About 20% of Americans 45 and older have osteoarthritis of the knees, a condition which does not kill you, but which decreases your quality of life.             Osteoarthritis, by far the most common form of arthritis, is more than simple “wear and tear.” It does involve wearing away of the cartilage, the smooth “cushions” that […] Read more »

In the absence of flowers and leaves, let there be lights! Strung around trees and shrubs, wound around railings and arbors, adding sparkle to this special season.             Lights are the most vibrant part of holiday apparel, filling the dark, empty void and making everything a lot less gloomy. Variations on the theme are as […] Read more »

Superintendent Michael S. Nelson and Principal Stephanie Wells are pleased to share that Old Hammondtown School fourth-grader Ayda Medeiros was recently selected as a Feinstein Foundation Golden Ticket winner.             The ticket earned Old Hammondtown School a $2,000 grant and an additional $500 for Ayda to donate to a charity of her choice.             Ayda, […] Read more »

We all know the classic Christmas stories, generally; or at least we get the gist of them. We know ’Twas the Night Before Christmas and The Grinch, but here’s a couple interesting Christmas tales you can quiz your family on this Christmas, should you fancy yourself an Alex Trebek.             In the Plymouth colony following […] Read more »

Superintendent Michael S. Nelson announces that Center School Principal Linda Ashley plans to retire at the conclusion of the 2025-2026 school year.             The district will begin the search process for the next principal in the coming weeks. Superintendent Nelson will share updates with staff and families as the process moves forward.             Dr. Ashley […] Read more »

            This week in Revolutionary War history, let’s check up on what was going on 250 years ago in and around the colonial Province of Massachusetts Bay. Last week, Colonel Henry Knox reported good progress on his trip to Fort Ticonderoga. He aims to get artillery to relinquish the siege at Boston and has already managed […] Read more »

            Reality is setting in. First, a sighting of Santa Claus and Frosty the Snowman waving at me from the fire trucks enroute to Mattapoisett’s Shipyard Park. Then, waking up to the loveliest of pictures: new-fallen snow with the gentle flakes still blanketing the ground. Not to mention the 14-degree temperature. With the winter solstice […] Read more »

Superintendent Michael S. Nelson and Principal Michael Devoll are proud to announce that five Old Rochester Regional High School seniors have been named Commended Students in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program.             The seniors – Caroline Achilles, Jacob Iappini, Ella Milhench, Hannah Thorell and Linden White – will each receive a Letter of Commendation […] Read more »

A thin blanket of snow fell over the SouthCoast last Sunday, but that didn’t stop the Marion Village Christmas Stroll from happening.             Maybe some were dissuaded from attending, but you wouldn’t be able to tell from seeing the packed Island Wharf with spectators waiting for Santa and Mrs. Claus’ boat to dock. The boat […] Read more »

Old Rochester kicked off the 2025-2026 debate season with hundreds of debaters and judges from around 15 local high schools.             Members of the Southeastern Massachusetts Debate League (SEMDL), which aims to elevate the next generation of critical thinkers and communicators, gathered on Wednesday, December 3, at the Old Rochester Regional High School for the […] Read more »