April 2026 SOCO Magazine

Reflecting on What Makes Spring Special

It Starts With Long Walks, Bushels of Flowers & Colorful Sunsets But, There’s Much More To Appreciate

WESTPORT $2,295,000

Acoaxet!!! This spectacular shingled home offers four bedrooms and custom details throughout! Fabulous chef's kitchen, open floor plan, finished basement.

Contact Will Milbury at 508 525 5200

NEW

WESTPORT $1,995,000

Spectacular Westport Point Coastal Colonial offers four bedrooms, five baths with fabulous guest cottage and deeded water access!

Contact Will Milbury 508 525 5200

MATTAPOISETT $1,295,000

WESTPORT $2,595,000

Enjoy Westport perfection with water views from nearly every room of this spacious home with expansive waterside decks, set on 1 5 acres in the Acoaxet area

Contact Sarah Meehan 508.685.8926

Located in the Bay Club, an exclusive gated golf and country club community, this newer construction 3-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom Executive Ranch home boasts many upgrades

Contact Sarah Korolnek 774 644 9156

WESTPORT $1,795,000

Experience country coastal living in this four-bedroom gem set on 1 5 acres along the Westport River.

Contact Tom Chace 401.965.3259 or Sarah Meehan 508 685 8926

SOUTH DARTMOUTH $959,000

Enjoy refined coastal living in this beautifully updated three-bedroom, 3 5-bath Hidden Bay condominium end unit Amenities include pool, beach, tennis. Contact Sarah Meehan 508 685 8926

BARNSTABLE $1,175,000

Rarely available four-bedroom, threebath Cape on nearly an acre, at the end of a dead-end, set just one mile from charming Barnstable Village

Contact Sarah Meehan 508 685 8926

SOUTH DARTMOUTH $599,000

Charming, two-bedroom country home featuring an updated kitchen and bath situated on 1.39 acres with a multipurpose barn.

Contact Sarah Korolnek 774 644 9156

C e l e b r a t i n g 4 6 y e a r s o f E x c e l l e n c e !

v a l u e s t h a t h a v e m a d e M i l b u r y a n d C o m p a n y t h e

l e a d i n g b r o k e r a g e o f d i s t i n c t i v e S o u t h C o a s t p r o p e r t i e s

W i l l M i l b u r y , B r o k e r / O w n e r i s e x c i t e d t o c e l e b r a t e t h i s a n n i v e r s a r y y e a r .

“ A s a y o u n g , e a g e r a g e n t , I f o u n d m y p a s s i o n f o r r e a l e s t a t e i n t h e B a c k

B a y / B e a c o n H i l l r e a l e s t a t e m a r k e t . N o w , n e a r l y 5 0 y e a r s l a t e r , m y p a s s i o n

h a s n ’ t w a v e r e d . I l o v e w h a t I d o a n d I l o o k f o r w a r d t o w o r k i n g m a n y m o r e

y e a r s a n d c o n t i n u i n g t o g r o w M i l b u r y a n d C o m p a n y ! F r o m B o s t o n t o C a p e

C o d t o t h e R h o d e I s l a n d c o a s t a l v i l l a g e s , t h e r e ’ s s o m e t h i n g t o l o v e a b o u t

e v e r y c o m m u n i t y w e s e r v e ! ”

Meet the rest of the The Milbury and Company Team

Embracing the Seasonal Shift

As the winter chill begins to subside and the first signs of spring emerge, the arrival of April is eagerly anticipated. While the month is known for its unpredictable showers, the promise of vibrant sunshine and lush, blooming gardens that follow, offers a true delight for the senses.

In a world often defined by uncertainty, the changing seasons provide a reassuring constant— one that can profoundly influence emotional well-being and shape a more optimistic outlook. April, in particular, holds a special significance, representing renewal, rejuvenation, and an opportunity to reconnect with the natural beauty that surrounds us.

The transition from winter to spring is a remarkable phenomenon; a shedding of the past opens the door to new possibilities. As the earth awakens from its slumber, so too does the human spirit—inspired to explore, reinvent, and rediscover joy in the simple pleasures.

April is also a time of reflection and gratitude—a moment to appreciate the resilience of nature and the cyclical rhythm of life. Despite occasional showers, the certainty that sunlight will soon break through offers comfort. It serves as a reminder that even amid adversity, hope persists, and the beauty that follows is often more striking for having endured the storm.

Within the luxury sector, the arrival of spring consistently sparks renewed energy and engagement among clients and partners alike. The season encourages a return to the outdoors, an

appreciation for seasonal abundance, and a reconnection with the natural world that can feel distant during winter.

From seaside picnics to wine tastings in sun-dappled vineyards, or quiet walks through parks, April presents a plethora of opportunities to savor life’s finer moments. For those operating within the luxury space, it also offers a unique opportunity to curate experiences that capture the essence of the season—elevated, immersive, and deeply connected to nature.

As the seasons shift, April stands as a reminder of renewal and possibility.

While the month is unpredictable, its temperament can also be reframed as moments of pause and reflection. The gentle rhythm of rain against the window, the fresh scent of earth after a downpour, and the vivid, emerging colors reveal a quieter, more contemplative form of beauty.

Whether through bespoke garden gatherings, refined wellness retreats, or thoughtfully designed culinary experiences, the season invites innovation and creativity. In an evolving luxury landscape, true value lies not solely in exclusivity or cost, but in the ability to foster meaningful connections—to nature, to experiences, and to a deeper sense of appreciation.

As the seasons shift, April stands as a reminder of renewal and possibility. Amid the anticipated showers, sunshine will arrive— along with the splendor of revived landscapes, a testament to the organic beauty of the natural world. H

C-SUITE PERSPECTIVE

The Beauty of Spring. Welcoming the season of renewal and rejuvenation.

IMPRESSIONS

LOL! A look back at how we learned.

18

SEASONS

Colors of spring. Blooming daffodils, green lawns, and trees showing red buds are hints that summer is close by.

24 INTIMACY

Unpacking the difficulty of finding and staying in a pleasurable relationship. According to Psychiatrist, Dr. Loren Olson, “We have a chronological age, a psychological age, a physical age, and a sexual age. Age-gap couples are frequently compatible in the last three.” Based on this insight, it seems the only question left is, “How do you match up with your partner?”

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IN THE NEWS

Passing the torch and planning for the future. BayCoast Bank releases an important announcement.

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32 INSIGHT

Anxiety, it captures me…Trying to change the past and worrying about the future clouds the importance of living in the present. We explain.

LIVING WELL

Sushi is still shi-shi—but! We delve into the “Raw Truth” about eating raw seafood and the possible illnesses associated with contamination when it is improperly harvested or stored. It’s a must-read.

38 CAPITAL

Up, Up, And Away! This month, we take a second look at how air taxis are making remarkable strides toward approval, which will lift you and your portfolio to dizzying heights.

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HISTORY

The ‘Village.’ A special contribution from someone who was there.

Learn what South Dartmouth’s Padanaram was really like when it was truly ‘chill’ and authentic.

When readers turn to our pages, they aren’t just browsing—they’re enjoying ‘me-time’ while discovering the neighborhood and the world around them.

Uniquely, your advertising message becomes part of a curated experience that our readers trust, revisit, and share with friends and family.

Our tasteful ads don’t interrupt the conversation — they become part of it, never forgotten.

See what shining a light on your business can do for its image. Contact NEMEDIA@earthlink.net.

History continues to be made

The stock market recently created a milestone when the Dow hit 50,000! A feat few could have predicted, certainly not the founders of ‘The Buttonwood Agreement, which was signed and dated on May 17, 1792, under a Buttonwood tree in New York City. It was one of the financial industry’s most relevant acts, signaling the birth of the New York Stock Exchange, at 68 Wall Street.

We are honored to present this significant and well-preserved object

for your consideration. A remarkable supplement to your favorite investor’s office décor, its historical significance will add considerable decorative value to any space while sparking intriguing conversations.

The large safe deposit box has undergone refinishing; still, it’s exterior alludes to the initial use of securing space in a fortified location for “the rich and famous to hide their valuables” while traveling during the early days of the ‘Industrial Revolution.’

Documents have determined that in 1861, Francis Jenks created the first building with a steel vault in Lower

Manhattan, offering access to 500 safe deposit boxes for new clients.

The beautiful old paint has preserved the metal exterior, leaving it in a remarkable condition. The original locking mechanism is intact, but the key is absent, leaving the box locked with a mystery.

Magnificently detailed, an embellishment, ‘The Buttonwood Club.’ shows significant age due to the handcrafted lettering technique. The preserved item was found in Westport, Connecticut, a tony suburb of NYC.

Price upon request.

COTUIT $12,500,000

Exquisite waterfront estate on Cotuit Bay featuring a seven-bedroom residence with a swimming pool, deep-water dock, and sandy beach.

SOUTH CHATHAM $5,250,000

Sprawling six-bedroom retreat with custom design, heated saltwater pool, three distinct bedroom wings.

EAST FALMOUTH $1,098,000

Newly constructed Cape-style home offers modern luxury, three spacious bedrooms and private backyard.

MARION $3,600,000

Stunning waterfront home on 4.5 acres with dock and boat house access.

PROVINCETOWN $939,000

Brand new construction townhouse offers style & functionality. Less than a mile to Commercial Street.

$2,075,000

Exquisite custom five-bedroom home set on 32+ breathtaking acres of serene beauty.

PLYMOUTH $499,900

Charming Townhouse located directly on Clear Pond with outstanding views and direct beach access.

