Let There Be Light

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            We finally know the holiday season is here, now that the house on Acushnet Road is lit up.

            Marino Carreiro and his wife Grace greeted guests and onlookers at the grand opening of the annual exhibit at 59 Acushnet Road in Mattapoisett on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. The Carreiro house becomes a popular destination in town in the early days of winter, with Marino spending a good portion of the year assembling his masterpiece.

            With music playing and many, many thousands of lights twinkling, you can walk up the drive, or take the light-tunnel path past the animatronics coming to life, ascending up to the hot chocolate and cookies by the home itself. The garage doors are also illuminated, showing pixel-art of Santa and a snowman. I’m not sure what holiday magic is used for that, but it’s pretty spectacular. Also, somehow the garage doors can still open to allow a car in. I was flabbergasted.

            Many come from around the Tri-Town in a pilgrimage; many park and get some hot cocoa; many are just driving by, mouths agape as they turn the corner.

            This year is the 10th anniversary of Marino putting up the lights, with their announcement saying, “Ladies and gentlemen… it’s the 10th anniversary of The First Night of the Lights! This will be our final big celebration, and we’re going out with a sparkle!”

            Marino described this year’s lights as a “grand finale.” He stressed the festivities, lights, and treats will continue for years to come, but the endeavor will be scaled back. He told us he won’t be adding anything new to the ensemble next year, as has been a tradition. Considering he told us he starts putting lights up in September to be ready for the day after Thanksgiving, it is only fair!

            The holiday season has officially begun, now that the red star atop the Carreiro’s tree is illuminated and glowing over Mattapoisett.

By Sam Bishop

Thoughts on… Neil, Willy and Me

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Pamela LaPointe, a classmate of mine in high school who came from Tennessee in our senior year and stayed just that one year, wrote in my yearbook, “Good luck with the beatniks.”

She was referring to the fact that I was off to art college. That exposes how old I am, but the fact is my time at art school fell between beatniks who sat around reciting poetry and hippies who let their hair grow, protested Vietnam and smoked pot, I was neither. I didn’t understand poetry, and the smell of marijuana made me nauseous.

            I did, however, meet many interesting people at college.

            The other night I was watching the Celtics game and perusing Facebook during timeouts. I find the proliferation of useless videos of cats, fake AI-created “breaking” news stories and cheap New York apartment tours fascinating. They are the twenty-first-century version of the old National Enquirer newspaper that I read on my Sunday night bus trips back to art school in the ’60s.

            In one of those videos appeared a tall, slender old fellow in bib overalls and black canvas Converse All Star high-cut sneakers. Somehow the guy looked familiar. As he entered his apartment building, he mentioned that he purchased the four-story, 11,000 square-foot building in 1972 in a dangerous, industrial area in the SoHo district of New York (he said he paid $36,000; I checked, it is valued at $28 million now!).

            Mmmm? SoHo? That’s an up-scale artistic district now. He said he turned the first floor into an art gallery, and when he said his name…whoa! I sure did know this guy, he was my old friend and classmate at art school, Neil Jenney.

            Neil dropped out of school early to drive a cab to raise money to move to New York. Neil, his roommate Willie and I bent many elbows sitting around drinking beer in their small apartment on Wigglesworth Street in Boston’s Mission Hill neighborhood and talking about our future as artists, generally considered to be a dead-end way of making a living.

            Willy, later known as William Wegman, became rich and famous all over the world for his photos of his Weimaraner dogs dressed in clothing and posing like humans. Another roommate became the original art director of the National Lampoon magazine. (I see a trend developing here that hasn’t included me.)

            You could say Neil has become a second-tier famous artist. He received a Guggenheim Fellowship, has had his paintings in museums around the world and even started an art movement called “Bad Art.” If art is in the eye of the beholder, consider this… his work sells for over $800,000! (Yup, definitely hasn’t included me.)

            I doubt Neil would know me if we were to meet today. After all, he has spent his life hob-knobbing with the likes of Andy Warhol and celebrities like actress Brooke Shields.

