Let’s take a walk through Marion Village about a half-century ago. We can start at Browne’s Pharmacy right in the middle of Front Street, stocked with everything from penny candy to prescriptions. Next door, browsing the General Store, we can rummage through long-forgotten shelves and maybe even pick up the last pair of sneakers for sale or some knitting needles hiding among a menagerie of items behind the counter. Then, let’s cross the street to the beauty salon where Mrs. Langevin can work her magic and, of course, where we can catch up on all the current happenings in town. Continuing down Front Street, let’s pop into the Bookstall; walk up a couple of steps into the coziest bookshop around. Let’s not miss the Sitting Duck gift shop, where school kids purchase their annual rope bracelet on the first day of summer, not to be removed until school restarts in the fall. Circling back and across to Marty Sullivan’s, we can shop for that perfect fall sweater.
Then, hiding in plain sight, we see a sign that says Handy’s Tavern. Handy’s Tavern, the home of the Sippican Woman’s Club for over a century. The home of the Sippican Woman’s Club, whose mission has remained unchanged for over a century: “to provide the opportunity for women to make meaningful connections, embrace lifelong learning, and champion humanitarian causes that make a positive impact.” Whether you have lived in or have been interested in Marion for a century, for a half century, or maybe you are new to the area, why haven’t you joined yet? For more information, check us out at www.sippicanwomansclub.org.