Fun is in the Air at Super Duper Fun Fair

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            When it comes to good old-fashioned fun, nothing beats the setting of the middle of Main Street during the First Congregational Church of Marion’s Annual Super Duper Fun Fair.

            The event brings life and color to the village of Marion every year with its flower sale, colorful spines of the books stacked for the book sale, face painting, bright umbrellas, and kiddie games like knocking down cans with a ball, mini golfing, “fishing” in the little blue pool, and, of course, the big dunk tank.

            On Saturday, July 27, tables beneath the big tent on the church lawn were lined with baked goods, “cake pops” arranged like a virtual rainbow, antiques, and artwork for sale – all to raise funds for the church’s activities.

            It’s also the best place that weekend to buy yourself a lobster roll, or so say the people who return every year while yet another generation enjoys a taste of the joys of summertime in Marion.

By Jean Perry

Somerville, J. Deane

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Somerville, J. Deane passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 25, 2019 at his home in Marion, MA, at the age of 94. 

His greatest source of happiness and pride was his nearly 60-year marriage to Janice Hesse, and the family they created together. They met in 1949 while both were vacationing with their families on Cape Cod. Deane adored his “bride” and doted on her until her death in 2009. They spent their years laughing, traveling, and dancing every chance they got. 

As newlyweds, Jan and Deane settled in Wellesley where they started their family and built lifelong friendships. Deane is survived by his three children Jay, Linda, and Kurt Somerville, their spouses Kathy Somerville and Kendra Chencus Somerville, as well as nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He was a wonderful brother to Nan Blowney, brother-in-law to the late Evelyn and Arthur Coughlan, and uncle to his numerous nieces and nephews. 

Jan and Deane were both happiest by the water and especially loved hosting family and friends at their home in Marion, MA where they began spending summers in 1959 and moved permanently in 1990. Deane loved sailing, golf, family gatherings, and putting on old clothes to tackle endless house chores. He enjoyed teaching his grandchildren to sail, raise the flag, and drive a car long before their feet could reach the pedals. He will be remembered for his easy smile, care and respect for others, and light footwork on the dance floor.

Never one to sit idle, Deane made the most of every moment. He was born to the late Rae and Martha Somerville and spent his childhood in Quincy, MA. He attended Boston University at night while working during the day at the insurance firm OBrion, Russell & Co. He spent his entire 53-year career there, starting in the mailroom and rising to become Senior Managing Partner of the firm. Deane stayed on as Chairman of the Board when the company was sold to Alexander & Alexander of Massachusetts, Inc. Throughout his life, Deane gave generously of his time, serving on numerous boards, clubs, and charitable organizations.


A memorial gathering will be held at The Kittansett Club at 11 Point Road, Marion, MA on Friday, August 23, 2019 at a time to be announced. More information can be found on the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home website (www.ccgfuneralhome.com). In lieu of flowers, donations in Deane’s memory may be made to two charities that were important to him: The Sippican Lands Trust, P.O. Box 848, Marion MA 02738 or The Home for Little Wanderers, 10 Guest Street Boston, MA 02135.

Mattapoisett’s Earliest Days

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            There is probably no one better suited and able to discuss the history of Mattapoisett than Seth Mendell, a local historian who has deep family roots in the community. Consider also that Mendell’s father Charles was an early member of the Old Dartmouth Historical Society, AKA the Whaling Museum, and a founding member of the Mattapoisett Historical Society Museum. Mendell himself spent 33 years teaching history and has researched early New England history for many decades; it’s easy to say he has earned the right to be called Mattapoisett’s historian.

            But more than that, Mendell is a storyteller. His ability to keep his audience transfixed as he explains historical details – material that might run dry in other hands but flows easily and engagingly from one century to the next when shared by Mendell.

            On July 23 at the Mattapoisett Museum, Mendell gave his first of seven lectures that will detail the founding of the Tri-Town area with a heavy emphasis on Mattapoisett through the 1950’s. On this night he laid the cornerstones from which each successive lecture will be built. And you will be entertained while being educated by a master.

