In the Sport-light: Roundup of news from Hull's wide world of sports

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Compiled by Matt Haraden

• Eighth Grade Girls Basketball faced off against Scituate on Sunday, February 1, winning 39-20. The Lady Pirates took a 10-point lead early and never looked back. Grace McMullen with 15 and Devon English with 14 led the scoring. Nadia Hristov added to the scoresheet with six points, and Delaney McAuliffe and Olivia Zalios each scored two points. In their previous matchup, the Lady Pirates had an intense game with Pembroke, winning 33-25. The game was tied with under two minutes to go until Sophie Munn scored a crucial basket to take the lead. The Pirates then responded with a full-court press to extend their lead. Devon English, who had 10 points, and Ella Kiley, who had six points, led the scoring. Nadia Hristov also had five points, Delaney McAuliffe and Kennedy Huxtable each scored four points, and Frankie Buchleitner had two points. Kesey Dunlap contributed strong offensive and defensive rebounding in each game.

• The Hull High Boys Varsity Basketball team is 8-5 on the season, splitting the last two games with a 59-43 loss to Collegiate Charter School of Lowell on January 30 and a 59-41 win against Excel Academy Charter School at home on Monday. Next up for the Pirates are three home games – Friday, February 6 against Calvary Chapel Academy at 5:30 p.m.; Monday, February 9 against Essex North Shore Agricultural High School at 6:30 p.m.; and Tuesday, February 10 against Upper Cape Cod Regional Vocational-Technical High School at 6:30 p.m.

• The Girls Varsity Basketball team lost on the road at Carver on Monday, 65-31, bringing the team’s record to 3-12 for the season. The Pirates’ next two games are at home – Friday, February 6 at 7 p.m. against Calvary Chapel Academy and Wednesday, February 11 at 5 p.m. against Boston  Latin Academy.

• The Hingham-Hull Cooperative Gymnastics squad continued its winning streak with two more wins – defeating Marshfield, 139.2-130.2 on Friday, January 30 and Whitman-Hanson, 136.3-133.4 on Sunday, February 1. Up next is the Patriot League Championship Meet on Friday, February 6 at 6:30 p.m. at Starland sports complex in Hanover.

• The Cohasset-Hull Cooperative Hockey team next plays Rockland on Saturday, February 7 at 7:40 p.m. at Rockland Ice Rink.

• For the full schedule for each Hull High team, visit www.arbiterlive.com/Teams?entityId=10611.

• In-Town Youth Basketball continues on Saturday, February 7 with skills and drills co-ed session for grades 1 and 2 from 8-9 a.m., a co-ed program for grades 3 and 4 from 9-10 a.m., as well as an open gym program (also co-ed) for grades 5-8 from 10-11:30 a.m., all at the Jacobs School gym. Travel teams playing at home include girls grade 6 vs. Abington at 2 p.m. on Saturday at the Jacobs School gym; on Sunday, the boys teams have four home games at the high school gym: grade 5 vs. Duxbury at 1 p.m., grade 7 vs. Whitman-Hanson at 2:15 p.m., grade 6 vs. Scituate at 3:30 p.m., and grade 4 vs. Whitman-Hanson at 4:45 p.m.

Good luck to the travel teams playing on the road this weekend.

For more information, visit http://hullbasketball.leagueapps.com/camps.

• The Girls 3/4 travel basketball team competes at the fourth-grade level and has a record of 2-6. The next game is against Scituate on Sunday, February 8 at 8 a.m. All games are played at Indian Head Elementary School in Hanson, so fans have to travel. The full schedule of game times and weekly opponents is at this link: www.oldcolonybasketball.org/team/hull/4/1.

• Coaches, league organizers, and superfans – We need your help to report the scores and results of the latest events in Hull’s sports world! Please send local sports news and photos to sports@hulltimes.com. Deadline is Wednesday at noon. When providing details of the games or races, please be sure to include the sport/team, the players’ full names, and the final scores. When sending photos, names of those pictured are greatly appreciated, as well as who should get credit for taking the photo.

Thank you for your help!

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© 2026 The Hull Times. All rights reserved.

Shorelines: Good news about your friends and neighbors

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THE END OF AN ERA: After 30 years of fun and frolic in the icy Atlantic, the Drowned Hogs took their final swim on Saturday. Spectators gathered along the seawall to cheer on participants, who braved the cold air (and cold ocean!) to raise funds for Wellspring Multi-Service Center. Henry Buchleitner was one of the first participants down the ramp and into the icy Atlantic. [Skip Tull photo]

• Congratulations to Maeve White, a nursing major, who was named to the Dean’s List for the fall semester at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire. To be eligible for this honor, a student must have achieved a grade-point average of 3.4 or better for the semester.

