Disc Golf Arrives in Tri-Town

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            Andrew Apperson, Nathan Kane, and Elizabeth Sherry hosted a disc golf clinic for families and local residents who look to learn more about the rising popularity of the sport as well as try their hand at throwing some discs at Old Rochester Regional’s new nine-hole disc golf course around the school campus.

            Apperson and Kane both teach at ORR and coach the school’s new disc golf club. Sherry, the director at the Elizabeth Taber Library, is married to Apperson, and the two fell in love with the sport during Covid-related lockdowns and have since strove to facilitate its play in the Tri-Town.

            Apperson said the new nine-hole course is a “work in progress,” though its layout is generally finalized. The course is now open to the public, as of the date of the clinic, with the first hole beginning near the front entrance to the school and heading down towards the tennis facility, into the woods, up across the track, out into the athletic fields, and back around towards the school. Using grants, Apperson and Kane have gotten six out of the nine holes to be permanent, concreted-in baskets, with adding the final three holes being Andrew’s current focus. Each basket costs around $450, with the funds being secured entirely from grants.

            Present at the clinic were the two coaches and Sherry offering guidance. Three members of the school club were also present, showing their skills and familiarity with the course. Others trickled in as the group made their way through the course. As we made our way around, Apperson told me of the difficulties of mapping out the course, saying “the trick is to set this up in a way the public can access it.” He added, “Because the course is on a school campus, it can be challenging at times,” referring to the trees in the way of some holes, parents’ cars picking up students, and even passing active athletic areas. All things make the course a lively and unique addition to both the campus and the Tri-Town.

            “We try to use underutilized spaces,” Apperson said. The course takes advantage of the cross-country team’s woodland track as well as the discus-throwing circle. In doing so, the disc golf course allows these areas to be used year-round. Sherry also said there is one hole in front of the Taber Library, “if you want to practice your putting.”

            In recent years, disc golf or frisbee golf has exploded in popularity. This can be attributed to the ease with which beginners can play and the general accessibility of the sport. According to UDisc, the largest directory and scorekeeping application, there are over 10,000 courses nationwide, with most (90%) being free to use, including ORR’s new course. To get going, all you need is a disc set, which contains a putter, midrange, and driver discs.

ORRHS Family Disc Golf Clinic

By Sam Bishop

Upcoming Events at the Elizabeth Taber Library

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Make your own spice blends and explore fruit dehydration at Elizabeth Taber Library’s Cooking Club, Friday, August 22 at 6:00 pm. Call the library to register for this free event.

            Join the Elizabeth Taber Library’s youth services department on August 27 from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm to celebrate the beginning of the school year. We’ll be serving special treats and sharing information about our exciting fall programming offerings.

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

Lamb of God Christian Church

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The Lamb of God Christian Church of Mattapoisett will be presenting the following events in August and September:

            Adult Bible Study on August 20, 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm will be held at the Mattapoisett Free Public Library, in the lower meeting room. Children’s “Bible Story Time” on September 2, 10:00 am to 11:00 am for children, parents, and care givers of children will be held at the Mattapoisett Free Public Library, in the lower meeting room. Parents or caregivers are required to accompany children. Outdoor Public Christian Baptisms on August 30, Saturday, 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm, 24 County Road, Route 6 (Parking Lot next to Ying Dynasty). Bring appropriate clothing to be “Immersed” in water. For more information call (508) 998-6990, or E-Mail: pastor@lambofgodma.org.

Ride with South Coast Bikeway

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On Sunday, October 5, the South Coast Bikeway Team will participate in the Buzzards Bay Watershed Ride to raise money for clean water and a completed South Coast Bikeway. We are looking for more team members. If you have ridden as an individual in the past or are taking on the challenge for the first time, please join the South Coast Bikeway Team (SouthCoastBikeway.com). Use code SCBIKEWAY for $20 off registration. The SCBA has been permitted to “piggyback” on the Watershed Ride fundraising. Whatever you raise for Buzzards Bay will be matched by (still-to-be-determined) donors to the SCBA. If you don’t ride, please consider donating to the SCBA team or the South Coast Bikeway Alliance. Funds raised will be used as matching funds for design, engineering, and build grants to complete the South Coast Bikeway, a planned cycling route from Rhode Island to the Cape Cod Canal. The Goal for team SCBA is $20,000. SCBA is a 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to assist our member communities in completing their portion of the South Coast Bikeway. In 2024, we raised over $43,000 for clean water and $2800 for the South Coast Bikeway, for over $90,893 for the Buzzards Bay Coalition over the last 9 years.

