Hanukkah season signals a time of celebration, renewal, and light for all

Hanukkah commemorates the Jewish ancestral military victory, recovery of Jerusalem and subsequent miracles that took place in the holy temple in Israel.

Historically, Hanukkah has been a time of renewal and rededication. Over the centuries, the holiday has evolved to include all the joyous celebration elements we observe today.

We come together to light menorah, increasing by one candle on each of the eight holiday nights, increasing the light and beauty every night.

Jews everywhere enjoy fried foods, such as potato latkes and donuts, and will spin dreidel, a game of chance for fun and prizes.

Hanukkah is often termed The Festival of Lights, bringing warmth and happiness to the darkest days of winter.

Here in our home in Hull, we will have a communal menorah lighting on Sunday, Dec. 18 at the gazebo at nightfall, and an open house party in our synagogue, including entertainment and refreshments, leading up to the lighting.

Your friends at Temple Beth Sholom hope to see you all, and share our warmest wishes for the holiday.

Need help for the holidays? These Hull organizations are ready to lend a hand

By Carol Britton Meyer

While the holidays are typically a happy time of year, full of celebrations, goodwill, and cheer, assistance is available in the close-knit Hull community for those who are struggling to put food on their tables and pay their utility bills, let alone finding the means to buy gifts for their children and creating a festive atmosphere.

Many Hull residents are donating gifts to the Hull Fire Department/Wellspring Multi-Service Center Toy Drive, the Campbell Christmas Angels program, and to Holiday Gifts for Veterans 2022, while the Council on Aging is supporting older adults in Hull in various ways in the spirit of the holidays. (See related story.)

Families who would like to request toys for their children through the fire department toy drive should sign up through Wellspring, according to Program Coordinator Jane Walsh.

“Wellspring assigns families a number, and they will be able to pick up their gifts at the fire station on Dec. 16 and 17,” she said.

This holiday gift program is open to all children under 18 in Hull. “In partnership with the HFD, we ask families what is wanted and what is needed,” Wellspring President & CEO Vinny Harte told The Hull Times. “Everyone gets the needed hats, gloves, socks, and other items, and then we match donors to the wanted items. Gifts for teens usually include gift cards that allow them to shop and choose for themselves.”

Wellspring’s food pantry, Aunt Dot’s Kitchen, will provide food for holiday meals, including a ham or a turkey, during the week before Christmas.

The pantry is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 9:30 a.m. for any Hull resident in need. “With the cost of food skyrocketing, we are seeing more families who are just trying to make ends meet,” Harte said. Wellspring provides assistance with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP – formerly known as food stamps) applications as requested.

Transportation to the pantry is available on Mondays. Clients are picked up at their homes and returned once they have collected their food. Delivery of food is available on Fridays for those unable to go there in person.

“For people looking to share their kindness during the holiday season, donations of food, dollars, or gift cards will be put to immediate use and will provide joy and happiness to a neighbor in Hull,” Harte said

For more information about these programs, call Pat Martin, who helps clients get the help they need, at 781-925-3211, ext. 112.

Campbell Christmas Angels founder Laurie Good knows what it’s like to be in dire straits during the holidays.

“I was at one time living in a motel with my kids [for an extended period of time], including on Christmas,” she recalled. “No child should be left out because of the circumstances they live in or feel as though they have been forgotten. Kids are aware that Santa is coming – that’s what kids look forward to and think about when they hear his name – and we want them to have a nice Christmas.”

Quite a few requests have already come in. Good notes that proof of guardianship is required before gifts can be given to families.

While there is no deadline for Christmas Angels requests, the sooner the better for planning purposes. An example of a last-minute need is someone who has just taken in a foster child, Good explained.

Parents and guardians can shop at the Kenberma location as they would in a regular store. Everything is new, from the toys to the beds in a bag, pajamas, and winter jackets that each school child up to age 17 receives.

For more information, including making a request for gifts, visit www.campbellchristmasangels.org.

