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Conway Director of Relocation (left) and CFO Bryan Keaney present Shannah Paddock of the Alzheimer’s Association a check from the company’s participation in the South Shore Walk to End Alzheimer’s.

Conway Director of Relocation (left) and CFO Bryan Keaney present Shannah Paddock of the Alzheimer’s Association a check from the company’s participation in the South Shore Walk to End Alzheimer’s.

Jack Conway, Realtor recently donated $7,366 to the Alzheimer’s Association, matching monies raised by Conway agents who participated in the sixth-annual South Shore Walk to End Alzheimer’s, held in Plymouth.

Director of Relocation Dawn Stevens, who was the team captain for the Conway Country delegation in this year’s walk, presented the check to Shannah Paddock, regional development officer for the Alzheimer’s Association MA/NH Chapter.

“Our agents and their family members raised $3,683 at the event, and our company matched the amount exactly as a donation to this important cause,” said Stevens. “Many of us have had friends or family who have been afflicted with this terrible disease and we are happy to help the organization raise funds for the care, support and research that may one day lead to a cure.”

The 2012 South Shore Walk, which was chaired by State Senate President Therese Murray, generated $280,000 for the cause. Conway associates who participated in the fundraiser were CEO Carol Bulman, Heather Fernald, Janet Pistone, Sue Mulcare, Jean Sweeney, Peggy Lovalo, Sue Sindoni, Pat Fahy, Deborah Campbell, Kristen Morse, Lou Cabana, Debbie Powers, Kristin Bedard, Patti Hall and Sally Cannon.

Conway volunteers from all over the South Shore helped at the annual Food Festival and Thanksgiving Parade.

Conway volunteers from all over the South Shore helped at the annual Food Festival and Thanksgiving Parade.

A brisk wind on a sunny day greeted the nearly 2,500 guests at the recent New England Food Festival and Thanksgiving Parade held on the Plymouth waterfront. As in other years, a contingent of Jack Conway agents, managers and staff was on hand to help the daylong culinary event run smoothly. The agents from Conway’s Plymouth and South Shore offices served as volunteer security guards, cleaners, ticket takers, water sellers and ballot counters in a heated tent showcasing the cuisine of 16 local and regional restaurants.

“We had so much fun working at the festival this year,” said Elaine Bongarzone, manager of Conway’s Scituate office. “There’s no place like Plymouth to celebrate the Thanksgiving season and we’re happy to be a part of it.”

Pat Fahy, longtime manager of Jack Conway’s Plymouth office, looks forward to helping out in the food tent every year. “We all have a ball,” said Fahy, a 37-year resident of America’s Hometown. “You get to meet and greet thousands of people who are sampling the foods and voting on their favorites. From the time the cannons are shot off at the start of the parade until the festival ends, there’s excitement to be had in Plymouth on the weekend before Thanksgiving.”

Volunteering at the festival with Fahy and Bongarzone were Conway colleagues Sue Souza, Sheila Gammel, Suzanne Harris, Heather Fernald, Linda Saucier, Sue Depatie, Marie Van Slyck, Helen Jablonski, Peggy Haldoupis, and Jean Sweeney, along with several of their family members. “I’m thrilled that so many of our agents get involved in this event every year,” said Conway CEO Carol Bulman. “They all have specific jobs to do and they do them with a smile. I’ve worked in the tent many times, and I know it can be exhausting, but it’s always a great day.”

All proceeds from the 2012 New England Food Festival go to fund next year’s Plymouth Thanksgiving celebration.

Enjoy Thanksgiving in lovely Massachusetts!If you’d rather ditch the dirty dishes this year and dine out for Thanksgiving, a few South Shore restaurants are laying out the welcome mat on November 22. Seats are filling quickly, so make your reservations now!

