Rochester Historical Society Meeting

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The Rochester Historical Society will meet on Wednesday, October 17at 7:00 pm at the East Rochester Church/Museum, 355 County Rd. In keeping with our focus on Rochester Businesses, Steve Sperry, founder of Sperry Tents, now Sperry Fabric Architecture on Dexter Lane will explore the development of the company from a one man operation to a global company selling their tents and other fabric creations all over the world. Come early and check out the display, “Rochester Businesses, Past and Present” and our Gift Shop for all things Rochester and stay to learn about this Rochester business. All are welcome. Refreshments will be served.

The Museum at 355 County Rd. will be open every Sunday from October 7 to October 28 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. The exhibit and the Gift Shop will be open at that time.

Mark Twain and His Southcoast Benefactor

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At 45 Center Street in the center of nearby Fairhaven stands the historic Millicent Public Library. It is named after the library’s primary founder Henry Huttleston Rogers’ daughter who died at the young age of 17. It is a monumental memorial of architecture by Charles Brigham in Romanesque and Renaissance architecture.

On the wall of the reading room today is the masterpiece of a brass panel memorial replica of Mark Twain, a friend of Rogers. He is etched forever in time, sitting in a comfortable chair and reflectively smoking his pipe. Therein is a monument to the consequential meeting and lifetime friendship of these two prominent figureheads. Twain had become a world-famous writer, and Rogers had become a magnate in the oil business and principal financial benefactor to the Town of Fairhaven.

Rogers was born in Mattapoisett and grew up in Fairhaven to become the most successful and famous native son, a member of the first graduating class of Fairhaven High School. As a youth, he worked as a town clerk, and then a railroad baggage handler. But at the age of 22, his career turned the corner toward fortune when he went into the oil business, founding the Wamsutta Oil Refinery in Pennsylvania, and then eventually was made vice-president of Standard Oil.

Still, despite amassing a fortune of more than $100 million, Rogers never forgot who he was or where he came from. He had a grassroots quality that both he and Twain shared together, which was solid common ground for their friendship, as portrayed in my illustration.

Mark Twain was from an even more humble background as a laborer on the steamship docks of his birthplace, Hannibal, Missouri. He rose to apprentice captain of a Mississippi riverboat to begin a literary journey to meet William Dean Howell, editor of American magazine. Editor Howell would provide stewardship as Twain’s remarkable editor and writing mentor for almost Twain’s entire career. With Howell, The Adventures of Tom Sawyerand The Adventures of Huckleberry Finnwere published in 1876 and 1885 respectfully. These and other works such as Pudd’nhead Wilsonand A Yankee in King Arthur’s Courtbegan to skyrocket.

Twain’s works have been taught, quoted, and reprinted more than any writer other than Shakespeare. However, by 1893 when he met Rogers, he was nearly bankrupt.

Like many national celebrities, he had fallen for too many get-rich schemes that profited only the false perpetrator of the investment. Rogers immediately untangled the gnarled web of Twain’s misfortunes and financially bailed him out. It was a momentous favor to be returned by Twain’s frequent appearance in local town events in Fairhaven as an indentured friend. He spoke during the commencement ceremony for the first graduation of the new high school, as well as dedication of the Millicent Library. Speaking to library board of trustees there, he can be quoted in his remarks, “This public library and others can be the most enduring of memorials because the literature of its temples are sacred to all creeds and inviolate. If other things pass away, there will still be libraries. When by mutations of language, the books that are in it now, will speak in a lost tongue to our posterity.”

May my concluding tribute to his immortal words be appropriate and simply, Amen!

By George B. Emmons

Bourne Wareham Art Association

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The Bourne Wareham Art Association will meet on Tuesday, October 16at BBs Restaurant, Cranberry Hwy, Wareham from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

            John Wiliszowski will be presenting a short course on Digital Photography. Wiliszowski is a freelance & fine art photographer living in Wareham. He has a Master’s Degree in Communications -Photography and Visual Arts from Clarion University with post-graduate work at the University of Pittsburgh and New England School of Photography in Boston, Massachusetts.

            John is a former editor of “Video Systems,” a national/international magazine on video production and the visual arts. He has taught degree programs in photography at Robert Morris University and Allegheny College in Pittsburgh and in the professional photographer’s and continuous learning environments.

