Mattapoisett Democrats Candidates’ Night

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On Wednesday May 7 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, The Mattapoisett Democratic Town Committee will host a Candidates’ Night in the downstairs public meeting room of the Mattapoisett Free Public Library.

            All candidates for any elected position in our upcoming Municipal Election on May 20 will be extended an invitation and provided an opportunity to give a brief opening statement to the public and answer questions of attendees.

            The uncontested race candidates (Select Board, Mattapoisett School Committee, Library Board of Trustee, etc.) will proceed first and then the two main contested races for the Board of Health and the Old Rochester Regional School Committee will be the last of our presentation.

            Please come with a neighbor, family member or friend and bring any questions you might have for the candidates or just listen in. For more information, please reach out to Nicki Demakis, Chair, at ndemakis@tidlaw.com.

Events at the Rochester Historical Museum

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This year we are changing things up. The last few years, our July meeting with music and ice cream social was always on an incredibly hot night, so we’re going to have our Ice Cream Social on May 21 at 7:00 pm at the Rochester Historical Society Museum at 355 County Rd. in Rochester.

Before the ice cream we will have music with Tom and Sheila Perry. If you have an old song that you would like to include in our sing-along, you can send it to me at eshbach2@aol.com or call 508-763-4932 before May 10.

George Beale Emmons

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George Beale Emmons

August 18, 1927-April 21, 2025

            What an amazing life this man had! Part of an amazing generation, as a child of the Great Depression and serving in the Navy in World War II and the Korean War. Born to Alice Wetherill Emmons and George Beale Emmons, he was raised on the banks of the Potowomut River in East Greenwich, Rhode Island. He spent his childhood exploring the great outdoors, which became his lifelong passion. George attended the Moses Brown School, Middlesex School and Harvard University. He was a tremendous athlete:  a pitcher famous for his blooper ball, varsity football player, golf club champion, prodigious hunter and fisherman; he excelled at it all. For 30 years he worked for textile giant Cannon Mills in New York City, specializing in military sales. He was very involved with his church and many cultural and charitable institutions, especially the Berkshire National Fish Hatchery and the Bidwell House Museum in Monterey, MA. At his home in Fairhaven on the beautiful marsh he spent his time drawing and writing articles for this newspaper, watching the Ospreys and scoring free coffee at the Dunkin drive-through. He loved it here!

            George is predeceased by his wife of 64 years, Janice Pinkham Emmons. He is survived by his daughters Alice Emmons Maciejowski of Hamilton, MA and Liz Emmons Mulroy of Fairhaven, their husbands Timothy Maciejowski and Michael Mulroy. And by his highly prized grandsons: Ames Colt, John and Robin Connery and Alex Colt.

            The family is deeply grateful for the wonderful care he received at Our Lady’s Haven in Fairhaven.

            Services will be private.

Marion Town Meeting and Town Election

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The Annual Town Meeting will be held on Monday, May 12 at 6:45 pm in the Sippican School Auditorium (16 Spring St), followed by the Town Election on Friday, May 16.

If you wish to vote at the town meeting OR the election, you must register to vote by Friday, May 2. The Town Clerk’s Office will be open until 5:00 pm on that day, or you have until 11:59 pm to register to vote online (www.sec.state.ma.us). You must vote in person at the Annual Town Meeting – there is no early or absentee voting available.

If you would like to request a mail-in ballot, please go to www.marionma.gov/272/Town-Meeting-Election-Information for the application. You may mail it, place it in the locked blue drop box outside or email it to the Town Clerk’s Office. The last day to request a mail-in ballot is Friday, May 9.

We are offering in-person Early Voting during regular business hours (Monday-Thursday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, and Friday 8:00 am to 3:30 pm) at the Town Clerk’s Office beginning Wednesday, May 7 through Wednesday, May 14. Voting at the Benjamin D. Cushing Community Center (465 Mill St.) on Friday, May 16 will be held from 8:00 am until 8:00 pm.

If you have any questions, please contact the Town Clerk’s Office at 508-748-3502 or email Lmagauran@marionma.gov.