• Notre Dame Academy of Hingham recently announced academic honors for the first quarter of the year. Sophomore Nelleh Huxtable was named to the President’s List, which recognizes students who earned grade of 90 or above in all major courses.

• The Hull Lifesaving Museum will celebrate the opening of its Sea & Sky Art Show with a reception on Friday, February 6 from 6-9 p.m. at the museum, 1117 Nantasket Ave. Admission is $15 per person; exhibiting artists are free. A feast for winter-weary eyes, the 28th annual Sea & Sky Art Show, juried by marine artist Russ Kramer, features more than 120 works of art selected from nearly 155 entries by talented artists from the South Shore and beyond. Nearly half of the pieces sold in last year’s exhibit, so be sure to come early to secure a new addition to your collection! For more information, email info@hulllifesavingmuseum.org or call 781-925-5433.

• Hailey Gould has been named to the University of New England’s Dean’s List for the fall semester. Dean’s List students have attained a grade-point average of 3.3 or better out of a possible 4.0 at the end of the semester.

• Bran James was named to the Champlain College Dean’s List for the fall semester. Students on the Dean’s List have achieved a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher during the semester. James is currently majoring in computer networking and cybersecurity.

• Stonehill College is pleased to recognize two Hull students named to the fall Dean’s List – Patrick Lynch and Lilly Copenheaver-Smith. To qualify for this honor, undergraduate students must have achieved a semester grade-point average of 3.50 or higher with a minimum of 12 credits.

• Valentine’s Day is right around the corner! Have you visited Nantasket Pharmacy for the best selection of cards and candy? Be sure to shop local for your gift-giving, and to take advantage of The Hull Times free Valen-Times messages to show your loved ones how much you care! With so much negativity in the world, the Times is proud to continue our tradition of publishing free Valentines to (and from) our readers. Messages will be published in the February 12 issue of The Hull Times (and online). Just compose your best 20-word message and send it to us by 5 p.m. on Monday, February 9. No late entries, please! Send your Valen-Times messages to news@hulltimes.com.

• Summer Hill has been named to Plymouth State University Dean’s List for the fall semester. To be named to the Dean’s List, a student must achieve a grade-point average between 3.5 and 3.69 for the term. Hill is majoring in criminology.

• Have you always wanted to learn more about accessory dwelling units (ADUs)? Here’s your chance! On Thursday, February 12, the Affordable Housing Committee will host a community conversation from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Hull High School Exhibition Room. Participants at this in-person meeting will learn about how the statewide “as of right” ADU law expands opportunities for development in Hull, building requirements that apply to developing an accessory unit in your home or on your property, loan resources, and, how ADUs will contribute to Hull’s housing stock.

• Abigail Gibson was named to the Dean’s List for the fall semester at Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island. To qualify for the Dean’s List, students must earn a semester grade-point average of 3.6 for full-time students completing at least 12 graded credits.

• Dylan Cavicchio has been named to Plymouth State University President’s List for the fall semester. To be named to the President’s List, a student must achieve a grade-point average of 3.70 or better for the semester and must have completed at least 12 credit hours. Cavicchio is majoring in business administration.

Would you like to see your accomplishments celebrated here in the Shorelines column? If you have news about Hull residents to share – birthdays, anniversaries, career and education achievements, weddings, births, and other milestones – send your information to us at news@hulltimes.com. There is no charge for inclusion in this column. If you include a photo, please be sure that everyone in the image is identified. Thank you!

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© 2026 The Hull Times. All rights reserved.

Chamber’s 2026 goals include efforts to promote businesses, history, townwide branding

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By Carol Britton Meyer

The Hull Nantasket Chamber of Commerce is committed to fostering community engagement and economic development initiatives and “identifying opportunities for growth of business and community, both locally and at large,” President Steven Greenberg told the select board last month as part of the Chamber’s annual update.

In his report, Greenberg outlined the Chamber’s 2025 events and initiatives, providing an overview of its activities, achievements, and future projects “to enhance community engagement and economic development in Hull.”

The executive board is comprised of Greenberg, Vice President Jennifer Freedman, Secretary Jim Pitrolo, and Treasurer Kathy Dunn, with Tara Ashe in the role of executive director.