BY PEET NOURJIAN

WHEN WE WERE YOUNG AND NOT THAT BRIGHT BEFORE WE LEARNED TO READ AND WRITE THE ONLY PASTIME WORTH A LOOK WERE PAGES IN A COMIC BOOK

AT DRUG STORE COUNTERS KIDS WOULD STARE INTO THE ART THAT FILLED EACH SQUARE A WORDLESS REALM FOR OUR ESCAPE IMAGINATIONS TAKING SHAPE

IN TIME BECAUSE OF DICK & JANE VOCABULARY FILLED OUR BRAIN GOODBYE PICTURES THAT WOWED OUR EYES HELLO HOMEWORK, A RUDE SURPRISE

YEARS LATER WORDS STILL CAUSE DISTRESS LANGUAGE FUELING THIS WORLDWIDE MESS LIES ARE TOLD, PROMISES BROKEN HURTFUL, RACIST THREATS ARE SPOKEN

QUICK ESCAPE UP TO THE ATTIC THROUGH OLD BOXES, I’M ECSTATIC POUR MYSELF A WINE GLASS OF RED HANGING WITH ARCHIE & JUGHEAD H

Waterfront Elegance In Marion, Massachusetts

Exclusively offered at $4,950,000

Welcome to Marion’s Converse Point, an exclusive waterfront enclave on Buzzards Bay. Set on 2.76 acres, this 5,030 sq ft residence offers breathtaking views of Buzzards Bay and effortless coastal living. Built in 2012 and impeccably maintained, this home features 5 bed rooms, 4.5 baths, an elevator, and multiple decks showcasing the sweeping views. The chef’s kitchen features premium appliances and custom cabinetry, flowing to sunlit living spaces ideal for entertaining. The primary suite blends modern luxury with timeless design, featuring a spa-like custom bath with a soaking tub, oversized shower, double vanity, and walk-in closet. Outside, enjoy a heated swimming pool, hot tub, and fully equipped pool cabana. Enjoy access to the association tennis court, beach, and deep-water dock on Buzzard’s Bay. This stunning property truly defines waterfront elegance in Marion’s most exclusive community.

Caregiver Payments

Caring for someone at home? You may qualify for a monthly payment.

• Not be the legal guardian or legally married to the person being cared for

• Provide necessary medical care and assistance that meets the needs of the person they care for

For your family member or loved one to qualify for Mass Care Link services, they must meet these eligibility points:

• Be 16 years of age or older

• Be approved for MassHealth insurance

• Live with the primary caregiver in the same home

• Require supervision and cueing, or physical assistance daily with at least one of the following needs: bathing, toileting, ambulation, transferring, eating, and/or dressing.

If this sounds attractive and meets your level of interest, contact us today for additional information or to schedule an appointment.

Mass Care Link, Inc.

99 South Main Street, Fall River, Massachusetts 02721 Hablamos Español | Falamos Português call for more information or visit us online at:

| SEASONS |

Daffodils & Daffiness

SPRING’S GOLDEN CELEBRATIONS ACROSS COASTAL NEW ENGLAND

BY CATHERINE HILDEBRAND

There is a morning each year in New England when the landscape quietly changes. Winter hasn’t entirely withdrawn— there may still be a bite to the wind, and the Atlantic often retains its cold steel color—but something softer begins to move through the air. Sunlight lingers longer along harbor walls. Café doors remain open an extra hour. People who have spent months moving quickly between doorways are now beginning to slow their pace and moving to the out-of-doors. And then the daffodils appear.

At first, they arrive modestly: a cluster beside a stone wall, a patch of yellow brightening the edge of a park. Then, within days, they seem to multiply everywhere—spilling across lawns, lining seaside paths, and appearing unexpectedly beside historic homes and quiet village lanes. For New Englanders, these flowers are more than decoration; they signal a cheerful punctuation, announcing that winter’s gray chapter has ended.

Across coastal Massachusetts and Rhode Island, communities have learned to celebrate that moment. Some do so exuberantly— with festivals and parades, while others mark the season more quietly with gardens and harbor walks where thousands of blooms sway gently in the ocean breeze. For travelers who prefer experiences that feel intentional rather than hurried—those who seek beauty, heritage, and atmosphere—the daffodil season offers one of the most charming ways to explore New England in the spring.

But, despite how naturally they seem to belong here, daffodils are not native to New England. Their story begins much farther away in the meadows of southern Europe and along the Mediterranean coast. Wild varieties of narcissus grew in rocky soils where cool winters and bright springs suited them perfectly. By the 17th century, the flower had become beloved throughout England and the Netherlands, prized for returning each year just as winter loosened its grip.

When colonists crossed the Atlantic, they brought the bulbs with them, planting them beside churches, along walkways,

and around early homes. The flowers adapted easily to the New England climate—and they multiplied.

Daffodils have a quiet talent for persistence. Each bulb divides underground, creating new bulbs season after season. A small planting eventually spreads outward until entire lawns or hillsides are filled with yellow blooms. Many of the daffodils seen today beside historic homes and seaside towns are the descendants of bulbs planted decades—sometimes generations ago.

Their reliability made them especially popular around the grand estates and coastal homes built in the 19th century. Garden designers favored daffodils because they naturalized beautifully in open lawns and woodland edges, returning every spring with almost no maintenance. They also possess a practical advantage: deer and other wildlife rarely eat them, allowing plantings to flourish year after year.

The flower also carried a symbolic meaning. During the Victorian era, when flower language influenced gardens and bouquets alike, daffodils came to represent renewal, regard, and the promise of new beginnings. It is easy to see why that symbolism resonated in northern climates where winter could feel endless.

Gardeners often joke that the daffodil is the optimist of the garden. It blooms early, sometimes pushing through soil when winter has barely finished, swaying cheerfully in the cold breeze as if unconcerned by lingering frost. Communities across New England seem to share those same beliefs.

If one place captures the joy of daffodil season perfectly, it is Nantucket.

The island’s annual Daffodil Festival, typically held in late April, transforms the quiet early-season island into a cheerful celebration of flowers, creativity, and community. By the time the festival arrives, millions of daffodils have begun blooming across the island—along bike paths, around weathered cedarshingled cottages, and in open fields where the Atlantic breeze gently bends their bright yellow heads.

The festival’s most beloved tradition is the Antique Car Parade. Vintage automobiles roll slowly through the cobblestone streets of Nantucket, decorated in elaborate arrangements of daffodils. Some cars are modestly adorned; others are transformed into rolling gardens, their chrome and polished wood framed by thousands of bright blossoms.

Spectators gather along the parade route as the joyful procession winds its way towards Siasconset. Here, the celebration shifts into a sprawling seaside picnic. Blankets appear across grassy lawns overlooking the ocean, wicker baskets reveal carefully packed lunches, and the first truly warm afternoon of the season stretches comfortably into the evening.

Elsewhere on the island, children ride decorated bicycles through the harborfront streets in the Children’s Bike Parade, and locals participate in the delightfully imaginative Daffy Hat Pageant, crafting floral headpieces that range from elegant to delightfully eccentric. Between events, visitors wander cobblestone streets, browse boutiques reopening for the season, and pause along the harbor where daffodils brighten nearly every corner.

Location: Nantucket, Massachusetts

Event: Nantucket Daffodil Festival 2026

Dates: April 23–26

Cost: Many events are free; select ticketed events typically $10–$50

Trip Style: Best enjoyed as a weekend getaway, there’s too much to see and do in a single day

While Nantucket celebrates the daffodil exuberantly, Newport greets the flower with a certain coastal elegance.

Each April, more than a million daffodils bloom across the city as part of Newport Daffodil Days, transforming parks, boulevards, and seaside paths into long ribbons of yellow.

The tradition began decades ago as a civic effort to brighten the city after winter. Volunteers planted bulbs along sidewalks, around public buildings, and throughout public parks. Over time, those modest plantings multiplied into sweeping displays that now appear throughout ‘The City by the Sea.’ One of the most impressive displays unfolds at Miantonomi Park, where thousands of daffodils spill across a hillside overlooking Newport. During early spring mornings, the scene is especially luminous; sunlight filters through rows of blooms while the harbor below slowly awakens.

Another memorable stroll follows the famed Cliff Walk, where daffodils bloom beside stone paths overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Waves crash against the rocks below the path, while the grand mansions of Bellevue Avenue tower above the shoreline. The contrast between rugged coastline and delicate flowers feels distinctly Newport.

Throughout April, the city embraces the season in subtle ways. Shops decorate their windows, cyclists participate in the cheerful Daffy Ride, and visitors wander through streets glowing with spring color. Newport rewards the curious traveler who takes time to explore; around nearly every corner, another hillside seems to have turned yellow.

Location: Newport, Rhode Island

Event: Newport Daffodil Days

Season: April 1–30

Cost: Free to explore parks and public displays

Trip Style: Ideal for a day trip or overnight coastal stay

For travelers who prefer a quieter encounter with spring, the daffodils at Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum in Bristol offer one of the most refined displays in the region.

Set along the gentle shoreline of Narragansett Bay, the historic estate feels almost cinematic in early spring. As the gardens awaken from winter dormancy, tens of thousands of daffodils begin to bloom across lawns and woodland paths.

Visitors wander beneath towering trees while the bay glimmers in the distance. The flowers appear in thoughtful clusters—lining pathways, framing garden beds, and glowing in open fields of green. Because Blithewold plants early-, mid-, and late-season varieties of daffodils, the blooming display unfolds gradually over several weeks.

The experience encourages a slower pace. An afternoon walk becomes a quiet ritual: a winding path, the sound of water along the shore, and a hillside softly glowing with yellow blooms. But don’t leave too early. This trip must include a walking tour through Bristol proper. There’s so much history and many points of interest that will complete your journey.

Location: Bristol, Rhode Island

Venue: Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum

Bloom Season: Early April–Early May

Admission: Approximately $20 adults

Trip Style: Excellent day trip from Boston, Providence, or the SouthCoast

Boston may be known for brick streets and historic architecture, but when spring arrives, the city’s parks transform the atmosphere.

In the Boston Public Garden, daffodils bloom beside winding pathways and around the lagoon where the iconic Swan Boats soon return to the water. Office workers stroll through the park during lunch breaks. Students gather beneath budding trees. Visitors pause to photograph the early flowers reflected in the water.

A few miles away, the Arnold Arboretum offers a quieter landscape. Rolling hills and winding paths host early bulbs before the Arboretum’s famous lilacs bloom later in May. Walking through the Arboretum in April feels almost like leaving the city behind.

Location: Boston, Massachusetts

Best Viewing: Boston Public Garden, Arnold Arboretum

Bloom Season: Early April–Late April

Admission: Free

Trip Style: Ideal addition to a day exploring the city

On Martha’s Vineyard, daffodils arrive without ceremony; no large festivals or parades announce their return. Instead, the flowers appear quietly along village roads, in garden beds beside weathered fences, and around historic homes.

In Edgartown, they brighten white picket fences and seacaptain houses. Over in Vineyard Haven, they dot streets where shops reopen after winter. Spring on the Vineyard moves slowly. Ferries arrive without the crowds of summer, and the island feels peaceful enough that visitors can notice small details—the sound of bicycles passing, the scent of salt air, and the glow of flowers against gray shingle cottages.

Location: Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts

Best Areas: Edgartown, Vineyard Haven, West Tisbury

Bloom Season: Early April–Early May

Cost: Free to explore public areas

Trip Style: Day trip by ferry or a relaxed weekend retreat

As mentioned, the daffodil season usually runs from early April to early May across southern New England. Those willing to follow the blooms can create a lovely spring journey to take in the individual similarities and distinctions.