St. Philip’s Episcopal Church

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The Rev. Jeffrey Paull Cave, Retired from Diocese of Atlanta, GA, will return from his home in Northern California to lead services on Sunday, August 24. Historic St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, located next to the Town Beach in Mattapoisett, invites clergy from near and far during the summer only season. Services using the 1928 Book of Common Prayer will be at 8:00 am and 10:00 am. All are welcome.

Eleanor Bradford (Luther) Johansen

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Eleanor Bradford (Luther) Johansen, 94, of Mattapoisett, died peacefully on Friday, August 8, 2025. Eleanor was born in New Bedford on December 29, 1930, the daughter of the late Bradford Wheeler Luther and Elva Woodworth (Fairbairn) Luther. Eleanor grew up in Fairhaven and graduated from Fairhaven High School in 1948. She married the late Robert Garner Johansen in September 1951, and subsequently moved to Mattapoisett, which became her home for over seventy years.

            Her life’s passion was her handwork. She enjoyed painting, knitting, weaving and embroidery. But her true love was making quilts, and she devoted most of her time to designing and creating exquisitely beautiful, unique quilts.

            She is survived by her son, Jon Benjamin Johansen and his wife, Ann, of Winterport, Maine; her daughter, Donna Goldman and her husband, Ted, of Bethesda, Maryland; four grandchildren: Jessica Alexandria Whynot, Andrew Silva, Molly Goldman and Kara Young; and four great-grandchildren: Elizabeth Donahue, Brody Donahue, Nathan Young and Jacob Young.

            She was the mother of the late Susan Johansen-Silva, the grandmother of the late Jeremiah Johansen-Silva, and the sister of the late Bradford Wheeler Luther, Jr.

            Her graveside service will be held on Friday, September 19, at 2:00 pm in Cushing Cemetery. Arrangements are with the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd. (Rt. 6), Mattapoisett. For online guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Richard Weston Straffin

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Richard Weston Straffin, 85, of Rochester passed away peacefully on August 12, 2025. He had been married for 48 years to the late Lois Carol Phillips Straffin. He was the son of the late Weston and Irene (Reeves) Straffin.

            Born in Brockton, he raised a family of 8 in Middleboro, where he was a volunteer fireman. Richard built the home that he and his wife shared in Rochester for 39 years.

            Richard retired from Sears at the age of 54 after 35 years of service, but he was far from retiring. He spent some time as a pipe insulation inspector, he and a friend/partner opened an Orvis store “Henry Weston Outfitters”, and he worked for the Town of Rochester for many years – mowing lawns and driving the recycle truck.

            Richard was a family man. He spent “quality” time with each and every one of us. He was the strong silent type – never the center of attention but always there in quiet support. He loved camping, bird watching, organic gardening, wood crafting, fishing, and grilling – pig roasts and meat on a stick anybody?! Each of Richard’s grandchildren have experienced the “crusher” handshake.

            Survivors include his children: Donna Nichols of West Bridgewater, Patricia DeNardo and her husband Marc of Mashpee, Glenn Jutras of Middleboro, Michael Straffin of Sarasota, and Eric Jutras of Utah, 12 grandchildren and many great grandchildren. Also, his sister Virginia Conefrey of Pocasset. He was the father of the late Scott Jutras, and brother of the late Lennie Lee.

            A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on September 27, 2025 at the First Congregational Church of Rochester, 11 Constitution Way, Rochester.

            Donations in his memory can be made to The Wounded Warrior Project or Damien’s Place Food Pantry of Wareham.

            Arrangements are by Chapman Funerals & Cremations – Wareham, 2599 Cranberry Hwy., Wareham.

