Farmstand at Standstill

Farmer Mike King has been attempting to secure municipal approval(s) to open the now-closed farmstand on North Street using the Dover Amendment.

            In part, the Dover Amendment law exempts “agricultural, religious, and educational uses from certain zoning restrictions. By limiting what zoning requirements apply to land and structures that hold these uses, the Dover Amendment makes it easier for these uses to build structures to serve their needs.”

            So far, his efforts have yielded more questions than answers according to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Further, King’s request for a site-plan review by the Planning Board didn’t move the approval needle very far.

            One of the main hurdles King has faced is the lack of a tangible lease agreement between himself and the Ferguson family, owners of the North Street location. Both the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Planning Board have requested this document, making it a double sticking point to the operation of the farmstand.

            During the June 25 meeting of the Planning Board, King discussed the parking spaces including a handicap space. He also described in brief terms possible future expansion of the farmstand including a petting zoo and picnic area where people could enjoy nature.

            The issue of increased traffic from patrons of the farmstand was a major concern for the abutters who were not in favor of the stand. The appearance of the parcel and what one neighbor called a possible carnival atmosphere in a residential neighborhood was problematic.

            Looking back at the timeline of events that has led up to the standstill, there was an agreement on behalf of the town by the previous Building Director David Riquinha that allowed the stand to operate in 2004, noting its previous history as a farm. However, Carole Clifford, a lifelong abutter to the property in question, said it had never been a farm. She intimated that the neighborhood looked the other way when tenant Gary Rego sold a few vegetables, nothing more.

            King said the new Building Director William McGrady is not in favor of the farmstand and against the variance King sought through the ZBA. At its June 26 meeting, the ZBA opted to give King until August 21 to produce a lease agreement. McGrady said in his opinion the structure at the North Street location “should be condemned and torn down.”

            No other action was taken at that time. However, King asserted, as he has several times, that he is not required to secure a variance and that the Dover Amendment exempts farmers from many zoning bylaws.

Mattapoisett Planning Board & Zoning Board of Appeals

By Marilou Newell

Roses of Summer

The moment when the roses are at their best is quite unlike any other. Mattapoisett’s village is full of them right now, cascading over walls, arbors, and fences and adorning gates and gazebos in one climactic summer gush.

            There must be more roses here per square foot than anywhere, I think, making my way along Water Street, down Pearl, and around to Cannon. Delicate sprays of pink shower a sidewalk with silken petals overpowering the salt air with spicy deliciousness. Farther on, clusters of dainty Betty Prior roses smile girlishly beside an historic home. Then comes the classic portrait – red blooms against a white picket fence.

            Although their visit is brief, roses define the New England summer as much as sailboats and clams.

            When you consider their rich history, numerous varieties, and uncontested beauty, it’s understandable that roses are considered the most popular flowers in the world. They have seduced writers, artists, royalty (most notably the Empress Josephine), and the average gardener. I can’t think of another flower possessing as much mystique as the rose.

            Shakespeare fell for them and the literary references to roses are many. In the closing lines of Sonnet 109, rose imagery is used to symbolize the speaker’s beloved: “For nothing this wide universe I call/ Save thou, my Rose; in it thou are my all.”

            Acclaimed writer and Harvard Professor Michael Pollan, author of “Second Nature,” cites several allusions to roses in a chapter devoted to roses: “ …the War of the Roses… the crown of thorns… rosy-fingered dawn… sub rosa… Rose is a rose is a rose… the rosary… the Roseicrucians… The Romance of the Rose… the Rose Bowl… the bed of roses… by any other name would smell as sweet… Dante’s yellow rose of Paradise… through rose-colored glasses… Rosebud… Tennyson’s white rose of virginity… Aphrodite’s flower… the Virgin Mary’s too… blood of Adonis… symbol of love, purity, transience, eternity… symbol, it seems, of symbols.”

            Mr. Pollan writes with humor and wisdom about his experience growing roses on a farm in Connecticut. This provocative passage extolling a particular old rose helps explain their seductive appeal:

            “I had by now read so much about old roses that I frankly doubted they could live up to their billing. But Madame Hardy was beautiful. From a small, undistinguished bud emerged a tightly wound bundle of pure porcelain-white petals that were held in a perfect half-globe as if by an invisible teacup. The petals were innumerable yet not merely a mass; more ladylike than that, the fine tissue of Madame Hardy’s petals was subtly composed into the quartered form of a rosette, and the blooms made me think of the rose window of Gothic cathedrals, which had not before looked to me anything like a rose.”

