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Margaret Sheehan, a Plymouth native – and currently a summer resident – who’s known for her environmental activism, will speak at a forum on threats to the town’s drinking water, at the Plymouth library on Wednesday, March 27, from 4 to 6 p.m.
Sheehan is a member of Community, Land, and Water Coalition for Southeastern Massachusetts. Its members represent the seven towns that share the Plymouth-Carver Sole Source Aquifer. All of Plymouth’s water comes from this underground aquifer, including town water, private wells, and water services in housing developments.
According to the federal Environmental Protection Agency’s designation, the Plymouth-Carver aquifer is the only source of drinking water for some 200,000 residents from Plymouth to Brockton. It lies beneath seven towns and covers 199 square miles. The regional forests and other lands protect and filter the aquifer, including drinking water. Coastal waters, streams, and ponds are all connected to it.
The March 27 forum, Sheehan said, will explain how the region’s water and lands are connected, why they need our help, and what people living within the region can do to protect their water.
Sheehan, who grew up in South Plymouth near Myles Standish Forest, advocated for the federal “sole source” designation and its legal and environmental protections 34 years ago. Today, she said, the aquifer needs protection from rapid development, sand and gravel mining, and contamination.
Most neighborhoods and private dwellings within the region of the aquifer rely on septic systems. But the viability of these systems is increasingly threatened by the strip-mining of the aquifer’s sand, especially its rare silica sand, she said.
The region’s sands, laid down by glaciation thousands of years ago, absorb surface contaminants such as diesel fuel. Sand and tree roots also absorb contaminants and protect groundwater from pollution. The profitable removal or “mining” of sand and gravel for use in construction threatens could contaminate drinking water.
A worldwide demand for sand and gravel, Sheehan said, is increasingly putting pressure on the Plymouth-Carver Aquifer, according to advocates for protection. Housing and commercial development in the region is a source of environmental pressure as well.
“There’s a global shortage of sand,” Sheehan said.
If you’re planning to attend the forum, you can – but don’t have to – RSVP by email at environmentwatchsoutheasternma@gmail.com or by registering here.
Things to do this week and beyond
Monday, March 25
Photography by Plymouth residents Lisa Redburn and Diane Collins is on view in a show titled “At the Edge of the Sea” at the Plymouth library. The library’s gallery space consists of two areas at the bottom of the stairway to the second floor, along the stairs, and a group of spaces on the second-floor landing.
The Manomet branch library hosts a story time for children up to age 6, plus parents and caregivers, from 10:30 to 11 a.m. No registration is required.
La Vie Luna Apothecary, 65 Main St., hosts a candle-making session from 6 to 7:30 p.m., offering 12-ounce non-toxic soy wax candles. Participant will pour their own candles, with many colors to choose from. Tickets are $65 and are available here.
Uva Wine Bar, 46 Main St., hosts a spring flower arranging event from 7 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $75 and are available here.
Tuesday, March 26
The Plymouth library hosts the British Mystery Book Club every fourth Tuesday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Register here.
Tuesday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m., the Plymouth Public Library Chess Club welcomes chess players of all levels to join the club in the Nook Road study room areas. The program is open to adults and students.
Wednesday, March 27
The public is invited to the debut presentation of “Celebrate Mercy Warren Otis” at 7 p.m. at the Plymouth library. Hear Mercy Warren Otis, portrayed by Michele Gabrielson, debate John Adams, portrayed by Michael LePage, on her book about the American Revolutions. Plymouth’s Mercy Warren Otis was an early supporter of American independence, who wrote one of the first accounts of the Revolutionary war. The presentation will be introduced by Susan Ste. Marie and local author Nancy Rubin Stuart.
Pilgrim Hall Museum is open for its 200th anniversary season, Wednesday to Sunday, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Museum displays include William Bradford’s Bible, a portrait of Pilgrim Edward Winslow, a cradle, and the “great chair” of Pilgrim spiritual leader William Brewster. Admission is $15, seniors $12, children ages 6-18, $9.
Plymouth library hosts the Anime Club for ages 11 to 18 from 4 to 5 p.m. Participants are invited to watch anime, try different Japanese snacks, and participate in “anime/manga” themed crafts. Activities will be chosen based on member interest. Email Miss Madde at mmahony@ocln.org to express interest or for more information. Register here.
Thursday, March 28
The Manomet History Book Group meets at the Manomet branch library from 4 to 5 p.m.
The Plymouth Center for the Arts, 11 North St., holds an opening reception for two exhibits: the 2024 “iPhonography” exhibit, and the newest member exhibit, “Visions.” Both are free and open to the public from 6 to 8 p.m. The arts center will also host an awards reception for its “Spring into Art” all-members show from 6 to 8 p.m.
Uncle John’s Banjo, a four-piece group that puts a bluegrass spin on the music of The Grateful Dead performs in The Spire Lobby Series from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $15.
Friday, March 29
No school. It’s Good Friday.
Plymouth Family Resource Center, 430-3 Court St., hosts a spring egg hunt from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Egg hunters will be divided into two groups, ages 2 to 5 and 6 to 10. The event is free and will include games, music, and a free lunch. In the event of rain, the hunt will move into the center’s large indoor space.
A Seal Walk will take place starting at Center Hill Preserve, 158 Center Hill Road, from 9 to 9:45 a.m. The event is described as “a guided walk down to a secluded beach location to view seals resting and swimming in their natural environment.” On the walk, suitable for children and adults, guides will share facts about seals. Admission is by donation, which can be made here.