Pier Repair Talks Continued Again

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The Marion Conservation Commission met Wednesday, April 9 and immediately jumped into a hearing for a Determination of Applicability for the construction of a screened-in porch for 50 Holly Road. The Commission stated they had gone out the prior weekend to survey the site. Brian Engstrom, property owner, stated they bought the property in 2022. Engstrom stated there was originally a deck on the house before the current owners and while some alterations have been made, the new work would encompass much of the original footprint, though being enclosed with a screen. Hearing was closed and approved unanimously.

The next hearing was for a Notice for Intent for 548 Point Road for the repair of the property’s pier, removal of a stone wall, and step installation. It also includes the restoration of eroded areas of the shore. Bob Rogers of GAF Engineering appeared as representative to the owners. The Commission also visited this property the past weekend. There was some concern from the Commission regarding the removal of sand from the beach inland to shore up the property’s bank where they asked if alternative methods were possible. The representative stated he would try and come up with an “approximate quantity” for the amount of material/sand needed. A continuance was requested and granted for the next meeting, April 23, in order for more information to be gathered.

For action items, the Commission granted a Request for Certificate of Compliance for an older approved order which no work was completed upon. Olivia Prior, Marion Administrative Assistant, was thanked personally from the requester’s representative for her help in figuring out and solving problems stemming from the original order, the Commission joked was “old enough the drive.”

The next meeting of the Marion Conservation Commission is scheduled for Wednesday, April 23 at 7:00 pm in the Marion Police Department Conference Room.

Marion Conservation Commission

By Sam Bishop

Museum Open For Earth Day Crafts

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The Marion Natural History Museum will be open Wednesday and Friday of school vacation week for crafts and exploration. Let’s enjoy crafting with an earth day theme next week. Museum open hours are 10:00 am to 4:00 pm Wednesday and Friday. Please check our website www.marionmuseum.org to see a list of our upcoming programs.

Upcoming Events at the Elizabeth Taber Library

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The Library will be closed on Monday, April 21 in celebration of Patriot’s Day.

During Saturdays in April, the Elizabeth Taber Library will be hosting Basket Weaving workshops with artist Patty Benson of the New Bedford Arts and Cultural Emporium. Workshops are taking place in the Elizabeth Taber Library’s new event space. Each session in April will have participants creating a completed basket. There are currently limited spaces only available for the final Basket weaving class scheduled for April 26 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. To register please call or contact the library at ETLibrary@sailsinc.org.

During select Saturdays in May, Glass Artist Kim Savoie will lead individual flameworking workshops at the Library for participants age 10 and up. No experience necessary – just bring your creativity:

May 3 – Bead Making Session – Discover the art of glass bead making in this hands-on flame-working class at the Elizabeth Taber Library. Participants will have 20 minutes at the torch to shape and design their own unique glass beads.

May 24 – Pendant Making Session – Create a one-of-a-kind glass pendant in this introductory flame-working class at the Elizabeth Taber Library, each participant will have 20 minutes at the torch to melt and shape molten glass into a beautiful pendant to take home. You’ll learn to shape, add color to and mold each pendant into your desired design. A perfect way to explore the magic of glass artistry.

May 31 – Straw Making Session – Join us for a unique flame-working class at the Elizabeth Taber Library and craft your very own reusable glass straw. Each participant will have 20 minutes at the torch to shape and personalize a durable, eco-friendly glass straw. Add fun designs to glass tubes and learn how to fire polish them. A fun and sustainable way to try your hand at working with molten glass. 6 slots will be available for each workshop. To register please call the library.

Join us for exciting April Vacation programming at the Elizabeth Taber Library.

On Tuesday, April 22 at 11:00 am kids of all ages and their grownups can join us to celebrate Earth Day and make crafts with recyclable materials and check out books related to Earth Day and environmentalism.

We’ll be celebrating Massachusetts Space Week with a Life-Size Solar System Exhibit! Come by between 2:00 pm and 3:30 pm on Wednesday, April 23 to walk through the planets, dodge asteroids, and get up close and personal with our solar system.