Click here for the Chamber’s report to the select board

The Chamber continues to focus on three major events, all well-attended – the annual townwide yard sale that creates community connections; the Hull Holiday Showcase, featuring unique and affordable holiday gifts, decorations, home decor, coastal holiday arts and crafts created by local professional artists; and Endless Summer – the highly successful end-of-summer celebration that attracts about 2,000 visitors and that highlights community cooperation, with support from the Town of Hull; Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Massachusetts State Police, and local volunteers.

In collaboration with the historical commission, the Chamber is looking toward the creation of a townwide historic preservation plan focused on improving the town’s stewardship of Hull’s historical properties leading up to events celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026.

“We’re proud of our heritage,’’ Greenberg said.

Another historical preservation effort relates to the First Night Baseball Game storyboard located on Cadish Avenue between A and B street, with special 250th-related events planned. One of these will involve the Society for American Baseball Researchers, which contributed to the creation of the storyboard commemorating the first known baseball game played under electric lights that took place in Hull in 1880.

The Chamber’s goal is to look for ways to tie its events to the town’s 250th celebration.

With regard to transportation, the Chamber has been actively engaged with the MBTA and the town focused on upgrading the 714 bus route. As a result, the connection between ferry and bus service has improved – benefiting not only Hull residents but also day-trippers. The organization also facilitated a connection between Shipwreck’d and the MBTA, allowing the restaurant to sell tickets.

Greenberg reported that the Chamber has signed an agreement to lease a 250-square-foot community space from the Procopio Companies (developing the former Paragon Boardwalk property) for $20 a year to establish a welcome center and gathering place. 

The Chamber continues to have discussions with the beautification committee about efforts to improve public spaces “and building community pride,” he said.

On the subject of economic development, the Chamber continues to monitor the ongoing Hull Redevelopment Authority meetings and regularly engage with members of the HRA about options “to promote both community and economic development,” according to Greenberg.

In other news, the Chamber is partnering with HullNext, an online guide to Hull, to develop online storyboard strolls showcasing Hull’s character and history.

In addition, the Chamber was involved in the recent creation of a branding and marketing campaign involving Erin Swenson Gorall and Humans Not Consumers that was accepted by the Economic Development Committee and supported by the select board.

“We are in the process of formalizing the relationship between the EDC and the Chamber to make sure the rollout of this campaign goes as planned,” Greenberg said. “Together we will finalize and license a logo and how it can be used. An optimistic expectation is that we can generate an additional 20,000 customers per year spending $50-$100 each to our businesses.”

He also encouraged residents to invite their friends to Hull to take a walk and then have lunch at a local restaurant as an example of a way to support local businesses.

Parking was also a topic, related in part to a planned reduction in parking spaces on the Hull Redevelopment Authority property for the coming season and the new digital metering system, as well as encouraging visitors to take public transportation, with further discussion to come.

Greenberg noted that the Chamber “will continue to cultivate partnerships that support Hull’s interests, with a focus on improving the community through increased local business activity and fostering pride and prosperity for the Town of Hull.”

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© 2026 The Hull Times. All rights reserved.

With light plant bill stalled on Beacon Hill, voters will again be asked to change management setup

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By Christopher Haraden

Voters at the May 4 annual town meeting will once again consider a proposal to rescind a 33-year-old provision that placed the Hull Municipal Light Plant under the control of the town manager.

A citizens’ petition submitted to town hall on January 22 seeks to return the light plant to independent operation, confirming a 116-83 vote taken on Article 37 at last year’s town meeting. Article 37 proposed reverting to the management setup that was eliminated in 1993 when town meeting amended the town’s charter. Although Article 37 was approved in the spring, Town Manager Jennifer Constable told the light board and select board during the summer that legal counsel had deemed the article “not actionable” because the wording did not include specific provisions necessary to make the change.

After debate about whether the select board could – and should – vote to file the home-rule petition with the state Legislature, in September the board agreed to pursue the matter on Beacon Hill.

The Legislature’s Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government accepted written testimony on bill H.4739 in November. Although sponsored by state Rep. Joan Meschino and state Sen. Patrick O’Connor, the bill has been referred to a study committee, according to light board member Jacob Vaillancourt, who sponsored Article 37. Vaillancourt said he believes the maneuver stalls the bill indefinitely.

