck in the 1990s, completely unaware at the time that he was saving a member of his own extended family.
The two men instantly reconnected. Chief pulled out pictures of his family, helping his long-lost cousin remember shared faces and stories. For an hour, they sat together, listening to the market’s music, chatting, and revel-
mous radio talk show producer, ever” and Dave Maynard considered him to be “the best sidekick a talk host could hope to find.” Back in the day, talk show producers kept a Rolodex filled with contact information, but many knew Meyer kept it all in his head. Known for his love of reading, being the first in line for rollercoaster rides, spending time with his dogs and putting extra bleu cheese on everything, Ken Meyer may not have possessed the gift of sight, but he certainly had vision. He is survived by his wife, Terrie, and his children Janet and David.
ing in the joy of rediscovering family in such an unexpected place. The reunion was a poignant mix of happiness and bittersweet memories, as Chief recalled time spent with his cousin’s parents – a reminder that life’s twists and turns, especially the loss of a lifelong spouse, can create unforeseen distances.
This meeting came only one day before the seventh anniversary of his
wife’s passing
“This incredible encounter perfectly encapsulates what the Westborough Farmers Market is all about: community, connections, and caring,” said Kristin Bradley, the manager of the Westborough Farmers Market. “It’s a place where strangers become friends, and as proven this day, where long-lost family can find each other again.”
By sheAlAgh sullivAn contriButing Writer
MARLBOROUGH – Chad Wiggin has delivered mail to Val’s Mobile Home Park for the past four years.
But a few months ago, his normal delivery route took a turn when he found a Marlborough resident who had fallen in his driveway. The 89-year-old resident had broken his hip and was unable to get up.
“I know him, I talk to him every day,” Wiggin said.
Wiggin didn’t hesitate.
He grabbed a pillow and blanket for the man and helped him get more comfortable, adding that he didn’t want to move him and risk further injury. He called 9-1-1 and the man’s sister, and sat with him until help arrived.
For his actions, Wiggin was nominated and received the Postmaster General Hero Award on Sept. 26, a national honor among postal employees for going above and beyond.
Wiggin said.
Wiggin has worked at the post office for nearly 20 years. In that time, he said he’s befriended the residents on his routes over the years.
“You do the same route every single day. If you don’t make friends out there, it turns into a pretty boring job,” Wiggin joked.
Marlborough mailman Chad Wiggin received the Postmaster General Hero Award for assisting an elderly man on his postal route who had fallen and suffered a serious injury.
“Chad is an extraordinary individual who exemplifies the spirit of service and dedication that we value so deeply in our postal family,” said Marlborough Postmaster Nicholas Tselikis.
But Wiggin isn’t a fan of being lauded as a “hero.” To him, it was just another day on the job.
“Did I do something nice and kind? Yes, but I also feel like it’s just something that everybody else would do, and I consider it part of my job,”
Helping a friend in need isn’t something he had to think about — it’s something he said anyone would do.
“He came across an elderly gentleman who had fallen in the walkway. In that moment, Chad didn’t just see a man in need, he saw a neighbor, a member of our community who required immediate assistance,” said Tselikis.
“What truly sets Chad apart is his unwavering commitment to the well-being of those he serves,” he added.
By ninA DoW contriButing Writer
REGION – Creating an estate plan, like securing a life insurance policy, can be a daunting task at any stage in life. Whether you’re establishing a career, raising a family, or accumulating assets, you should seek assistance from a lawyer specializing in this area of the law.
Ensure your wishes are honored The most basic estate planning document is a will, which ensures your post-mortem wishes are honored. Without a will, state laws decide what happens to your property and who will serve as executor of your estate (an executor is responsible for carrying out your wishes as drafted in the will), which can lead to unintended outcomes and unnecessary conflict.
