GETTING SETTLED

You've got the utilities on and at least a third of those boxes unpacked, now it's time to settle into Duxbury life. For those of you who've been around a few years and given up on that last set of boxes here's a check list to make sure you haven't missed anything.

1) First thing, subscribe to our local newspaper, the Duxbury Clipper! It gives you an eye on the town.

2) Join the Duxbury Newcomers' Club (we'd have made that first on the list but we're humble) as soon as you arrive! You must also be sure to buy the cookbook (excellent seaside recipes and a historical view of Duxbury). Don't forget to get an afghan too for nippy evenings. Now you are truly a resident of Duxbury!

3) Register your car, etc. at the Registry of Motor Vehicles in Plymouth. Do this on a weekday if you can. Do not go to Brockton!

4) Make a stop at Town Hall for your required permits, such as: a transfer station sticker, a beach parking lot sticker, an on-sand four wheel drive vehicle sticker, a dog walking permit, clam digging permit, fishing permit and (not to be forgotten) to register to vote!

5) If you have a boat, sign up for a mooring in the bay as soon as you arrive! See the harbormaster. Good luck! This will be an opportunity to learn about the marine facilities in some of our neighboring towns. Also check out the Duxbury Bay Maritime School for an excellent selection of marine programs, with or without a boat!

6) Pick up free maps of Duxbury at most stores in Duxbury. They are invaluable!

7) Get a library card at Duxbury Free Library.

8) Join the town's Percy Walker Pool; great swim programs.

9) Suit up for the beach with an hibachi, boogie boards, beach chairs, and a few boards and a shovel for the back end of your vehicle (just in case your four wheeler gets stuck in the sand).

10) Tides – beach goers live by the tides and Duxbury is notorious for its tides! Beat them with a nice tide clock from The Studio, or buy a less expensive one at Bayside Marine. Bayside Marine and Duxbury Bay Maritime School also have tide calendars. The Clipper also prints a weekly tide chart in each edition.

11) Don't forget the Transfer Station. In addition to being the site for dumping trash, recycling lawn waste and donating old clothes it's also the site of the Duxbury Mall. Check out the take it or leave it areas to pick up used books, bicycles, furniture, etc.. You may need to do some bargaining with the "metal man".

12) If you want to pop into Boston for an event, or just the day, avoid the hassles of driving through the country's most expensive highway project The Big Dig. Use the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority's public transportation! There is even a water shuttle from Hingham Shipyard. Schedules for the commuter rails can be found at the library and online. Try the Logan Direct buses to and from the airport (from Plymouth) or the Logan Express buses from Braintree.

13) Check out the Duxbury Business Association web site at www.duxburybusinessassociation.com for more information on local businesses and services as well as community events.