Mattapoisett Congregational Church Yard Sale

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On Saturday, September 7 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm the Mattapoisett Congregational Church will once again host their annual yard sale in Reynard Hall, rain or shine.

            Lots of great items will be available including home furnishings, housewares, collectibles, beautiful handbags, sports equipment, books, small furniture, toys and games as well as new hand knit items, handmade jewelry and yummy baked goods. You are sure to find so many more treasures.

            Cash and checks accepted. All proceeds will benefit the ministries of the Mattapoisett Congregational Church.

League of Women Voters SouthCoast

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The League of Women Voters SouthCoast is pleased to announce that Celia Canavan, Executive Director of the League of Women Voters Massachusetts, will be the featured speaker at its upcoming Community Meeting. This event will take place on Wednesday, September 10, at noon at the Wamsutta Club, located at 427 County Street, New Bedford.

            Ms. Canavan has extensive experience as a community organizer and policy professional, showcasing a strong track record in intergovernmental affairs, a deep commitment to voter engagement, and civic education. In her previous role as the Director of Government Affairs for the City of Brockton, she:

            -Streamlined federal funding processes to maximize resources for local projects.

            -Engaged municipal offices in long-term civic development strategies.

            -Co-managed the launch of the Brockton High School Massachusetts School Building Authority project, the Commonwealth’s largest school construction initiative.

            Before her tenure in Brockton, Ms. Canavan worked on landmark ballot initiatives in Maine and Massachusetts, including efforts to overturn Citizens United and advance campaign finance reform, as well as a grassroots push for universal healthcare.

            A native of Brockton, Ms. Canavan was a founding member of the LWV Greater Brockton.

            The League of Women Voters SouthCoast is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization dedicated to expanding and protecting voting rights through advocacy, education, and community engagement across nine communities.

            All members of the public, community leaders, and civic-minded residents are invited to join us on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at noon at the Wamsutta Club, located at 427 County Street, New Bedford, for this special Community Meeting with Celia Canavan.

            RSVP is required. Please visit www.lwvsouthcoast.org/events to register and select your meal. With a suggested donation of just $10, you’ll enjoy a delicious meal, light refreshments, and great company.

            For more information, please visit www.lwvsouthcoast.org/events, Connect with us on Facebook and Instagram for updates and event reminders.

Open Space and Recreation Committee Begins Working

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            On August 19, the first meeting of the Mattapoisett Open Space and Recreation Committee was held. Leading the meeting was Michelle Tinger, Assistant Director of Environmental Planning for SRPEDD (Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District).

            SRPEDD was invited to assist Mattapoisett as it crafts what could be called a mini-masterplan only this time more focused on matters related to land use for recreational purposes.

            First order of business was to select a Chair for the OSRC. Barry Lima, who volunteered to represent the Conservation Commission on the OSRC, again raised his hand to help the town as committee Chair.

            Other appointed members are Marissa Hughes, Kristen McCormick, Frank White, and Janice Robbins. Some appointees are representing the Mattapoisett Land Trust, or other town committees such as the Conservation Commission and the Planning Board.

            Tinger presented an outline of what the committee is expected to accomplish. Most notably, the creation of a survey. The group spent the majority of the hour-long meeting debating the merits of various survey questions and best ways to engage the public.

            The primary goal of the committee Tinger stated was the creation of an OSRC plan that will be submitted to the state and if accepted could set up Mattapoisett as it sought state funding for OSRC projects. She called the funding “free money.”

            Before the meeting concluded, the members were able to grasp the full scope of what expectations are for the work the committee will do and were given web-based tracking tools to manage the data flow created by SRPEDD.

            The next meeting of the OSRC is planned for September 16, at which time a survey will be drafted.

Mattapoisett Open Space and Recreation Committee

By Marilou Newell

How Could I Have Glaucoma? My Vision is Fine

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            The top two causes of blindness world-wide are cataracts and glaucoma.

            Cataracts happen to us all eventually. This clouding of the normally clear lens is the eyes’ equivalent of graying hair. If the cataract does not bother you, it can be watched. Eventually surgery may be needed, and is usually successful, but no or minimal symptoms mean no need to do anything.

            Glaucoma is different. It has been called “the sneak thief of sight,” because it can be doing serious and often permanent damage without you being aware.

            The exact way glaucoma damages the eye is complicated and not fully understood. One way to think of it is that the pressure inside the eye is too high, and this pressure damages the optic nerve, the nerve that carries impulses from the retina to the brain.

