Scholarship Wreath Sale

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The ladies of the Rochester Women’s Club will be having their annual Scholarship Holiday wreath sale on Saturday, December 6 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. The club house is located at 37 Marion Road, Route 105 in Rochester. Our beautifully hand-crafted wreaths are only $25.00. Your donation goes directly to the Women’s Club Scholarship Fund. Each year the club gives three $1,000.00 scholarships to graduating high school seniors who reside in the town of Rochester.

            This year the wreaths will be decorated not only with great love but within the themes of re-purpose, vintage and nature. Keeping in mind less waste and the natural things you might find in your back yard or at the seashore.

            The Rochester Women’s Club would like to publicly thank Polly and Max Lawrence and Sunny-nook Farm for their constant support of the club and our scholarship fundraising.

            The club meets the first Wednesday of each month at 6:30 pm from September thru May.

            Marsha Hartley 508-322-0998 for club information.

Improving Fire Communication System

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The Marion Fire Department has trouble contacting personnel around the Front Street area near Route 195 and close to the Rochester town line via County Road. The department requested $25,309 from the town’s Reserve Fund to pay for a communication upgrade. The Marion Finance Committee at its November 19 meeting at the Town Hall Annex requested more information before approving the transfer.

            The committee, in fact, spent a good portion of the meeting asking questions about this potential transfer, which would reduce the total amount of Reserve Fund money from $65,000 to just under $40,000.

            Finance authorities mentioned that this represents almost one-third of what is in the Reserve Fund. They asked questions such as whether or not the repair, which is asking for a transmit combiner, would represent a “Band-Aid” approach to the problem. They also asked how long the department has been using the system and if the capital-improvement account was initially sought out.

            Committee members also questioned how long the repair would take.

            “It sounds like it does need to get done and does need to get approved, but from a process standpoint we need a real-life example (of what specifically will get fixed and when),” said Finance Committee Chair Sean Healy.

            Fire Chief Brian Jackvony filled out a form and described that it was a safety concern, especially considering the department loses contact with personnel in that area.

            Healy and fellow Finance Committee members expressed no opposition as long as details are provided. He noted that it speaks to a larger issue, noting that Finance Committee members need more details before approving a funding transfer request in the middle of a fiscal year.

            The Finance Committee also completed their liaison assignments, making each member a financial liaison to a department in town.

            The committee expressed approval of the first November 24 Town Meeting article, which seeks to update the town’s stormwater-management bylaw in line with newer state and federal guidelines.

            The committee made no recommendation on the second article, a Citizens’ Petition which asks for a policy that allows homeowners, at their own request, to install a secondary water-metering system for “water usage, such as lawn irrigation, gardening, feeding of livestock, swimming pools, or other non-sewer activities.”

            Committee members noted that this policy has no financial implications on the town or Finance Committee-related business.

Marion Finance Committee

By Jeffrey D. Wagner

William L. Long

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William L. Long, 85, passed away at his home in Marion, Massachusetts on November 24, 2025. Bill was formerly of Marlborough, Pembroke and Jamaica Plain.

            Bill grew up in Jamaica Plain, and attended Wentworth, and Northeastern University, majoring in electrical engineering. His career evolved from hardware to software engineering, and he worked with McDonnell Douglas, Raytheon, Stratus, and Cisco Systems, from which he retired.

            Bill is predeceased by his wife, Sheila, after 49 years of marriage. He is also predeceased by his brothers Tom, John, and Bob and his parents William and Margaret ‘Peg’.

            He is survived by his brother James (Kathy), his daughters Heather and Lisa, his grandchildren Sara and Dan Cashman, his sister-in-law Sandy, and nieces & nephews, Laura, James, Joe, William ‘BB’ and Robert, as well as a myriad of wonderful Canadian and American cousins.

            Bill was an avid Boston Bruins & Patriots fan, enjoyed exploring his Irish-Scottish heritage, and listening to Celtic music as well as the Pogues, U2 and AC/DC. Bill was known in Marion for his love of fishing, his dry sense of humor and his regular walks along Delano Road with his beloved terrier, Darby. His interests included traveling with his wife, driving to the beach, boating and fishing.

            A visitation will be held at Chapman Funerals and Cremations – Wareham, 2599 Cranberry Hwy. (Rt. 28), Wareham on Saturday, December 13, 2025 from 10 am – 11 am with a celebration of life, prayers and remembrances beginning at 11 am. A luncheon will follow.

            In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Marion Council on Aging, 465 Mill St., Marion, MA 02738 or your local council, as they support aging in place in our communities.

            For directions or to leave a message of condolence visit: www.chapmanfuneral.com

Friends of the Elizabeth Taber Library

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Until December 3, during library hours, the Friends of the Elizabeth Taber Library are accepting “gift worthy” donations of books/puzzles/games/DVDs (no textbooks, please).

            Gift Basket Raffles are currently on display and tickets are available for purchase.

            On the afternoon of December 4, our Holiday Book Sale begins. Enjoy light refreshments during our Preview Day while purchasing sale items. Hours are as follows: December 4 from 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm, December 5 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, and December 6 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.

