Alan Hendry stood with friends and family to watch the Independence Day parade in Squantum. But it was really his own independence Hendry was... more

Alan Hendry stood with friends and family to watch the Independence Day parade in Squantum. But it was really his own independence Hendry was celebrating. A year ago, Hendry's only functioning kidney was failing, and he was weeks away from being hooked to a dialysis machine to keep him alive. Then he got his life back. Ken Bambrick, the husband of his wife's friend, donated one of his kidneys. Last Fourth of July, Hendry, 51, of Quincy, was looking at a five-year wait for a new kidney. He had sent out 50 e- mails asking former classmates and friends to consider donating an kidney to help save his life. Hendry's only functioning kidney had been donated by his brother 30 years earlier, and had been failing for the past three years. He was at 5 percent kidney function. His health had failed to the point where he was too tired even to take his 13-year-old daughter bowling. That's when his wifell,ll Kathleenll,ll reconnected with childhood friend Kathleen Bambrick at their workplaces at Marina Bay. After discovering the Hendrys' situation, Ken Bambrick, 52, and his wife offered to be tested. Kathleen was not a match. But Ken Bambrick, who said he was upset nobody no one had come forward to help Hendry, was a nearly perfect match. "I was excited," Ken Bambrick said of the months- long testing process. "I had some sort of feeling that it was all going to go through." Ken Bambrick, a father of 10-year-old twin boys, said he would have felt guilty had he not offered to get tested last August. "Everyone hopes they can do something that has meaning during their life," he said. On Jan. 8, after months of tests, consultations, anxiety and hope, the two men went into surgery together at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. Both said the experience changed them. Hendry is now able to run, swim and live unencumbered by health problems. Bambrick emerged with one less kidney, but knows he saved another person. "He's my hero," Hendry's mother, June, said. As their families gathered at June Hendry's house on July 4th Friday, the two men showed quiet appreciation for what each gained from the experience. They talked, and they joked. "He doesn't have to call me all the time and thank me," Ken Bambrick said. "But if he wants to buy me a new truck, he's welcome to." "Or a boat!," Kathleen Bambrick said. "Right, the truck is going to pull the boat," Ken Bambrick said. Ken Bambrick said he feels as good today as he felt before the surgery, but was worried about how his kidney, which doctors said was the "best looking kidney they'd ever seen," would be received by Hendry. Hendry is doing fine. He has been able to be more active and, for the first time in 30 years, swim without fear of kidney infection from an external stent in his old kidney. "I definitely think he's got a piece of Ken," Kathleen Bambrick said. "We kid around about that." "He saved his life," Kathleen Hendry said, giving him back his independence. Bambrick, who has to do some manual labor in his job at a granite supply company, said taking some time off work was only a small disruption, and an easy call to make. "I knew for the amount of time I was going to put in, it would pay dividends," he said. "I know that I made the right decision. I see it sitting right here." less

Cruella de Vil, Zorro and Grease couple Danny and Sandy floated in on a red carpeton Marty's GMC's "Oscar Moments" stage. The Evening Garden Club of... more