From 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm on Thursday, April 24 kids ages 5+ can join us for a weaving workshop with Lisa Elliot. Set up your loom and start creating a piece of cloth.

For more information on the Elizabeth Taber Library visit us at www.ElizabethTaberLibrary.org or email the library at ETLibrary@sailsinc.org.

Friends of the Elizabeth Taber Library Book Sale

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The Friends of the Elizabeth Taber Library will sponsor a Book Sale at the Marion COA, 465 Mill St, Marion on Saturday, April 26 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Prior to the sale, we will be accepting donations, from 8:00 am to 10:00 am on Saturday April 26 of good condition adult books, children’s books and puzzles. We are not able to accept textbooks, encyclopedias, etc. The Friends of the library will help unload your donations from your car.

Come drop off your gently used books and stay to browse the book sale. All proceeds benefit the Elizabeth Taber Library.

It’s a Matter of Balance

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Falls can have very serious consequences as we age. Every year more than 25 percent of adults 65 or older have a fall, and 3 million are treated in emergency departments for fall injuries, according to the CDC.

Several things increase your risk of falling. Blood pressure that falls when you get up is a common culprit, and this in turn can be due to medication you take. If you feel light-headed when getting up, have your BP checked sitting and standing and if there is a fall of more than 10 points, discuss this with your doctor.

Poor vision, particularly when combined with poor light, can lead to a fall. Be sure that you have adequate light in your bedroom if you get up to go to the bathroom.

Be wary of electric cords that are everywhere and can easily trip you. Tape them down or to the wall.

Inadequate leg strength and poor sensation in the feet can lead to falls, as can vertigo from inner ear problems.

What can you do to reduce your risk of falling in addition to the above suggestions?

Doing specific exercises regularly will help. Start with three simple ones:

1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart for 10 seconds, increasing this to 30 seconds

2. Next, stand with feet together for 10 increasing to 30 seconds

3. Stand on one leg then the other

If these are too easy, do them with your eyes closed. (Be sure there is a sturdy surface you can touch such as a kitchen counter available.)

Walk heel-to-toe near a wall that can offer support.

Sit on a sturdy chair; get up without using your hands if possible. Sit down. Repeat, aiming for 10 times.

Do these exercises twice a day.

When you are going up or down stairs, hold on to the railing!

Finally, three points of contact are much more secure than two. If you are concerned about falling, a walking stick can be a great safety device.

Edward Hoffer MD is Associate Professor of Medicine, part-time, at Harvard.

What Does The Doctor Say?

By Dr. Edward Hoffer

From the Files of the Rochester Historical Society

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I often mention that the ideas for many of my articles are found in old newspaper clippings. Some of these clippings have been found in scrapbooks in the museum collection and others were in an envelope sent to me, but most of them have come from the multiple, large boxes of newspaper clippings donated by the family of Georgia Decas Chamberlain. For many years, Georgia was the Rochester correspondent for the New Bedford Standard Times. She saved her contributions along with other articles that she felt were pertinent to Rochester and the neighboring areas.

Born in 1921, Georgia moved to Rochester when she married Joseph Chamberlain. They raised their family in their home across from Mary’s Pond. Georgia lived in that home for 45 years. Georgia was a very busy person, assisting in her husband’s and family’s businesses. In addition, she devoted many hours over many years to the town of Rochester.

She was an outspoken environmentalist and joined the Rochester Conservation Commission when it was created in the early 1960’s, and she was its chairperson for many years. She worked to bring the SEAMASS trash to energy plant to town which over the years has provided a major source of revenue.

She made it possible for the Rochester Land Trust to come up with money to protect some of the Rounseville’s properties. She received many honors based on her conservation work. One was a Certificate of Appreciation from the town of Rochester for her commitment and dedication to the town. She also received the Environmental Service Award from the Massachusetts Associations of Conservation Commissions.

Georgia was an active member of the new COA (she donated the recently replaced generator) and she was a valued member and benefactress of our Historical Society. Georgia passed away at the age of 91 in 2013.


By Connie Eshbach