            As the story unfolds, we find Mattapoisett, Wareham, and Marion part of Rochester. They were known as the Lands of the Sippican. The area would be settled primarily by British people, Puritans, and those seeking freedom to worship. As Mendell explained, these people were not impoverished; they were people with means and an ambition to create a better life.

            When the opportunity to purchase land from the Bay Colony, the center of commerce, and after the Wampanoags had been vanquished, three families saw investment potential. Those families were the Hammonds, Barlows, and Dexters. They created the Planation of Mattapoisett. The Hammonds settled west of the Mattapoisett River, the Barlows around what is today Park Street, and the four Dexter brothers to the east in the Pine Island and Crescent Beach area.

            Mendell talked about the industrious nature of early people, saying, “They got right to work clearing lands, building homes …” and everything else to sustain themselves. Around town today one will find the ruins of mills where the water still flows and where giant water wheels once turned, cutting and grinding tools for the making of wooden planks and corn grinding. You’ll also find streets named after the early settlers.

            But the population grew and people wanted their center of government and worship closer to home. Rochester was large, encompassing Wareham, Marion, and Mattapoisett, but the church was situated at what is today Plumb Corner in Rochester. By 1739, Wareham had split off, followed by Marion in 1852 and Mattapoisett in 1857.

            Mendell spoke of the wars Britain engaged in with the French who attempted time and again to push through from Canada where they had a firm toehold. Red Coats were dispatched to the colonies, but the locals were also conscripted, and the resulting events caused disruption for those engaged in peaceful and prosperous commercial pursuits.

            Another problem facing the commerce of the early merchants were pirates. These rascals plagued the colonialists and were also responsible for disrupting the economics of the area. The British government captured the pirates and hung them, but the colonialists had suffered.

            “To add insult to injury, the French took their privateers and raided their ships,” Mendell said.

            Time marched on and by 1737 there were 52 families in the village of Mattapoisett. They nestled in little enclaves with names like Tinkhamtown, Hammondtown, Randalltown, Wolf Island, Brandt Island, Cannonville, and Aucoot.

            By 1752, the first professional shipbuilders arrived.

            “That was the beginning of Mattapoisett becoming a shipbuilding town,” Mendell said, ending his story there almost like a cliff hanger, saying, “Next week we’ll pick up from there,” hinting that more trouble lay ahead for our Mattapoisett settlers come the Revolutionary War.

            A full schedule to Mattapoisett Museum events, including Mendell’s lectures and walking tours, can be found at www.mattapoisettmuseum.org.

By Marilou Newell

Rochester Historical Society Yard Sale

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Do you have any useful items you no longer need? The Rochester Historical Society is having a yard sale on Saturday, August 31at the museum, 355 County Road, Rochester, from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm. No electronics or clothing please. If you have any items, drop off dates at the museum are as follows: Friday, July 26 from 10:30 am – Noon; Friday, August 2 from10:30 am – Noon or August 27 from 10:30 am – Noon. To schedule other drop off dates, call Connie Eschbach at 508-763-4932.

Marion Scholarship Fund

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To enhance the education of Marion students, the Town of Marion has two funds. Both funds are supported entirely by donations of generous Marion residents.

            The Scholarship Fund awards money to deserving Marion students as they head off to their first year of college. Applicants are asked to submit their transcripts, a list of extra-curricular activities and community service, and letters of recommendations. This year the Scholarship Committee received 13 applications and made the very hard decision as to whom to award the scholarship. If sufficient funds are available, multiple award winners are named.

            The Educational Fund contributes money to the Sippican Elementary School for items that are not covered under regular budget line items, but have been requested by teachers. This year we funded a special cart for overnight storage and charging of Chrome Book computers. This is an essential component to make full use of the computers which are an important part of the students’ curriculum.

            Whether writing a check, bringing in the loose change on your dresser, having a lemonade stand or a yard sale, we are grateful to you for your help. When you make your donation, in any amount, please specify which fund you would like your donation to go to: Scholarship Fund or Educational Fund.

