On a chilly Saturday, December 6 with the icy breeze skirting along the sea, 300 Santas descended on Mattapoisett’s Shipyard Park for the Santa Stampede road race.

            The 5K began at the park and went past the town beach, up Ned’s Point Road to and around the lighthouse, around Tupola Lane and back down Water Street to the finish. A man dressed as the Grinch – or possibly the Grinch himself – was at the head of the pack on a bicycle. Typical. All others came dressed as Saint Nick or received their complimentary outfits from the starting line. There was also a healthy number of elves to help the large number of Santas.

            The race began at 9:00 am sharp, with a little over 300 registered racers at the starting line. With some walkers, some runners, and some being pushed in a stroller, the line of Santas stretched uninterrupted from downtown to Ned’s Point.

            For men’s results, 34-year-old Kiefer Calisto of New Bedford finished first (bib #251; 18:36.7), 29-year-old Ethan Souza of Fairhaven finished second (bib #164; 18:50.6), and 37-year-old Eric Place of East Hampton, Connecticut finished third (bib #167; 19:26.6).

            For women’s results, 22-year-old Maggie Carroll of Fairhaven finished first (bib #190; 19:32.0), 34-year-old Kalie Marion of New Bedford finished second (bib #28; 21:59.1), and 24-year-old Reagan Dasneves of Fairhaven finished third (bib #296; 23:07.9).

            Fastest man and woman from the Tri-Town were Andrew Mullen of Marion (bib #225; 20:45.0) and Penny Prather of Mattapoisett (bib #222; 26:29.9).             The Santas had great success on their detour to Mattapoisett, if only to have to return to the North Pole after. Proceeds of the race were donated to various Multiple Sclerosis foundations

Mattapoisett Santa Stampede 5K

By Sam Bishop

The conversations start at home with Sippican Elementary School students talking to their families, asking, “Where did our ancestors come from? And how did they end up in America?”

            Then, the second graders come to class and begin their research, using a special collection of informative books about foreign countries and their cultures, allowing the students to learn more about their familial heritage and where it has its roots.

            Those books were purchased this past year through a $689 grant that was awarded by the Old Rochester Regional Tri-Town Education Foundation Fund to Sippican School Grade 2 teacher Ashley Sweatland to expand the collection of age-appropriate research books used in the school’s annual Family Heritage Project.

            The family heritage research project culminates with the students presenting their findings on posters made in the shape of suitcases, with handles on both sides that make them easy to hold up before the class. Through the project and the grant-funded books, students explore and celebrate their family history while learning about global geography, cultures and migration, helping the school to exceed Massachusetts curriculum standards in both history and civics.

            “With the help of these books, students gained a deeper knowledge and understanding of their family heritage,” said Sweatland. “Students enjoyed sharing with their classmates all about special traditions, foods, celebrations and history that represents where they came from. We were able to share and present our final projects with grade-level peers, as well as adults in the school. Everyone was so impressed with the wealth of knowledge these students had.”

            The Old Rochester Regional School District and Massachusetts Superintendency Union #55 are pleased to share this story and the outcome of a total of more than $9,400 in private grants provided by the nonprofit Old Rochester Regional Tri-Town Education Foundation for the 2024-25 school year.

            The Old Rochester Regional Tri-Town Education Foundation Fund is a growing endowment under the umbrella of the SouthCoast Community Foundation. Supported by community donors, the fund helps educators pursue innovative, high-quality learning experiences for students throughout Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester.

            This is the second in a series of articles describing the impact of grants awarded by the Tri-Town Education Foundation Fund to support innovative teaching and student enrichment across the school system.

            “Hopefully this has inspired students to continue to inquire and learn more about this as they grow,” Sweatland said. “Students have had a wonderful time researching and creating a hands-on suitcase project representing their family’s heritage. These books were so helpful, as they were at a reading level students could access, providing beautiful illustrations that allowed a deeper understanding for my students.”

            Early Childhood Coordinator Doreen Lopes said the project enriches both academic and personal growth for young learners.

            “This project encourages students to learn about their roots in a meaningful and developmentally appropriate way,” Lopes said. “These new grant-funded books will help ensure that every student has access to the resources they need to explore their heritage with curiosity and confidence.”

            Superintendent Michael S. Nelson expressed gratitude for the Tri-Town Education Foundation’s contribution to classroom projects like this one that strengthens both learning and community building.

            “The Family Heritage Project helps students build knowledge and pride in who they are and an understanding of the diverse backgrounds and experiences that shape our communities,” Superintendent Nelson said. “We are thankful for the Tri-Town Education Foundation’s support in making these research materials more accessible to all second graders at Sippican School. We urge the community to continue supporting the Foundation in its efforts to assist our schools, providing additional resources that are so helpful with learning and deeply enrich the experiences of our students.”

While it may seem that some snow has been forecast for us, we can still collectively hope for clear skies. At least, hopefully at night! We have been incredibly lucky in the last month being able to see the Northern Lights, Aurora Borealis, this far south (relatively speaking). This month, as the weather starts feeling more boreal, we can ask “what’s up there?” as we gaze upwards.