Begin in Newport among the hillsides of yellow overlooking the sea. Continue to Bristol for a garden walk beside Narragansett Bay. Spend a festive weekend on Nantucket or take a slower ferry ride to Martha’s Vineyard, where the flowers appear quietly along village lanes. If you find yourself in Boston, slow your workday to a crawl and enjoy the enchantment of the Public Garden in full display of this enchanting flower.

Every destination celebrates the daffodil differently. Yet everywhere the message remains the same: winter has passed, the gardens are waking, and across coastal New England the hillsides are turning gold once again. H

Why Finding Someone Feels Nearly Impossible

AND WHAT YOU CAN DO TO ACHIEVE SUCCESS

BY STEVEN CHAN

Forty years ago, you met someone at church, through a neighbor, or across a crowded office. Today, you meet them—if you meet them at all—through a glowing rectangle after swiping past 300 or more faces. Meeting a possible partner has gone sideways. But don’t despair, we believe we have the fix.

37% of U.S. adults have used a dating app (SSRS, 2024)

52M Americans actively struggling with loneliness (Gallup, 2024)

27% of engaged couples met online—now the #1 method (The Knot, 2024)

39% have dated someone 10+ years older or younger (Ipsos, 2024)

Let us begin with a confession that most people between the ages of 18 and 65 will recognize immediately: finding a genuine romantic partner in the 21st century is, by nearly every measure, harder than it has ever been. Not because people have become less lovable, and certainly not because the desire for lasting companionship has dimmed. It is an enormous task because the landscape itself has been quietly, methodically upended—by technology, by shifting life timelines, by the accumulated weight of previous relationships, and by a collective loneliness that now carries the grim endorsement of a Surgeon General’s advisory. These words are not a lament, but instead a map. And properly read maps are tremendously useful guides.

THE SWIPE ECONOMY, AND WHY IT LEAVES EVERYONE FEELING BROKE

Dating apps were supposed to make romance efficient. In theory, a single person in Tulsa could connect with their ideal partner in Toledo before breakfast. In practice, according to a 2024 SSRS survey of more than two thousand adults, only 41 percent of app users describe the experience as positive. Nearly a third call it actively negative. The remainder shrugs with the glazed resignation of someone who has spent three hours in an airport food court. The problem many face is architectural. Apps are engineered for engagement, not attachment. Every new profile is a dopamine nudge; every notification is a small, electric promise. Stanford sociologist Michael Rosenfield, studying how couples meet, was struck by how thoroughly digital platforms have displaced friends as the primary matchmakers in American life—a role human beings performed for tens of thousands of years before Silicon Valley decided to monetize the human process. The result is paradoxical: more options have produced less commitment, not more.

Younger adults between 18 and 29 dive deepest into this pool—56 percent have used a dating platform, per SSRS—with the highest expectations and, frequently, the most bruising outcomes. The paradox of choice, a concept psychologist Barry Schwartz described two decades ago, has never had a more fitting real-world laboratory. When the next option is always one swipe away, the present option becomes disposable. Satisfaction requires settling, and as we all recognize, settling feels like surrender. It’s not a character flaw; rather, it’s math behaving badly.

WHEN LIFE STAGES SPEAK DIFFERENT LANGUAGES

Adults in their thirties and forties face a challenge with a different flavor entirely. By that point, the existential questions are no longer abstract: Do you want children, or have you already raised them? Are you building a career or preparing to slow one down? Is Friday night a dinner party or a school play? These are not small misalignments. They are tectonic.

Licensed mental health counselor GinaMarie Guarino, founder of PsychPoint, puts it plainly: the bigger the gap between partners—whether in age, life stage, or priorities—the more likely the relationship is to encounter phase-of-life friction. Such facts hold whether the divide involves a decade in birth years or simply a decade’s worth of divergent experience accumulated along entirely different paths.

Such a large claim is a lot to unpack, so hang on, we’ve got you.

“I was surprised at how much online dating has displaced the help of friends in meeting a romantic partner.”

—Michael Rosenfield, Stanford University sociologist, cited in The Knot’s 2024 Annual Survey

Middle-aged singles, roughly 35 to 55, contend with what might charitably be called a full deck of complicating cards: careers at peak intensity, aging parents needing attention, children from prior relationships, and financial obligations that make spontaneity a scheduling challenge. None of this is insurmountable. But pretending it is irrelevant is the kind of romantic optimism that makes for charming novels and difficult Tuesday evenings.

UNPACKING THE SUITCASE IS EXACTLY WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE

By the time many adults reach their forties, they carry what therapists euphemistically call relationship history and what everyone else calls baggage or, in special cases, trauma. A previous marriage, painful divorce, or children who arrive with their own loyalties, schedules, and carefully formed opinions about whether a new person deserves a seat at Thanksgiving. Grief, in some cases, from the loss of a spouse, is a wound that research consistently identifies as among the most disorienting feelings a person can experience, and it is usually a significant challenge.

According to the National Academies of Sciences, social isolation—a frequent companion to divorce and bereavement— increases the risk of premature death from all causes at a rate comparable to smoking. It is associated with a 50 percent higher risk of dementia, a 29 percent greater likelihood of heart disease, and a 32 percent elevated risk of stroke. The Surgeon General declared loneliness a public health epidemic in 2023. Gallup’s 2024 tracking data estimated that roughly 52 million Americans were actively grappling with these ailments.

For adults in this position, the barriers to forming new connections are not merely practical; they are neurological. Fear of vulnerability—the reluctance to open fully after being broken is not weakness, it is the brain’s entirely reasonable attempt at selfpreservation. The challenge is persuading a capable brain that the past need not be the prologue.

THE AGE-GAP QUESTION: JUDGED BEFORE IT BEGINS

Few romantic configurations attract as much unsolicited public commentary as a relationship with a notable age difference. The eyebrows go up; the assumptions arrive uninvited. Yet the data tells a more nuanced story than cocktail-party consensus suggests.

A 2024 Ipsos poll of more than 1,200 adults found that nearly 39 percent had dated someone with a decade or more of age difference. Among those respondents, the majority reported positive experiences across measures of satisfaction, enjoyment, and overall relationship quality. The perceived benefits split neatly by direction: those who partnered with someone younger cited physical vitality and openmindedness; those who chose an older partner pointed to emotional steadiness and financial security. Fifty percent of younger adults in the survey noted professional advancement as a benefit of pairing with someone older. As a pragmatic calculation, it tends to raise eyebrows in some quarters while being perfectly common in others. (But remember, our culture supports ‘no-judgement,’ meaning that opinions should be kept out of sight and never spoken aloud).

Genuine goals and personal issues are equally concrete. Wanting different things out of life ranks as the primary obstacle for couples navigating a considerable agegap, according to the same Ipsos research. A desire for children on one side and a completed family on the other is not

a philosophical disagreement. It’s a fork in the road. Concerns about family and friend judgments scored by 23 percent of adults aged 18 to 34, diminished with age, dropping to just 7 percent among those 55 and older. Maturity, it turns out, includes not caring what others think about your decisions.

Research from Australia’s Household, Income and Labor Dynamics study, which tracked nearly 20,000 individuals across 13 years, found that large age-gap couples begin on roughly equal footing with sameage pairs—but that contentment tends to diverge over time. Economics professor, Terra McKinnish noted that women reported higher satisfaction when paired with a younger partner and considerably less when the dynamic reversed. Longevity research from Denmark adds another dimension: men with younger wives showed modestly reduced mortality risk, while the same pattern did not hold for women with older husbands.

None of this renders age-gap relationships inadvisable. Psychiatrist Dr. Loren Olson, who has been married for 35 years to a man 15 years his junior, makes the point with characteristic precision: the only occasion age became a tangible issue between them was deciding when to retire. For couples who share psychological and emotional alignment, the calendar year of one’s birth is often the least interesting data point in the room.

“Most couples I know say they feel the same age. We have a chronological age, a psychological age, a physical age, and a sexual age. Age-gap couples are frequently compatible in the last three.”

—Dr. Loren Olson, Psychiatrist, Des Moines, Iowa, via PsychCentral cited in The Knot’s 2024 Annual Survey

THE SHRINKING CIRCLE, AND THE COURAGE TO WIDEN IT

Adults over 55 face a dating landscape altered by biology as much as by circumstance. Social circles contract as careers wind down, acquaintances scatter, and the gentle arithmetic of mortality begins to assert itself. University of Michigan polling of adults aged 50 to 80 found that roughly a third reported feeling a persistent lack of companionship as recently as 2024—a figure that held remarkably steady across the pandemic years and their aftermath.

Physical health adds complexity without cruelty. Mobility limitations, chronic conditions, and the cognitive shifts that accompany aging can make the exposure required by a new romance feel uninviting at precisely the moment it matters most. Yet research published in the NIH journal PMC is unambiguous: the health risks of sustained social isolation rival those of smoking 15 cigarettes daily. Loneliness is not merely uncomfortable. It is, by the available medical evidence, dangerous.

The practical path forward for this demographic begins with rebuilding social infrastructure before the search for a partner starts in earnest. Volunteer organizations, faith communities, hobby groups, and alumni networks do not deliver love on a schedule, but they restore the conditions that make meaningful encounters possible. One does not stumble into genuine connection; it takes creating the circumstances for its birth.

FIVE THINGS THAT MOVE THE NEEDLE

Get honest about what you require versus what you prefer. Non-negotiable values, shared faith, a commitment to family, and financial responsibility are worth holding firm on. A preference for someone who enjoys jazz and despises cilantro is a filter worth relaxing. The inability to distinguish between the two is among the most efficient ways to spend the next decade alone and perplexed. Treat the apps as one tool, not the entire toolbox. Pew Research confirms that online platforms now generate more introductions than any other single method. But 73 percent of heavy social media users report feeling lonely—compared to 52 percent of light users—suggesting that digital immersion and authentic connection are distinct experiences. Use the apps, join a club, attend events, and accept the dinner invitation from the friend who swears her colleague would be perfect for you. Your future partner may be one degree of separation from someone you already know.

It’s vital to address the baggage; don’t redistribute it. Therapy is not an admission of damage; rather, it’s maintenance on the most complicated machinery you own. Adults who enter new relationships carrying unprocessed grief or unexamined patterns do not leave those things at the door—they introduce them,

usually at the worst possible moment, to someone who did not sign up to receive them. Time spent working through old pain is not a detour from finding love. For many people, it’s the prerequisite. Expand your definition of compatible. The person who checks every box on a list composed in your thirties may bear little resemblance to the one who actually makes your life richer. Compatibility is less a menu and more a conversation—ongoing, surprising, and occasionally inconvenient. Some of the most enduring partnerships are built between people who would never have matched on paper, knew it, and chose each other anyway.

