Advice to Presidential Candidates

If you have been paying attention to the upcoming presidential election, which is only a mere 10 months away and you are not already sick of the whole thing, you know that both major candidates for president are old. I can say that without bias or fear of picketers in front of my home, because […] Read more »

Who Makes The Decisions about Your Health Care?

            If you have commercial health insurance or are one of the over half of Medicare enrollees who have a “Medicare Advantage” plan, decisions about your health care are not decided solely by you and your doctor(s.) There is a third party in the room: your insurer, whose interests are financial rather than health.             […] Read more »

Marion Teen Finds Camaraderie on New Stage

Bree LeFavor, a swimmer in need of an alternative activity, got more than she bargained for in the world of pageant competition. Sidelined last year from her favorite competitive pastime, the 13-year-old, life-long Marion resident was encouraged by her music teacher to take her other favorite activity, singing, to a beauty pageant.             “Honestly, during […] Read more »

COVID – Forgotten But Not Gone

Understandably, most of us have developed “Covid fatigue.” After what seems like years of warnings and behavior changes, we want to put it all behind us. Unfortunately, while we are tired of the virus, the virus is not tired of us.             The latest variant to appear, JN.1, is much more transmissible that its predecessor […] Read more »

Cleaning out The Bedroom Closet

I’m finally getting around to thinking about fulfilling my New Year’s resolution to clean out my bedroom closet. It is one of those chores you plan to do at least once a year but never get around to it. This year I am bound and determined to do so. I know there are many things […] Read more »

Dancing Across the Generations

Like mother, like daughter, and like daughter again.             This phrase can be applied to the Connolly family of Marion. Barbara Connolly was born in Ireland and was a competitive Irish stepdancer from the age of three. Her daughter Katie followed her footsteps, and now her daughter Emersyn is doing the same.             In fact, […] Read more »

Committee Invites Public Participation

A public input meeting is planned for January 24 at 6:00 pm in the Mattapoisett Fire Station meeting room by the committee that has been tasked with securing public opinions for reuse of the town property known as the Holy Ghost Grounds.             The committee volunteers are Greta Fox (Recreation Department director), Nathan Ketchel (member […] Read more »

109 Wonders to Behold

While we always look forward to the Marion Art Center’s exhibitions, there is something so necessary for our human condition during winter, that being the Winter Members’ Show (January 13 – February 23.) This show not only gives the member artists a venue to share their works (nearly all available for purchase), but moreover to […] Read more »

FDA Needs More Sticklers

            The high point of the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) showing its worth came in 1960, when Dr. Frances Kelsey refused to let thalidomide be marketed in the U.S. She prevented the U.S. from experiencing the epidemic of babies born with deformed limbs to mothers who were prescribed the drug for morning sickness in […] Read more »

Thing I Don’t Understand

            January 14is the anniversary of Andy Rooney’s birthday, the late columnist, essayist and reporter. He was best known for his curmudgeonly commentaries on the TV magazine “60 Minutes.” He was a proud veteran and successful writer. In honor of his journalistic legacy, I thought I would write a column he might just like. So, […] Read more »