The new citizens’ petition, sponsored by Leslie Taylor, seeks to amend Chapter 8 of the Acts of 1989 – the special act of the Legislature that established Hull’s town manager form of government and was amended in 1993 – “to remove the town manager from the operation of the municipal light plant and to restore the statutory authority of the municipal light board.”

Annual town meeting petitions need the signatures of at least 10 registered voters. Taylor said she collected about 25 signatures and sought to submit them for verification as early as possible. She said the petition sponsors believe Hull’s electric company should be run by a strong board and a separate manager, the way the light plant had operated for about 100 years.

Those favoring an independent utility also believe that the separation will ensure clarity in the light plant’s finances. Current and former light commissioners have debated the merits of the plant’s payments-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOTs) that have supplemented the town’s budgets over the years.

Current light board members disagree on the proposed change. Supporters of the current management setup say that having the town manager in charge of the utility is similar to the structure of other town departments and provides stability in financial management.

“The 1993 changes we want to undo may have been motivated by problems at that time, but the 1993 changes never did preclude the very mismanagement it claimed as its motivation,” Taylor said in a statement to the Times. “Instead, stripping control from the elected board has resulted in the town budget dependent on automated unregulated flows of money from the electric ratepayers.” 

Last year’s approval of Article 37 and this year’s citizens’ petition are not the first attempts to undo the management structure change approved in the aftermath of a recall of four of five light board members. A similar proposal to repeal the 1993 legislation was referred to a study committee at the 2011 town meeting.

“We must do this again because the select board and our state representatives dropped the ball,” Taylor said. “Adding to the key phrase ‘restore the statutory authority of the light board,’ we want to help restore the authority of votes by town meeting. The select board’s disrespect for the town meeting votes, and their clinging to the status quo of money flowing from the electricity bills to the general account, results in the subversion of the authority of the light board.”

The warrant for the May 4 annual town meeting remains open until February 12.

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© 2026 The Hull Times. All rights reserved.

Tell your loved ones you care with free Valen-Times messages

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Get your Valentine’s Day messages in as soon as possible!

With so much negativity in the world, the Hull Times is proud to continue our tradition of publishing free Valentines to (and from) our readers. You can tell that special someone just how much you care with a free Valentine in the February 12 issue of The Hull Times. Just print your 20-word message and return it to us by 5 p.m. on Monday, February 9. No late entries, please! Send your Valen-Times messages to news@hulltimes.com.

Like what you’re reading? Stay informed and support our work with a Hull Times subscription by clicking here.

Do you have an opinion to share? Click here to write a Letter to the Editor.

© 2026 The Hull Times. All rights reserved.

HRA’s center section tops ‘short list’ of sites to build new police and fire station

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By Carol Britton Meyer

The Hull Redevelopment Authority property is the top choice to build a combined police and fire station, two HRA members told their fellow board members Monday night.

During member updates to the board, Chair Bartley Kelly reported that he and member Dan Kernan met with Town Manager Jennifer Constable and Assistant Town Manager Stacy Callahan in mid-January and Constable informed them that consultants for the proposed public safety facility had narrowed consideration of potential sites. She said that what is known as Lot B – or the larger, center section of the HRA property – is at the top of the consultant’s short list of sites. Neither Constable nor Callahan participated in the Zoom meeting. The Times reached out to Constable but did not hear back prior to our Wednesday deadline.

“They wanted us to be in the know,” Kelly said. “The HRA would have to be on board, with approval of design funding through town meeting.”

The surprise announcement came during a two-and-a-half-hour Zoom meeting during which the authority also heard updates on a plan for a townwide survey about future uses of the property and the request-for-proposals process for an operator for the parking lots next summer.

Regarding the public safety building, Kernan said community meetings will be held prior to the spring town meeting.

“We have a vacant lot, and this is [likely] the most affordable location in town,” he said. “The HRA property is clearly an easy solution … It’s obvious why it would be on their list.”

It’s not clear how much of Lot B – the largest on the 13-acre property – would be needed for a combined fire and police station.

‘It’s all part of working through the process’

Member Joan Senatore asked, “How would that work?” to which Kelly responded, “The town would be looking to negotiate with the HRA in some form or other. It’s all part of working through the process.” No decisions have been made.

In response, Kelly said that “town meeting and [voters at the] ballot box will have to be on board, and the HRA is part of this.”

Kernan said he was glad that this information was brought to the board’s attention.

“They did the right thing by calling us in about what might happen,” he said. “There was no sales pitch; they were just informing us. It’s up to us to decide.”