  • Radisson Hotel, Plymouth Harbor – $30/adult, $15/child under 12. Enjoy a classic Thanksgiving dinner buffet on the Waterfront in America’s Hometown. The hotel’s Harbor Grille restaurant is serving parties of four or less and the ballroom handles larger groups. The menu includes several seasonal appetizers and entrees ranging from roast native turkey with cranberry cornbread stuffing to prime rib of beef and Atlantic cod. Help yourself to sides of whipped potato, sweet potato casserole, butternut squash, pearl onions, creamed baby peas, and roast turnip with maple butter, and top it all off with a glass of wood pressed mulled cider. But it’s not over yet, the sweets table offers a wide array of freshly baked pies and cakes, including the traditional holiday favorites. Call for seating times and reservations: 508-591-5007.
  • Scarlet Oak Tavern, 1217 Main Street, Hingham. Pull a chair up by the fire at this elegant but cozy restaurant, which is set in one of the town’s most beautiful historic buildings. Thanksgiving Dinner 2012 offers preset prices ranging from $40-$60 for your choice of one entrée, appetizer and dessert. If you’re not into tradition, you may bypass the New England Farm Style Turkey Dinner on the menu for one of the other entrees, such as sea scallops, Yellowfin tuna, rib eye or surf and turf. And be sure to leave room for dessert, which includes such gourmet treats as pumpkin cream pie, bittersweet chocolate stuffed brioche bread pudding, and cappuccino crème Anglaise. Spaces are limited for Thanksgiving dinner, so call 781-749-8200 today.
  • Tosca Restaurant, 14 North Street, Hingham. The holiday spirit appears to be alive and well in Hingham this year as another well-known local eatery is serving up Thanksgiving fare on November 22. Located on scenic Hingham Harbor in the 1910 Granary Marketplace building, Tosca is offering a traditional turkey dinner with Yukon mashed potato, foccacia stuffing, autumn vegetables and fresh cranberries. And if you don’t like tradition, opt for the Italian Rosemary ham, which is also on the Thanksgiving special menu. Prices are $26/adult and $13 for children. Call 781-740-0080 for reservations.
  • Hearth ‘N Kettle, 151 Main Street, Weymouth, and 25 Summer St., Plymouth. Make a reservation at either of these two South Shore H’nK restaurants and sit down to a holiday roast turkey dinner served just like Mom used to. Also on the holiday special menu are broiled cod or lobster pie. Each dinner is served with corn chowder or a salad, mashed potatoes, butternut squash, peas and onions and fresh baked bread. The dinner ends with homemade favorites of pumpkin pie, apple crisp or Indian Pudding. For reservations, call the Weymouth restaurant at 781-331-7007 or the Plymouth H’nK at 508-746-7100. Prices vary depending on entree choice.
  • Legal Seafood, South Shore Plaza, Braintree. For $21.95, you can be treated to a classic Thanksgiving dinner of slow roasted turkey with sausage stuffing, mashed potatoes, butternut squash, gravy and cranberry sauce at this well-known anchor restaurant in the Braintree shopping mall. The regular menu will also be available on Thanksgiving day. For reservations, call 781-356-3070.

So, if you’re not up for entertaining, cooking, or cleaning up next Thursday, remember, you do have options!

Plimoth Plantation
137 Warren Ave., Plymouth, MA 

Partake in a day of thanks with the Pilgrims at Plimoth Plantation in Plymouth MAIf you want to get into the Thanksgiving spirit a little early this year, consider dining out “Pilgrim” style at the place where it all began – Plimoth Plantation in America’s hometown of Plymouth, Massachusetts. The tickets for the Harvest Dinner are a bit pricey ($62.95 for adults and $45.95 for kids), but you’ll be treated to more than a multi-course meal of authentic 17th century delicacies.

Your Pilgrim hosts, speaking in olde English dialect, will tell tales of the Mayflower voyage and the events that led to the famous first Thanksgiving feast in the new colony. You’ll also be entertained with psalms, songs and ballads of the period performed by costumed singers and musicians. You may want to sneak a plastic fork into the dining hall with you because table utensils consist of only wooden or pewter spoons and knives. You’ll be expected to pick up a lot of the food with your fingers, so make sure to wash your hands.

The first course of the Harvest Dinner is Cheate bread (made with unsifted wheat), sweet butter, and a sallet of herb (a salad made with cucumbers, oil, vinegar and spices.) Other items on the bill of fare include mussels “seeth’d with beer and parsley,” pottage of cabbage, sweet native corn pudding, stewed pompion (squash), turkey “sauc’d” with onions and breadcrumbs, chine of pork (a salt pork filled with parsley and herbs), fricassee of fish, ciderkin (a weak, alcoholic cider), and 17th century cheesecake.

If you aren’t salivating yet, you will be when you breathe in the aromas from the steaming platters served family style at your table. So grab a thick napkin, place it on your lap (men are allowed to drape it over their left shoulders) and get ready to be transported back 400 years to a simpler, yet sumptuous way of life.

Harvest dinners with the Pilgrims will be served at 5:30 p.m. on the following dates: Sat. Nov. 10, Sat. and Sun. Nov. 17-18, Wed. Nov. 21. Friday, Nov. 23. and Sat. Nov. 24. Ticket prices include admission to the museum grounds and the Mayflower II.

Make your reservation today. Space is limited. Call 800-262-9356 ext. 8353, 8364, or 8365.

Looking for something sweet to bring to a Labor Day cookout? Here’s a short list of sugary shops to check out this weekend.