Holiday Gifts for Veterans 2022 benefits men and women veterans at the Brockton Veterans Administration Medical Center, and also Hull veterans. Contact Craig Wolfe, 781-771-6416 for more information.

As a show of respect for Hull veterans, decorated wreaths will be placed in the Hull cemetery, at the Hull Lifesaving Museum, the war memorial, and other locations around town for the holidays, working in partnership with the Hull Garden Club, Wolfe said.

Looking beyond the holidays to the new year, free food is available for pickup for veterans, family, friends, and the general public through the Veterans Voice and WATD/WMEX drive-through program at the WATD studios, 130 Enterprise Drive, Marshfield, on the second Thursday of every month from 12 to 1 p.m. No registration is necessary. For more information, contact Wolfe at the number above or at 89edge@comcast.net.

For those struggling to keep warm, help with filling out fuel assistance applications is available at the Anne M. Scully Senior Center and at Wellspring.

Bibbidi Bobbidi Bright decorating contest returns for its third year

Hull’s favorite holiday contest is back by popular demand for the third year in a row. Bibbidi Bobbidi Bright shows off the best-decorated houses in town for all to enjoy.

Organizer Liliana Hedrick needs the community’s help to create one night of magical lights for families to enjoy on Sunday, Dec. 18.

Maps will be handed out on that day from 3-5 p.m. at Scoops Ice Cream Company, 540 Nantasket Ave., at the corner of Kenberma Street, and will be available online on the 18th.

Your vote is still needed – after looking at all of the participating houses, you can vote for your favorites and drop your map at Nantasket Flatts, 145 Nantasket Ave. and stay for stay for a nice meal.

Residents who would like to be on the map of houses decorated with lights should contact Hedrick directly at bibbidibobbidihull@gmail.com or through Facebook at www.facebook.com/groups/bibbidibobbidibright/ 

If any helpful elves would like to assist with the details or donations for prizes, please reach out using the contact information above to get involved in this great program that raises funds for local causes.

Students at all grade levels help local families in need

By Carol Britton Meyer

In the spirit of generosity and caring for one’s neighbors for which this town is known, Hull Public Schools students and staff are helping to make the lives of families in need a little brighter during the holidays through what Superintendent of Schools Judith Kuehn called many “acts of kindness.”

Project 351 Ambassador Emily Irby, a ninth-grader, is holding a food drive through Dec. 9. Each grade has an assigned English teacher to whom they can drop off cans of food and other non-perishable items.

Fellow Project 351 ambassador and eighth-grader Bruno Andrews-Mundo is conducting a food drive to support Wellspring Multi-Service Center during the holidays.

Jacobs Elementary School held a food drive for Wellspring as part of its Thanksgiving Turkey Trot, which was a huge success.

The Jacobs School is currently participating in the “Mittens Program,” with adjustment counselors reaching out to families who may need assistance with holiday gifts that are then purchased by staff members and donated anonymously from gift ideas written on “mittens.”

HPS also works with Hull’s “Stretch Your Food Budget” program to deliver meals to families in the community who could use a helping hand.

During the December holidays, Memorial Middle School staff “adopt” families who would benefit from some assistance, providing toys and gift cards anonymously, an effort that is coordinated by the school counselors

Hull High School counselors request donations from staff to purchase gift cards for students and families in need to use at Marshalls and/or T.J. Maxx.

In addition, counselors in each building work to connect families with the Hanover YMCA, which has a gift assistance program. Each year donors adopt local families who need assistance and provide holiday gifts for their children. Moms, Dads, and other caregivers can sign up using a link for personalized gifts for kids, including clothing sizes.

Hull Fire Department Toy Drive organizers coordinate with adjustment counselors for names of children in need in elementary and early middle school grades to provide them with holiday gifts, according to Kuehn. “Also, the Hull Police fill a cruiser with toys and coordinate with adjustment counselors for names of families in need,” she said.

Six proposals under review for Community Preservation funding at next town meeting

By Carol Britton Meyer

The Community Preservation Committee is considering six applications for the next round of Community Preservation Act funding, primarily for projects that the town would otherwise not be able to afford.