            The Elizabeth Taber Library is located at 8 Spring Street, Marion. If you have any questions, please call the library at 508-748-1252. Library hours are M/W/F: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, T/Th: 10:00 am to 8:00 pm, Saturday: 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, Sunday: Closed. All proceeds benefit the library.

Jane H. Lonsdale

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Jane H. Lonsdale, 95, of Mattapoisett, died Saturday, October 18, 2025 after a period of declining health.  She was the wife of the late Adrian L. Lonsdale and the daughter of the late Frank P. and Mildred R. Swett.

Jane was born in Arlington, MA and graduated from Arlington High School.  She then attended Connecticut College where she majored in music.  While there, she met Adrian who was attending the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and married in 1950.  They were married for 66 years.  Jane first came to this area in 1966 when Adrian took command of the Coast Guard Cutter Vigilant, then stationed in New Bedford.  In later years, she lived in several places including Thousand Oaks, CA, Arlington, VA and Cape Elizabeth, ME.  Upon Adrian’s retirement, they moved back to Mattapoisett.

Jane completed her bachelor’s degree in psychology at George Mason University and her master’s degree in science at the University of Maine.  She applied her knowledge to help others in recovery from addiction.  She was a clinical supervisor at Edgehill alcohol treatment facility, Newport RI, and later a program director at Gosnold addiction treatment center, Falmouth, MA.

Music remained an important part of her life.  Jane had taught piano lessons and served as a church organist and choir director.  She was a member of the choir at St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church in Marion.

Survivors include her children, Darcy Lonsdale of Northport, NY, Karl Lonsdale and his wife Siriwan of Tampa, FL, and Ross Lonsdale and his wife Maureen of Cape Elizabeth; seven grandchildren, two great grandchildren, five nephews and two nieces.  She was the sister of the late Priscilla L. Reed and Frank P. Swett, Jr.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 20, 2025 at 11 AM at St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church, 124 Front St., Marion.  Donations in her memory may be made to St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 545, Marion, MA 02738.

Arrangements by Chapman Funerals & Cremations – Wareham.  For directions or to leave a message of condolence visit: www.chapmanfuneral.com

Department of Transportation Public Meeting

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To the Editor;

            The Department of Transportation Public Meeting will be held on Thursday, December 4th, 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm at ORR High School Auditorium. This is the Last Chance for residents to ask the experts questions about the Main Street, Water Street, Beacon Street and Marion Road reconstruction plan that is currently on the Town Website for viewing. It is the last time for us, the people who live and love Mattapoisett to speak up about the plan’s impacts before it is determined to be put into action. Please attend if you can and read on for further information on submitting your opinions and thoughts.

            My research on this new plan tells me that a few of the trees that were scheduled to be removed, have been saved. My analysis of this plan also shows that only 5 new trees are on this plan and furthermore, as we know from a survey of the existing trees, many of the trees that have been saved have questionable life spans after the disturbance of the road is complete. What is missing from this current plan, and all of the plans that have been presented to us, are ideas that show us a new vision, not just a plan which replaces worn underground utilities and drainage while smoothing out the new surface so that cars and trucks will travel faster.

            I, and many others in this community, have envisioned a plan for the heart of our Village and Waterfront which will enhance the enjoyment of bicyclists and pedestrians, including the aged and handicapped with their assistive devices, not motor vehicles and snowplows. This can be done in a plan with dramatic changes from those previously and currently proposed. A design with features such as bump-outs for tree plantings and benches which provide shade for the people of the community and are proven to slow traffic.

            It is common practice in DOT projects for the landscape architects and arborists to weigh in after this 25% plan is approved, but in our village with space limitations well beyond the norm for DOT projects, it will be too late to provide the space needed for tree plantings and their ability to thrive and grow and provide many benefits for years in the future. Therefore, our voices must be heard now. Written project inquiries, statements and other exhibits regarding this plan may be submitted within 10 business days of this hearing to Carrie E. Lavallee, P.E., Chief Engineer, via email to MassDOTProjectManagement@dot.state.ma.us or via US Mail to Suite 7550, 10 Park Plaza, Boston, MA 02116, Attention: Project Management, Project File No. 607440.

            I urge all who can to attend, view the hearing on the DOT website if you cannot attend, and submit your thoughts within the limited time frame to see that our Village of the future is the village you hope it will be.

Sandra Hering

The views expressed in the “Letters to the Editor” column are not necessarily those of The Wanderer, its staff or advertisers. The Wanderer will gladly accept any and all correspondence relating to timely and pertinent issues in the great Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester area, provided they include the author’s name, address and phone number for verification. We cannot publish anonymous, unsigned or unconfirmed submissions. The Wanderer reserves the right to edit, condense and otherwise alter submissions for purposes of clarity and/or spacing considerations. The Wanderer may choose to not run letters that thank businesses, and The Wanderer has the right to edit letters to omit business names. The Wanderer also reserves the right to deny publication of any submitted correspondence. All letters must be typed and submitted directly to: news@wanderer.com.

Communal Victory: Nearly 300 Attend Thanksgiving

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On Sunday, November 23, the 32nd Annual Tri-Town Thanksgiving Banquet was held at Old Rochester Regional Junior High School. The event is planned by the Mattapoisett Council on Aging. The event was open to the nearly 300 seniors of the Tri-Town who attended, about 100 from each town.