Leave the armor in the closet. Vulnerability is the entry fee for genuine connection; it’s a price that feels unconscionably steep to anyone who has paid it and been disappointed before. But as attachment research consistently demonstrates, the absence of openness does not protect a person from heartache. Instead, it guarantees a different variety: the quiet, durable ache of never having tried.

“Compatibility is less a menu and more a conversation— ongoing, surprising, and occasionally inconvenient.”

The search for a partner has always involved uncertainty, misdirection, and at least one inexplicable attachment to someone entirely wrong for you. What has changed is the context—noisier, faster, more transactional, and lonelier by official government decree. What has not changed is the fundamental human need that drives the search in the first place.

Such a need is not naive, and it’s not a weakness. According to volumes of research, one of the most powerful predictors of a long, healthy, and meaningful life is companionship. The people who find lasting partnerships are rarely the ones who wanted it less urgently or needed it less deeply. They are, almost invariably, the ones who kept showing up— honestly, thoughtfully, and with enough self-knowledge to recognize the right person when they finally appeared.

The task at hand is not impossible to achieve, but it requires participation and patience. H

Sources: SSRS Opinion Panel Omnibus (Jan. 2024); Pew Research Center (2023); The Knot Annual Newlywed Survey (2024); Ipsos/Cougar Life Poll (Feb. 2024); Gallup Panel Survey (Aug.–Sept. 2024); National Academies of Sciences, Engineering & Medicine; University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging (2024); PMC/NIH Loneliness Epidemic Review (2023); PsychCentral / Dr. Loren Olson; GinaMarie Guarino, PsychPoint; Prof. Terra McKinnish, University of Colorado; Prof. Michael Rosenfield, Stanford University

BayCoast Bank Marks 175 Years with Historic Leadership Appointment

With a distinguished presence in the financial industry spanning more than 45 years, Nicholas M. Christ is widely recognized for his expertise, forward-thinking leadership, and strategic vision. His deep knowledge and steady oversight have helped shape BayCoast Bank’s reputation as a premier financial institution serving individuals and businesses throughout the South Coast of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Now, under his leadership, BayCoast Bank is making a historic announcement.

Marie Pellegrino has been named BayCoast’s new President, becoming the first woman in the Bank’s history to hold this esteemed position. Christ will continue in his role as Chief Executive Officer while also assuming the position of Chair of the Board.

Pellegrino, who previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, oversees the BayCoast organization and its comprehensive Family of Financial Solutions. In this role, she helps customers achieve their banking, lending, insurance, and wealth management goals through the Bank’s wholly owned subsidiaries: BayCoast Mortgage, BayCoast Insurance, Plimoth Investment Advisors, and Priority Funding.

She brings an exceptional record of experience, dedication, and leadership to her new role.

Pellegrino began her career in finance with a strong foundation in healthcare administration and accounting. In 2000, she transitioned into community banking as Accounting Manager at People’s Credit Union in Middletown, Rhode Island. This experience prepared her for her next role as Vice President and Controller at Newport Federal Savings Bank.

In 2013, she embraced a new opportunity by joining BayCoast Bank in Swansea, Massachusetts, where she has earned numerous promotions during her tenure.

A strong commitment to education complements her professional accomplishments. Pellegrino holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Providence College and is a graduate of the Massachusetts Bankers School of Financial Studies. She and her husband reside in South Easton, Massachusetts.

Nicholas M. Christ’s remarkable journey at BayCoast Bank spans numerous executive-level positions, culminating in his current roles as Chair of the Board and Chief Executive Officer.

Under his leadership, BayCoast Bank has grown from a $200 million institution—formerly Citizens-Union Savings Bank—into a $2.9 billion institution serving the region today.

Prior to joining BayCoast, Christ contributed his expertise to Dedham Institution for Savings and the Boston office of Wolf & Company. He earned his Bachelor’s degree from Boston College and later completed his MBA at Babson College.

Beyond his professional achievements, Christ is deeply committed to the communities BayCoast serves. A passionate advocate for education, he encourages the business community to take an active role in shaping opportunities for local students. He also supports numerous nonprofit organizations throughout the Fall River and New Bedford areas.

His board leadership extends across several regional and faithbased organizations, including the Bristol Community College Foundation Board of Directors, The Catholic Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts, the Diocese of Fall River School Board, the Durfee Hilltopper Athletic Foundation, and The Foundation to Advance Catholic Education (FACE). In addition, he serves on the Fall River Historical Society Steering Committee and the Diocese of Fall River Lumen Christi Cathedral Gala Committee.

Christ’s longstanding commitment to community engagement includes service to more than 70 local organizations and nonprofits, reflecting his enduring dedication to the region. His previous leadership roles include serving as an Advisory Board Member and Mentor for the SouthCoast Mentoring Initiative for Learning, Education & Service (SMILES). He has also served on the boards of the Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education (MBAE), SouthCoast Community Foundation, One SouthCoast Chamber, the Charlton College of Business Advisory Board, and the Kaput Center at UMass Dartmouth.

In addition, Christ provided impactful leadership to the United Way of Greater Fall River, serving as both a Board Member and Chairman, as well as to numerous other civic and philanthropic initiatives throughout his distinguished career.

ABOUT BAYCOAST BANK

Established in Tiverton, Rhode Island, in 1851, BayCoast Bank is celebrating 175 years as a trusted community financial institution.

Headquartered in Swansea, Massachusetts, BayCoast has earned a reputation for excellence by providing exceptional financial products and services to individuals and businesses throughout the South Coast of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The Bank currently operates 25 convenient branch locations and loan production offices, with additional locations planned.

BayCoast offers a comprehensive Family of Financial Solutions through its subsidiaries: BayCoast Mortgage, BayCoast Financial Services, BayCoast Insurance, Plimoth Investment Advisors, and Priority Funding. To learn more, visit BayCoast.Bank H

We are an established print publication with over 21 years of history, credibility, and readership. Our brand has deep roots, a loyal base, and a rich archive of content. We are now ready to expand globally through a structured, data-driven digital growth strategy.

The ideal candidate will be a capable Digital Growth Strategist to lead the transformation of our publication into a scalable digital media platform with an initial goal of reaching one million monthly views, subscribers, and engaged readers.

The position is not a basic social media role but a leadership opportunity to build and execute a comprehensive audience development system, with substantial financial rewards.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

n Develop and implement a full digital growth strategy

n Convert existing print and archive content into SEO-optimized web assets

n Build and scale an email newsletter system

n Design and execute multi-platform social distribution

n Create a content repurposing engine (article → video → short-form → email)

n Establish analytics dashboards and growth benchmarks

n Develop partnerships and sponsorship opportunities

n Implement paid promotion strategies when appropriate

IDEAL CANDIDATE:

n Proven experience growing online audiences (newsletter, YouTube, social media, or publication)

n Strong understanding of SEO and content marketing

n Experience with email marketing platforms and automation

n Comfortable using analytics to guide decisions

n Familiar with short-form video and digital trends

n Entrepreneurial mindset and long-term vision

This position is partnership-based, with performance incentives tied to audience growth and revenue milestones.

We are not looking for vanity metrics, but rather, a sustained, engaged readership and meaningful reach.

If you have successfully grown digital audiences and can demonstrate measurable results, we want to hear from you.

PLEASE SUBMIT TO NEMEDIA@EARTHLINK.NET

n Resume

n Portfolio or examples of growth results

n A short strategic outline explaining how you would approach scaling a legacy publication

NO WORRIES

Living In The Present Offers Perspective

BY STEVEN CHAN

There is a significant number of the population struggling with anxiety. For some, it’s due to intense efforts to predict outcomes and devise solutions to problems that haven’t yet played out. As for the others, rumination on past experiences, less-than-desirable outcomes, or on how they could have avoided traumatic situations through different choices, during post-evaluation, is virtually impossible to resolve or deliver a resolution.

Anxiety has become one of the most pervasive emotional challenges of modern life. You can see it in the tense shoulders of the commuter in the next seat, the restless scrolling of a friend seeking distraction, or the sleepless nights that come from the mind’s constant chatter. And all too often, due to vast viewers and enablers found on social media, the need for continuous validation forms a protective cloak capable of hiding insecurities intertwined with the repetitive internal voice whispering, “I’m not good enough.”

It is not just the mild flutter before a big meeting or the anticipatory worry of a deadline. The deeper, more corrosive form of anxiety is the kind that dismantles peace from the inside out—when the mind is no longer present but leaps between the wreckage of the past and the mirages of the future.

What makes this so tragic is that most of this suffering comes not from external circumstances but from the way we relate to time—our inability or unwillingness to occupy the current moment fully. Many

anxious people live in a mental film reel that never stops replaying what has been or catastrophizing as what might be. Their bodies exist in the now, but their minds are perpetually elsewhere. To live out of sync with the present is to dwell in a place where no action or comfort is possible.

Living “in the moment” might sound like a Platitude 101 principle, or perhaps a simplified slogan printed on a coffee mug. Yet, when properly understood and practiced, it is one of the most profound methods of inner healing available to us. It is not the denial of time’s flow but a reorientation of where attention resides. In living here—now—we reclaim sovereignty over the only terrain that ever truly belongs to us: the present breath, the current heartbeat, the immediate reality before thought labels it.

THE ANATOMY OF ESCAPISM: PAST AND FUTURE AS EMOTIONAL TRAPS

To understand why living in the moment matters, we need to recognize the subtle traps our minds set for us. The human brain

evolved to predict, remember, and plan; these are survival mechanisms. However, in an age where our physical safety is less threatened than our emotional one, these same abilities have turned in on themselves. We remember not to learn but to regret. We imagine not preparing, but instead fearing the unknown.

Those gripped by anxiety often feel as though their minds are malfunctioning radios—picking up static from a thousand stations, none clear or comforting. The past floods in through the channels of guilt, resentment, or longing. “If I had only said this differently.” “If I hadn’t taken that chance.” “If I could undo that moment.”

The past, of course, cannot be entered again; it is an unchangeable landscape. Yet we wander it daily, arguing with ghosts who cannot answer.

