Throughout the South Shore, the word of the moment is ‘abundance’. The leaves are changing; the mornings are growing crisper; our days are becoming shorter; and our activities are becoming associated with the great indoors, but let’s not forget the amazing variety of outdoors activities that celebrate the bounty of the harvest and the goodness of our communities, even when it is a bit chilly out!
With Thanksgiving only a few short weeks away, we are taking every opportunity we can get to express our gratitude and partake in the natural abundance of the season. We are making pies with apples fresh from the farmers market and planning our trips to local heritage sites to feel more at home in our new community. In the spirit of celebrating abundance and anticipating Thanksgiving, we are stepping out and about for afternoons of Fall fun.
A trip to the farmer’s market is a great way to bask in all of the goodness nature has to offer this time of year, and, while Hanover does have a farmers market from June through October, we ventured further afield to Hingham to collect some freshly picked beets, crispy apples, and verdant kale. Every Saturday from 10am to 2pm in the Hingham Bathing Beach Parking lot, the Hingham Farmers Market is a hub of autumn bounty overlooking the ocean. Live music, vendors, and artisans are just a few of the enticing offerings on the beach. Stop by Redeye Roasters for a delicious artisan cup of coffee and peruse the apples, turnips, and cabbage on offer at the market. Farmer’s markets are a wonderful way to engage with local farmers and learn more about seasonal ingredients that grow in Massachusetts. Bringing the kids to the market can be even more fun. Perhaps you can try a new vegetable, create your own Thanksgiving centerpiece or cornucopia, or learn more about what a true Thanksgiving feast looked like back in the 1600s. Finally, don’t forget to mark your calendars because the Braintree Farmers Market is hosting a special indoor Thanksgiving Market on November 19th inside Town Hall to honor the harvest with horse-drawn hayrides and live music.
For the history buffs amongst us, a trip to Plimoth Plantation is a short 25 minute ride from Hanover. Stepping out of the car, you might feel like you travelled back in time 400 years! With the Mayflower II, a Wampanoag Homesite, and a replica 17th-Century English Village as just a few of the many offerings that Plimoth Plantation promotes, the living heritage museum offers guests the opportunity to partake in and understand the cultural exchange between the first English settlers and the Wampanoag people while also challenging visitors to learn more about our illustrious New England heritage. By immersing ourselves in the living museum, the Thanksgiving narrative we have all learned and love comes to life through dynamic and creative re-creation. A space of abundant knowledge and culture, Plimoth Plantation is a must-do this holiday season.
However you choose to get into the Thanksgiving spirit, we hope that you share your experience with those you love and are as excited as we are about the wealth of activities available locally.