            Most people with glaucoma have increased eye pressure, which the optometrist or ophthalmologist can easily measure.

            The reason it is complicated is that a small fraction of people have high pressures but never develop damage, while others can have classic glaucoma damage with normal pressures.

            Let’s leave these outliers to the specialists and focus on the large majority, who have high intra-ocular pressure and evidence of eye damage.

            The damage to the optic nerve is slow – it may take 25 years between onset and blindness. It also damages the peripheral (side) vision first, sparing the straight-ahead vision. This is what makes it so sneaky. Looking straight ahead, your vision may be fine, while you are slowly developing tunnel vision. The loss is usually permanent; progression can be stopped, but what you have lost cannot be restored.

            Treatment is well-studied. For most people, eyedrops at bedtime are all that is needed. Some sufferers need two or three different drops, and a minority do not respond to drops and need surgery.

            The key is early detection. Even if your vision is fine, when you hit forty, get an eye exam. You cannot suspect glaucoma yourself, and early detection is the best way to preserve your vision.

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

What Does The Doctor Say?

By Dr. Edward Hoffer

Fall into Fun – Children’s classes at the MAC

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The MAC has a full slate of fun activities to acclimate the kids to the exciting fall season.

            MAC Dance Academy is back – MAC Dance Academy is a classically taught dance studio that fosters individuality and fun for dancers of all ages and experience levels. This relaxed dance program provides extraordinary dance instruction in ballet, tap, jazz, and also touches on contemporary, hip-hop, and gymnastics – all in a safe, fun learning environment. Movement and music is offered for the youngest dancers.

            This fall, MAC Dance Academy classes will be held at the Community Center (owned by the First Congregational Church) at 144 Front Street in Marion. Choose from a wide range of classes for ages 2.5 to 6 and up. All classes will take place on Monday afternoons-evenings and run from 30-45 minutes to 60-90 minutes depending on age range and selection (Preschool/Kinderstep, Elementary, Tumbling, or combination). Registration is open now for the 12-week fall session. The 12-week session starts at just $95 for members and $110 for nonmembers. Members receive significant discounts on tuition – join at any time.

            If you are not sure that your student will enjoy the class, the MAC offers a free trial class, subject to availability. More information and registration for the programs is on our website at marionartcenter.org/mac-dance-academy.

            Art in the Afternoon is Back – Art class instructor Miss Aylin continues at the MAC with new fall programs for afterschool art. The new 6-week Maker Club is a hands-on art club for ages 6-12. Young artists will have access to a wide variety of arts and crafts materials, tools, and textures each week. From paint and paper to recycled bits, fabric, wire, and more – every session is an invitation to explore, invent, and make something uniquely their own. With creative prompts to spark ideas and a supportive instructor to help guide their process, students are free to experiment, tinker, and express themselves in a relaxed, imaginative environment. Whether they’re building, drawing, gluing, or sculpting, Maker Club is all about the joy of creating without pressure – where the process matters more than the final product. Perfect for curious minds who love to explore and make art in their own way.

            In addition to the new Maker Club theme, young artists can now attend for either one hour (3:00 pm to 4:00 pm) or one and a half hours (3:00 pm to 4:30 pm on Fridays after school. The new, longer option allows another half hour for creation and exploration, and a bit more time for guardians to arrive for pickup, depending on family needs. Session 1 runs September 12 through October 17. The one-hour class runs from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm in the MAC Studio and costs $145 for MAC members and $175 for nonmembers. The 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm class runs 1.5 hours and costs $215 for members and $255 for nonmembers. More information and registration can be found on our website at marionartcenter.org/art-lab.

Music Lessons – New Fall Schedule

            Instructor Colin Bradley continues to offer guitar, piano, and more for students age 7 and up (adults too.) on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons at the Marion Art Center. Thirty-minute lessons are held upstairs in the MAC’s Patsy Francis Gallery, located at 80 Pleasant St. Marion. MAC Members receive a significant discount on tuition. Receive 10% back when you register two or more students from the same household. Fall session 1 runs Sept 9-10 through Oct. 21-22, and Fall session 2 runs November 4-5 through December 16-17, with no lessons September 23, 24, November 11, 12. The cost for each 6-week session is $215 for MAC members and $240 nonmembers. More information and registration can be found online at marionartcenter.org/kids-music-lessons.