            All donations should be addressed to the Marion Scholarship Fund, 2 Spring Street, Marion MA 02738. 

            Marion Scholarship Fund Committee: S. Cook, J. LeFavor, C. Pierce, M. Soden, D. White (Superintendent of Schools)

ConCom Continues Two ANRADs

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            The Rochester Conservation Commission meeting on July 16 was relatively routine with several approvals and a couple continuances for the public hearings for two Abbreviated Notice of Determination of Applicability (ANRAD) applications for two lots with the potential for solar array fields.

            The first ANRAD filed by Joe Harrison, SunRaise Investments LLC, for property located at 0 Braley Hill Road, is to confirm 2,900 linear feet of the bordering vegetated wetland boundary. The property owners are Lisa Holden, Trustee, Aquidneck Nominee Trust and Ann Poland.

            Evan Watson from Prime Engineering performed some quick adjustments to the application at the request of Chairman Michael Conway, then went into some details about the topography of the land and its jurisdiction of the Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program (NHESP).

            Watson explained that at this point he does not need to file with the NHESP until an actual project is proposed for the site.

            Conservation Agent Laurell Farinon asked the commission to continue the public hearing until August 20 to allow her time to walk the expansive wetland line to inspect the flagging and then address any subsequent modifications and adjustments that could result from the inspection.

            The second ANRAD filed by SunRaise Investments LLC, for property located at 0 Featherbed Laneis to confirm 5,423 linear feet of bordering vegetated wetland boundary. The property owners are Bradford D. and Ruth C. Correia.

            Farinon again asked to continue this similar application until August 20 given the length of the wetland line to be inspected.

            In other matters, the commission gave a Negative determination (no Notice of Intent filing required) for a Request for Determination of Applicability (RDA) filed by Hartley Beach Trust care of Patricia Corwin for 90 Snow’s Pond Road. The purpose is to improve and maintain the existing driveway by adding gravel fill to even out the surface and fill potholes. Farinon called it a “pretty straightforward project.”

            The commission approved an RDA filed by Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority for 45 Kings Highway for the relocation of the existing lead track into the building, the installation of a switch and second track into the building, installation of two tracks with bumping posts out the back of the building to the edge of the paved area, and the relocation of the existing mainline crossover to the west of the facility.

            Farinon said she found no issues with the delineation of the wetlands line and added, “I think it was well done,” finding no impacts to nearby wetlands.

            The commission approved an Order of Conditions for the Notice of Intent filed by Nicholas Araujo for property located at Old Schoolhouse Road to construct a single-family house with the proposed house, well, and septic system located outside the 100-foot wetlands buffer zone. Some grading within the buffer zone will be required as part of the installation of the septic leaching area. Minimal tree clearing is proposed within the buffer zone behind the dwelling to provide a yard area. A small trench will be dug for the installation of electrical conduit located down the center of the existing driveway and backfilled to existing grades. Erosion control measures will be implemented.

            A representative from Farland Corporation explained some changes to the original plan submitted onJune 18, including the addition of a masonry stone and wood fence and some further clearing of some pine trees to then be replaced with new maple and elm trees.

            Farinon said the applicant had addressed the concerns from the prior meeting – a trench for an electricity line and the removal of a stockpile at the driveway entrance.

            “Those were really the outstanding issues,” said Farinon. Furthermore, she stated, the RDA provides a “realistic yard area,” as she put it, “Which I think is great. This is realistic as far as having enough usable area around the house.” She then added, “I think you’ve done a good job showing … a better picture of what the project is and how those wetlands will be protected.”

            The pubic hearing for an Abbreviated Notice of Resource Area Delineation (ANRAD) filed by SWEB Development USA, LLC for property located on 0 Marion Road to confirm 3,850 linear feet of bordering vegetated wetland boundary was continued until August 6 at the request of the applicant. The property owner is Rochester Farms, LLC.