            Calling Madame Hardy as “an expression of another time,” Pollan relates how Josephine’s gardener had bred the flower and named it for his wife. “She embodies the classic form of the old roses, and comes closer to the image the word rose has conjured in people’s minds for most of Western history than does the rose in our florist shops today. When Shakespeare compared his love to a rose, this must have been pretty much what he had in mind. To look closely at the bloom of an antique rose is at least in some small way, an exercise of the historical imagination. You see it through your own eyes, yet also through the eyes of another time.”

            Once smitten, it’s hard to imagine a garden without roses. They add a certain finishing touch. Anyone who grows roses knows that these queens of flowers are high maintenance. From planting to pruning to watering and nurturing. Not to mention handling the many pests and numerous afflictions that may blight them. This doesn’t hold us back from our love affair, it only makes us more determined to succeed.

            I have learned what works for me – much preferring a strongly scented bloom over the ones that are faint. Years ago, the noted New Bedford nurseryman Allen Haskell recommended Dublin Bay as a choice red climber for my front arbor. I didn’t disagree that this was indeed a stunner, but it just did not perfume the air as I’d hoped. So, I recommend taking this into consideration when choosing a rose – choose with not just your eyes but your other senses as well.

            In a long-ago rose wish list, I had wanted two French roses dating back to the 1800s: Blanc Double de Coubert, described by Gertrude Jekyll as “the whitest rose of any known” and Zephirine Drouhin, a cerise pink climber with thornless canes and a quaint cottage look. It took me a long time to get around to achieving my wish – with lots of other spur-of-the-moment purchases preceding.

            I found Zephirine at Roseland the other day while guiding my friend Nancy through the legions of roses and we both surrendered to her combined appeal – color, scent, and lack of thorns. There are many other beauties and as we made our way through them, we swooned, moved in close for a waft of their perfume and stood back in utter awe at so many beautiful roses. It may seem daunting choosing, but you’ve got to get in there and as I told Nancy, “You’ll know it when you find the right one!”

            Because variety is the spice of life – particularly true with roses – she rounded up her shopping with the addition of another climber, Pearly Gates, which has exquisite large pastel pink flowers befitting their heavenly name. Nancy also found a very different proposition in the groundcover rose Playful Happy Trails which I likewise took home for a vacant spot in the front border. Cousin to Rainbow Happy Trails and patented by Weeks Roses it is in a word, winsome, with a sort of sweet charm of an Ellie May or (if you remember the films) Tammy conveyed in bright red petals with a gold center.

            There is a rose for every kind of garden and gardener. Once under their spell, you just might find you have the necessary time to keep them in your garden and your life.

            “There is simply the rose; it is perfect every moment of its existence.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson.

The Seaside Gardener

By Laura McLean

Rochester Historical Bake Sale

On July 12 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, the Historical Society is having a Strawberry/Blueberry Bake Sale at the Church Homestead 139 Mattapoisett Road. We’re also kicking off our new exhibit, The Tools and Industries That Made Rochester. The Churches brought industry to early Rochester with one of the first sawmills. A hiking trail leads to the ruins of the last mill on the site. George Church was a believer in preserving Rochester history through the tools and the men, many of whom worked in Rochester’s mills. He created a museum to make younger generations aware of the tools and work that their ancestors did.

            Come walk the trails, look at the Pony Pasture and the beautifully restored stone walls (thanks to the Land Trust), learn about the Church family and George’s generous gifts of preserved land in the town of Rochester and buy lots and lots of delicious goodies.

Buzzards Bay Musicfest Swing Band

Since its inception in 2017, the Buzzards Bay Musicfest Swing Band has delighted audiences with jazz from different eras, genres, styles and origins. The commonality is the energetic and experienced approach of the instrumentalists as they interpret the truly American art form that is not only historically significant but deeply rooted in the souls of all who appreciate good music. From a veteran of the Tony Bennett Band to a Berklee College of Music Professor and from the former piano accompanist for Sheila Jordan to the former drummer of the Artie Shaw Band, these nine artists and improvisors exhibit the spirit of the constantly evolving jazz tradition. Please come to hear the band trace the history of jazz. It is not meant to be comprehensive or completely chronological but more of a sampling of the various styles, from the early 1900’s through to the 21st century. The band will explore the different streams of jazz as they develop into divergent and independent streams. The music of composers Scott Joplin, W. C. Handy, Lil Harden, George Gershwin, Freddie Green, Fats Waller, Charlie Parker, Gerry Mulligan, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Wayne Shorter, Joe Henderson, Paul Desmond and Kenny Garrett will be presented on Friday, July 11, 7:30 pm, at the Fireman Performing Arts Center on the campus of Tabor Academy, 245 Front St., Marion. The best part – free admission. Please visit www.buzzardsbaymusicfest.com for more detailed information.