            Throughout his career, John has enjoyed the challenges of photojournalism, advertising, portrait and event photography; always hoping to capture that special moment, deliver a stirring story, or elicit a heart-felt response from the viewer. He brings his wealth of knowledge in digital photography to tonight’s meeting.

Academic Achievements

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Paul George Matos of Rochester made the dean’s list at Wentworth Institute of Technology for the school’s summer 2018 semester.

SLT Approves Executive Officers

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At a meeting of the Sippican Lands Trust (SLT)’s Board of Directors held on September 11, 2018, a new slate of Executive Officers was approved. The new Executive Officers are Alan Harris as President, Jonathan Howland as Vice President, Wayne Tirrell as Treasurer, Susannah Davis as Clerk, Kate Ross as Past President, and Randy Parker as Chair of the Stewardship Committee.

Alan Harris has served on the Sippican Lands Trust’s Board of Directors for close to 20 years and is excited about his new role as President. Harris said that “I am looking forward to working with our dedicated Board of Directors. Our 45th year at Sippican Lands Trust (SLT) should be exceptional in providing opportunities to get out in our valuable Marion open space.” Kate Ross, SLT’s outgoing President, noted that “Harris has been involved in local, community conservation efforts for over two decades and his leadership will give SLT additional opportunities to expand its land conservation work in Marion.”

Chris Bryant, Marian Howell, and Kellie Crete will be leaving as Executive Officers, but will continue to serve on the SLT Board of Directors. SLT’s Executive Director, Jim Bride, “commended Bryant, Crete, and Howell for their strong service to the SLT Executive Committee and is thrilled to know that their combined knowledge and expertise will continue to serve the SLT board into the future.” Bryant most recently served as Past President, Crete as Treasurer, and Howell as Clerk.

SLT has protected 1,350 acres of land in Marion and holds numerous walks and special events on its properties throughout the year. SLT is currently working on raising funds to build a 1,835-foot accessible boardwalk at its Osprey Marsh property.

Focus on Photos: History of Photography

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There will be a lecture by Liz Waring entitled, Focus on Photos: History of Photography on Sunday, October 28at 2:00 pm at Mattapoisett Free Public Library, 7 Barstow Street. The event is co-sponsored by the Mattapoisett Historical Society & the Mattapoisett Free Public Library.

Have you ever seen the first photograph made in 1826? Do you know when the first person was in photograph and why? How many iconic photographs through the years can you recall?

Learn more! Starting with the beginning of photography, many important moments in history are revealed, recorded by well-known photographers in a fast-moving program, ending at the pre-digital era.

Researched and compiled by Waring, compelling images are shown, from bold and graphic, to ethereal and translucent, which speak to and about emotions from heartache to ecstasy.

Waring’s passion for photography began at childhood, a college fine arts degree, and studies with the most highly respected photographic portrait artists through the country. Having been a certified professional photographer for twenty-five years creating children, family, mayors, and clergy portraits, her three grandchildren through the years are well documented. Currently Waring creates mixed media portraits of “best friends” – pets!

Rochester Adds New “Soft” Recycling Program

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In addition to the regular single-stream paper, plastic, and glass recycling collection, Rochester will soon participate in a new curbside recycling program for “soft” recyclables.

On October 4, the Rochester Board of Selectmen held a special meeting and signed a contract with WasteZero, a curbside recycling company, for a separate collection of wares considered “soft” recyclables –clothing, blankets, drapes and other textiles, as well as shoes, hats, small appliances, and small furniture – items that otherwise might have been thrown in the trash.

Beginning January 1, 2019, residents will be provided pink plastic bags to stuff with appropriate items, which are then placed on the curb next to the regular recycling bin on the regularly scheduled recycling pickup days. WasteZero vans will follow the same recycling route to collect any pink plastic bags stuffed with unwanted soft recyclables. Additional empty pink bags will be left behind for future pickups.

Participation in the soft recycling program is voluntary; however, the Town hopes residents will utilize the free service that could potentially keep some of those items from going in the trash, saving the Town money on solid waste disposal fees.

WasteZero provides this service at no cost to the Town, and even reimburses the Town $0.01 per pound of soft recyclables collected each month, or $20 per ton.

The contract with WasteZero is an initial term of three years, with the possibility of renewal for terms of one or three additional years.