            Hey, I’ve done all right and I never had to wear bib overalls and black high-top Converse sneakers. Old friend Pamela LaPointe would be proud.

            Mattapoisett resident Dick Morgado is an artist and happily retired writer. His newspaper columns appeared for many years in daily newspapers around Boston.

By Dick Morgado

Mattapoisett Holiday in the Park

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Mattapoisett’s Holiday in the Park will take place on Saturday, December 13 from 3pm to 5pm in Shipyard Park. There will be a special appearance by Santa and Mrs. Clause who will be joined by Rudolph, Frosty, and the Elves. There will also be special performances by the ORRJH Band and Showstoppers as well as the Annual Tree Lighting.

Andrew “ANDO” Dadagian, M.D.

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Andrew “ANDO” Dadagian, M.D., age 94, passed away at home on November 30, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on August 10, 1931, in Watertown, and was the only child of the late Rose (Meremian) and John Dadagian. Andy’s work ethic, appreciation of life, and resilience were shaped by his childhood in Watertown, known as ‘Little Armenia’. His parents, whose families had been killed in the Armenian Genocide, met and married in France and immigrated to America. Andy explained that when they arrived in this country, his parents did not know how to read or write the language and had no funds. “To this day, I cannot comprehend how they survived,” he noted.

            Andy was a superb track and field athlete. While on the Watertown High School track team, Andy set numerous school records, was a captain, and led the team to indoor and outdoor state championships. He won state titles in the 440- and 600-yard events and high jump, and was inducted into the Watertown Hall of Fame in 2010. After graduating from Watertown High in 1950, Andy was awarded a scholarship to Wilbraham Academy, where he flourished. He was a National Merit Scholar and named Wilbraham’s Most Outstanding Athlete. He won the 440-yard event at the National Prep School Championships in Madison Square Garden in 1951. At Cornell University, Andy was a top collegiate athlete in the 400-meter hurdles and 600-yard dash. He anchored the Cornell mile-relay team, which won both the Ivy League Championship and the Penn Relay Championship for three consecutive years. As senior captain, he starred at the Heptagonal Games, helping Cornell win both indoor and outdoor titles. He was selected to represent the U.S. at a series of European track meets and set Ireland’s 440-yard hurdles record in 1954. He was named the Armenian Athlete of the Year in 1954 by the Armenian General Athletic Union. While at Cornell, Andy won the Woodford Oratorical Contest and spoke movingly about his experiences as a first-generation Armenian-American. He was the first captain of any varsity sport at Cornell to win this prestigious award. Upon graduation, he attended New York Medical College and became an otolaryngologist. During his final year in medical school, Andy met the love of his life, Barbara Davison, and they married 6 months later. This year marks their 66th wedding anniversary. He was a captain in the U.S. Air Force for two years and eventually moved to Marion. He loved being a physician and helping people, always showing patients and colleagues kindness and respect. He practiced at Sturdy Memorial Hospital, Tobey Hospital, and St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford, where he was Chief of Otolaryngology.

            Andy’s pride and joy was his family. He prioritized his children and was incredibly generous with his love and time. Grandpa was the infallible beacon of wisdom. His dinner toasts were as nourishing as the meals, which often consisted of Armenian specialties like pilaf, shish kebab, and paklava. Family gatherings involved playing cards and backgammon and watching Seinfeld reruns. Andy and Barbara traveled extensively, attending multiple Olympic Games, enjoying river boat cruises throughout Europe, and spending time in Aruba every winter. Often labelled ‘The World’s Most Interesting Man’ by friends, Andy was charismatic, curious, and adventurous. A proud New England Patriots season ticket holder since 1974, Andy attended every game he could. Being invited to a Patriots game with him was like finding the golden ticket in Willy Wonka; all guests were guaranteed a grilled rare steak and a good parking spot.