Despite its importance, less than half of adults in the U.S. have an estate plan that describes how their money and estate should be handled after their death, a trend that’s been consistent since 1990. The longer you wait to set up a plan, the more potential obstacles you and your heirs could face because of complex assets and complicated family dynamics that come with age. Overcoming these estate planning hurdles as you age requires careful planning and, oftentimes, professional guidance.
Common obstacles
As an estate planning and probate lawyer, I see several common obstacles that people aged 50 and older face when creating an estate plan. The good news is that each obstacle has a simple solution to get you on the right path.
First, and most common, you should be aware that estate planning is not all about planning for your death – estate planning includes setting up documents that are used during your lifetime (such as a power of attorney and health care proxy). Lifetime documents protect you and your family from probate court interference in the event you become incapacitated.
Second is procrastination. Many people wait to create at least a will because of discomfort with the topic of death and a misconception that they’re “too young” or “don’t have enough assets” to need one. The reality is that it’s never too early to start the estate planning process, and the older you get, the more important this becomes. To get the ball rolling, my clients start by listing all their assets with estimated values and clarity on how each asset is titled (for example, jointly or individually).
You must be able to identify your
assets because, oftentimes, people own more than they realize and the importance of who gets what becomes more pressing. Furthermore, some states like Massachusetts impose a death tax for estates valued over a certain amount, and an estate plan that takes care of your beneficiaries can also minimize those taxes.
Remember that you don’t need a finalized estate plan right away – you can always make updates or changes as your life evolves since the documents do not take effect until your death.
Another obstacle people aged 50 and older may face is navigating emotions and relationships as they consider the distribution of complex assets. By this age, it’s likely people have accumulated more assets, such as homes, cars, and investments. There are specific ways each asset is handled in the estate planning process. For example, certain life insurance policies and retirement accounts can have beneficiary
designations, which means they are passed directly to the beneficiaries and don’t need to be designated in your estate plan.
In many cases, having an advanced estate planning document called a “trust” can avoid “probate,” which is a lengthy and costly probate court procedure needed to transfer title from the deceased’s estate to the living beneficiaries. Understanding details like these makes it important to consult a professional to ensure your estate planning documents are legally sound and reflect your wishes.
If you set up an estate plan years ago, you must review it today. As your life evolves, such as through marriage, divorce, births, the death of a family member, or financial changes, it’s important to make sure your current estate plan still works as you intend.
Lastly, family dynamics are a common obstacle in the estate planning process. Blended families or strained relationships with relatives can make the asset distribution process challenging and cause people to delay setting up an estate plan to avoid conflict. This is where clear communication, when possible, comes into play. Having an honest conversation with your lawyer and family members about your intentions can avoid future disputes.
Estate planning doesn’t need to be daunting, especially if you seek proper counsel to assist you with spotting potential issues and putting in place documents that trouble shoot. By doing this, not only are you helping your beneficiaries, but you will also get peace of mind.
Attorney Nina T. Dow is a partner with Bowditch’s Estate, Financial & Tax Planning practice.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Bigelow Village – Rutland
Congregational Retirement –Melrose
ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES
Brookhaven Assisted Care – West Brookfield
Heywood Wakefield Commons – Gardner
SUBSIDIZED HOUSING
Colony Retirement – Worcester
Green Hill Towers – Worcester
Sherwood Village – Natick
By sAnDi BArrett contriButing Writer
REGION – The Lower Cape is often defined by the towns of Harwich, Chatham, Orleans, and Brewster. While November on the Cape might not be sunbathing weather, the average high is just above 50 degrees. The crisp autumn air is wonderful for outdoor adventures, shopping, and walking on the beach.
You will love exploring the stunning Cape Cod National Seashore landscape off season. It is the perfect, crowd-free time to explore the quaint fishing villages, slow-paced harbors, and quiet beaches.
The beautiful fishing town of Harwich is known for its pretty harbors and lovely south-facing beaches. Harwich is divided into seven villages: Harwich Center, East Harwich, North Harwich, South Harwich, West Harwich, Harwich Port, and Pleasant Lake.