Cruella de Vil, Zorro and Grease couple Danny and Sandy floated in on a red carpeton Marty's GMC's "Oscar Moments" stage. The Evening Garden Club of Plymouth float was in a flower-covered set for the Wizard of Oz, complete with a camera and director, driven by a lion. And Snow White, Spiderman, Mickey Mouse and a few Pirates of the Caribbean waved to the crowd of thousands who lined the streets from Cordage Park Marketplace to the reviewing stand at Plymouth Rock Friday for the annual Fourth of July parade. turned out Friday to watch the town's annual Fourth of July parade, which kicked off at Cordage Park Marketplace and wound down Court Street and Main Street before turning onto Water Street to a reviewing stand next to Plymouth Rock. The theme of the parade was The "star" sightings were all in keeping with the parade theme, "Hooray for Hollywood," sparked by Hollywood executives' plan to build a movie studio in town. Organizers chose the theme as a way to welcome Plymouth Rock Studios to town with the hometown parade, said Parade Coordinator Jeffrey Metcalfe. "Early this spring we knew that Plymouth Rock Studios was looking to come to Plymouth," said July 4 Plymouth, Inc. Chairman Kenneth Tavares. "We thought it would be kind of a fun thing for people to play with, the Hollywood theme," And Parade regulars said the theme was a great way to get kids excited about the parade from the sidelines. "They got to be part of it," said Kristen Sullivan, 17, of Plymouth. "They saw characters from movies they've seen. It kept them all involved." But the excitement went beyond the silver screen. The parade began with fire engines with blasting sirens, roaring motorcycles and classic cars, and ended with limos and Mexican cowboys. In between, there were jugglers, cyclists, honor guards, businesspeople, sports teams, scouts, bands from Brockton, Plymouth and Canada and Uncle Sam on stilts. Signs throughout welcomed "Hollywood East." "It's a great parade," said Plymouth resident Paul McAlduff. "It's just a lot of fun seeing the crowds. It's nice that Plymouth Rock Studios is being part of it." A float from Designs Unique carried a man scrubbing in a star-covered shower with bubbles blowing in the air. The Plymouth Public Library presented the "Plymouth Rockettes" on a black and shimmering silver float. Jack Conway's float advertised "Conway goes Hollywood," and Habitat for Humanity's featured directional signs for the Emerald City and Hollywood East. Children yelled to passing cars for candy and cheered for passing movie characters. Veterans and politicians waved and shook hands. "We're very patriotic. We like to come and instill that in the kids," said Patty Gahan of Florida, who visits Massachusetts every summer. "It's actually become a family tradition for us." "It just shows how much spirit people really have, and love for the country," said Kerry Pollard of Plymouth. "This is my favorite holiday." Holiday traditions abound across the South Shore Friday where Hingham's annual parade took a celebration of learning as its theme, Marshfield residents gathered on the town hall green for the annual reading of the Declaration of Independence and Hull's Hampton Circle neighborhood conducted its yearly patriotic march. The town's Fourth festivities concluded with a patriotic concert and fireworks over Plymouth Harbor. Plymouth Rock Studios offered last month to underwrite Friday's pyrotechnic display. Sydney Schwartz may be reached at sschwartz@ledger.com. less

Known for the bright rhododendron blooms that cover the property through early June, the Heritage Museums and Gardens is more than a horticultural... more

Known for the bright rhododendron blooms that cover the property through early June, the Heritage Museums and Gardens is more than a horticultural dream: It is a hodgepodge of art, culture and history spread over 100 meticulously landscaped acres. Auto enthusiasts will revel in a medley of mint-condition rides displayed in the round Shaker barn that houses the J.K. Lilly III Antique Automobile Museum. Across the park at the Art Museum, a gallery of folk art is steps away from a hand-carved carousel, where kids and adults alike can bob and twirl on elaborate horses for free. Next door, an exhibit that explores pirates through history and in pop culture has movies, a climb-inside jail and the chance to take the wheel of a pirate ship. A short walk away, the American History Museum offers rotating exhibits housed in an imposing replica of a Revolutionary War fort where George Washington's army spent the last winter of the Revolutionary War. And even the walk between exhibits will promises to entertain, with mazes, gardens and an impressive windmill scattered throughout the park. less

Gerda Brooks Cohen donates sales from the jewelry she makes from glass she collects on the beach to an autism charity.

Gerda Brooks Cohen donates sales from the jewelry she makes from glass she collects on the beach to an autism charity. less

Patriot Ledger reporter Chuck Maclean interviews Boston Pops conductor Keith Lockhart.

Patriot Ledger reporter Chuck Maclean interviews Boston Pops conductor Keith Lockhart. less

Home invasion thwarted in Weymouth.

Home invasion thwarted in Weymouth. less

The 911 call with the 12-year-old who called the police as his home was being robbed Monday.

The 911 call with the 12-year-old who called the police as his home was being robbed Monday. less

A Mass Audubon team placed aluminum identification bands on the legs of the young osprey Wednesday.