School Supply Collection

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These are difficult times for many local families as they struggle to manage rising costs for everyday needs. As a new school year approaches, students and staff at Rochester Memorial School could use some help with classroom supplies. To that end, the Rochester Democratic Town Committee is coordinating a collection of supplies to be donated to RMS.

It’s easy to help.

            Collection boxes will remain at the following locations until September 20: Rochester Town Hall, Plumb Memorial Library, and Lloyd’s Market, 8 Hartley Road  

            Requested items are posted at each box and include: #2 pencils, erasers, colored pencils, crayons, glue sticks, sharpies, dry-erase markers, highlighters and Post-it notes. Also, tissues, paper towels, ChapStick, Band-Aids, hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes and baby wipes, underwear and sweatpants.

            Thank you for your generous support as we work together to support our community.

Marion Makes

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            On Tuesday, the Elizabeth Taber Library opened their new workshop, or “makerspace” they’re calling “Marion Makes.” Many showed up to see all the new equipment at their disposal, with bikes dumped at the curb and kids running inside to use some of the new 3D pens, 3D printer, cricut machines, and plenty of others.

            At the entrance, library patrons could enter in to a raffle to win a bookmark freshly cut and engraved from the new laser Glowforge Aura, also available for use. The machine cuts and engraves materials like wood, acrylic, leather, cork, and many more. Likewise, the 3D printer UltiMaker 3 can print with PLA, PETG, and other plastics.

            The cricut and press table was full, as visitors made words and names to press onto mugs and hats. The embroidery and sewing machines were prepped to go, ready to be used by the mass of interested patrons.

            The Marion Makes equipment is funded by grants and federal funds. For more information on the machines present and their availability, you can visit the library’s website at: www.elizabethtaberlibrary.org. Otherwise, assuming you have a library card, you can show up and try your hand at creating something.

Elizabeth Taber Library – Makerspace

By Sam Bishop

MS4 Public Hearing to Be Held September 2

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The Planning Board on August 18 met for a two-item agenda that focused mostly on discussion of the proposed Municipal Separate Stormwater Systems Bylaw – also known as MS4, and whether it should be a general or zoning bylaw.

            The board at a previous meeting were still mulling over whether the bylaw should be classified as a general or zoning bylaw. The board agreed on the latter and will have a public hearing on Tuesday, September 2.

            The board on August 18 made no official recommendation but officials say the hearing on September 2 would determine how the board will seek to modify the proposal, which was recommended by a Select Board-assembled subcommittee.

            According to officials, that direction comes with a risk. Zoning bylaws are more difficult to pass and if this potential bylaw fails on Town Meeting floor in December and fails again in the spring (when communities have annual Town Meetings), the town could face sanctions or repercussions from the Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA has given the town until December the deadline to pass a bylaw and Town Meeting is in November.

            According to estimates from some town officials, the town has been out of compliance for as many as eight years.

            The board at the last two August meetings went through the bylaw draft. Planning Board Chairman Andrew Daniel has mentioned one section that states that any alteration to land an acre or more should require a permit if it is within an MS4 zone. He said that might be a difficult requirement for an applicant looking to build a single-family home.

            Board members also indicated that there should be language that points out how the EPA map that delineates flood zones, or MS4 areas, is in flux.

            The board has recommended changes that would also make the bylaw proposal more consistent with language and wording within other planning bylaws.

            The board has also recommended changes that make it clearer for businesses.

            The next meeting of the Marion Planning Board and public hearing for MS4 is scheduled for Tuesday, September 2 at 7:00 pm in the Marion Police Department.

Marion Planning Board

By Jeffrey D. Wagner

Mattapoisett Democratic Town Committee

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On August 27 at 6:00 pm in the downstairs public reading room of the Mattapoisett Free Public Library, the Mattapoisett Democratic Town Committee is proud to announce that it will host a special presentation by Nancy Becker, a distinguished voice from MA50501. Ms. Becker will share insights on grassroots organizing, protecting democracy, local policy issues and national challenges. This presentation will offer a unique perspective on the issues that matter most to voters and provide an opportunity for community members to engage directly with a local leader of an organization which is shaping the conversation at the State and national level.

Machacam Clubs

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The first meeting of the Machacam Clubs 2025/2026 season is scheduled for Wednesday, September 3. We meet at the Eastman American Legion Post on Depot Street. Social time begins at 5pm with dinner served at 6:00 pm. Our speaker for the evening will be introduced at 6:40 pm. Callers please communicate your counts by 5:00 pm on Monday, September 1. New members welcomed. Email cwmccullough@comcast.net with questions.