White’s Bakery & Cafe
1041 Pearl St., Brockton
100 Derby St., Hingham
439 Nathan Ellis Highway, Mashpee

The intro to this Mashpee bakery’s website reads: “We believe that a great baker or pastry chef is an artist, but instead of oils, they dabble in sugar, chocolate, and flour. If you agree, then you, my friend, have just stepped foot into a gallery of art.” The “artists” on the White’s team offer a full palette of cupcakes (the “in” pastry) with summer flavors like “Pink Ladies, Sundae Cupcakes, Key Lime, and Raspberry Blossoms. Other fare includes 14 different cakes including seasonal specials such as Beach Bucket Cake, Summer Fun Pool Cake, and a Sand & Seashells Cake, 7 and 10” tortes, pies, pastries, and cookies by the pound. So grab a cappuccino biscotti and indulge.

O’Brien’s Bakery
11 Vernon Street, Quincy

A smaller, less gourmet selection of sweets is offered in this local landmark that’s been satisfying the sweet tooth of South Shore families for nearly 40 years. But there’s something to be said for “quality, old-fashioned baked goods,” as their advertising touts. The aroma of baking bread (including Swedish bread, Beer Bread and a few other Artisan varieties) wafts around the door of this establishment, which beckons passers-by to sample its wares. O’Brien’s offers the personal touch with wedding and theme cakes made to order and a decent sized selection of gluten-free and sugar-free cookies, muffins and pastries for those on restricted diets. Its claim to fame is the “best Irish Soda cake in Quincy.”

Cupcake Charlies
On the Plymouth Waterfront

Started by a couple of former real estate agents, Cupcake Charlies in Plymouth offers specialty cupcakes for on-site purchase or shipping. Their selection consists of mouth-watering “push pops,” “cake-cups” and to-die-for “Whoop Cakes” with names like Peanut Butter Pleasure and Chocolate Overload. Party packs are available in each category for special occasions. You can order the 6-pack of Charlie’s Crew Combo Push Pops featuring the flavors of “Rockin’ Red Velvet, Lemon Drop, Oreo Delight, Funfetti and Hostess with the Mostess” or mix and match with other flavors like Chocolate Caramel Sea Salt or Boston Cream Pie. But no amount of words can sell you on Cupcake Charlies as much as one incredibly delicious cupcake will. This shop’s slogan is “Life is short. Eat a cupcake.”

Morning Glories Bakery
52 Country Way, Scituate

Housed in a small building next to the railroad tracks in Scituate, this bakery has an incredible selection of homemade pastries, lunch and breakfast items, and specialty coffees and drinks. If you’re on your way to an event, you can stop in and find a wide choice of cakes and pies to take with you. You can have a birthday cake customized on-site while you wait. Their signature Morning Glory muffin is a moist concoction of carrot cake, walnuts and chocolate chips, which always sells out early. You can choose from cookies, bagels, caramel cream puffs, éclairs, canolis, and just about any other baked good you can think of. A popular favorite is the large fruit tart, a sweet pastry shell filled with fresh whipped cream, strawberries, blueberries, peaches and kiwi. But you better bring a cooler if you’re taking it to a cookout.

Labor Day Weekend signals the unofficial end of summer and that’s tough to take, but some of these sweet treats may lessen the blow.

Visit all the wonderful beaches on the south shore!The South Shore offers a smorgasbord of beautiful beaches, both ocean and freshwater, from which to escape the heat this summer. If you want to enjoy the sun and sand without the hassle of navigating traffic-choked Cape Cod bridges, Plymouth seems to be the destination of choice for weekend and summer-long vacationers.

Here are a few of the beaches to consider in America’s Hometown.