Requests this year include a partial payment toward the proposed next $1.5-million phase of the Village Fire Station project; $70,000 for supplementary funding for the Hampton Circle Playground, with a possible additional $29,000 request to install porous material that would make the play area, which is located in a flood zone, more flood-resistant; $55,000 for L Street playground and tennis courts repairs; $30,000 for an approximate 30-by-30-foot L Street playground shade structure, in large part to provide shade for summer campers; $70,000 for the restoration of the Paragon Carousel windows; and $28,000 for a waterfront access consultant.

Such a consultant, with the goal of helping to improve waterfront access and possibly overall public space access at the suggestion of CPC member Nathan Peyton, would study access points around town, provide an existing conditions analysis and recommendations for any new access points, and offer recommendations for rehabilitation of existing access. The consultant would take into consideration ADA compliance, environmental issues, building-code requirements, maintenance, and the approximate cost of each project.

The proponent of all but one of the current applications is Community Development and Planning Director Chris Dilorio on behalf of the town. The proponent for the carousel project is the Friends of the Paragon Carousel.

CPA funding comes from a 1.5% property-tax surcharge approved by town meeting in 2016 and may be used only for open space, affordable housing, historic preservation, and recreation projects. The state provides a partial match for these funds.

The current available CPA funding is $642,487, including $485,341 from FY22 CPA surcharge revenue and $148,359 as the FY22 state match.

The CPC makes its recommendations prior to each year's town meeting. The final decision rests with voters after recommendations from the select board and advisory board.

‘Kids can do stuff too’ – Young Hull skateboarder wins local, national support

By Victoria Dolan

FLYING HIGH. With no local skate park, Kairi Stanbrook practices in Quincy. [Photo courtesy of the Stanbrook family]

After practicing her tricks for the Skateboarding National Championships, Hull third-grader Kairi Stanbrook went out for some ramen. 

Stanbrook, who placed 14th in the 2022 Women’s Park National Championship semifinals, traveled to California to take part in the event – and, like always, after every skating session, she headed out for some ramen or sushi.

After Stanbrook qualified for the semifinals with a 50-second, unedited video of her skating, she was invited to California for the next round of the competition.

“I’m going to compete with Olympians, and my dream is to be an Olympian,” said Stanbrook, “so it’s one step forward to my dream.”

Those around her certainly support this dream, as Stanbrook’s parents and community have helped her every step of the way.

“We are not skaters, we don’t skate at all…  a lot of things she’s learned has been from community people at the skate park,” said her Dad, Chris Stanbrook. 

From her elementary school principal, Kyle Shaw, appearing at her birthday party at a skate park to the encouraging comments of her 600-odd followers on Instagram, Stanbrook “likes that a lot of people support me skating.”

In fact, Stanbrook has official support from S1 Helmets, her first sponsorship. Ryan Taylor of S1 saw her skating and approached her with the offer.

“He works for S1 helmets and ordered me stuff,” said Stanbrook. 

Kairi Stanbrook competed recently at the national championship in California. [Photo courtesy of the Stanbrook family]

Even in the competitive environment of the National Championship, Stanbrook’s family reports that everyone has still been supportive and welcoming.

“It’s nice to have that competition where it’s just everyone supporting everyone else,” said Chris Stanbrook. “Even here at the national championships, everyone wants to see each other push themselves to do better.”

This isn’t Stanbrook’s first time – she enjoys traveling and has competed in many other competitions around New England.

“I sometimes feel nervous at first,” she explained, so to combat anxiety she looks at pictures of the skate parks she’ll be competing in and plans “runs,” or what tricks and courses she will do once she arrives. 

Of course, her achievements have come from plenty of hard work. After months of practice, Stanbrook landed a kickflip – a trick where she jumps and her skateboard rotates 360 degrees before landing. To train herself, Stanbrook would hold on to a bar in her living room as she attempted the trick.