            The next meeting of the Rochester Conservation Commission is scheduled for August 6 at 7:00 pm at the Rochester Town Hall.

Rochester Conservation Commission

By Jean Perry

Dolores Schilling

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Dolores Schilling, 88, of Rochester, Massachusetts previously of Florissant, Missouri, passed away Wednesday July 17, 2019 at St. Luke’s Hospital after a fall, and a period of declining health. She was the wife of the late Robert Schilling.

            Born in Little Rock, Arkansas to loving parents, she spent most of her life in Missouri.

            Mrs. Schilling was a 1948 graduate of Central High School in St. Louis, and began a brief career as a comptometer operator after graduation. In 1953, she married Robert at Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, California. They were together for 56 years until his death in 2009. Dolores devoted her life to her family, and also loved sewing and T’ai Chi.

            She is survived by her sons, Gary and his wife Wanda of Petaluma, California, and Ronald and his wife Barbara of Florissant, Missouri; a daughter Karen Scheuneman and her husband James of Rochester, Massachusetts; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

            In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by two brothers, two sisters, and her youngest son, Steven.

            There will be a Funeral Mass in Missouri, followed by burial at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to help dementia research or the charity of your choice. Arrangements are by the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Florence Marie Byron

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            Florence Marie Byron, age 52

            The brilliant, soulful, freewheeling Flo Byron “peaced out” on July 19th.

            To know Flo was to have your mind blown regularly, so varied and profound were her talents. Flo was a bonafide genius, a master of both brain sides. Having skipped the third grade, she was the youngest of thirteen girls in Tabor Academy’s inaugural coed class of ’83. Special curriculum had to be developed to accommodate Flo’s unique mathematical abilities, and she graduated Tabor with enough credits to enter Wellesley College as a sophomore. Flo was also a brilliant writer. Although writing came easy to her like everything else, that never stopped her from giving her best effort. She delighted in raising the bar to her higher standard, then worked hard to exceed even her own expectations.

            Flo could run any operation optimally, always with flare, attention to detail, and a calm that made work seem like a fun adventure. She was a born leader, a natural delegator, the quintessential Queen Bee over all she surveyed. “Momma Flo” had a lifelong passion for taking care of others. Everyone’s go-to resource, she would work tirelessly rather than disappoint. Never judging, she would happily offer creative solutions to your business or personal problems. She was always willing and able to go that extra mile some might think unnecessary, always wanting to demonstrate the depth of her love.

            Flo was a free spirit, intentionally flouting convention in ways that made everything more exciting, more beautiful, and better than ever. She did what she wanted, usually when she wanted. Without shoes, often with flowers in her hair, she could be found outside by a fire near the ocean or deep in the woods, camping or listening to live music with people she loved. A lover of animals and nature, the outdoors was both her happy place and her wheelhouse.

            Flo was an artist of love, appreciating the simple joys of every day. Flo was the hostess with the mostest. She knew how to throw a party and how to make magic out of ordinary moments. Those of us who have had the joy of a Flo-wrapped gift, a Flo-crafted card, or a Flo-finessed meal, know we’ll never have any of these things so good again. She knew how to make people feel special, how to see and bring out the best in them, and she knew how powerful that was. Her reward was a richer life filled with people who loved her dearly.

            Flo was brave, bold, wild and free to the end. Her escapades were legendary, her beauty and generosity epic, her soul evergreen. Ever the optimist, even when life gave her lemons she always made lemonade and asked for more. Her word was as good as gold, always. Her devotion was unfaltering, her love the best stuff of earth. Flo would humbly scoff at all this adoration. She’d proudly say her greatest effort in life was her daughter Anthea, and rightly so. She raised a genuine and amazing individual; a one-of-a-kind bright light that will surely shine on. Just like her mom.

            In classic Flo fashion she wrote her own epitaph. It reads “Flo Byron was here. She lived, loved well and died here. No regrets.”