This “will take its course, and the HRA will have to react for or against it after understanding what it means and everything about it, including the cost,” Kernan further stated. “I’m grateful [this news] was brought to [our attention] early.”

In other business

• HRA Technical Operations Manager Mark Hamin went over the request for proposals for next summer’s parking lot operator. Lots A and C will be leased, while the middle lot B will be available for events and vendors and short-term parking for their use, but not for public parking as it has been in the past. There was a general consensus at Kelly’s suggestion to keep the process as simple as possible.

After Hamin makes the modifications from the discussion, the board will further talk about and take a vote on the RFPs, including any further changes.

Following a lengthy conversation, the board reached a consensus that the RFP for lot A should go to the highest bidder, with electronic payment required by people using the lot as it has been for the past two years.

The RFP for lot C would also require electronic payment as well as evaluation criteria that includes – but does not require – supporting local businesses in the area by providing a discount to parking lot users who provide validation that they have spent at least a certain amount at a local restaurant or other business, with a maximum stay of four hours.

Kelly suggested that local businesses respond to the RFP for lot C and that Hamin reach out to inform them of this opportunity.

“Let’s agree to do the best we can and see what the bids are,” board member Charles Richardson said. “In a perfect world, it would be nice to have [one or more businesses] around the Breadbasket Bakery and the hotel put in a bid.”

This means that “the HRA could score in a way possible for a bidder who is not the highest to [win] the lease” based on the criteria, Hamin said. Parking will still be free in lot C for residents with a sticker on a first-come, first-served basis.

In the meantime, the subcommittee consisting of Kelly and Kernan will work with Hamin on the RFP details.

“With two RFPs, we could get exactly what we want – A as a revenue-based lot and C, community-based, without over-complicating the process, and if someone wants to, [he or she] could bid on both,” board member Adrienne Paquin said.

• The HRA also discussed next steps to the townwide survey regarding best uses for the property, sharing their goals with Stephanie Gonthier of Market Street Research – the company hired to conduct it.

She shared a “high-level” view of various methods that could be used for the survey process, with more detailed discussion to come.

Services will include working with HRA members on the design of the survey questions and format, survey response optimization features, analysis of response data, and submission of survey reports, subject to HRA approval.

A subcommittee consisting of Paquin and Richardson met with Gonthier, along with Hamin, on Zoom recently to talk about the process and for the two HRA members to share their goals.

“I feel that we have a good game plan in place and that things are moving in a great fashion,” Richardson said.

In sharing her goals with the board, Paquin said, “I was elected by the citizens, and therefore I want to know what they think. I would like to see an incredible response, and hope [respondents] expect that we are [listening] to them.”

Hamin noted that previous surveys regarding the HRA property were shared with Gonthier “to see the trends over time, not to reinvent the wheel, and to recognize some of the limitations of previous surveys.”

There was general agreement to frame the survey questions in a way in which those participating understand exactly what they are responding to, rather than answering them in isolation – and to avoid terminology such as the word “development” that could cause misunderstanding and create polarization.

Kelly emphasized that the target audience for the survey is Hull residents, and said it’s important to widely share the survey and to ensure that citizens only respond once.

Next steps include Gonthier and other members of Market Street Research crafting questions based on the board’s goals with subcommittee input and then bringing the draft survey before the full HRA board.

A replay of the meeting will be available on demand on Hull Community Television’s website, www.hulltv.net.

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© 2026 The Hull Times. All rights reserved.

Sunday mornings with the ‘Dopamine Dippers:’ Where cold water, community, and courage meet

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COLD COMFORT: Every Sunday morning, the ‘Dopamine Dippers’ take the plunge into the waters of Nantasket Beach – no matter the season. Above, Steve Walsh and John Ferris head back to shore after taking a dip prior to the arrival of Sunday’s winter storm. [Photo courtesy of Jennifer Whelan]

What began as a single, solo dip in 2021 has quietly evolved into one of Nantasket Beach’s most life-affirming community rituals.

Every Sunday at 9:30 a.m., year-round, you’ll find the “Dopamine Dippers” gathering at Nantasket Beach on Hull Shore Drive Extension – locals and newcomers alike, standing together at the edge of the Atlantic, ready to do something bold.

No experience required. No pressure. Just an open invitation to step into the water in whatever way feels right for you that day.

The group was founded by Karen LaFond, who started cold water swimming shortly after moving to Hingham in 2021. What started as a personal practice for healing, resilience, and longevity organically grew, one person at a time. This year marks the fifth season of the Dopamine Dippers, and weekend dips now regularly draw 20 or more participants, with a dedicated crew meeting at sunrise most mornings at the same spot on the beach.

