The 2026 Niche rankings of schools and school districts in America were announced today. Niche points out that their rankings take into account factors that other ranking services don't consider. For example, they note their rankings factor in "real experiences from students, parents and educators." For some, that may seem like arguing that Facebook is a…

Exploring the intersection of sacred and secular. I grew up in construction in the South, which offered so many opportunities to hear an abundance of colorful aphorisms. As a language nerd, I loved quips like, “even a blind squirrel gets a nut once in a while.” In Part 1: Giving COVID a Finger, I…

The town of Sudbury is known for its abundance of single-family homes, green lawns, open space, and public schools. But what if you're not interested in buying a single-family home? What options are available to you? Given single-family homes make up the vast majority of Sudbury's housing stock, about 94% according to the…

Exploring the intersection of sacred and secular. There are some life lessons that would serve us well to learn early, and when we learn them later – mostly because of multiple mistakes that we can only make and learn from later, it becomes mighty painful. Never Whittle Toward Yourself My COVID Finger is not…

In golf, it’s usually bad news when you find yourself in the woods. But that may not be the case in Sudbury.  Tucked behind a fishing pond, and bordered by majestic pines, there’s a little-known golf practice facility in Sudbury, Massachusetts.  Don’t get your hopes up for Top Golf-caliber technology and amenities, and don’t…

250 Years Ago, Sudbury was in the middle of an epidemic known as the bloody flux. We know this from Rev. Jacob Bigelow’s Burial Records and the Diary of Experience Wright Richardson, in which she recorded her thoughts from 1728 until 1782. She mentions the disease first in August 29 and twice more, for example:…

Your Health with Dr. McShine [This is the first column in a regular series of health information and wellness tips from Emerson Health Sudbury.] September is Fall Prevention Month, an important reminder that preventing accidents is an important part of protecting your health and independence. Falls are one of the leading causes of injury…

Exploring the intersection of sacred and secular. I’m at the (interminable) stage of writing The Myth of a Dying Church that’s editing, narrowing the scope, and filling in gaps. The current chapter ponders human nature, how we think we’ve changed, and whether or not the idea that we have changed is true at all.…