Then comes the future—the second great distraction. It is here that the imagination becomes a doomsday prophet, painting scenes of failure, humiliation, loss, illness, or disappointment. These fictions are ungrounded and are only a possibility, a lesser chance of seeing reality. Yet the emotional body can’t tell the difference; it reacts as if every imagined disaster were real and unfolding, triggering a response. It is the exhausting irony of anxiety: to suffer for events that never come to pass.

The deeper, more corrosive form of anxiety is the kind that dismantles peace from the inside out—when the mind is no longer present but leaps between the wreckage of the past and the mirages of the future.

Over time, this psychological oscillation—this swinging between yesterday and tomorrow—creates a kind of spiritual vertigo. We lose balance not because life itself is so perilous, but because our attention refuses to find footing. To “live in the moment,” or “to be present,” is to steady the wobbling mind and bring it home. It’s a practice of reinhabiting reality and stopping the noise within.

LIVING IN THE NOW: NOT ESCAPISM, BUT ENGAGEMENT

Living in the moment is often mistaken for disengagement or irresponsibility, as though to be fully present means ignoring consequences or refusing to plan. But presence is not recklessness; it’s clarity. It allows decisions to emerge from awareness rather than panic. It is the genesis of problem-solving in reality rather than an imaginary script.

When you are anchored in the present, the world regains its detail. You feel the temperature of the air as it touches your skin, you actually taste the food you eat, you hear not just words but the intonations, pauses, and emotions behind them. Time slows, not in the sense of a clock, but in perception. By contrast, the anxious person is never really in their surroundings—they are always half a step ahead or behind, internally commenting, judging, rehearsing, or defending.

Mindfulness, a term popular but often misunderstood, is essentially this: returning attention again and again to the present moment. It is not about emptying the mind but observing it. Instead, it’s “Ah, there’s a thought about tomorrow,” and lets it pass rather than chase it. It says, “Here’s a regret,” simply, without argument or debate. The aim is not to deny the cognition but to loosen its grip. Over time, the observer’s stance cultivates peace—not because life becomes easier, but we stop adding a crest to every wave.

WHY THE MIND RESISTS THE PRESENT

If the present moment is where peace resides, why do some avoid it? The answer lies in discomfort. Paradoxically, the present is often where unresolved feelings await us. To stay in the moment means to

stop running from sadness, boredom, grief, or uncertainty. We fear that if we stand still, these feelings will engulf us and we could lose control, but in truth, negative emotions only dissolve when we face them directly. Anxiety is not the result of “too much feeling” but the inability to sit with feeling and allow the short-lived pain to circulate and move on. And if it returns, it is often diluted, with a reduced ability to stir internal conflict, followed by weaker and weaker memories until they resolve.

The mind, clever in its avoidance, will offer endless distractions: “You should fix this,” “You need to know what happens next,” “You can’t rest until this is solved.” Beneath each of these messages lies the assumption that peace is elsewhere, causing an insatiable need to chase a solution. But as soon as you reach that “elsewhere,” a new one appears, leaving the moment perpetually deferred.

Learning for today is an act of courage. It means letting go of fantasies of control. It means meeting pain without overanalyzing it, meeting joy without clinging to it. The letting go is the essence of personal therapy, as well as in formal psychotherapy. Best of all, the dayto-day self-help method and the practice of awareness, work quickly and amazingly well if one is able to let go of ineffective crutches that offer false security.

PERMISSION TO STOP OVERTHINKING

One of the cruelest myths anxiety tells is that thinking more will lead to relief or safety. In reality, thought becomes the source of entrapment. Overthinking masquerades as problem-solving, but while problem-solving ends in a decision or action, overthinking circles endlessly around “what if.” The task at hand is to give yourself permission not to overthink and allow your mind to race, in the hope of finding satisfaction; in essence, it’s granting permission to rest. The truth about overthinking reflects a lack of trust—both in oneself and in life’s unfolding. To accept that not all outcomes can be managed is both humbling and liberating. In this sense, living in the moment isn’t passive; it’s a stance of quiet confidence: “I will meet what comes when it comes.” That single statement dismantles much of anxiety’s architecture. It’s very forgiving.

When you stop rehearsing pain, you discover how much of it was self-produced. The mind’s stories lose their authority. You begin to respond to life rather than react to its projections.

PRACTICES THAT ENCOURAGE PRESENCE

While philosophy can inspire, practice fortifies response. Reclaiming the present moment requires simple, embodied action:

n Conscious Breathing:

The breath is the anchor to now. When anxiety strikes, return to the physical rhythm of inhale and exhale. Count breaths if helpful. Awareness of breath bypasses the abstract mind and reconnects you with physical reality, which is always present.

n Single-Tasking:

Modern life encourages multitasking, which keeps the mind fragmented. Do one thing at a time if possible—drink your coffee and only drink your coffee, feeling its warmth; walk and only walk, noticing each step.

Continued on page 50

RAW DEAL

MINIMIZE YOUR RISK WHEN ENJOYING SEAFOOD

BY ROB SAINT LAURENT, M.ED.

On December 23, 2025, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that 64 people in nearly half of U.S. states became ill with the same Salmonella strain. Of 27 victims interviewed, 20 reported eating raw oysters. The CDC closed the investigation on February 26, 2026. The outbreak left 34 people in 23 states hospitalized, with no fatalities.1

Last summer, two people died after eating raw oysters contaminated with Vibrio vulnificus, a flesh-eating bacterium, harvested in Louisiana. The state’s health department says that an average of seven Vibrio cases and one related death have been reported annually in Louisiana for the past 10 years. 2

Back on June 5, 1990, six commercial fishermen on the Georges Bank sat down to what seemed like a good meal: boiled blue mussels they had just harvested in deep water, baked fish, boiled rice and potatoes, green salad, and other delectable items (no alcohol was included). Within 1-2 hours, the men developed symptoms of PSP, or paralytic shellfish poisoning, from the mussels that had been cooked for 90 minutes. Symptoms ranged from facial numbness and vomiting to lower back pain. One man temporarily lost consciousness. Two of the men required several days of hospitalization to recover.3

Experts say there’s a rising tide of seafoodrelated poisonings globally. Among other factors, there’s a convergence of more people eating seafood with rising ocean temperatures that enable the spread of dangerous bacteria and toxin-producing algae.4

As winter-weary New Englanders thaw out and begin thinking about beaches and seaside dining, it’s important to be mindful that seafood—raw especially—comes with potentially serious health threats.

KNOW THE RISKS

Seafood poisoning is caused by marine toxins, bacteria, and parasites that contaminate our favorite shellfish and finfish, usually arising from harmful algal blooms (often called red tides), eating seafood raw, improper storage or preparation, and cross-contamination.

The CDC Yellow Book, which provides healthcare professionals with guidance on identifying and managing cases of seafood poisoning, offers additional insight into the threats Americans might encounter.4

Diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP) results from toxins, such as okadaic acid,

that contaminate (in most cases) bivalve mollusks, such as mussels and scallops. DSP occurs worldwide, including in the U.S. Symptoms of diarrhea, stomach pain, nausea, chills, and vomiting usually occur within 2 hours of eating and resolve within 2 to 3 days. No deaths have ever been reported.

Neurotoxic shellfish poisoning (NSP) arises from shellfish contaminated with brevetoxins made by K. brevis algae and occurs most often in the U.S. Gulf Coast, Southeast Coast, and Caribbean. NSP manifests as gastroenteritis and neurologic symptoms, as seen in PSP (below), usually within 30 minutes to 3 hours of eating.

Paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) is the “most common and most severe form of shellfish poisoning,” says the CDC. PSP is caused by saxitoxins, powerful neurotoxins produced by various types of algae, and most often occurs after eating contaminated clams or mussels. Though it occurs worldwide, PSP most often arises along the U.S. Atlantic and Pacific coastlines, with symptoms appearing within 30-60 minutes of eating. Symptoms include numbness and tingling in the face, lips, tongue, legs, and arms, sometimes accompanied by diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and headache. Severe cases can also include poor muscle control and muscle weakness/limpness, difficulty swallowing, and respiratory failure—life or death, often depending on ready access to mechanical ventilation.

Scombroid occurs when eating fish with toxic levels of histamine, from bacterial conversion of the amino acid histidine. Optimal conversion occurs at 680-860˚F, usually in fish that are not immediately refrigerated or frozen after being caught. Symptoms appear within 10-60 minutes of eating and mimic an allergic reaction: flushing of the face and upper body, blurred vision, itching, palpitations, and severe headaches, along with stomach cramps and diarrhea. Untreated, scombroid generally resolves within 12 hours but can persist for up to two days; severe cases may require antihistamines or epinephrine. It tends to happen in fish with dark meat that has naturally more histidine, like tuna, mackerel, sardines, herring, anchovies, and bluefish.

Vibrios are bacteria found in coastal waters that increase in numbers during

warmer months. It mostly occurs from eating raw or undercooked shellfish, especially oysters, but can also occur from contact with seawater or raw seafood through an open wound. More than 50,000 cases of vibriosis from contaminated food are reported annually in the U.S. Nausea, watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, vomiting, fever, and chills are common symptoms. Vibrio vulnificus infection will cause death in about one in five people. People with underlying conditions, like cancer, liver disease, HIV, and diabetes, are at higher risk. Antibiotics are reserved for more severe cases. (Go to cdc.gov/vibrio/about/index.html for more information on wound and bloodstream infection.)5

As winter-weary New Englanders thaw out and begin thinking about beaches and seaside dining, it’s important to be mindful that seafood— raw especially— comes

with potentially serious health threats.

Parasites, including round worms, tapeworms, and flukes, are another concern from eating raw and undercooked seafood, though researchers say parasitic outbreaks are rare in the U.S.6

Still other risks include Salmonella and Listeria (bacteria) and norovirus from fecal-contaminated water. These threats appear to be rising from the increase in farm-raised fish and shellfish to meet seafood demand.6

While anyone can get food poisoning, the CDC says those most susceptible include people over 65, children under 5 years of age, those with compromised immune systems, and pregnant women.

STAYING SAFE

For the safest consumption, the CDC advises all seafood be cooked to 145°F, and leftover seafood to 165°F (internal

temperatures).7 As a rule of thumb, finfish flesh cooked well will turn opaque and separate easily with a fork, while shellfish shells will open.8

On its webpage, Selecting and Serving Fresh and Frozen Seafood Safely, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) outlines invaluable tips, such as buying the right fish and shellfish and proper storage and separation during preparation, cooking, and serving. When selecting fish, for example, look for a fresh and mild smell (not “fishy,” ammonia-like, or bitter). The eyes should be shiny and clear. Whole fish should be odorless, with firm flesh and red gills; and fresh fillets should be firm to the touch and spring back when pressed, with red blood lines (red flesh if tuna). Fresh fish fillets should have no discoloration, darkening, or drying.