  • White Horse Beach – a 560 ft. public beach known for the landmark rock on its north end, which bears the painted image of an American flag. The soft, white sand beach with a relatively calm surf is also the site of a townwide 4th of July fireworks display and celebration that dates back to the 19th century. A section of this beach is private, but a major portion is public. There are no restrooms, lifeguards are on duty through Labor Day, and you can park on the street if you can find a spot.
  • Plymouth Long Beach – a favorite among the locals and the not-so-locals, this 3-mile long barrier beach juts out into blue Atlantic. It has restroom facilities and a snack bar, and paid parking is available for out-of town guests. Several species of endangered birds make nests in the dunes in the early summer months, which restricts the number of 4×4 vehicles that are allowed in the area at that time. The beach is open from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
  • Fresh Pond Park – a popular freshwater beach and picnic area in the Manomet section of Plymouth. Season’s parking tickets are available to residents, and out-of-towners can park for a daily fee. Leashed dogs are permitted on the beach, and lifeguards are on site all summer long. The park includes restrooms and playground areas as well as the 62-acre natural kettlehole pond with depths of up to 30 feet.
  • College Pond – another great freshwater spot for swimming, canoeing, picnicking and fishing. Also a natural kettlehole pond, College pond is a scenic spot with about one mile of shoreline, but it has no restroom facilities, and no lifeguards on duty.
  • Duxbury Beach – a 6-mile long barrier beach that runs through sections of Marshfield, Duxbury and the Saquish area of Plymouth. If you’re looking for amenities, you’ve hit the jackpot with this beautiful sandy beach, which houses a bathhouse with showers, restrooms, snack bars, a lunchroom and a full-service restaurant called Blakemans that’s open Thurs.-Sun., 5-8 p.m. Four-wheel drive vehicles are allowed on the beach with “over-sand” permits required. Not allowed are dogs, alcohol or fires. Daily parking is $15/car.

Plymouth is home to many other beaches, including some that are open only to town residents. For a complete guide, go towww.seeplymouth.com/beaches-and-parks.

Excellent Schools, Fantastic Beaches- Stay For A Day Or A Lifetime!

Mattapoisett is a quaint, seaside town in Plymouth County, Massachusetts. The town was settled in 1750 and officially incorporated in 1857. Originally a part of Rochester, there is evidence of prior Wampanoag Indian settlements, including burial grounds, throughout the town. In fact, the word “Mattapoisett” is Wampanoag for “a place of resting.”

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 24.2 square miles, of which 17.4 square miles  is land and 6.8 square miles, or just over 28%, is water.  The population was 6,045 as of the 2010 census.

Transportation

Interstate 195 runs through the town,  and U.S. Route 6 is the main local road.  U.S. 6 parallels I-195 between Providence, R.I., and Wareham, MA and serves as the local business route. Commuting to Wareham, Providence, or Fall River is a breeze!

Schools

Mattapoisett is a member of the 2,700-student Old Rochester Regional School District. The town, along with Marion and Rochester, operate a single school system. Mattapoisett operates the Center School for pre-kindergarten through third grade students, and the Old Hammondtown School for grades 4-6. Seventh- and eighth-grade students attend Old Rochester Regional Junior High School, and high school students attend Old Rochester High School.

Beaches

Mattapoisett Coastline

There are many fabulous beaches along the shores of Mattapoisett.  Stop by and put your toes in the sand at Mattapoisett Town Beach, Ned’s Point Beach, Harbor Beach or Crescent Beach.  The locals say Crescent Beach is like paradise, and feels like you are right on Cape Cod!  It doesn’t have loads of facilities but it is a splendid piece of coastline.

The Mattapoisett River also begins in Rochester and flows through town, emptying into Mattapoisett Harbor, an arm of Buzzards Bay.

Things to Do & See

The Mattapoisett Road Race, a 5 mile run around scenic Mattapoisett and Ned’s Point Light House, is held every July 4th. The race starts and ends at Shipyard Park, and was attended by 916 runners this year.

Ned’s Point Lighthouse was built in 1837 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.

Salty the Seahorse stands at 38 feet tall, looking out on Route 6 from his perch at the intersection of North Street, and is widely accepted to be the symbol and unofficial mascot of Mattapoisett. Erected by a gift shop owner on private property in the middle of the 20th century, Salty and his famous electric blue eyes draw in tourists from all over as they travel to the nearby beaches.

Mattapoisett Real Estate

The first six months of 2012 have certainly been on an uptick for home sale prices in Mattapoisett.  Although the number of sales is much the same as the first six months in 2011, the average sales price has increased 13% and days on market have drastically decreased – single family homes went from 307 days on market in 2011 to 167 days on market in 2012.

There are currently 79 single family homes on the market, with the average list price being $642,970 – for condos it’s much less at $340,240. There aren’t very many multi-family units on the market right now; the average list price for multi’s is $418,225.

View Mattapoisett Homes for sale and learn more about this community, or contact us today to find your new home in Mattapoisett!

Conway Regional VP Peter Ruffini and Canton agent Bob Humphrys were recently installed in the leadership of the Massachusetts Association of Realtors (MAR) at a ceremony held at the Salem Waterfront Hotel and Marina.

Ruffini was installed for a second term as secretary/treasurer and Humprhys was named a director of the organization.

“It’s an honor for me to serve as a MAR director,” said Humphrys, whose 2-year term on the State Board will begin on Jan.1. “This organization represents 22,000 Massachusetts Realtors and it stands for ethics and integrity in our profession. I’m very proud to be a part of it.”