WasteZero is responsible for providing the Town with program brochures for town-wide distribution to Rochester residents before implementation of the curbside soft recycling program. Items that will be accepted include clothing, jewelry, shoes, purses, hats, toys, pictures, mirrors, blankets, drapes, pillows, old rags, sewing scraps, sleeping bags, small furniture, small appliances, irons, radios and audio equipment, TVs and video equipment, cameras, lamps, hairdryers, tools, toasters, microwaves, coffee makers, computers and household or consumer electronics, silverware, dishes, pots and pans, glasses, and the like.

Items that are NOT accepted will include garbage, hazardous waste, carpet, newspapers, mattresses, large furniture, large appliances, yard waste, car seats, cribs, paint, tires, or anything weighing over 50 pounds.

According to the EPA, the average person throws away roughly 85 pounds of textiles like clothing, shoes, and carpeting, every year, accounting for 6% of all solid waste. About 84% of re-usable textiles go to waste. This information and more is available at www.wastezero.com.

The next regular meeting of the Rochester Board of Selectmen is scheduled for October 15 at 6:00 pm at the Rochester Town hall.

Rochester Board of Selectmen

By Jean Perry

 

Mattapoisett Woman’s Club

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The October luncheon and meeting of the Mattapoisett Woman’s Club is on Thursday, October 18at 11:00 am. We meet at Reynard Hall in the Mattapoisett Congregational Church, 27 Church Street. Deborah Ewing is our guest speaker and will talk about the Diamond Terrapins, native to the brackish coastal tidal marshes of the eastern and southern United States.

We are pleased to welcome people who are interested in this month’s program or in becoming a member of our friendly group. If you would like more information, you may visit our new website – www.mattapoisettwomansclub.org – or contact Christine Voss at 508-758-3348.

Sippican Historical Society

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In 1998, the Sippican Historical Society commissioned an architectural survey of Marion’s historic homes and buildings. The survey was funded one-half by the Sippican Historical Society and one-half by the Massachusetts Historical Commission. Due to the limits of funding, not all of the historic buildings were surveyed, but over 100 were catalogued and photographed. The results of the survey are in digital form on the Massachusetts Historical Commission’s website and in four binders in the Sippican Historical Society’s office (and at the Marion Town Clerk’s office).

Marion (Old Rochester) is one of the oldest towns in the United States, and the Sippican Historical Society maintains an extensive collection of documentation on its historic buildings. The Sippican Historical Society will preview one building a week so that the residents of Marion can understand more about its unique historical architecture.

This installment features 26 Pleasant Street. The Greek Revival residence at 26 Pleasant Street was owned by L. Berry in 1855 and, in 1879, by H.P. Babcock. In the late 19th century, this house was purchased by Ichabod N. Blankinship. Ichabod, born in 1817, grew up at 273 Converse Road, which was owned by his father, John Blankinship. Ichabod was a parishioner of the Universalist Church, a sympathizer of the anti-alcohol Temperance Movement and an ardent Democrat who voted for the Republican Abraham Lincoln in 1864. By 1903, J.B. Blankinship, an ice deliveryman, owned this home. Ichabod N. Blankinship died in 1909 at age 92.

Hockey Unlimited

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Hockey Unlimited, an organization founded nearly 54 years ago and committed to teaching the fundamentals of ice hockey to local youths ranging in age from 9 to 14 years, plans to begin its 54th season at Travis Roy Rink … inside Tabor Academy’s Fish Center for Health & Athletics.

This year’s program will consist of approximately 16 weekly sessions. The registration fee is $380.00 for the entire season, payable to Hockey Unlimited (at least ½ payable in advance). The money covers ice rental expenses and all other operating costs.

Each participant should complete a registration form and return it with a check made payable to Hockey Unlimited. Please mail to: Hockey Unlimited, c/o Dyer Capital Management, P.O. Box 388, Marion, MA 02738.

Sessions are expected to be held primarily on Saturday mornings, as well as other selected school vacation days. The program runs approximately from early November through February 2019. A complete schedule with exact dates and times will be available upon registration. Because of program limitations, registration is on a “first come, first served” basis.

Each player must be equipped with a stick, knee pads, hockey gloves, elbow pads, helmet and face guard. Some type of tooth protection and hockey pants are also strongly recommended.

For more information, call Managing Director & Head Coach Tim Dyer at 508-748-3030 (office), 508-951-8361 (cell) or email at thd.dyercap@comcast.net.