Faces + Places

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

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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

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The Descendants

Genealogy buffs discover family ties to Mayflower passengers. Written by Dave Kindy  |   Photography by Derrick Zellmann Are you a Pilgrim? A descendant, that is. Odds are you might be. An estimated 35 million people worldwide can claim that their ancestors sailed aboard the Mayflower in 1620. Many Americans are able to trace their … Read more

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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

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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

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Telling the Native Story

Kerri Helme helps preserve Wampanoag culture at Plimoth Plantation and beyond. By Lannan M. O’Brien Portrait 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. … Read more

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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

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Heartfelt Illustrations

By Maria AllenPhotography by Jack Foley By day, Molly Fabiano works as a creative director for MavroCreative, a boutique graphic and web design firm based in Hingham. But during her off hours the young mother of two shifts her focus to creating whimsical, quirky illustrations. Sketched on an iPad using Procreate software, Fabiano’s colorful graphics … Read more

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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

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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

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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

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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

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The Rise of Rustic Marlin

Q+A with owners Melanie and Brian O’Neil By Maria Allen Product styling and photography by Ladybug Photography Portraits by Jack foley Specializing in hand-painted signs, decorative wood blocks and personalized home accessories, Rustic Marlin is mecca to seasonal decor lovers. The Hanover-based company is an inspiring made-in-America success story. We sat down with owners Melanie … Read more

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Better Together

She’s Local launches the first annual South Shore Conference for Women By Maria Allen After driving from her home on Cape Cod to attend the sold-out She’s Local MetroWest Conference for Women last year, Michelle Woodbrey, CEO of 2Sisters Senior Living Advisors, felt both inspired and motivated. Marching up to the event’s organizer, She’s Local … Read more

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Walking in Her Shoes

Having served as the executive director of Plimoth Plantation for the past 10 years, Ellie Donovan reflects on the importance of public history, the much-anticipated return of the Mayflower in 2020 and what inspires her most about the South Shore’s famed living history museum. By Maria Allen and Photography by Dan Cutrona Can you describe … Read more

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