Academic Achievements

Leah Przybyszewski of Mattapoisett has graduated from American International College (AIC) with a Master of Science in Nursing in Nursing.

            Benjamin Giumetti, son of Shannon and Don Giumetti of Mattapoisett, has earned Dean’s List honors again at Providence College for the Spring 2025 semester. Ben is an Honors Finance major in the Ryan School of Business.

            Brielle Fernandes of Rochester has earned an Associate of Science in Radiologic Technology at MassBay Community College’s 63rd Commencement ceremony on May 29, 2025. Brielle has also been named to the MassBay Community College Dean’s List for the Spring 2025 semester.

            Lauren Rapoza of Marion was named to the Dean’s List during the spring 2025 academic semester at Salve Regina University.

#EverybodyLikesToBeThemselves

NolanFest 2025 was held Saturday, June 28 at Silvershell Beach in Marion. The event commemorates the nearly five years since the passing of Nolan Gibbons on Tuesday, August 18, 2020, just after his 15th birthday. Nolan attended Old Rochester Regional High School and had been an at the time. He had, the year before, been an attendee at A Capella Academy in Los Angeles which he had said was “the best 10 days of my life!”​

            The festival kicked off at 5:00 pm with a recording of Nolan singing the national anthem. Nolan’s parents, Sheila and Warren Gibbons, then spoke, with his father saying, “when we did it the first year, it was his memorial, and we didn’t know what to do. So, we thought we’d do it again and we started a non-profit (the Nolan Gibbons Memorial Fund). So, now we’re supporting young, emerging artists with grants and scholarships.” He added, “We started this because Nolan passed, but we keep doing it because of how he lived.”

            A food truck and local vendors were present with nearly 20 musical acts performing throughout the night. The first was The Showstoppers, of which Nolan had been a member, who began with a rendition of various songs from Hamilton. On the bottom of the stage was the hashtag “#EverybodyLikesToBeThemselves” or “Everybody Wants To Be Themselves,” the motto Nolan lived by. The group performed while a warm breeze from the sea carried bubbles into the crowd.

            Following, many previous receivers of grants from the fund played as well as two winners of 2025 grants, themselves being PJ Hovey and Xavier Monteiro. The festival went long after sunset, with many walking to the beach with chairs to sit and listen. To learn more about Nolan Gibbons, NolanFest 2025, or the Nolan Gibbons Memorial Fund, you can visit www.nolangibbons.org.

NolanFest 2025

By Sam Bishop

Allocating Remaining FY25 Funds

Rochester’s Park Commission focused its meeting Monday on spending the remainder of its funds for FY25 before the new fiscal year, FY26, starts on July 1.

            The commission approved spending $4,999 to replace 150 feet of fencing at Gifford Park with a durable vinyl one. Next, the board granted another $2,980.12 to start fertilizing the town’s park grounds for the season. The goal was to spend down the $10,842.84 left in FY25 funding, Commission Chair David Sylvia said. The board must encumber the money from the soon-to-be-ending fiscal year in writing by July 9, he explained.

            The contract to Wareham-based ABS Fence, Inc., was approved at $4,999 after commission members informed ABS that town contracts must come in at under $5,000 to avoid the requirement that such an expense go out to bid. The commission also agreed that ABS would donate $2,183 to the town in exchange for being allowed to place a sign that advertises the business on the new fencing.

            Commission members also reviewed their plan to install a permanent pickleball court at Dexter Lane Park. Sylvia explained that currently the basketball court is being used for pickleball, and the temporary net is getting “beat up” by the kids playing there. A dedicated pickleball court elsewhere at the Dexter Lane fields was suggested. Sylvia said his first step toward that goal will be talking to David Arancio of the Capital Planning Committee for that advisory board’s support.

            In other action, the commission approved new member Nathan Reece’s motion to establish a park-specific account and page on Facebook. Town Administrator Cameron Durant will be asked to support this plan. Reece volunteered to be the Facebook page’s administrator. It also agreed to Reece’s proposal that he become the commission’s communications person, handling the public’s concerns and requests for information.

            The commission did not schedule its next meeting before adjourning.

Rochester Parks Commission

By Michael J. DeCicco

Hello from Plumb Library

Summer is in full-swing here at the Library. Check out these cool upcoming teen programs.