Conway CEO Carol Bulman, who attended the installation ceremony, was pleased to see Humphrys and Ruffini honored. “We encourage all of our agents to become active members of our state associations and many of them play leadership roles,” said Bulman, whose father Jack Conway is a former MAR President. “Peter and Bob are a credit to our sales team and to our company.”

Conway as MAR Leadership

Members of the Conway team were on hand to support all of those installed in leadership from MAR. They included, from left, Al Becker, Tim Knowlton, Dick Stevens, Peter Ruffini, Carol Bulman, Chris Haraden, Lenny Harris, Karen Almeida, Barbara Harris, Bob Humphrys and Doug Lee.

Humphrys, an 18-year Conway associate, holds a number of advanced real estate credentials. He is a graduate of the National Realtor’s Institute and is a certified senior specialist, residential specialist, and international property specialist. “I believe it’s important to keep abreast of new laws and changes in our industry,” said Humphrys. “Education and training are the keys to doing that.”

A Stoughton resident, Humphrys is a member and past president of the Greater Boston Real Estate Board, a former Commander of the American Legion post in Canton, a member of the Milton Yacht Club and a member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts. He has two grown sons and two grandchildren.

Ruffini is a longtime Realtor, and prior to arriving at Conway a year ago was a broker and co-owner of a South Shore realty firm. Living most of his life in Plymouth, Ruffini formerly served on the board of directors for the Plymouth Boys and Girls Club and he currently coaches youth sports. He and his wife Jaime live in Carver with their four children.

Lorraine Fricker (center) receives her turkey award

A head table adorned with orange and gold balloons, cornucopias, fall flowers and stacks of food for the hungry was the centerpiece for Jack Conway Realtor’s annual Thanksgiving Award Breakfasts held at the Plymouth Radisson Hotel.

More than 400 Conway sales associates from Boston to Cape Cod, the South Coast and the North Shore attended the event at which agents were honored for “team spirit and congeniality.” The winners received gift checks to purchase a Thanksgiving turkey, and all attendees brought non-perishable food items to contribute to the Charity Guild of Brockton.

“We have a lot of functions in our company that recognize agents for top production,” said Conway CEO Carol Bulman. “But this ceremony honors our associates for the intangible qualities of kindness, good humor and camaraderie. These individuals are true winners because they help and support their colleagues and their communities all year long.”

Local recipients of the Conway Thanksgiving Awards were: Michele Vena of Abington for her “unfailingly kind and courteous manner and upbeat attitude;” Pat Sunnerberg of Cohasset for her “boundless energy and attention to detail;” Peggy Parfumorse of Hanover for her “creative effort to foster warmth and good cheer in her office;” Karin Doonan of Hingham for “being a positive influence on her coworkers;” Mike Rotman of Marshfield for his “cheerful and optimistic attitude;” Linda Thistle of Norwell for her “eagerness to step forward with a helping hand;” Barbara Cox of Scituate for being a “great team player and willing to help new agents;” Vicki Infusino of Weymouth for “being quite indispensable to her colleagues and office,” and Lorraine Fricker of Conway Headquarters in Norwell for “winning the hearts of all who know her.”

The Annual Thanksgiving breakfasts have been a tradition in Conway Country for more than 30 years. “We gather here in America’s hometown every November for our celebration,” said Chairman Jack Conway who delivered the opening greeting to the group. “It’s where our country’s first Thanksgiving took place, and it reminds us to thank God for the many wonderful things we have in our lives.” to find out more about homes for sale in Plymouth MA or other south shore homes for sale, contact Jack Conway today.

Photo: Conway HQ staffer Lorraine Fricker (center) receives her turkey award from the Conway Turkey, and CEO Carol Bulman.

Help Us Reach Our Fundraising Goal!

As you know the Alzheimer’s Walk is fast approaching and we are putting a great team together to walk as Jack Conway Co.  It’s not too late to join us!  Simply click on the link below and then click “join team”, fill in the required information and your done.

CLICK HERE to Join the Conway Team or Make a Donation Today!

WALK to END ALZHEIMER'S
Make a Donation to the Alzheimer’s Association or Join Our Team!

 

See you Saturday, October 1st, at 8:30 am on the Plymouth waterfront by the Plymouth Rock

Visit our hospitality tent for some refreshments before and after the one mile or the three mile walk.  Heck, you can run it if you like.  (I’ll be walking.)  If you’re not walking, you can also support the team by making a team donation on the site as well.

If you are having trouble signing up, give me a ring (800-283-1030, extension 318) and we can do it together.

Thanks for all your support!

-Dawn Stevens