“Every single day I would do it… in six months I landed it,” she said. 

Stanbrook doesn’t mind being the youngest at a competition or the skate park, in fact, she likes it “because they see what I can do, and what a little girl can do.”

“Not just adults can do stuff,” Stanbrook said. “Kids can do stuff too.”

Unfortunately, Stanbrook isn’t able to practice her skills in Hull. She used to practice at the ramp behind Paragon Boardwalk, but since it was torn down, “we have to get out of Hull and skate somewhere else.” Instead, she goes to Bare Cove Park in Hingham or another skate park in Quincy. 

However, the Stanbrooks would love to see a skate park built in Hull. Kairi’s Mom, Yoshino, thinks having a skate park “right by the beach… would draw a lot of good crowds” to Hull. 

“The kids get outside, and it’s safe and supportive and healthy,” added Chris Stanbrook. “Everyone thinks of skateboarders as being standoffish or mean, but everyone has been wonderful and supportive of her.”

Pirates cap undefeated season with 27-6 Super Bowl victory

Congratulations to the Division 8 Super Bowl Champions! Hull Pirates defeat KIPP Academy, 27-6, to finish a 13-0 undefeated season. Watch this week’s edition for coverage!

HRA: Urban Renewal Plan is ‘99% complete;’ public review sessions to begin in January

By Carol Britton Meyer

Following the appointment of Max Walder to fill a vacant seat on the Hull Redevelopment Authority until the spring town election, Chair Bartley Kelley provided an update on the status of the HRA-owned 12.5-acre property that runs from Water Street to Phipps Street.

THe boundaries of the HRA property.

“We’ve been working diligently for the past two years on a draft Urban Renewal Plan, which is about 99% complete,” he told the select board this week in a joint meeting for the purpose of filling the vacancy and providing an update.

The HRA will complete the edits on the draft plan at its meeting next Monday and then forward the document to the select board and the planning board and “disseminate this information to the public,” according to Kelly. “We’re basing this document on what we think the community wants and needs. We want people to know what’s going on. A lot of work, studies, and grant money have gone into this process.”

Kelly noted that “people tend to want affordable housing, open space, and more tourism, and right now the HRA parcel doesn’t provide any of that. We have a moral obligation to move forward to [come up with something] that the community wants. We want to get this right, with input from the public.”

A series of meetings involving draft URP presentations will be held from January until mid-March, including at least two separate select board and planning board discussions and two additional public meetings. It was noted that all of these meetings will be open to the public, as are all HRA meetings.

“Everybody won’t be happy, but we want to do what’s good and right for the town,” Kelly said.

Once the opportunity for public input through the select board and planning board and other meetings on the draft wraps up, the HRA will seek the select board’s endorsement of the final draft before the final URP is submitted to the Department of Housing and Community Development.

In the meantime, the draft, once completed, will be sent to DHCD for feedback.

“We’re hoping to get the final draft to DHCD in April, and if the [approval] process moves quickly, the HRA can start interacting with developers,” Kelly said. “One of the benefits of an URP is that it allows us to negotiate directly with them.”

Town Manager Philip Lemnios asked the HRA to include a synopsis of how the different conclusions drawn in the draft URP relating to potential development of the property were reached and to provide supporting documentation “to demonstrate the viability of what the HRA is proposing.”

Kelly assured him that a synopsis will be included with the draft report when it is posted on the town website.

Select Board member Jennifer Constable said community input is key, “regardless of what a developer thinks would work on the parcel. We’ll have to figure out how to merge community input with the data you have in support of the information that’s included in the URP.”

HRA member Dennis Zaia reported that the Cecil Group, which has worked with the town on various projects, has been hired by the authority to facilitate the public discussions.

“Steve Cecil is an adept facilitator,” Zaia said. “He and his team will get the most from the meeting and ensure that everyone feels that they have been heard.”

Kelly noted that plans for the two-way road system, although not part of the URP, are moving forward, which he said “will alleviate a lot of the traffic backups” in the area.

