February 28, 2025 By Carol Britton Meyer
Welcome to “Five Minutes With” – Anchor’s new feature to help us get to know our neighbors. Everyone has a unique story to tell, so let’s get to know each other a bit more! Have someone you’d love to spend five minutes getting to know? Email us at info@hinghamanchor.com.
Carol Britton Meyer recently connected with Hingham Downtown Association board president Beth McGrath. You can learn more about Beth below — her role withthe HDA, her favorite vacation destination, and what she enjoys doing in her spare time!
Role(s) in community: I am Realtor with William Raveis Real Estate in addition to acting as Hingham Downtown Association (HDA) board president, co-president of Hingham Newcomers Club, and secretary of the board for the Su Escuela Language Academy Parents Association.
What your work involves: As a Realtor in Hingham and the South Shore, my mission is to help others find their place in this vibrant community and make their buying or selling journey smooth and successful. Beyond my professional work, as co-President of the Newcomers Club, I lead an incredible team of volunteers dedicated to welcoming new residents and engaging community members by creating opportunities for connections, friendships, and involvement within the town.
The Club has been a part of Hingham for over 50 years, and we recognize that members want to stay involved long after their first years in town. This year, we aim to expand the Club’s vision beyond a social network for newcomers, creating lasting connections and opportunities for all residents.
As I take on the new role as Board President of the HDA, which began in early February, I’m focusing on fostering community connections, supporting local businesses, growing our membership, and enhancing downtown through new and improved events and initiatives for residents, visitors, and business owners alike. I collaborate with town leaders, local businesses, and residents to strengthen our local economy and ensure Hingham’s downtown remains a thriving destination.
What you hope to/have accomplished so far: I’ve been eager to take on the role of HDA board president and right out of the gate, several goals of our new board, along with our new executive director, include enhancing collaboration among local businesses; cultivating the relationships we have with adjoining towns; creating fresh, innovative community events; and of course, continuing to honor the traditions that make downtown Hingham a cherished destination for residents, visitors, and business owners alike. Drawing on my leadership and organizational skills, strong community ties, and dedication to preserving Hingham’s unique charm, I’m really committed to driving growth, fostering partnerships across the South Shore, and ensuring downtown Hingham continues to thrive.
Your favorite part of serving as HDA board president: I enjoy most the opportunity to connect with so many wonderful people in Hingham and beyond. These relationships are what make my involvement in the HDA so meaningful and why I wanted to join the board. I’m excited to play a role in preserving Hingham’s charm and traditions while also contributing to its growth and evolution. It’s a privilege to be even a small part of the town’s ongoing history and to help shape its future.
Do you have any children? I have two kids — Millie, a first grader, and Jack, a preschooler. And I’m married to an absolute sports fanatic.
What makes downtown Hingham unique? Any Hinghamite would agree that the town offers a unique blend of small-town coastal charm and rich history. While we love its downtown, beaches, shops, museums, and restaurants, what matters most are the friendships we’ve built and the strong sense of community we’ve found here — something rare to find. Neither my husband nor I are originally from the Boston area or even Massachusetts, but in Hingham, we’ve truly found our tribe and feel like this is exactly where we were meant to be.
What do you enjoy most doing in your spare time? Between my real estate business, involvement within these organizations, and being a mom, I’m in that “busy season” of life. My children are still young, but I know this time is fleeting, so my downtime is mostly spent with them as they dive into new activities. However, at the end of the day, sitting down with a glass of wine with my husband or friends, or catching up on a TV show is what I enjoy most. Also, thanks to a recent Hingham Newcomers event, I started to needlepoint, to which my daughter exclaimed, “Mom, you finally have a new hobby!”
Favorite Hingham restaurant and meal: The Steak Frites at Scarlet Oak is a go-to for us — even as a to-go order — they are cooked to perfection! I also love Square Café’s Grain Bowl with salmon or Chilean sea bass . . . and their Dirty Martinis are amazing.
Favorite Hingham local spot: Hingham Maritime Center’s summer beer garden with Untold Brewery was a favorite spot last year –- looking forward to being back this Spring and summer!
Favorite vacation destination: I absolutely loved our time on safari in South Africa and can’t wait to take our kids at some point. Other favorite spots are Florence, Kyoto (Japan), and Croatia.
Do you have a hidden talent? I’m not sure if this is a talent, but I was a figure skater through elementary, middle, and high school, competing on the state and regional level.
Interesting fact about yourself that others may not know about: Despite my love for connections, meeting new people, and travel, I am a complete homebody at heart and love nothing more than sitting on my couch at the end of the day.