When selecting shellfish, scallop, shrimp, and lobster meat should be odorless, clear, and pearl-like in color. Live lobsters and crabs should have leg movement, since they spoil quickly following death. Live oysters, clams, and mussels will close their shell when tapped; if they don’t close, don’t choose them. Live (in-the-shell) shellfish sacks or containers should have tags, and shucked shellfish packages or containers should have labels indicating that their harvesting and processing have met national standards. Discard any cracked or broken shells.

Eating raw seafood is never recommended for high-risk individuals, including people with weak immune systems, adults aged 65 and over, children under 5, and pregnant women. For everyone else who’s healthy, experts advise choosing previously frozen fish. Proper freezing kills harmful parasites, though it doesn’t kill all pathogens.8 To kill any parasites, the FDA recommends freezing fish to an internal temperature of -4°F for at least seven days (or cooking to the aforementioned internal temperatures).

Eating raw seafood is only advised with trustworthy seafood markets that follow proper safety practices and have fresh, highquality products. Choose only reputable restaurants for dining out when eating raw seafood. High-risk individuals should be wary of raw or undercooked menu items such as sushi, sashimi, raw oysters, ceviche, tuna tartare, and tuna carpaccio.8

The FDA notes that even if raw oysters are treated after harvesting, harmful pathogens can remain.

Marine toxins, including histamine, are not destroyed by stomach acid, canning, cooking, freezing, or smoking.4

Culinary writers say part of the appeal of a raw bar is fresh food, where uncooked foods are eaten for greater vitamin and mineral intake. To keep seafood fresh and safe, raw bar eateries must adhere to strict safety rules and follow the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) food safety protocol. Food storage equipment must maintain temperatures that prevent bacterial growth, and aged food must be rotated out. When choosing foods, owners must be able to recognize seafood that is safe to eat based on age, storage, and where it was harvested.9

Though PSP toxin can’t be killed by cooking or freezing, consumers can feel confident buying shellfish from established fish markets. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts ensures that all states with shellfisheries closely monitor water and sediments for PSP toxins. When levels reach 80 micrograms/100 grams of shellfish meat, cities and towns are notified, and the areas are closed until the red tide subsides and shellfish have

had time to purify. During red tides, shellfish are instead harvested from clean waters. Moreover, fish markets are closely scrutinized by public health inspectors.10

Massachusetts averaged 88 Vibrio cases annually from 2015-2024, mostly from eating tainted shellfish, and cases are rising. A rare incidence of Vibrio vulnificus was reported last summer, likely from water exposure at a Buzzards Bay beach.11 The best ways to prevent vibriosis are to avoid eating raw or undercooked seafood, particularly oysters, and to avoid contact with raw seafood drippings and with seawater if one has open wounds.

Consumers can keep watch of fish advisories at fishadvisoryonline.epa.gov/ Contacts.aspx. Public health contacts are given for any questions/concerns.

SHOULD YOU GET SICK

People who suspect they’ve eaten toxic shellfish are advised to seek immediate medical attention.

In Massachusetts, PSP poisoning should be reported to either the Center for Environmental Health, Food Protection Program, at 617-983-6712 or to the Center

for Hospitals and Clinical Laboratories, Bureau of Communicable Disease Control, at 617-983-6800.10

People experiencing mild fish poisoning are advised to drink plenty of fluids to offset any diarrhea and vomiting, to get rest, and gradually reintroduce easy-to-digest foods. H

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025, December 23). Raw oysters linked to ongoing Salmonella outbreak; almost half of U.S. states reporting outbreaks [Press release].

2. Meyjes, T. (2025, August 29). Two Dead After Eating Louisiana Oysters. Newsweek.

3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (1991, March 15). Epidemiologic Notes and Reports Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning—Massachusetts and Alaska, 1990. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 40(10), 157-61.

4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025, April 23). Food Poisoning from Marine Toxins.

5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, May 14). About Vibrio Infection.

6. Chintagari, S., Hazard, N., Edwards, G., Jadeja, R. & Janes, M. (2017, February 10). Risks Associated with Fish and Seafood. Microbiology Spectrum, 5(1), 10.1128.

7. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, February 22). Foods That Can Cause Food Poisoning.

8. Newgent, J. & Klemm, S. (2021, October 18). Is Raw Seafood Safe to Eat? Eat Right (Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics).

9. Leverkuhn, A. (2022, June 11). What Is a Raw Bar? Delighted Cooking.

10. Mass.gov. (n.d.). Red Tide (Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning).

11. Mass.gov. (2025, August 13). Department of Public Health alerts public to rare Vibrio vulnificus bacteria in coastal waters [Press release].

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YAIR TAXIS ARE TAKING OFF—BUT

PROFITS

AREN’T—YET!

REGULATORY BREAKTHROUGHS, GLOBAL MOMENTUM, AND INVESTOR INTEREST ARE ACCELERATING THE FUTURE OF URBAN AIR MOBILITY—DESPITE ZERO EARNINGS ACROSS THE SECTOR

A wave of recent approvals, international launches, and corporate progress is pushing air taxis closer to reality. Yet the companies behind them struggle to be profitable, making this one of the most speculative—and potentially transformative—investment opportunities in transportation since the automobile.

BY STEVEN CHAN

ou may recall that only a few months ago, we ran a piece about an industry that many had never heard of, let alone thought they might soon invest in or use. However, with so much happening recently in the experimental business, we are compelled to bring you up to date on the advances and opportunities.

Air taxis, or electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOL), are still not a proven business in the conventional sense. Most companies in the sector remain prerevenue, capital-intensive, and dependent on regulatory approvals that have yet to translate into scaled passenger service. However, the narrative has shifted in a meaningful way. No longer a purely conceptual industry, multiple companies are now moving toward real-world operations, with one expectation: to begin commercial service overseas imminently, and others aligning around definitive launch windows.

The most immediate example is EHang, which has indicated it expects to begin commercial operations of its EH216-S aircraft in China in 2026 after achieving a full set of regulatory certifications. That makes it the first company in the sector positioned to transition from testing into actual passenger-carrying service under a defined regulatory framework.

At the same time, U.S.-based developers are increasingly looking overseas for initial deployment. Joby Aviation has stated that it expects to begin carrying passengers in Dubai in 2026, while Archer Aviation has confirmed that both its U.S. and UAE pilot programs remain on track for that same year. These developments point to a pattern: early commercialization is likely to occur outside the United States, with international markets acting as proving grounds.

A critical addition to this landscape—and one that significantly strengthens the overall sector—is BETA Technologies. Unlike some competitors focused exclusively on vertical takeoff designs, BETA is pursuing both conventional takeoff (CTOL) and vertical takeoff (VTOL) aircraft, along with a supporting charging infrastructure network. This dual-approach strategy has enabled the company to move faster toward practical deployment by leveraging existing airport infrastructure.

Back in March (2026), BETA announced a major commercial agreement with Surf Air Mobility, a California-based airline. Under the terms of the deal, Surf Air placed a firm order for 25 of BETA’s all-electric ALIA aircraft, with options for up to 75 more. More importantly, Surf Air will act as the launch operator for BETA’s passenger aircraft, positioning the partnership as one of the first real pathways to commercial electric aviation service.

The companies intend to begin operations in Hawaii, using short-haul inter-island routes as an initial deployment environment. The plan is to start with cargo services and transition into passenger flights once certification is complete. Surf Air has explicitly stated its goal of becoming one of the first operators to fly paying passengers on next-generation electric aircraft.

This move is a significant development for several reasons. First, it introduces a real airline partner with existing operations, rather than a memorandum of understanding or a conditional order. Second, it provides a clear operational model: begin with cargo, validate reliability, then expand into passenger service. Third, it establishes a U.S.-linked commercialization pathway that does not depend entirely on urban vertiport infrastructure.

BETA is also deeply integrated into federal policy efforts. The company has been selected as a leading participant in the FAA’s eVTOL Integration Pilot Program, taking part in the majority of initial deployment projects across multiple states. This positions BETA not just as a manufacturer, but as a central player in how electric aviation is introduced into U.S. airspace.

The importance of capital backing across the sector cannot be overstated. These are not lightly funded startups. Joby Aviation is backed by Toyota, which has invested hundreds of millions of dollars and remains a key strategic partner. Archer Aviation has support from Stellantis and a commercial relationship with United Airlines, as well as substantial liquidity on its balance sheet. Eve Holding is supported by Embraer, giving it access to decades of aerospace manufacturing expertise. BETA has raised over $1 billion and has attracted strategic interest, including investment from Amazon and partnerships across logistics and infrastructure. Not bad for a Vermont-based company fresh from its IPO back in November 2025.

Even companies with weaker financial positions, such as Vertical Aerospace, have secured relationships with major aerospace suppliers. However, funding disparities are becoming increasingly important, as the ability to sustain operations through certification delays will likely determine which companies survive.

The presence of BETA also changes how the sector should be evaluated. Much of the early narrative around air taxis focused on dense urban mobility using vertical takeoff aircraft. BETA’s approach introduces a more incremental model, using conventional runways where available and expanding capabilities over time. This option may prove to be a more practical path to early revenue.

Archer Aviation, meanwhile, has secured one of the industry’s most visible future use cases. The company has been selected as the official air taxi provider for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. The planned action creates a fixed timeline and a highly public demonstration opportunity. While it does not guarantee widespread commercial adoption by that date, it establishes a clear deployment milestone in a major U.S. market.

It is also necessary to acknowledge failure within the sector. Lilium, once considered a leading contender, filed for insolvency after failing to secure sufficient funding. It’s not an isolated detail; it is a central reminder that technological promise does not ensure financial survival. The capital demands of certification and production are substantial, and not all companies will meet them.

EHang currently represents the most advanced regulatory position. If its commercial operations proceed as expected, it will be the first to demonstrate real passenger service. Joby appears to be the closest among Western companies to achieving certification and initial deployment. Archer has built a strong narrative around partnerships, policy alignment, and its Olympic role. And BETA now stands out as a company with a credible near-term operational pathway through its Surf Air partnership. Eve, while not making headlines, offers a more traditional aerospace-backed approach, while Vertical Aerospace remains a participant with more limited financial flexibility.

Risk vs Progress Positioning—identifies which firms are closest to market versus those still speculative.

