Historical Tidbit: 

NATIVE AMERICAN SETTLEMENTS

            There was a Native American settlement on the Northerly side of Monponsett Pond extending about 2 miles from Squantum neck - eastward. This neck received its name from  Squantum, their chief. Their principal village was on a tongue of land which projected into the pond nearly cutting it in two. It was on the high land north of what was called the narrows. Their burial place was near a very large rock.

            Tradition informs us the British had a battle with these natives as early as 1650. They attacked the natives from the north and enclosed them on the neck of land and while the natives were swimming to the opposite shore, which was about 20 rods, the English fired on them. This killed the principle part of them as they came out of the water. This event deterred any further attacks on the settlers for quite some time.

            In the summer of August 26, 1676 at the battle in the south part of town and Middleboro swamps, Captain Church was informed a party of Narragansett's had gone to Monponsett Pond.  He went there, enclosed them and took them without killing a person.  Some of their spears and other instruments of war and husbandry are occasionally found, testimony of their ancient settlement.

At one time over 20,000 Native Americans occupied this land and the surrounding country.
 

Respectfully Submitted by Sue Basile
 

Pet Show

Monday, July 27 at 6pm

Holmes Public Library

The Pet Show starts at *6:00 p.m.* because it's outside!

Come show your dog, cat, bird, turkey, horse, or whatever!

All creatures are welcome!

Prize certificates will be awarded to all.

Registration required for all pets.

Please let us know what pet friend you will bring!

*For ages 2-100!*

 Monponsett Pond Update

                Vacancies on the Planning Board

Beginning on August 1, there will be two vacancies on the elected
Halifax Planning Board out of the five seats on the Planning Board.

The
Board of Selectmen is seeking residents who might be interested in
serving on the Planning Board. If selected, the residents will serve
until May 2016 at which time they can choose to run for the remaining
years of the term for that specific seat. Interested residents can
contact the Halifax Board of Selectmen's Office at 781-294-1316 or
download a Talent Bank form on the Town's web site:
www.town.halifax.ma.usages/HalifaxMA, complete it and send it to the Selectmen's Office at Town Hall. 

               Crafts at the Holmes Public Library

The Toddler Storytime group made personalized tool belts in their favorite colors during the craft portion of one of the many "Every Hero Has a Story" programs presented by Marie Coady ("Miss Marie") at the Holmes Public Library last week.

Monday Night Madness

On July 20th, the Holmes Public Library hosted a Superhero Dance Party that combined science with teachers gifted with superpowers. The target audience were children over the age of two. This was funded in part by the Halifax Cultural Council and by a large part by the Friends of the Holmes  Public Library. The picture included is from the precious week's visit by the Storytellers.

Photo Credit: M. Hardy

              
Summer Adventures at the Pond

During the long, humid weeks of summer the youngsters with adventurous hearts seek satisfaction in one of the oldest, dirtiest and yet most satisfying of past times: they go to the local pond! Here they can find things real and unreal to stimulate their minds. Here they can find the reality of frogs and snakes, crayfish and turtles, cool creatures from the primeval past. Here they can test speed and reflexes in the capture of these critters. Here too, they can sometimes fall into the mire and become messier than the things they try and catch. At the pond, the youngster can find the creations of the mind. Is that not a goblin hiding behind that rock? Is there not a dinosaur swimming just under the water, it's eyes peering out? Could this pond not the landing zone for an alien invasion, bent on world conquest?

Ahh, the joys of it all! And then there is the return home, often a mess, sometimes with 'friend' in hand. Why does mommy scream so when we bring our 'friends' in? Why the insistence on going into the bathtub? We had plenty of fun in the water already!

Respectfully Submitted,  M. Hardy