            Though Andy’s parents never drove or owned a car, he was a passionate automobile enthusiast, a self-taught engine master. He loved driving sports cars, preferably at high speeds, yet was drawn to the history and elegance of classic antique cars. His Cadillac V16 Roadster and 1938 Horch Cabriolet were awarded National Championship honors. The Marion July 4th Parade was a family highlight, with him behind the wheel of his 1929 red Stutz Blackhawk Roadster, followed by his 1930 Dodge Woody, both cars filled with his grandchildren. A joy of his later years was being driven by his sons in the Dodge Woody to get ice cream. Andy loved nature and spent hours planting tulip bulbs from Holland. He marveled at the world of birds and never left the feeders empty. He considered his beloved Suzy, an Old English sheepdog he trained, to be the standard of excellence for all other family dogs. Suzy sparked Andy and Barbara to breed Old English sheepdogs for many years.

            He is survived by his devoted wife, Barbara; his son Stephen Dadagian and wife Katherine, of Concord; his daughter, Jacqueline Dadagian and husband Gary, of Arlington; his daughter Laura Dadagian-O’Rourke and husband, James, of Oak Bluffs and Marion; his daughter Andrea Bilodeau, of Marion; and his son Christian Dadagian and wife, Jennifer, of Hopkinton; eleven grandchildren, Antranig ‘Max’, Theo, Benjamin, Marina, Zachary, Andrew, Julia, Alexander, Zoë, Sam, and Ryder; and two great grandchildren, Cameron and Blair.

            When asked what he would like included in his obituary, Andy replied, “He lived a full and extraordinary life.” That he did. He will be missed tremendously.

            The family will gather privately to honor his memory.

Cheering Down South

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The Old Rochester Youth Football & Cheer (ORYF) Pee Wee Cheerleading Team is headed to nationals!

            Through their hard work, the team earned a spot at the 2025 Pop Warner Cheer & Dance Nationals in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Dance and Cheer Nationals coincide with the Pop Warner Youth Football Super Bowl, with events in the competitions running a full week, from December 6 to December 13. The Tri-Town’s ORYF team will perform Thursday, December 11.

            Nicole, a parent of one of the team members, said, “this achievement marks a major milestone for the young athletes, who have dedicated countless hours of practice, teamwork, and perseverance throughout the season.” The hard work has paid off, as now the team is headed down south for a reprieve from the inclement weather!

            This hard work still demands higher costs, with the trip down south being anything but cheap, especially this time of year. If you are interested in supporting the ORYF Pee Wee Cheer Team, you can contact ORYF Cheer Coordinator Jessica Stephens at oryfbulldogs@gmail.com.

ORYF Pee Wee Cheer Nationals

By Sam Bishop

Bog-Filling Plan Needs to Dig Deeper

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            The Rochester Conservation Commission on Tuesday cast doubts over a plan to build 12 single-family house lots on 12 acres at Mary’s Pond Road and Pierce Mill Road.

            Appearing on Zoom, the developer’s representative, Brandon Barr of Merrill Engineers and Land Surveyors, held an informal discussion with the commission to get its preliminary thoughts on the plan, which includes filling in the cranberry bogs currently there. Barr said his firm’s research into past maps of the area indicate these bogs are man-made. A 1912 map reveals the area originally consisted of a lot of muck and coarse sand; it is not the site of natural wetlands. Barr’s associate Dave Portland added these maps match up with the location of the existing bogs.

            Commission members responded that they want more information before agreeing to such a plan. Chair Christopher Gerrior said he wanted to know when these bogs were developed. “How long have they been bogs?” he asked. Gerrior wondered aloud why people avoided building a house there when the land was in that condition.

            “I don’t believe they were ever uplands,” commission member Bill Milka said. “I want to see more studies and data to make sure what it is,” commission member Jerelle Jesse added.

            “We need more information,” Gerrior concluded. “You have to prove why you can develop here before you come back to us.”

            Barr and Portland agreed to do that just that, to gather more data proving the area’s soil conditions and the age of its bogs before returning with a formal proposal.

            In response to another applicant’s request, the commission continued to its next meeting a Notice of Intent public hearing on the construction of a single-family home within the 200-foot riparian zone at 0 Robinson Road.