But this isn’t about bravado or pushing limits for the sake of it.

Deliberate cold water swimming is known to support dopamine regulation, reduced inflammation, improved circulation, nervous system resilience, and mental clarity. Beyond the science, participants speak about something harder to quantify: presence. Joy. A deep sense of aliveness. The kind that comes from doing hard things – together.

“This is about longevity. It’s about healing your body. It’s about showing up for yourself,” LaFond said. “But most of all, it’s about community.”

And that’s the heartbeat of the Dopamine Dippers. Seasoned plungers stand shoulder-to-shoulder with first-timers. You’re encouraged to listen to your body, move at your own pace, and trust that you’re supported – whether you go all the way in or simply dip your toes.

In a world that often feels rushed and disconnected, this community has created something rare: a space where relationships are built through shared experience, courage, and laughter – often followed by hugs, hot tea, and wide smiles.

If you’re even the slightest bit curious, you’re already welcome.

You can find the Dopamine Dippers on Instagram, or reach out directly to LaFond on Instagram with questions or to try your first dip. Whether you go once or become a regular, there’s a place for you in the circle.

TAKING THE PLUNGE: Members of the ‘Dopamine Dippers’ hit the water every Sunday morning, year round, as part of their wellness routine. Shown this past week are, from left, Werner Schultz, Christine Danielson, Jill Griffin, and group founder Karen LaFond. [Photo courtesy of Jennifer Whelan]

Because this is where people come to feel alive.

This is where presence lives.

And sometimes, all it takes is a step into cold water to remember who you are.

Always better together! It takes a village.

The Dopamine Dippers are not just rooted in community; they are grounded in science and safety. LaFond is one of the first certified thermalist instructors in the world, having completed more than 130 intensive hours of training under Dr. Susanna Soberg, the leading global scientist in cold water immersion and thermal stress adaptation, based in Sweden.

Soberg’s groundbreaking research has helped redefine how cold exposure impacts dopamine regulation, metabolic health, inflammation, stress resilience, and longevity. Her work is widely regarded as the gold standard in the field of deliberate cold exposure, bridging cutting-edge science with real-world application.

LaFond traveled to Sweden to study directly under Soberg. The training emphasized understanding individual nervous system responses, safe exposure protocols, breath regulation, recovery, and contraindications – ensuring cold-water immersion is practiced as a therapeutic tool, not a reckless challenge.

“This isn’t about how long you stay in,” LaFond said. “It’s about how intentionally and safely you enter the experience.”

That scientific foundation shapes every Dopamine Dippers gathering. Participants are guided to listen to their bodies, honor their limits, and engage with cold water as a practice for long-term health, nervous system regulation, and sustainable resilience.

The result is a rare blend: a joyful, inclusive community experience backed by world-class research – where courage meets care, and cold water becomes a pathway to healing mind, body, and soul.

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© 2026 The Hull Times. All rights reserved.

‘Too old for this!’ After 30 years, Drowned Hogs taking a final swim for Wellspring

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By Carol Britton Meyer

The annual Drowned Hogs polar plunge – a tradition that will end after this year’s event – started 30 years ago as a Wellspring fundraiser for those daring enough to walk or run into the frigid waters of Nantasket Beach.

The name, which was recently changed to Winter Warrior Games, was a play on words, as the plunge typically happened on or near Groundhog Day.

When asked why this is the final year, Wellspring Communications Director Kathryn Walsh told The Hull Times, “We are officially retiring the Drowned Hog. The last, updated logo shows the aged groundhog, ready for retirement, saying, ‘I’m too old for this!’”

The Drowned Hogs: The Last Hurrah plunge will take place Saturday, January 31, near the Mary Jeanette Murray Bathhouse on Nantasket Beach at noon, followed by an after-party at Daddy’s Beach Club at 12:30 p.m., with a suggested donation at the door for non-swimmers.

It’s hoped that long-time participants as well as newcomers from the past few years will take the plunge. These brave and fun-loving individuals often come dressed in creative costumes to add to the fun.

While the Drowned Hog plunge isn’t Wellspring’s biggest fundraiser, it has become a beloved tradition that brings the community together.

“It has given everyone something fun to look forward to in the middle of the winter when Hull is quiet – and better yet, it’s all been for a good cause!” Walsh said.

The event will be missed by many.