            Another super moon! On Thursday, December 4 we get another super moon! This time, the “Cold Moon.” I shouldn’t say why it’s named that, but it’s also referred to as the “Oak Moon” or the “Long Night Moon.” That will conclude 2025’s super moons, with three in total: October 7, November 5, December 4. The Pleiades cluster will often sit near the moon as well.

            Mercury, ever difficult to spot due to its proximity to the Sun, about 36,000,000 miles to our 93,000,000, will reach its greatest distance from the Sun, or greatest elongation. If you’re ever able to spot it, that’ll be the time. Jupiter will also be visible for much of this month, with it and the Moon seeming to orbit together December 7.

            The Geminids meteor shower will peak the night of Sunday, December 14, although meteors originating from it can be spotted throughout the first half of the month. The meteors don’t originate from a comet, the most likely culprit, but from the 3200 Phaethon asteroid. The asteroid has an orbital period of about a year-and-a-half and is referred to as an “Apollo asteroid” due to its orbit crossing Earth’s and nearing the Sun. It was only discovered in 1983!

            The final new moon of the year will be on December 20. The next day, December 21, is the Winter Solstice, or the shortest day of the year.

            With a longer night and a new moon, that makes the perfect opportunity for another meteor shower. The Ursid meteor shower peaks on December 22, running throughout the middle of the month. The meteors will be visible around the constellation Ursa Minor and will produce about 10~ meteors-per-hour.

            On December 26, it’ll be a great time to see Saturn with the ringed behemoth sitting near the quarter moon.

Astronomy Update for December

By Sam Bishop

            This week in Revolutionary War history, let’s check up on what was going on 250 years ago in and around the colonial Province of Massachusetts Bay. Last week, Washington declared November 23 be an official day of thanksgiving, primarily to warn the favor of God in their struggles. The general received reports that more troops were arriving in Boston, while at the same time hearing from Benedict Arnold’s brutal slog in the north. While Arnold’s men are getting closer to Quebec City, having crossed the Saint Lawrence River, it is at a great cost. Finally, Washington furthered winter preparations and stockpiling, instructing men to give indications as to whether they will re-enlist for next year, with contracts up on December 31.

            On November 26, 1775, Washington receives a letter from Lieutenant Colonel Loammi Baldwin in Chelsea, just north of Boston. Baldwin expresses “great concern” over shipments arriving in Boston from England containing “all sorts of ordinance stores.” Then, he describes those who are leaving Boston, or refugees of the siege. He says, “The people that came out of Boston now at the Point are in the most shocking condition yesterday in the afternoon there was one dead and another dieing upon the beach.” “Dieing” was spelt differently then.

            Baldwin has allowed people to come as they please, although references an act of the General Court that states the army is not beholden to provide for them. Baldwin states, however, “I am not obdurate enough to confine them on the Point where they must perish with hunger & cold.” He asks for Washington’s recommendation.

            That same day, Washington responds to his cousin and current estate manager, Lund Washington at Mount Vernon. Lund worried the British would roll in from the Potomac and capture Washington’s land. George has great faith in Lund and entrusts him to “do for me as you would do for yourself.”  He also adds, “Let the hospitality of the house, with respect to the poor, be kept up. Let no one go hungry away.” In giving to the poor, Washington also approves of the sale of rum and other goods for the estate’s upkeep.

            On November 27, Colonel Henry Knox writes from New York. He is still en route to Fort Ticonderoga to secure artillery for the siege at Boston. In his time in New York, he has met with local officials and committee members who, reluctantly, have promised to send “12 exceedingly good” cannons. According to Knox, these cannons, called “4-pounders” for the weight of the ball they fire, weigh about 600 pounds each. He promises to set out to Ticonderoga.

            November 29 brings troubles. Washington writes the Massachusetts General Court, currently in Watertown, and demands pay must not be halted for soldiers. If the court continues to withhold pay, “this will be a reduction of 1500 men from the strength of our lines,” he says. That same day, the general gets a letter from William Watson of Plymouth. Watson says the men aboard the Brigantine Washington have mutinied. He says, “they insisted they enlisted to serve in the army & not as marines.” He references the captain, Martindale, doing all in his power but adds, “His people really appear to me to be sett of the most unprincipled, abandoned fellows I ever saw.”

            On December 1, Major General Israel Putnam writes Washington, commending the acts of Colonel Henry Babcock in quelling a mutiny among Connecticut soldiers. He recommends a promotion for Babcock. However, the mutiny is not over. On December 2, Governor Jonathan Trumbull of Connecticut of the “extraordinary and reprehensible conduct of some of the Connecticut troops.” In speaking with men in their camps, Trumbull has concluded many of them want out, now, or fears of abandonment will become reality. Many did abandon post, which is what led to Putnam and Babcock rounding them up and bringing them back.

            Washington does receive some good news on December 2. John Hancock writes from Philadelphia. The Continental Congress has authorized $3 million for army payments. He also informs the general that Henry Knox is to be made Colonel of Artillery per his mission to bring cannons to Boston.

This Week in Revolutionary War History

By Sam Bishop