Faces + Places
Where the Heart Is
“Becoming Home” celebrates five generations of a Scituate family under one roof. Written by Jennifer H. McInerney Photography by Jack Foley Author Kirsten Hunt Kowalski, a self-proclaimed “Navy brat,” moved 10 times during her childhood before her family finally settled in Scituate. As Kowalski details in her debut novel of historical fiction “Becoming Home,” the … Read more
Great Expectations for Cohasset Harbor
Cohasset Hospitality Partners is aiming to breathe new life into the town’s waterfront district by restoring the glory to several seaside restaurants and enhancing harbor access for tourists and locals alike. Written by Moira McCarthy Like any classic beauty, Cohasset has great bones. Its quaint downtown lends itself to browsing through shops, sipping lattes at … Read more
The Enduring Legacy of Polly Thayer Starr
An acclaimed artist and ‘quiet philanthropist’ helped preserve the natural beauty of a bucolic Hingham hilltop. Written by Jennifer H. McInerney |Photography by Jack Foley Throughout her 101 years of life, Hingham artist Polly Thayer Starr reveled in the natural beauty of her family’s homestead on Turkey Hill and the adjacent Weir River Farm. During … Read more
Chasing the Tides
Ursula Balmer’s work ethic and salty ways help her lead the farm crew at Island Creek Oysters in Duxbury. Written by Lannan O’Brien Photography by Julia Cumes If there’s an early tide, Ursula Balmer might have to wake up at 3 a.m. to make her 40-minute commute to work—but you’ll never hear her complain. Her … Read more
Right on Target
Hanover’s Crazy Axes offers a fun form of stress release. By Matthew Tormey Photography by Jack Foley The South Shore’s sharpest new entertainment destination is Crazy Axes Ax Throwing in Hanover. The family-run business was open for less than six months before the coronavirus shutdowns began but has already proven to be a South Shore … Read more
Race to the Top
We chatted with Randolph native Femita Ayanbeku about her journey to become the fastest female amputee in the United States. Written by Maria Allen Photography by Derrick Zellmann From tragedy to triumph, Femita Ayanbeku’s life story is a testament to the power of positivity and hard work. At 11 years old, Ayanbeku and her sister … Read more
Another Crossing
Artisans from both sides of the Atlantic come together to create works inspired by the Mayflower voyage. Written by Lisa Cavanaugh Michelle Erickson Ceramist Michelle Erickson is a scholar and celebrated ceramist whose work involves deep research into historical techniques. This interest was sparked early on by her exposure to Native American, Asian, British, and … Read more
Hometown Heroes
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused hardship for people around the world, including here on the South Shore, but it is heartwarming to know that there are individuals and organizations working tirelessly to help our community rise and thrive during this difficult time. We recently teamed up with the South Shore Chamber of Commerce to recognize … Read more
Telling the Native Story
Kerri Helme helps preserve Wampanoag culture at Plimoth Plantation and beyond. By Lannan M. O’BrienPortrait photography by Julia Cumes Many people have heard the story of the English colonists’ journey to Plymouth in 1620 and their first interactions with the Wampanoag people. But too often, the portrayal of native history barely scratches the surface. Known … Read more
Ode to a Raindrop
“Areas of Fog” (Etruscan Press, 2017) is a collection of short essays by South Shore writer Will Dowd that reflects upon the beauty of New England weather. Dowd earned a bachelor’s degree from Boston College, a master’s degree from MIT and a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from New York University. “Areas of Fog” is … Read more
Ocean of Opportunity
Two local women aim to resurrect Scituate’s mossing industry By Judy Enright Photography by Jack Foley Most people look out at the ocean and see only the surface of the water. That was not the case for Kathleen McEachern of Scituate and Susie Gillis of Marshfield—they saw an opportunity to resurrect a local industry. The … Read more
The Shape of Love
Inspired by the thoughtfulness extended to them during a difficult time, the Hague family pays it forward with lovingly crafted one-of-a-kind gifts. Story and Photography by Kate Rogan In 2015, Keith Hague, the owner and artisan at StoneHeartStudio in Norwell, was on a mission. He was determined to carve 32 heart-shaped stones for a group … Read more
The Whittlin’ Wahlberg
Hingham’s celebrity chef soothes his soul by carving decoys and other wood creations By Dave Kindy Photography by Derrick Zellmann When Paul Wahlberg gets home to Hingham after work, the house is usually dark and quiet. His wife and two children have gone to bed and the celebrity chef is alone with his thoughts after … Read more
A Storied Career
Last spring, freelance writer David Kindy paid a visit to Pulitzer Prize-winning author David McCullough to chat about American history, his latest bestseller and his ancestral connection to Hingham. By Dave Kindy | Photography by Derrick Zellmann It is a spectacular spring day in Hingham and David McCullough is enjoying it. The two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning … Read more