‘L Street Drownies’

Hull resident Tom Haddock and Al Bollinger, who now lives in Pittsburgh, started what would become an annual tradition among hardy souls on February 3, 1996, when the then-“L Street Drownies” – emulating their South Boston counterparts, the “L Street Brownies” – plunged into the near-freezing surf on L Street in Hull.

The first year was particularly challenging, with a 13-degree temperature and 30-mph winds.

“I threw my towel on the ground before taking the plunge, and it blew away,” Bollinger recalled.

The following year, the location was changed to A Street, with the day of the event featuring a temperature of 45 degrees and abundant sunshine.

Bollinger’s traditional garb was a colorful Hawaiian shirt, bathing suit, and Daniel Boone-style hat.

While taking the plunge started out just for fun among several fellow commuter boat riders from Pemberton Pier to Boston at Haddock’s suggestion, it became a fundraiser when Bollinger stopped by Wellspring’s Nantasket Avenue location shortly after the first event and had the idea of going back to the group to collect donations – after getting the OK from the surprised thrift shop attendant to borrow a wooden well decoration from the counter in which to collect the money.

That day about $50 was collected, with many thousands of dollars raised over the years through this event.

Number of participants has grown

Following that first plunge, the six participants, including one woman, Susan Redican – later nicknamed the “Ice Queen” – promised to return the following year, again on the first Saturday after Groundhog Day. The number of fun-loving participants has grown to more than 200 swimmers a year, regardless of the temperature.

“While the men were debating on how to enter the cold surf, Susan just ran in and we followed her,” Bollinger – who has a binder containing photos and newspaper clippings from past plunges – recalled.

He wrote a poem that the group used to predict spring’s arrival: 

“If the Drowned Hogs frolic in the ocean’s brine,

Spring arrives right on time.

But if they scream and run back out,

Winter will be a six week bout!”

While his last year taking the plunge was 2024, Haddock now supports the fundraiser as an event sponsor.

Bollinger last participated in the plunge during its 25th year.

“I was in Pittsburgh and started a chapter called the “Pittsburrrgh Drowned Hogs, who took the plunge on Groundhog Day for 10 years,” he said. “I would fly to Hull to take part in that plunge and then return home to participate in the one there.”

Drowned Hogs float won second place

Haddock recalls the group decorating a float featuring an ice queen, designed by Bollinger, in honor of the Drowned Hogs plunge during a Heritage Days parade in Hull, throwing out ice to the kids along the parade route instead of candy. “We came in second place!”

Those planning to join in this last plunge to benefit Wellspring are encouraged to challenge their friends, family, and co-workers to join them to help raise record-high dollars in support of community members in need of assistance.

To register or make a donation, visit wellspringmultiservice.org/drownedhogs. For more information, email Jessie Pilewski, vice president of adult education, at jessie@wellspringmultiservice.org.

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Nine-unit townhouse complex proposed to replace crumbling eyesore at base of Allerton Hill

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By Carol Britton Meyer

The long-vacant property that once housed the Lighthouse Restaurant, Sunset Marine, and an apartment building at the base of Allerton Hill could be redeveloped into nine townhouse-style units, according to plans filed with the zoning board of appeals.

Chris Reale, former owner of the Paragon Boardwalk, has applied for a special permit/variance to redevelop the roughly 143,288-square-foot property at 839, 843, and 845 Nantasket Avenue under the name The Point Nantasket Realty, LLC.

PROMISING DEVELOPMENT: The long-vacant property at 839-845 Nantasket Avenue at the base of Allerton Hill could be redeveloped into nine townhouse-style units under a plan to be reviewed by the zoning board next month. In better days, the property housed the Lighthouse Restaurant, Sunset Marine, and apartments, but has been empty and boarded up for several years. [Chris Haraden photo]

The proposal for the development – named “The Point” – includes constructing a multi-family residential building with nine separate townhouse-style modular “Nantucket-shingled bungalow” units with a shared deck and parking underneath, an accessory pavilion building, and two accessory canopy structures for covered parking.

The maximum height of the proposed buildings would be about 33.6 feet, and there would be a total of 41 parking spaces. An earlier proposal included 17 units.

A zoning board of appeals public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, February 3, at 7:15 p.m. The Point Nantasket Realty is filing the proposal on behalf of ARC DC, LLC, the current owner of the property.