Down to the Sea in Ships

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The Marion Concert Band continues its Friday evening concert series on August 22, with a program of music inspired by the sea. The program includes two soloists and is as follows:

            Hands Across the Sea – J. P. Sousa

            Parade of the Tall Ships – J. Chattaway

            Fantasy on American Sailing Songs – C. Grundman

            Trumpet in the Night – H. Simeone

            John Smialek, trumpet

            Sea Songs – R. Vaughan Williams

            Selections from South Pacific – R. Rodgers

            Montego Bay – S. Nestico

            La Tourterelle – E. Damaré

            Wendy Rolfe, piccolo

            Highlights from Victory at Sea – R. Rodgers

            Under the Sea (from The Little Mermaid) – A. Menken

            Martinique – R. Washburn

            From Tropic to Tropic March – R. Alexander

            John Smialek, trumpet soloist, holds a master’s degree in music from Northwestern University. He has performed with the Cape Cod Symphony Orchestra, New Bedford Symphony Orchestra and the Springfield Symphony Orchestra. He is also a founding member of the New England Brass Quartet and was the band director at Seekonk High School for 16 years. He has been a member of the Marion Concert Band since 1989.

            Marion resident Wendy Rolfe earned her bachelor’s degree from the Oberlin Conservatory and earned her master’s and doctor of musical arts degrees from the Manhattan School of Music. She is Professor of Flute at the Berklee College of Music in Boston and performs regularly with the Handel and Haydn Society, Boston Baroque, and the Cape Symphony Orchestra. Ms. Rolfe has been a member of the Marion Concert Band since 1999.

            The concert, under the direction of Tobias Monte, will begin at 7:00 pm at the Robert Broomhead Bandstand, Island Wharf off Front Street in Marion. All concerts are free and open to the public. “Like” us on Facebook at “Marion Town Band” for up-to-date announcements and rain cancellation notices.

Island Wharf

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Dear Editor,

            The poem below is dedicated to Island Wharf, a treasure in the middle of a vibrant town center.

Breathe.

Unwind.

Belong.

Step onto sunlit blades –

an emerald carpet unfurling

beneath your feet, each blade

a gentle hand, guiding you

to move, to rest, to inhale

the warmth of Island Wharf.

Here, green isn’t a luxury

but a lifeline: leaves murmur

soft lullabies, sunlight dances

on open lawns, and stress

slips away like morning mist.

Gather beneath rustling branches,

where laughter threads through boughs,

and even the town’s hum

melts into a distant murmur.

Deadlines blur into the breeze,

homework drifts off with drifting clouds,

to-do lists fade into the grass –

this common ground becomes

our sanctuary.

In this shared backyard,

roots of community deepen,

joy and renewal sprout side by side,

and civic life takes fragrant flight.

Island Wharf: where every breath

is an invitation, every step

a return, and together we find

our place to belong.

By Eileen J. Marum

Grand Rededication Ceremony Held for DePina Landing in Marion

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The Town of Marion is pleased to announce the grand rededication of DePina Landing on River Road, celebrated with an open house on Wednesday, August 14.

            On a beautiful afternoon, Town officials, community members, and members of the DePina family gathered to honor the site’s history and legacy.

            Town Administrator Geoffrey Gorman welcomed attendees, while Select Board Chair Randy Parker expressed gratitude to the DePina family for their parents’ longstanding commitment to the Town of Marion.

            Meg Steinberg, Chair of the Marion Historical Commission, shared the history of the property, which served as a popular neighborhood swimming hole beginning in the 1940s.

            Stories collected through Council on Aging programs revealed fond memories from members of Marion’s Cape Verdean neighborhood, who spent summer days swimming at DePina Landing during the 1950s and 1960s. Seeking to provide a safer alternative to jumping off the Wareham Bridge, the DePina family donated the one-acre site to the Town in 1953.

            The site now features new benches, picnic tables, a celebratory tree and garden, a commemorative plaque, and an interpretive historical sign. A kayak rack will also be installed in the near future.

            The project was spearheaded by Nancy McFadden, Department of Public Works Director Jody Dickerson, and Marion Historical Commission Chair Meg Steinberg, who recognized the importance of preserving the site’s history while honoring the DePina family’s enduring legacy.