The broader conclusion is that the sector has entered a new phase. There is now tangible evidence of progress: imminent overseas operations, defined launch markets, major airline partnerships, and substantial capital backing. At the same time, the risks remain significant. Certification timelines are uncertain, infrastructure is incomplete, and the economics of large-scale operations have yet to be proven.

Without question, it’s a highly speculative industry, and the gap between demonstration and sustainable profitability remains wide. However, the presence of real contracts, actual aircraft orders, and real operational plans means the sector can no longer be dismissed as purely theoretical.

For investors and informed observers, the question is no longer whether air taxis will exist; it’s which companies will reach commercial scale, which will run out of capital, and whether early deployments will translate into a viable long-term market. H

The contents of this article should not be construed as investment advice or the promotion for the individual purchase of equities herewithin. This content is for entertainment purposes only.

Full disclosure: The author holds positions in BETA, JOBY, and ACHR.

Memories

There was a time when the world did not so much arrive in Padanaram as it was gently refused entry. And showing up was not the equivalent of acceptance. It was well understood that, when questioned, an explanation of urgency was provided. Not much has changed for the remaining core after decades of residential turnover.

It was not a barricaded place, nor was it particularly hidden; one could find it easily enough by following the curve of Elm Street down toward the harbor, where low-slung shops and white-trimmed houses faced the water with a kind of unstudied composure. Uniquely, the ‘Village’ was self-contained, meaning that its residents found every practical need met. From memory, the couple of blocks that made up the center included the following businesses: a barber shop, dry-cleaner, grocery store and fish market, a tackle shop, upscale clothing store, a liquor store, the yacht club, a couple of marinas, the fire station—of

course, a real estate office or two, an auto service station, and three restaurants, including Dugdales, The Whale’s Tail, and the Original-Sail Loft; more about this one, in a moment. And I almost forgot, although there was plenty of foot traffic, for a very long time, only one side of each street had a sidewalk.

The area was founded by the faithful, so there has never been a shortage of houses of worship. Familiar ones include: the Congregation, a Catholic Church, an Episcopal order, and, on the outskirts of town near Russell’s Mill, where the British torched businesses, a Quaker house. But my favorite, long ago,

and still today, is St. Aidan’s Chapel, a summer-only, no-frills, sort of semi-private Episcopal church sharing a driveway with a private estate known as the Meadows. It is where I exchanged vows and entered adulthood.

Padanaram and the immediate surroundings were, until very recently, less a destination than a condition—one that required a certain inheritance of manner, if not of blood, then legacy.

We did not think of it that way at the time; to us, it was simply where we found ourselves and were pleased with how it all fell into place. It was a simple but vastly enjoyable life.

The harbor itself was the organizing principle, as much social as geographic. Masts rose in quiet clusters, halyards ticking faintly against aluminum poles in the afternoon wind, a sound so constant it disappeared into the background of consciousness. Boats were not ornaments; they were extensions of daily life. You sailed because everyone sailed, children took sailing lessons—it was part of the curriculum, mainly because afternoons bent naturally toward the water. We measured time by the tide and never allowed the weather to interfere with best-laid plans; storms were a natural occurrence, often looked forward to in a peculiar way.

And, those shoes everyone wore; boy oh boy, did they serve a dual purpose.

Technically, they were Sperry Top-Siders, though I cannot remember anyone calling them that with regularity. To us, they were known as “Packies,” named for the Packet, a small, impeccably curated shop that supplied them, along with nearly everything else one might require without venturing beyond the ‘Village Gates.’ The Packet was less a store than a point of convergence. It carried clothing in that particular register of quiet correctness—nothing too new, nothing too assertive—and, improbably, a small post office tucked within its interior, where letters were collected, sorted, and discussed with equal attention; do you catch the drift?

You did not rush while in the Packet. One entered, lingered, and absorbed the rhythm of conversation. News moved laterally in an undertone, not broadcast, but exchanged, refined, sometimes withheld for good reason. It was understood that what was said in that space carried a certain weight, not because it was official, but because it was shared among people who knew one another well enough to notice deviations.

Elsewhere, perhaps, this would have signaled replacement. In Padanaram, it suggested adaptation and quiet boasting to the outside world.

White medical tape always white, never anything more conspicuous would appear, wrapped with a kind of casual precision around the failing seam, binding leather to rubber in a gesture that was neither temporary nor permanent, but sufficient. The result was not elegant in any conventional sense, yet it was entirely acceptable. More than that, it was unremarkable. One wore Packies this way throughout the day, without apology or self-consciousness. The taped shoe became, in its own way, a marker—not of neglect, but of use, of belonging to a life that did not pause for maintenance, and a clear statement that such a choice had nothing to do with price.

New pairs existed—of course, but they were kept, often literally, for cocktails between 5-7 p.m., regardless of the occasion or lack of an event to celebrate.

These prescribed bevies of indulgence were not so much displays as they intimated structure. They imposed a rhythm on the late afternoon, a gentle but firm transition from the salt and looseness of the day into something more composed. One changed, not dramatically, but enough. The taped shoes were set aside; the unworn pair emerged. It was less about appearance than about acknowledgment. There were expectations, even in a place as seemingly unregulated as Padanaram. One met them not out of obligation, but because it was felt to be correct and noticed by peers.

Back to the shoes. They were practical, at least in theory. Designed for wooden decks, they gripped well and left no mark, which mattered greatly on boats that were, in many cases, older than the people sailing them. But Padanaram was not made entirely of wood, and the miles walked along pavement— between the Packet, the old Sail Loft, the docks, and the various houses where one might be expected without invitation—took their toll. The stitching would give way, the sole separating just enough to make itself known.

If the Packet was the Village’s front parlor, the old Sail Loft was its living room and kitchen. Even with an understanding of the concept, this comparison fails to capture the complexity contained within i ts walls—you had to be there, fully engulfed.

To those who belonged, it was “the Loft,” a place of connection, variety, and spice. Held in careful balance by an unmistakable air of restraint—at times edging toward what outsiders might have mistaken for snobbery, it was, more accurately, a form of social calibration of what probably appeared as a closed society. Its reputation traveled farther than one might expect for a place so geographically contained. People came in from neighboring towns, drawn by something they could not quite name—curiosity, perhaps, or the promise of proximity to a world that did not easily reveal itself. And so, alongside the

regulars who moved through the space with quiet assurance, there existed a steady current of outsiders, some fleeting, others hopeful for a night of enchantment leading to a wealthy husband. One-nighters were not uncommon, though they were absorbed into the atmosphere rather than disrupting it. Under that same roof, introductions were made with equal ease, some of them enduring. Engagements began there, marriages traced their origins to a conversation struck at the bar, or a glance held a moment longer than intended. It was, in that sense, both ephemeral and foundational—a place where things could begin without announcing themselves as such.

The regulars who bellied up to the bar—regardless of the occasion—came from every walk of life; corporate presidents, celebrities, and internationally known figures stood shoulder to shoulder with contractors, plumbers, electricians, and sailmakers. It was, in a very real sense, where business was conducted, though rarely in any formal way. Agreements were implied as often as they were spoken, relationships reinforced in the easy cadence of shared space, where hierarchy softened but never entirely disappeared.

that he intended to tear the place apart. It was the kind of declaration that might have found an audience elsewhere and even been indulged.

In the Loft, it landed differently than in coastal towns. For all its openness, acceptance of those who entered invitation, there existed a was rarely tested because understood. Peace was foundational. To threaten

The bartender that night was not from Padanaram, which, in its way, made him all the more vigilant. He had assumed his position within the delicate order of the room and, having done so, took its preservation personally. He did not respond immediately. There was no escalation, no exchange of words. Instead, he reached below the bar and produced a Louisville Slugger—an object so out of context that, for a moment, it registered as almost theatrical.

Then, there were artists—thankfully—because one of them, now passed, had the uncommon instinct to preserve what others assumed would always be there. He rendered the bar in a sweeping panorama, lining it with the familiar figures who, it was often said without exaggeration, spent more time there than they did at home. The drawing became something more than a keepsake; it evolved into a quiet emblem of the place itself.

What followed was the creation and production of ‘swag’ (hats, shirts, and bags); anything and everything that might convey the location and social status to the outside. But that wasn’t us; over and over, each attempt failed. Some have speculated that word got out to visitors: “If you have to wear a hat that says Padanaram, you’re definitely not from here.” Sorry. There were moments, however, that sharpened into something closer to myth, while locals revelled in their authenticity.

One such evening—recounted often enough to acquire the weight of certainty—began with an intrusion. A man, clearly not of the place, made his way to the Loft’s bar and announced, with a bravado that read more as ignorance than menace,

What followed dispelled any such ambiguity.

He brought the bat down hard against the surface of the bar, the sound cracking through the room with a force that seemed disproportionate to the act itself. Conversations stopped midsentence. Glasses trembled, some tipping, their contents spilling into the varnished table and counter. The mark it left—a deep, unmistakable impression—remaining long after, a physical record of a moment when the unspoken rules had been made, briefly, visible.

He lifted the bat a second time, not in frenzy, but with deliberate clarity. The gesture required no interpretation or explanation.

Two things happened in that instant. One was immediate: the man understood, perhaps for the first time since entering, exactly where he stood. The other was enduring: a lesson, absorbed by anyone who witnessed it or heard it later, that this was a place defined by its calm, but not defenseless in preserving it.

The would-be disruptor, head lowered, left quickly, without ceremony, and, as the story goes, never returned.

Last call at the Loft is when the familiarity stretches to the limits. Glasses were not always left behind. People stepped out into the night, holding them filled, the music still blasting and conversations continuing as the boundaries between inside and outside dissolved. The street would fill briefly so that last-minute arrangements could be confirmed or denied; voices would rise and fall, cutting through the early morning salt air as the crowds dispersed quietly and efficiently.

By morning, the Village returned to its earlier composure, as if nothing had occurred. And yet, the evidence of the night would reappear, discreetly corrected. A box of glassware might be carried back through the Loft’s kitchen door, or placed with minimal comment near the bar. A tab, remembered or reconstructed, would be settled. There was no ceremony to this, no apology required. The act itself was sufficient. One taken, one returned. The balance, both literal and social, was restored until next time.

One final tale worth mentioning is that after a night of drinking, a visitor from nearby Cuttyhunk Island, who arrived in an open-air center console boat, decided he didn’t want, or believed he wasn’t ready, to stand at the wheel on the way back to the island. With few choices, it was said that he grabbed a bar stool from the Loft and went out the back door, only to strategically place it onto his boat, to be used as a Helmsman’s Chair. You can only imagine what that must have looked like to anyone staying aboard in the harbor or out night fishing, seeing an inebriated Captain sitting in a swivel chair under the sparkling stars crossing Buzzards Bay.