Saturday, March 30
Plymouth library hosts the Discovery Channel’s Ronny LeBlanc in a program called “Paranormal Hot Spots,” focused on areas throughout the United States that seem to attract UFOs, Bigfoot, and other paranormal anomalies. The program is intended for ages 12-18 and takes place in the Fehlow meeting room from 4 to 5 p.m. Registration is required here.
Plimoth General Store, 44 Main St., hosts an Easter Cookie Decorating Class, plus an Easter Bunny visit, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. A combination admission for one adult and one child costs $25 and is available here.
Dawna Hammers brings her “Back to the Garden” Joni Mitchell Tribute to the Spire Center from 8 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $27 and $30 and are available here.
Sunday, March 31
It’s Easter Sunday. The Church of the Pilgrimage, 8 Town Square, conducts a service from 10 to 11 a.m. Christ Church Parish, 149 Court St., holds services at 8 and 10 a.m. and an easter egg hunt at 11:30 a.m. The Second Church of Plymouth, 518 State Road, holds a Sunrise Service at 6:20 a.m. at Cleft Rock, followed by a continental breakfast at the Second Church, and a worship service at 10 a.m. Coffee and light refreshments following the service. To see a fuller listing of Easter services offered by Plymouth churches go here.
On a more mundane note, it’s the end of free parking in town until December. The Plymouth Growth and Development Corporation recommends downloading its bulletin on public parking locations here.
Monday, April 1
A map of hiking trails in Myles Standish State Forest is available at the forest headquarters, a six-mile drive from the park’s Long Pond Road entrance. The map shows five easily accessible hiking trails, plus 15 miles of paved bike trails through the forest.
Uva Wine Bar, 46 Main St., offers “Murder Mystery Night,” dinner theater from 7 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $58 and are available here.
Tuesday, April 2
The Plymouth Area Chamber of Commerce’s “Local Eats Week” offers specials and special menus in Plymouth center and waterfront restaurants for $20.24. Some other local restaurants may also be offering promotions. For details, visit the Chamber’s website.
The Plymouth Library hosts curator Paula Johnson as she discusses the book “Smithsonian American Table: The Foods, People, and Innovations That Feed Us.” The book is a fresh look at some of the people, ingredients, events, and movements that have shaped how and what we eat. The online talk takes place from 2 to 3 p.m. The event URL is here.
Untold Brewing Plymouth, 2 Loring Blvd., hosts a Tuesday trivia night from 6 to 8 p.m.
Wednesday, April 3
It’s one of those mystical half days in the public schools. On every half-day of school, the Manomet library offers a Nintendo Switch set-up for local co-op games such as Mario Kart, Overcooked, and Rayman Legends for multiplayer participation. No registration required, so feel free to drop in or out of the game any time between 1 and 3 p.m. Snacks are provided.
From 6 to 7:30 p.m., the Plymouth library’s Reclaiming Folk Event Series will present Naomi Westwater, event creator, a queer, Black-multiracial singer-songwriter whose work combines folk music, poetry, and spirituality. Registration is required and available here.
Surfside Smokehouse, 14 Union St., offers live comedy from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 and available here.
Thursday, April 4
The Kareem Sanjaghi Band featuring Ann Austin performs at The Spire from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $15, and are available here.
Comedian Casey Crawford performs at Proof 22 restaurant, 22 Main St., from 7 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $10 and are available here.
Plymouth library presents Kelly McCarthy, author of “Brass Ring Memoirs,” who will speak on Alzheimer’s and dementia education and the importance of a person-centered approach to care. The event takes place from 2 to 5 p.m. Attendees will receive a copy of “Brass Ring Memoirs” and dinner for two. This program is presented by Stafford Hill. You can register here.
Friday, April 5
Plymouth Memorial Hall, 83 Court Street, presents “The Sixties Show,” a full multi-media, Broadway type production dramatized by a combination of time travel special effects, narration, 1960’s archival audio and newsreel footage, and a light show. It begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $29 and can be purchased here.
Comedian Harrison Stebbins, who recently won the Sam Adam’s Best of Boston comedy competition, performs a The Spire from 8 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $20 and Available here.
Saturday, April 6
The Plymouth Antiquarian Society and Pilgrim Hall Museum continue their partnership in a series of free public tours of Plymouth’s historic Burial Hill. The two historical organizations offer thematic tours of Plymouth’s ancient burying ground on the first Saturday of each month from February through December. Historian Stephen O’Neill will lead a tour on the theme of “Veterans of the Revolution” beginning at the top of the hill at 1 p.m. and lasting approximately one hour. For more information, visit Pilgrim Hall’s website.
Jon Butcher Axis, fronted by Grammy nominated guitarist Jon Butcher, and backed by bandmates Chris Martin on bass and Marty Richards (drums), performs at The Spire at 8 p.m. Tickets are $27 and $30 and are available here.
Sunday, April 7
Miriam O’Neal, Plymouth’s new Poet Laureate and Stephan Delbos, Plymouth’s first Poet Laureate will read from their work from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Plymouth Center for the Arts, 11 North St. The ongoing monthly “Poetry: The Art of Words” series is free.
The Sunday Funday Residency at the Spire, with South Shore roots rock band The Shady Roosters, presented by IndieFerm Brewing, has been extended into May. Together for some 25 years, mainly under the name Lonesome Jukebox, they perform a mix of rockabilly, blues, roots, and country with some original tunes that evoke the ’50s and ’60s. The band plays from 2 to 5 p.m. Tickets are sold at door, cash only.