Mattapoisett Polar Plunge 2025

            On Wednesday, January 1, Mattapoisett’s Town Beach was packed with people from near and far starting the year off freezing. Moments after the clock struck noon, the crowded beach-goers experienced firsthand the biting cold of the winter sea. Though it was 50 degrees, far from polar, the overcast weather and bitter wind made up […] Read more »

Documenting the Full History

            The cultural and societal value of history cannot be overstated. Whether it is our family history, national or even global history, and yes, local history. It tells us who we are, where we’ve been, and aids us as we plan our futures.             The Massachusetts Historical Commission, under whose guidance all local historical commissions […] Read more »

The Annual Physical: Time Well-spent or a Waste of Time?

            About 78% of U.S. adults, including 68% of adults under 45, reported seeing a doctor in the last year for a wellness check.             Is this a good use of your and your doctor’s time?             Academic studies of the value of the annual physical exam (APE) have focused on whether doing this saves […] Read more »

Tri-Towns Rally Around Seniors

            Most municipal activities around the tri-town region in the year 2024 have shared a common theme: emerging concerns of long-time residents.             Efforts were evident across the region’s adjudicatory boards to loosen bylaws restricting the construction of accessory dwellings so that more seniors could “age in place” and to formulate town bylaws that would […] Read more »

ORRSD Shares Project 351 Updates

Old Rochester Regional School District and MA Superintendency Union #55 Superintendent Michael S. Nelson, Principal Michael Devoll, and Interim Assistant Principal Lauren Millette are pleased to share updates on the Project 351 initiative, which includes students in grades 4-12 at Old Hammondtown School, Rochester Memorial School, Sippican Elementary School, Old Rochester Regional Junior High School, […] Read more »

The First American New Years

I had assumed, as many I have talked to, that New Years has been a holiday for time immemorial. However, we were wrong! The celebration of the dawn of a new year is relatively new, only being celebrated similarly to how we do today towards the end of the 19th-century. This makes sense when you […] Read more »

Fluoride – Friend or Foe?

Among the controversies around public health, fluoridation of the public water supply ranks second behind vaccination. The nominee for Secretary for Health and Human Services wants to remove it. Is that a good idea?             The major benefit of fluoride is that it dramatically reduces dental cavities in children and to a lesser extent in […] Read more »

Marion Baker Wins The Christmas Cookie Challenge

On Thanksgiving, Marion baker and businesswoman Debi Lindsey-Morrison appeared on the Food Network to compete in the Christmas Cookie Challenge. Debi runs a home bakery in Marion, Rolling in the Dough, with her wife Lisa. Using her 18 years of decorating cookies and 9 years of selling, she competed this past Thanksgiving alongside 3 other […] Read more »

What Shots Does an Adult Need?

Much of the discussion around vaccines focuses on children, who get a large number in their early years, but adults also benefit from appropriate vaccination.             Which shots should you be discussing with your doctor?             People of any age should get an annual flu shot. Influenza is a serious illness, not just a bad […] Read more »

Tinkhamtown Chapel Tradition Lives

            Several years ago, I had the pleasure of interviewing Gail Roberts who graciously shared with us a bit of the history of the Tinkhamtown Chapel and her family’s connection to this quaint structure. As we near the Christmas of 2024, closing out a year of global turmoil and raw national politics, we thought reflecting […] Read more »