The Harwich Antique Center offers unique finds with a little something for everyone. Packed jewelry cases, seafaring decor, art, brick-a-brack, and a mind-boggling array of treasures, await your shopping curiosity. You can wander for hours exploring the nooks and crannies and find your most treasured Cape Cod souvenir.
Venture outdoors along the Cape Cod Rail Trail for a lovely stroll or bike ride. The Dennis Cycle Center is open in November for bike rentals to enjoy the trail on two wheels. Bell’s Neck Conservation Lands offers 2.75 miles of salt marsh and pretty water views. Take a walk along Bank Street Beach or Red River Beach. Both beaches offer panoramic views of Nantucket Sound. The Harwich Conservation Trust also has a number of trails ideal for an autumn hike.
Fine dining at Twenty-Eight Atlantic in the Wequasset Resort is the perfect spot to celebrate. With views of Pleasant Bay and a Forbes five-star rating, you know it will be memorable. Select from a delicious prix fixe
menu or a sumptuous seven-course tasting menu.
Enjoy fabulous seafood in Harwich Port with a beautiful Saquatucket Harbor view at Brax Landing. Gracing the casual dining menu are all the usual seafood suspects including Stuffed Quahog and Lobster Rolls.
Strolling through quaint downtown Chatham is like taking a step back in time. Many shops have seasonal closings, but the iconic Cape style shines through. There are three villages included in the town: South Chatham, West Chatham, and North Chatham.
Chatham boasts six beaches. Chatham Lighthouse Beach is close to downtown and is accessible to Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge – a perfect spot for a nature walk. Harding’s Beach in West Chatham offers views of Stage Harbor and Monomoy Island. Oyster Pond is a salt-water pond beach. The other three offerings are Pleasant Bay Beach (Jackknife Beach), Forest Beach, and Cockle Cove Beach.
Chatham Bars Inn offers an array of dining experiences. Enjoy a fine dining repast at STARS where coastal inspired cuisine is served up with Atlantic Ocean views.
Dining with locals at the Chatham Squire is the best way to immerse yourself in the Cape Cod culture. Their Chatham Cioppino combines gifts from the sea in a beautiful tomato broth.
Planted in the Cape Cod “elbow,” Orleans is quiet and a less touristy Cape town, included is the lone village of South Orleans.
The town boasts several beaches that are wonderful for an off-season walk along the shoreline. The Atlantic-facing Nauset Beach is the best known and attracts surfers ready to tackle its powerful waves. Skaket Beach faces Cape Cod Bay, offering tidal flats at low tide, and is the perfect spot for a long beach walk. Other Orleans beaches include Rock Harbor Beach, and Lit-
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tle Pleasant Bay Beach. Crystal Lake, and Pilgrim Lake are freshwater beach alternatives.
The Lost Dog Pub is a fun, casual spot for elevated pub grub, pizza, and seafood.
Brewster Brewster, called the “Sea Captain’s Town,” is filled with historic homes. Villages in this northern enclave include South Brewster, East Brewster, and West Brewster.
The Cape Cod Rail Trail connects to Nickerson State Park in Brewster. Hiking over a dozen different trails through the woodlands and around ponds, the trails range from easy to moderate.
Enjoy Thanksgiving without all the work at the Ocean Edge Resort & Golf Club. Dine with your clan (or a romantic dinner for two) for a seaside holiday meal where you can be truly grateful for the people at your table. After a delicious and worry-free culinary experience, retire to your private getaway villa for the ultimate in holiday relaxation.
A November Cape Cod getaway is a relaxing take on the iconic Cape vacation. No crowds, long walks on beautiful beaches, and leisurely dining adventures are a few of the reasons to visit the Cape this fall.
is a perfect, crowd-free time to explore the quaint fishing villages, slowpaced harbors, and quiet beaches of the Lower Cape.
No need to be overwhelmed. Just focus on the
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