Duxbury resident Arthur Bernard was named chief of staff to Governor Deval Patrick last month. The Clipper sat down with Bernard for a question and answer session in his State House office.

So what does a chief of staff really do? My responsibility as chief of staff is to make sure that what the governor is trying to achieve by way of policy –– by way of implementing policies –– it’s my job to make sure that’s done. That means interacting with cabinet secretaries and also making sure he has all the information that he needs to make decisions.

Size, apparently, does matter –– at least in the minds of the Zoning Board of Appeals.

After almost a year since hearings began, the board is closer to drafting a special permit for the expansion of the Island Creek development off Tremont Street, a 40B project. However, the board is still wary about the size of the apartment buildings included in the expansion. At four stories, the buildings would be the tallest in Duxbury and two stories higher than any existing structure on the property.

Selectmen have thrown their support behind an effort to get a traffic signal installed near the intersection of Route 3 and Route 3A.

The TLC Backpack Committee of the Duxbury Interfaith Council is making plans for the preparation and distribution of backpacks and school supplies to our less fortunate neighbors in Duxbury.  Our goal is to provide new backpacks and school supplies to the students of families facing financial hardships in grades K-12.  A donation will help our future generation be prepared for school. 

It’s August and my backyard has become a nursery for cardinals, blue jays, goldfinches and titmice.  Sometimes the begging noises are deafening.  Since most songbirds are the size of adults when they leave the nests it is difficult at first glance to tell the young ones from the parents but, if you watch for a minute, you can pick up on that universal baby behavior. 

The Duxbury Historic District Study Committee met with resistance again from High Street residents last week as they gathered in an effort to organize the research of a local historic district.

Duxbury residents are invited to show their “PRIDE” next week at a cookout to help raise money for the completion of the turf field at the high school.

Every Wednesday during the summer, Duxbury resident and others gather outside the former Tarklin School for the Duxbury Farmer's Market. This is the market's inaugural year, and it has been a success so far! Click here to watch the video.

While Duxbury Superintendent of Schools Susan Skeiber has not commented publicly on the reasons for the decision not to renew Sweet’s contract, one of the rumors circulating in town is that Sweet’s decision not to promote three seniors to the varsity team while adding eight freshmen, including his son, was a contributing factor. Sweet stood by his roster moves this week, saying all his cuts were based strictly on the performances at tryouts.

Duxbury lacrosse players battled for Chris Sweet on the field, winning six state titles in a row  –– now they’re fighting to help their coach keep his job.

For the second season of the Southeast Alumni Symphony Orchestra, manager Dan Kostreva knew he wanted to do something for the memory of the student who encouraged him to start the group.

After much discussion from neighbors, a conditional permit was approved for the reconstruction of a house on Duxbury Beach last week.

South Shore Conservatory announces the winners of the 2009 Duxbury Music Festival Solo Competition, which was held Saturday, July 25, at the Ellison Center for the Arts. Dasol Jeong, violin, first prize; Si Yuan Li, piano, second prize; Laurent Rohrbasser, piano, third prize.

Sometimes a flower can be more than just a pretty thing in someone’s garden. Sometimes a flower can give people hope.

 Every year, the Duxbury Rural and Historical Society leads a group of interested residents to Clark's Island in Duxbury Bay for a picnic. Clark's Island contains "Pulpit Rock," considered by some to be the "real" Plymouth Rock, since a group of settlers landed there and held a Sunday service under the shelter of a great boulder well before the Mayflower denizens set foot in what is now Plymouth. Click here for more photos.