            The Rochester Conservation Commission canceled its regularly scheduled December 16 meeting and set its next meeting for January 6, 2026, at 7:00 pm in Town Hall, 1 Constitution Way.

Rochester Conservation Commission

By Michael J. DeCicco

Water Fees

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To The Editor:

            When residents install secondary outdoor water meters, they do so with a practical goal: to avoid paying sewer fees on water used for irrigation. After all, that water never enters the sewer system. On the surface, this seems fair. But beneath the surface lies a deeper challenge; our town carries more than $25 million in sewer debt, and bypassing the indoor meter shifts the burden onto others.

            Municipal utilities are not like private businesses. They are collective systems, funded by all of us, to ensure clean water and safe sanitation. Sewer debt is not optional; it is the cost of infrastructure we all rely on, whether we water our lawns or not. When too many residents avoid sewer fees, the town must raise rates elsewhere, increase fixed charges, or even shift costs onto property taxes. In every case, the debt remains; only the distribution of responsibility changes.

            This raises an ethical question: in a democracy, is it right to sidestep one’s share of a public obligation? Democracy is not only about rights; it is also about responsibilities. Paying for sewer infrastructure is akin to supporting schools or roads. Even if you don’t use them every day, you benefit from living in a community where they exist. To opt out of sewer debt repayment is to ask your neighbors to carry more of the load.

            The League of Women Voters has long championed fairness, transparency, and shared responsibility in public policy. As we consider water and sewer rates, we must remember that equity is not just about paying for what you use; it is about sustaining the systems that make community life possible. Outdoor meters may be legal, but without compensatory policies, they risk undermining the very principle of fairness that holds us together.

            Our challenge is clear: we must design utility rates that balance individual fairness with collective responsibility. Whether through fixed fees, adjusted rates, or broader tax support, the solution must ensure that every resident contributes to the debt we all share. That is not just fiscal prudence; it is democratic ethics in action.

            Eileen J. Marum, MPP, AB in Government, Smith College

            Chair, League of Women Voters SouthCoast

A Winter Wonderland of Song

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Join Sippican Choral Society on Sunday, December 7, 4:00 pm, for a choral tribute to the festive season of winter. Our “Winter Wonderland” program will feature contemporary Canadian composer Sarah Quartel’s anthem, “A Winter Day,” a work consists of five movements, each depicting a different time of day, each telling its own story, and each evoking the composer’s childhood memories of a land deep in snow.

            The program will also include Canada’s oldest Christmas song, “A Huron Carol,” as well as “The Sleigh,” a traditional Russian winter song, and such classics as “In the Bleak Midwinter” and Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas.” We will also commemorate National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day by inviting the audience to join us in singing the Navy Hymn, “Eternal Father, Strong to Save.” Come relax, sing along, and welcome winter with us as we share songs guaranteed to chase away the December darkness and lighten spirits as we look ahead to the holiday season.

            The concert will be held at Wickenden Chapel, 86 Spring St., Marion. Tickets are $20.00 general admission, $10.00 for Students, and Free for Children 14 and under. Tickets can be purchased online at sippicanchoralsociety.org or at the door with cash or check.

December Events at the Mattapoisett Library

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The Friends of the Mattapoisett Library are hosting their annual jewelry sale beginning with a Preview Sale for Friends members on Thursday, December 4, from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. Sale dates for the public are Friday, December 5, 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm and Saturday, December 6, 10:00 am until 2:00 pm.

            Teens are invited to join us on Tuesday, December 9 at 6:00 pm for a Teen Diamond Art craft. Get creative and make some of your favorite Pokémon out of diamond beads – no registration required, recommended for ages 12 to 18.

            The holidays are right around the corner and shopping scams are on the rise. Do you know how to protect yourself? Robin Putnam, from the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation, will lead a discussion on identity theft prevention at the library on Tuesday, December 10, at 1:00 pm. Registration is required.