A Mass Audubon team placed aluminum identification bands on the legs of the young osprey Wednesday. less

Here's a video presentation of some activities planned for Hull and Nantasekt Beach for the upcoming July 4th holiday weekend. By Cathleen Jeffrey

Here's a video presentation of some activities planned for Hull and Nantasekt Beach for the upcoming July 4th holiday weekend. By Cathleen Jeffrey less

Kirsten Shetler, 17, and her sister Brianna Shetler, 15, from Quincy, Michael Ryan, 17, and his sister Meghan Ryan, 15, and Adam Randall, 17, all from Braintree, perform "One Day More" from Les Miserables for a chance to sing with the Boston Pops on July 4th.

Kirsten Shetler, 17, and her sister Brianna Shetler, 15, from Quincy, Michael Ryan, 17, and his sister Meghan Ryan, 15, and Adam Randall, 17, all from Braintree, perform "One Day More" from Les Miserables for a chance to sing with the Boston Pops on July 4th. less

Fishing is a summertime tradition on the South Shore, and at Luddam's Ford Park in Hanover, you are sure to find people with rod and reel. For more, visit www.patriotledger.com

Fishing is a summertime tradition on the South Shore, and at Luddam's Ford Park in Hanover, you are sure to find people with rod and reel. For more, visit www.patriotledger.com less

Police Chief Paul Keenan was sworn in as Quincy's top cop on Tuesday at a City Hall ceremony.

Police Chief Paul Keenan was sworn in as Quincy's top cop on Tuesday at a City Hall ceremony. less

Braintree Post 86 baseball team pulled out the win after nearly giving up a big lead to Quincy Post 95.

Braintree Post 86 baseball team pulled out the win after nearly giving up a big lead to Quincy Post 95. less

The fire department is feeling the town budget squeeze a little more strongly today, as it closes one station and sees its firefighter levels drop to a 10-... more

The fire department is feeling the town budget squeeze a little more strongly today, as it closes one station and sees its firefighter levels drop to a 10- year low. For details, see Tuesday's Patriot Ledger or patriotledger.com. Station Engine 2 is shut down as of today, a move firefighters say will likely lengthen response times in East Weymouth. When calls from the Station 2 area come in, equipment and personnel will be sent out from the department's other three stations, which are on North Street, Winter Street and Park Avenue. For less

The Hull Academic Support Coalition will hold the first annual Hull Fishing Derby Classic on Saturday, July 19. By Cathleen Jeffrey

The Hull Academic Support Coalition will hold the first annual Hull Fishing Derby Classic on Saturday, July 19. By Cathleen Jeffrey less

On Sunday afternoon many gathered for the Blessing of the Fleet at the town pier between the Nantasket Salt Water Club and the Hull Yacht Club -- by Cathleen Jeffrey

On Sunday afternoon many gathered for the Blessing of the Fleet at the town pier between the Nantasket Salt Water Club and the Hull Yacht Club -- by Cathleen Jeffrey less

On Saturday, June 28, the Hull Fire Dept. held its annual Kid Care Program, where they fingerprinted kids to help identify them if they ever went missing. They also provided a mobile unit that taught kids how to escape from a smoke-filled building.

On Saturday, June 28, the Hull Fire Dept. held its annual Kid Care Program, where they fingerprinted kids to help identify them if they ever went missing. They also provided a mobile unit that taught kids how to escape from a smoke-filled building. less

The 4:30 p.m. Catholic mass was a little more crowded than normal at St. Ann's Church in Hull as many in the congregation gathered to wish Sister Jeanne Leahy all the best in her retirement. By Cathleen Jeffrey

The 4:30 p.m. Catholic mass was a little more crowded than normal at St. Ann's Church in Hull as many in the congregation gathered to wish Sister Jeanne Leahy all the best in her retirement. By Cathleen Jeffrey less

Despite the overcast weather, surfers from the 1960s descended on Nantasket Beach for a reunion. By Cathleen Jeffrey

Despite the overcast weather, surfers from the 1960s descended on Nantasket Beach for a reunion. By Cathleen Jeffrey less

On Sunday, June 22, Hull's No Place for Hate Committee sponosred a tree-planting ceremony at Hull Town Hall to honor the memory of Sumner Goldberg, who was a founding member of the committee, as well as the town's veterans' agent.

On Sunday, June 22, Hull's No Place for Hate Committee sponosred a tree-planting ceremony at Hull Town Hall to honor the memory of Sumner Goldberg, who was a founding member of the committee, as well as the town's veterans' agent. less