            Flo resides in heaven now. She is preceded by her beloved father, Alexander Byron; her grandparents James and Evelyn Byron of Wareham; her grandparents Lester and Florence Crancer of St.Louis, MO; her aunt Florence Byron of Wareham; and her uncle Chris Byron of Rochester.

            Flo is survived by her devoted partner Gil Andrade of New Bedford; daughter Anthea Tripanier and her husband David Jr. of Fairhaven, brothers James Allen and Christopher Charles of Marion, sister Suzanne Elizabeth of Wareham, mother Suzanne of Marion, and grandchildren Delilah and David III of Fairhaven; uncle Charles Byron and aunt Joanne Byron of Wareham as well as many cousins and dear friends.

            A graveside gathering will be held at Evergreen Cemetery in Marion with a real Celebration of Life party to follow on Saturday, August 17th at 1pm. Flo wished for live, potted flowers only. Please send to Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home in Wareham.

Marion Finance Committee

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Dear Editor,

            I wanted to make some comments on the Marion Finance Committee article printed in last week’s July 18th edition. I was struck by the comments of committee member Karen Kevelson who stated that the education at ORRHS was “mediocre at best”. Karen does not speak for the whole of this community in her assessment of Old Rochester. Her comments do a disservice to all the hard working teachers who put in more than just an 8 hour day. I have two children who have graduated from ORR and a third currently attending. My Old Rochester graduates had a great high school experience, and I accredit their successes both in and out of the classroom to their high school. Academically, my children have taken 11 AP courses, surely with more to come as my youngest continues to grow. While ORR has great academics that help students to succeed in whatever their endeavor may be after high school, I do not think that academics covers everything that Old Rochester does for our children. In addition to great academics and teachers who go the extra mile to make sure our students do well, there also has to be a look at the child as a whole. ORR not only cultivates their capabilities to learn, but also ensures that each kid has extracurricular activities that they are passionate about. Whether it be outstanding athletic programs, a renowned Drama program, impressive music programs, debate club, AFS, and many more, ORR cultivates the whole person rather than just focusing on the schoolwork. My son greatly benefited from the athletics at Old Rochester, going on to be captain of his favorite sports teams. My daughter participated in as many clubs as she could to make her high school experience all the better for her. That isn’t to say there isn’t room for improvement; but you will not find a high school anywhere in the country that doesn’t have something to better. Additionally, calling the education at Old Rochester ‘mediocre at best’ discredits all the work that our teachers put into these students every day. My kids have always loved their teachers, and still consider them their mentors. Old Rochester opened a world of possibilities for our children. With one attending Georgetown and the other heading to UMASS Amherst Isenberg in the fall, I wouldn’t say the education they received was lacking in the slightest. As my youngest son continues through his high school experience, I hope he continues to succeed and thrive as so many ORR students and graduates have before him. I can’t wait to see what doors his “mediocre” education will open for him. 

Jerry Garcia, Marion

The views expressed in the “Letters to the Editor” column are not necessarily those of The Wanderer, its staff or advertisers. The Wandererwill gladly accept any and all correspondence relating to timely and pertinent issues in the great Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester area, provided they include the author’s name, address and phone number for verification. We cannot publish anonymous, unsigned or unconfirmed submissions. The Wandererreserves the right to edit, condense and otherwise alter submissions for purposes of clarity and/or spacing considerations. The Wanderermay choose to not run letters that thank businesses, and The Wandererhas the right to edit letters to omit business names. The Wandereralso reserves the right to deny publication of any submitted correspondence.

Bird Island Lighthouse Bicentennial

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This year is the Bird Island Lighthouse Bicentennial and the Marion Harbormaster’s Department is planning a celebration which will be held on Saturday, September 14beginning at 4:00 pm. The party will take place underneath the Harbormaster’s Office at Island Wharf. There will be music, a cash bar, small bites, and desserts. 

            Tickets to the event are $15.00 per person and can be purchased at the Harbormaster’s Office at the Town House. Any questions or to purchase tickets please call the Harbormaster’s Office at 508-748-3515.