From the Files of the Rochester Historical Society

Many of the residents of Rochester during its first 100 years were descendants of people who had come from various towns and cities in the British Isles, including some who had arrived in Plymouth on board the Mayflower.             However, one resident of Rochester, Joseph Look, born in 1776, had a different backstory. His lineage […] Read more »

William J. McIlmail

William J. McIlmail, 86, of Mattapoisett passed away Tuesday, January 26, 2021 at Rhode Island Hospital. He was the husband of Sandra H. (Henshaw) McIlmail, with whom he shared 59 years of marriage.             Born in Pawtucket, RI, the son of the late William J. and Margaret M. (Lonergan) McIlmail, he moved to New Bedford […] Read more »

Selectmen Lament Loss of Bowlmor

            It finally happened on January 26; the demolition of the iconic Bowlmor Lanes located in the heart of Mattapoisett. The sound of cracking, snapping, and crashing could be heard throughout the village as the soundwaves created by dismantling cranes reverberated off Center School. The end of an era has arrived.             The members of […] Read more »

Thanks

Dear Editor:             We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Town of Mattapoisett with a special thank you to John DeCosta and the team of selectmen for the lowering of the flag to half-staff on behalf of our father, Franklin “Bronc” Caswell.             We were deeply touched and are forever grateful for […] Read more »

Kindergarten Orientation

Kindergarten Orientation for Sippican School, Center School, and Rochester Memorial School for the School Year 2021 -2022 will be held on February 3, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm via Video Conference.             The Kindergarten Orientation will be provided through a video conferencing format. Please visit the Elementary School website of your town to receive login […] Read more »

ZBA Approves ‘Big’ Plumb Corner Development Sign

            The Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals voted on January 14 to permit Plumb Corner, LLC to display a temporary sign bigger than what the bylaw allows, but not quite as big as the developer had hoped.             The original request was for an 8- by 4- foot sign, exceeding the bylaw’s 9 square-foot maximum by 23 […] Read more »

Gordon T. Helme

Gordon T. Helme, 84, of Rochester, passed away Saturday, January 23, 2021 at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston following a long illness. He was the husband of Elizabeth L. “Betty” (Kouba) Helme with whom he shared 56 years of marriage.             Born in Blackburn, Lancashire, England, son of the late Frank and May (Pierce) […] Read more »

Richard C. “Ricky” Gifford

Richard C. “Ricky” Gifford, 67, of Wareham, died Saturday, January 23, 2021 at his home unexpectedly. He was the husband of Paula F. (Towne) Gifford.             Born in Wareham, the son of the late Carlton Chace Gifford and Beatrice (Jacobson) Wilson, he graduated from Old Rochester Regional High School, Class of 1974. Mr. Gifford was […] Read more »

Sippican Mobilizing to Bring Back K-2

            The Marion School Committee has not yet followed in the Mattapoisett School Committee’s footsteps, which on January 11 unanimously voted to bring back Grades K-2 to school on a full-time basis beginning January 19. But significant steps have been taken so that Marion can decide to follow suit.             Sippican School Principal Marla Sirois presented a […] Read more »

Cornelius “Neil” Cooper

Cornelius “Neil” Cooper, age 79, of Marion passed away peacefully Sunday, January 24th, 2021 at home in Marion MA.             He was the widower of the late Margaret A. “Peggy” (Dunham) Cooper with whom he shared 54 years of marriage. He was engaged to be married to Judie Kleven.             Born in Patterson NJ, the […] Read more »