            Teen Book Swap. This drop-in event will be held from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm Thursday, July 3. Clean off your shelves, bring your books to the Library, trade them with other book lovers, and go home with some great new finds. This free program is best for kids ages 12 and up and will be held in our Downstair Program Room. Come share your favorite titles, authors, and series with new friends.

            Teen Theater Workshop. This for-teens-by-teens event will be held from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm Thursday, July 10 in our Downstair Program Room. Registration is required and space is limited. This event is best for kids in grades 6-8 and will be facilitated by high school seniors from the Old Colony High School Theater Company. Learn about ad-libbing, script reading, and how a show runs from start to finish. Sign up on the Events Calendar at www.plumblibrary.com.

Other upcoming events:

            Knitting Group 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm Mondays (July 7, 14, 21, 28). All levels of adult handcrafters are welcome at this social gathering. Bring your latest projects.

            Library Trustees Meeting 6:30 pm Monday July 7. Meetings are open to the public, agendas and minutes are posted on the Town of Rochester’s website.

            COA Book Group 1 pm Tuesday July 15 to discuss “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn” by Betty Smith. Books are available for pick up at the Library.

            Writers Group 6:30 pm Thursday July 17. Open to anyone 19+ who is interested in fiction writing of any genre. Writing prompts are provided, sharing is encouraged, light refreshments are served.

            New Boards and Cards 11:00 am to 2:00 pm Saturday, July 26. This new volunteer run program is a social gathering for adults who like games. Bring a favorite to share or try one here.

            Books and Babble Book club 6:30 pm Thursday July 31 to discuss “L.A. Weather” by Maria Escandon. Books are available for pick up at the Library.

            Friends of the Library 6:00 pm Thursday July 31. Meeting is open to the public. We are in search of new board members (and members in general). Come to this meeting if you’d like to help out.

            Note: the Library will be closed for Independence Day, Friday, July 4 and Saturday, July 5.

            Library hours: Monday/Thursday 1:00 pm to 8:00 pm; Tuesday/Wednesday 10:00 am to 6:00 pm; Friday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm; Saturday 10:00 am to 2:00 pm; closed on Sundays and Holidays. Contact us: call 508-763-8600 or email at info@plumblibrary.com during regular hours. Check our Events Calendar, Newsletter, Facebook, and Instagram pages for information, upcoming events, and more.

            Library cards are required for checkout. If you’ve lost your card, it can be replaced for $2. Download the SAILS Mobile app, it’s a quick and easy way to always have your card with you. We’re happy to show you how it works.

St. Philip’s Episcopal Church

The Rev. Robert Malm, Interim Rector at St. Peter’s On-the-Canal, Buzzards Bay, will conduct services at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, next to the Town Beach, in Mattapoisett on Sunday, July 6. The 8:00 am and 10:00 am services use the 1928 Book of Common Prayer, and all are welcome to attend.

Mattapoisett Yacht Club June Series

Tuesday night Ensign racers had some company on the starting line tonight as the ORR Bulldog sailing team joined them on the racecourse. The Ensign battle for first place for the June Series between Brou Ha Ha and Odyssey was complicated by Black Ice winning both of the nights’ races. Odyssey placing second in both races cemented their title as the June Series winner. One point behind, Brou Ha Ha finished second in June and Black Ice finished third for the series.

            Wednesday Night PHRF Series – With very calm winds and a shortened course the Wednesday night racing was very close with seconds deciding many of the positions.

            In Class A, No Quarter Given beat Restless by 12 seconds to win the race and also win the June Series. Surprise finished third, losing to Restless by only 15 seconds. Coconuts finished fourth in the race.

            For the June Series it was No Quarter Given first, Restless second, and Coconuts third.

            In Class B, Fir Na Tine held on to beat Kinsail by seven seconds for the win. Lindisfarne finished third and Chickadee was fourth.

            For the June Series the winner was Fir Na Tine, followed by Kinsail, Chickadee third and Lindisfarne in fourth.

            Tuesday night the Race Committee held two sets of races as the ORR sail team joined in the fun in their 420s. Starting in the second starting sequence, after the Ensigns, 5 boats, each with a skipper and crew, raced 4 races in a windward/leeward course. The high school team usually races under “team racing rules” in which racers are able to sacrifice their positions in the race to help their teammates to earn a better overall team score. However, Tuesday night each boat sailed for individual honors. Each week skipper and crews will be swapped around making for highly competitive racing.

            In most cases, Tuesday night races starting at 6:00 pm can be viewed from Ned’s Point.