In the meantime, Walder, who has a background in real estate, will take part in HRA and other public meeting discussions.

“I want to bring more energy to the town and would love to be a part of turning [the HRA property] into something,” he said during his interview before the two boards. “I have two years of experience working in a client-facing role (directly with real estate developers), and my professional expertise allows me to bring the perspective of the young professional,” he stated in his letter of interest. His appointment was unanimous.

Steven Greenberg and Adrienne Paquin also interviewed for the position, which became available when Robert DeCoste resigned. After a motion was made to appoint Walder, Select Board member Domenico Sestito made a substitute motion to appoint Paquin that was seconded but failed to move forward on a 5-4 vote. The subsequent vote was unanimous in Walder’s favor.

During the interviews, Constable told all three candidates that the HRA land is one of the last large developable parcels in town and that its location is “central in the community. Whatever ultimately happens, this will be one of the biggest decisions the town has made in a long time,” she said.

Select Board, planners jointly appoint lone applicant for open seat on the planning board

By Carol Britton Meyer

As part of addressing a full agenda Wednesday night, the select board filled a vacant seat on the planning board and appointed two representatives to the climate action and beach management committees.

JIM PITROLO WAS APPOINTED TO THE PLANNING BOARD THIS WEEK. HE WAS THE ONLY APPLICANT FOR THE OPEN SEAT.

As the only candidate interviewing for the vacancy, Jim Pitrolo said he considers the planning board to be “the gateway to development in Hull” and that he believed that his talents and experience would make him a good fit for the position, and would be a way for him to give back to the community.

Pitrolo has served on various town boards and committees, including currently sitting on the economic development committee, and is involved with the Hull-Nantasket Chamber of Commerce.

The select board and planning board, which met in joint session to fill this position, agreed unanimously to appoint Pitrolo. The vacancy resulted from Irwin Nesoff’s election to the select board.

In other business at the meeting, Donna Pursel was appointed to represent the select board on the Climate Action Committee, which will play a central role in defining the town’s policies and strategy in addressing the impacts of climate change in Hull. The first meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 6, at 7 p.m. It’s anticipated that the committee will meet quarterly.

Nesoff was appointed to represent the select board on the Beach Management Committee, which meets on a monthly basis. The BMC is preparing to review and update the current beach management plan.

The select board also continued its end-of-year license renewal process, approving the Sandbar’s all-alcohol, common victualler, and entertainment licenses; Paragon Arcade’s all-alcohol, common victualler, auto amusement, and entertainment licenses; Shoreline Kitchen and Bar’s all-alcohol, common victualler, and entertainment licenses; A Street Liquors’ all-alcohol as a package store license; The Village Market’s all-alcohol as a package store license; Toast’s wine and malt as restaurant and common victualler licenses; and common victualler licenses for Hull Jade Restaurant, L Street Pizza, Scoops Ice Cream Company, Weinberg’s Bakery (and also approved a change of hours to closing one hour earlier), and To Dine For. The board also renewed livery licenses/badges for Seaside Transport, a lodging house license for The Nantascot Lodging House, and a Class II Wholesale license for West Corner Autos, Inc.

Hull pledges support for joining AARP’s network of ‘age-friendly communities’

The select board this week authorized Chair Jennifer Constable to sign a letter to be sent to the American Association of Retired Persons pledging the Town of Hull's commitment to creating an age-friendly community and environment at the suggestion of the Council on Aging during a recent meeting.

The board also supported joining AARP’s Network of Age-Friendly Communities, an affiliate of the World Health Organization’s Global Network for Age-friendly Cities and Communities.

This program supports the efforts of cities and towns to be “great places for people of all ages.”

Joining this program is one of the key recommendations from the recent needs assessment aimed at enhancing the lives of Hull’s growing senior population now and in the years to come.

This AARP network is based on the premise that communities should provide safe, walkable streets, age-friendly housing and transportation options, access to needed services, and opportunities for residents of all ages to participate in community life.

There are no membership costs.

-- Carol Britton Meyer