Click here for links to the plans submitted to the zoning board of appeals

Community waterfront access

The proposal calls for demolishing the four existing structures – which are in a state of disrepair – repairing the existing dock, and building new residential units, a pavilion, and parking. Community waterfront access is planned for the northern section of the parcel, with a seasonal waterfront pavilion with outdoor seating and programming.

The property is located within the commercial recreational zoning district and FEMA flood zones and other coastal wetland resource areas.

“We’re excited to continue investing in Hull and transform a long-dilapidated site into something that enhances quality of life for everyone in the area. We look forward to engaging with the community and continuing to improve the project through the approval process,” Reale told The Hull Times. “After Paragon closed, we knew we wanted to stay invested in Hull in a way that aligns with our passions for building community amenities, fostering connection to nature, and low-impact development with understated design. This smaller, waterfront project allows us to do exactly that and stay connected with people in the community who have become a part of our lives and who continue to work to improve their community.”

As part of the redevelopment, the developer proposes paving a section of Cadish Avenue that crosses the property but is now unpaved. Referenced on the plans as Bay Avenue – the former name of Cadish Avenue – the road would be improved to a width of 20 feet and available for public use.

According to a legal notice published in The Hull Times for the hearing, there are more existing and proposed accessory structures than allowed under Hull’s zoning bylaw, and the existing and proposed front and side setbacks of the accessory structures are less than required.

While the main structure does not require zoning relief, the proposed covered parking structures and the public pavilion require a special permit from the ZBA.

Reale said he has been meeting with the site’s Allerton-area neighbors to solicit feedback on the design.

IN WITH THE NEW?: The property at the base of Allerton Hill that once housed Sunset Marine, the Lighthouse Restaurant, and an apartment building could be replaced by nine townhouse units if a developer’s plan is approved by the town. [Source: Hull Zoning Board of Appeals]

“This project has been and will continue to be a true team effort,” Reale said. “We’ve been working for over 18 months with a committed group of consultants, local residents, and stakeholders on designing a thoughtful, low-impact community.”

“The Point Allerton Association is in the process of soliciting neighborhood feedback on The Point proposal ahead of our meeting with the developers next week,” according to a statement the neighborhood group issued to The Hull Times. “Because the property sits at the entrance to Allerton Hill, Allerton homeowners have a rooted interest in how the units are designed and built, how the property will be utilized, and how public access to both the bayside beach and existing boat ramp at that location will be handled. The PAA is appreciative of efforts by Chris Reale and his team to address our neighborhood’s concerns in a collaborative and transparent manner. This cooperation has been, and will continue to be, essential to Allerton residents as the project moves forward.”

Previous uses of property

The property was previously operated as a combination of residential and marine-related uses, including a dock and restaurant. ARC DC purchased the site, once owned by businessman William R. Kelley, from a court-appointed receiver for $1.05 million in 2018.

Reale’s proposal also requires site plan review by the planning board. In addition, portions of the proposed redevelopment are subject to the jurisdiction of the Hull Conservation Commission under the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, which will require additional permitting.

In a January 6 email to the Point Allerton Association, Reale provided an update about the proposals and encouraged feedback. In the email, Reale described key aspects of the project which he said is designed “to embrace the waterfront setting:”

• Weathered cedar and native landscaping that mirror the coastal environment while providing natural resilience for the bungalows.

• Shared front porches and craftsman details “to encourage connection and community.”

• Site design that creates a walkable neighborhood that flows naturally toward shared amenities that reconnect Hull’s working waterfront with recreational access for everyone and not just the nine families who own a bungalow.

• Improvements featuring a seasonal sunset pavilion next to the restored pier “where neighbors gather; a waterfront park ending at the bike path where the community can swim, paddle, or row; and flexible space for rotating design installations or a farm stand.”

These “aren’t vague concepts. They form the basis of this redevelopment, and they’re actionable activations that will transform a dilapidated site into a genuine community asset as soon as we obtain permits – enhancing quality of life for everyone living in the area,” Reale wrote. “This is architecture and landscape working together to strengthen both neighborhood bonds and our connection to the water that defines Hull.”

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Weir River Water System’s hearing on rate increase set for Wednesday

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The Weir River Water System Board of Water Commissioners will hold a joint meeting with the Hingham Advisory Committee on Wednesday, January 28, at Hingham Town Hall, Central Meeting Room (second floor), from 6 to 7 p.m.

This meeting is to review the proposed FY27 water system usage rate increase and associated capital debt service assessment for single family residential customers.

Additional details – including in-person and Zoom options – and the agenda are available on the Town of Hingham website. Click here.

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