            ORRJHS students manned the helm, with student-volunteers greeting guests at the door and guiding them to the cafeteria and to seats. Dinner was served shortly after opening statements, with desert being apple pie, a New England fall staple. Finally came the raffle, held every year, with many guests winning ornaments, gift cards, and other goodies.

            Sarah Landry, director of the Mattapoisett Council on Aging, said “The event was fantastic!  The students were kind, thoughtful and energetic all at once. Everyone was quick to introduce themselves and be as helpful as possible to each and every guest.”

ORRJHS Annual Tri-Town Thanksgiving Banquet

By Sam Bishop

Upcoming Events at the Elizabeth Taber Library

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The library will be closed at 12:00 pm noon on Wednesday, November 26, and closed all day on Thursday and Friday November 27 and 28, in celebration of Thanksgiving.

            Drop off gently used books, puzzles, and games for the Friends of the Elizabeth Taber Library’s Donation Days, through December 3. Please make sure all materials are in sellable condition. Check out our Holiday Raffle Baskets and shop our Holiday Book Sale to benefit the library starting Thursday, December 4 at 2:00 pm, and continuing through Saturday, December 6.

            Join Miss Macy for two exciting Saturday programs on Saturday, December 6 at 11:00 am we have Saturday storytime for ages 0-5. This engaging storytime includes songs, rhymes, movement activities, and stories – of course. Then, kids ages 3+ and their grownups can drop by anytime between 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm to celebrate the December full moon, the cold moon, at our full moon party. We’ll sip hot chocolate and create cozy crafts.

            For more information on the Elizabeth Taber Library visit us at www.ElizabethTaberLibrary.org or email the library at ETLibrary@sailsinc.org. 8 Spring Street Marion, MA 02738. 508-748-1252.

Author David A. Kelly Visits Old Hammondtown School

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Superintendent Michael S. Nelson and Principal Stephanie Wells are pleased to share that author David A. Kelly visited Old Hammondtown School last week to speak with fourth and fifth graders about writing and creativity.

            Kelly, the author of the popular “Ballpark Mysteries” series, spoke candidly about his early frustration with writing and how learning to revise, take feedback and keep trying helped him grow. He shared how his first book took a year to finish and how the initial response from his editor was that it was “terrible.”

            Kelly told the students that he rewrote the book several times, improving it each draft until it was accepted for publication.

            “This visit gave our students a real look at how writing works,” said Principal Wells. “Mr. Kelly talked about the effort behind his books and showed our students that strong writing comes from practice, patience, perseverance and a willingness to keep trying.”

            Kelly donated signed book cards for every student and also gave the school library several books.

            “We’re so grateful to Reading Specialist, Mrs. Samost, for arranging this author visit and giving our students the chance to hear such an encouraging message about persistence and growth,” said Principal Wells. “It perfectly reflects our three Cs: Care, Curiosity, and Compassion. Mr. Kelly cared enough about his goal to keep working at it, stayed curious about how to improve, and showed compassion for himself by not giving up when it was hard.”

            “We want our students, especially our younger learners, to see themselves as people who can take risks and build their skills with support,” said Superintendent Nelson. “Mr. Kelly’s message supported that goal. He showed our students that progress comes from sticking with an idea and getting better each time you revise with feedback and support from others.”

Arlene F. (Rogers) Belliveau

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Arlene F. (Rogers) Belliveau, 82, of Rochester, MA and The Villages, FL died Sunday, November 23, 2025 at Charlton Memorial Hospital after a brief illness. She was the wife of Paul Belliveau.

            Born in New Bedford, daughter of the late John and Maude (Mosher) Rogers, she was raised in New Bedford and lived in Rochester and Mattapoisett for most of her life.

            Arlene was a graduate of New Bedford High School and later graduated with honors from both Southeastern Massachusetts University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and Bentley University with a Master’s in Taxation Degree.

            She was formerly employed as an accounting manager for Sippican Corporation, later Lockheed Martin, for many years until her retirement.

            Arlene enjoyed golfing and was a member of Reservation Golf Club in Mattapoisett. She also enjoyed quilting, reading and dancing.

            She is survived by her husband, Paul; her son, Frank Linhares, Jr. and his wife Susan; two daughters, Karen Vieira and her husband Tony and Tracy Tringale; her step-daughter, Kimberly Pacheco and her husband Ed; her sister, Elaine Pacheco; five grandchildren, John Linhares and his wife Kymberly, Brittany Benevides and her husband Jonathan, Philip Tringale, Zachary Rogers, and Nico Tringale; four great-grandchildren, Jocelyn, Lillyana, Olivia, and Trace; and several nieces and nephews.

            She was predeceased by many siblings.

            Her visiting hours will be Friday, November 28, 2025 from 9-9:45 am in the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Mattapoisett. Burial will follow at 10 am in Cushing Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Arlene’s memory may be made to Damien’s Food Pantry, 242 Marion Rd., Wareham, MA 02571 or to a charity of your choice. For directions and guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.