Among local women, a quiet form of signaling existed, subtle but precise, tasteful and exclusive; they turned to a particular type of bracelet—sterling silver, and crafted by a man known locally as Captain Hill, who happened to live on Hill Street. They were not mass-produced, nor were they widely available beyond that narrow geography. Each bore a name or initials, rendered in a style unmistakably his; the lettering, both decorative and restrained, caught the eye, leaving the viewer bewildered.

functioned unmistakably—each marked inclusion without ostentation, belonging without announcement. Few remain.

Beyond the immediate Village, the coastline extended into a series of enclaves—Nonquitt, Salters Point, Mishaum, among others— each with its own internal logic, yet all participating in a larger, overlapping culture. Houses remained within families for decades, sometimes longer, accumulating not just history but expectation. One did not simply own a house; one inherited a role within a community that had, in many ways, already decided who you were.

Social life followed patterns that felt inevitable rather than imposed. Dances—at Nonquitt, and at Salters—served as both entertainment and introduction, a means by which younger generations encountered one another within a framework that was at once structured and forgiving. There was certainly freedom, but it existed within boundaries rarely tested because they were so deeply understood.

For those just beyond the threshold, kid-like, but not fully absorbed into the adult sphere, these gatherings held a particular intensity. They were not merely social occasions; they were formative, shaping not just relationships but expectations of how life might unfold. The music, the movement, the careful observation of who spoke to whom, who danced with whom—all of it contributed to a quiet, ongoing negotiation of identity.

Overseeing, or perhaps simply existing alongside all of this, were the remnants of an earlier, more explicit display of wealth. The great estate built by Colonel Edward Howland Robinson Green, son of the formidable financier Hetty Green—known in her time as the “Witch of Wall Street”—stood as a kind of historical counterpoint—a reminder that the fortunes underpinning much of the area’s stability had, at one time, been both vast and visible. By the time we encountered it, its grandeur had been softened, repurposed, its edges worn down by time and subdivision. It no longer dominated as it once might have, yet its presence lingered; a trace of something more overt had given way to the subtler expressions of prosperity that defined the present.

What is most difficult to convey, looking back, is not any single detail—the taped shoes, the bracelets, the open tabs—but the coherence of it all. It was a system, though no one would have called it that, sustained by a shared understanding that required no articulation. The outside world existed, certainly. News arrived, events unfolded, the broader culture shifted in ways that, elsewhere, might have demanded attention. In Padanaram, these movements registered faintly, if at all.

To wear one was to declare a point of origin. Not in the broad sense—anyone could proclaim residency in South Dartmouth—but in the specific, more meaningful sense of having passed through a particular set of experiences. This shared environment did not need to be explained to those who recognized the bracelets were evidence of this journey. They were not discussed in terms of status, yet they

It was not ignorance, nor was it indifference. It was, rather, a kind of selective permeability. The world could approach, but it did not easily penetrate. What mattered was what occurred within the visible horizon: the harbor, the shops, the houses, and familiar faces moving between them.

Safety, in that context, was not a function of surveillance or enforcement. It was an outcome of recognition. To sleep on a bench, as some occasionally did, was not an act of vulnerability so much as a continuation of presence. You were known. The space, in a sense, held you.

It would be tempting to render all of this as idyllic, to smooth over the complexities that must have existed beneath the surface. But that would be a kind of simplification that the place itself resisted. Padanaram was not perfect. It was, however, complete in a way that is now difficult to locate. It provided, within its boundaries, a full spectrum of experience—social, economic, and emotional—without requiring constant reference to anything beyond itself. But as a result, the gates are fully open, and that has changed the essence of the Village.

That completeness is what has proven most elusive in the years since. The individual elements persist, in altered forms: the shoes, still sold (no longer in the Village) and dare anyone wrap them in tape, can be found on boats rather than as casual wear as before; the houses, still standing, have more company; and the harbor, still filled with boats, resembles a commuter lot. But the system—the delicate, unspoken agreement that bound them together—has thinned, its assumptions no longer universally shared. It is as if the tables have reversed.

And yet, for those of us who moved within it, even briefly, the memory retains its structure. One can still trace the path from the Packet to the docks, still hear the low murmur of conversation in the Loft (now condominiums), and still feel the slight give of tape against leather as one walks along pavement that was never meant for such iconic shoes.

It was, in its way, a world held at bay— not by force, but by the quiet conviction that what existed within was sufficient. We long for those days when we selfmonitored because political correctness wasn’t even a phrase; we organically knew right from wrong and good from bad. It didn’t have to be called out or taught.

It’s a new era, with new ideas introduced by new faces, using imitation or replacement as a default. A reasonable facsimile to some, while others remember the soul of South Dartmouth as it was years ago. The Village looks and behaves differently than in the past; it has been elevated to resemble locations lacking history or legacy. Still, it is a personal choice to question whether the ‘remodeling’ of South Dartmouth is worth a few more sidewalks and a pair of new shoes. H

Continued from page 33

n Observing Thought Without Judgment:

The mind will produce thoughts just as the body produces sweat—it’s natural. Don’t fight them; watch them. The observer remains calm, even when thoughts are chaotic.

n Body Awareness:

Often, noticing subtle sensations—the feet’s contact with the floor, the jaw unclenching; ask, are my shoulders raised or are they relaxed— grounds you in the now. Physical awareness quiets mental noise.

n Mindful Listening:

In conversation, resist the urge to plan your reply. Listen not only to words but to the total human presence before you. It will deepen empathy and reduce self-centered worrying.

n Acceptance of Imperfection:

Living in the moment does not mean every moment must be pleasant. It means allowing each experience—pleasant or painful—to exist without immediately altering or judging it. Peace follows honesty.

Each of these practices cultivates what could be called psychological habitation—taking up residence in your own life, rather than viewing it from a distance through judgment and fear.

THE THERAPEUTIC IMPULSE OF PRESENCE

Therapy, in any form, seeks to restore internal coherence. It helps people reestablish a healthy relationship with their thoughts and emotions. The therapeutic value of living in the present is that it gently reveals the mind’s illusions. You begin to see that much of what you identified as “real problems” are stories about what might happen or what should have happened. In this way, moment-to-moment awareness is not evasion—it is revelation.

A person suffering from chronic anxiety often feels that if they cease worrying, something dreadful will blindside them. The paradox is that vigilance doesn’t prevent misfortune; it merely ensures suffering in advance. Living now teaches that readiness and tension are not the same thing. You can be alert yet calm, engaged yet at peace.

Therapists sometimes describe anxiety as a disconnection— from body, from trust, from presence. Living in the moment repairs

that connection by reuniting attention with experience. It does not remove life’s difficulties but changes your relationship to them. You stop resisting reality and start participating in it.

FROM CONTROL TO TRUST

Control is an illusion that fuels anxiety. We mistake control for safety, but what we truly seek is trust—the ability to be with uncertainty without collapsing; living in the present demands surrendering our imagined control over the uncontrollable. The relinquishing is not defeat but alignment. The underlying thesis is: “I will influence what I can and release what I cannot.” It is a shift from manipulation to cooperation with life.

For illustration, think of a surfer on a wave. They do not command the ocean; they adapt to its pulse. Any attempt to dominate the water would lead to a fall, yet presence—the combination of awareness and flexibility—allows balance. The present moment is that wave: powerful, unpredictable, but beautifully navigable when met with openness without predicting possible outcomes.

THE RENEWAL OF PERSPECTIVE

When anxiety recedes, even briefly, perspective widens. The things that once felt catastrophic shrink to a manageable scale. You notice that much of your pain was anticipation, not actuality. Living in the moment doesn’t erase problems, but it prevents them from being amplified. It reminds you that you can only face one slice of time at once.

In relationships, this present-centered approach fosters gentleness. You stop assuming how others will react, and instead pay attention to how they are reacting. Communication improves because listening replaces assumptions. In creativity, presence allows flow. In grief, it permits healing. In ordinary life, it offers the rarest gift— contentment without conditions.

RETURNING HOME

At its core, living in the moment is about returning home— to the only place you’ve ever truly been. The past is memory, the future imagination, but the present is existence. Those who suffer deeply from anxiety are often brilliant minds trapped in the wrong time zone. Therapy, mindfulness, breathing, reflection—all these are merely doors leading back to now.

And when you arrive, you find the world has not changed— but you have. Thoughts still flicker, emotions still shift, but they no longer rule. The discipline of presence transforms every moment into a portal of sanity. It is not a miracle cure, but a daily act of returning—again and again—to the life unfolding under your feet. Anxiety dissipates not because it has been conquered, but because it no longer has a refuge in the present moment. The mind that stops running finds that nothing was ever chasing it.

Living in the moment is not a moral or spiritual luxury— it’s a practical necessity for mental clarity. It is both the therapy and the cure, an ongoing dialogue between awareness and experience. When you commit to this practice, you are no longer at the mercy of imagined catastrophes or irretrievable regrets. You live as life itself lives: moment by moment, breath by breath, fully awake.

Perhaps the quiet truth beneath these tools and suggestions is simple—peace has never been lost; it has merely been waiting for our attention to return. H

DAY TRIPPING!

THROUGH APRIL 27, 2026

• Depart from New Bedford’s historic waterfront; a short walk to downtown New Bedford’s many restaurants, boutique shops, museums & galleries.

• Enjoy the gorgeous views of Buzzards Bay as you make your way to the laid back island of Cuttyhunk.

• Friday Night Sunset Cruises! Breathtaking scenery, comfortable accommodations, not to be missed excursion.

RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL PASSENGERS AND FREIGHT

To get a ticket you must have a reservation through our online reservation system. No charge for children 2 years and younger. The office must be notified at the time of ticket purchase about each child 2 years and under that will be traveling with you, in order to accurately count all persons on board the vessel. Dogs, on leash, are welcome at no charge. For non-web or special group payments and for check, cash or different form of payment, please email reservations@cuttyhunkferryco.com or call 508.992.0200 You can leave a message and your reservation will be held.

When you list with Anne Whiting Real Estate, your home receives unparalleled exposure through our expertly crafted marketing plan. Our new & improved luxury website showcases your property with stunning imagery, engaging details, and custom interactive property websites, while our professionally designed listing brochures create a standout first impression. With a strategic approach that captures the right buyers, we make sure your home gets the attention it deserves!