            Our Silent Book Club returns on Sunday, December 14, at 1:00 pm in the upstairs Reading Rooms. Participants will enjoy delicious treats, tea, and quiet time to read. Relax with friends, acquaintances, and strangers while learning about your next favorite book. The event is for patrons ages 16 and up – no registration required.

            Join us on Sunday, December 14 at 2:00 pm for A Perky Pairing: Coffee and Chocolate. In this presentation, commercial-licensed chocolatier Kim Larkin of Klassic Kreations Workshops will cover fascinating facts about coffee and chocolate with samples to try. Registration is required.

            Join our next Board Game Club on Tuesday, December 16, at 6:00 pm. This month’s pick is “CLUE,” a murder mystery game where everyone’s a suspect. Collect clues and solve the case. Recommended for 3 to 6 players, but teams can be formed to accommodate more. *If you’ve never played before, please arrive 15 minutes early to review the rules. Registration is required.

            The next meeting of the Friends of the Mattapoisett Library is scheduled for Wednesday, December 17, at 6:00 pm. All are welcome to attend. A Zoom link to the meeting is available upon request. If you have any questions, please contact the library at mfpl@sailsinc.org. We can pass along your message to the Friends.

            Attention teens: Need a break from school chaos? Join us for Sticker and Chill Santa Style at the library on Friday, December 19, at 3:30 pm. Relax, get creative, and build your own 3D sticker scene with one of our soothing sticker kits – yours to customize and keep. For ages 13 to 17.

            The library will be closed for the Christmas holiday on Wednesday, December 24, through Friday, December 26. We will reopen on Saturday, December 27, at 10:00 am.

            The library will also be closed for the New Year on Wednesday, December 31, and Thursday, January 1. We will reopen on Friday, January 2, at 10:00 am.

            Please remember that a library card is required at checkout. If your card is missing, we can replace it. To avoid losing it again, download the SAILS mobile app. It’s an excellent alternative to carrying your physical library card. Please see a librarian if you need help or have questions. Your privacy is important to us. Let’s protect it together.

            As always, our programs and events are free and open to everyone. For more information, please visit us at 7 Barstow Street, browse our website at www.mattapoisettlibrary.org, or call the library at 508-758-4171.

Water Street Culvert Repair Conditioned

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            The November 24 meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission included a Notice of Intent filing by the town for the repair and reconstruction of the culvert that crosses Water Street. The culvert is located at the town beach, crossing from north to south as it empties into the town’s public beach.

            Long an issue of “when, not if” because collapse of the aged culvert was considered imminent, it did just that, making it an urgent repair. Temporary measures were taken to buy time until the town could prepare for this major construction project.

            Meeting with the commission on November 24 was Garrett Bauer, the town’s Highway superintendent. He said the stone culvert conveys water from a perennial stream that flows south. He said the work will be a complete repair with replacement of stones and other needed materials.

            There was discussion regarding whether tides and weather events will impact the culvert’s functionality especially during high tides, thereby causing flooding into neighboring areas. The representative from Greenman-Pederson, the town’s consultant, did not believe that would be the case.

            The plan is to begin construction on Labor Day 2026 and continue through the winter months, but presently the project is being reviewed by the Division of Marine Fisheries. The filing was continued.

            Also coming before the commission on this night was Andy Stackpole of Field Engineering, representing a Notice of Intent filed by Michael and Tiffany Amaral for the construction of a garage with an attached accessory building. The project will impact the buffer zone. The project received conditioning and is located at 3 Harbor Road North.

            Also conditioned was a Notice of Intent filing by Emery Warren and Barbara Johnson, trustees for 6 Waterman Street. The applicant will be installing a lift.

            Continued was a Notice of Intent filing by the town for the repair of Long Wharf. Brian Post of Childs Engineering is the town’s consultant. The project was discussed in terms of what outstanding questions remained from the Marine Advisory Board and the commission. The use of flowable mixtures became a sticking point for the commission as they continued to be concerned over the quality of the mix planned and methods of installation.

            Corrections were made to documents relating to the size of land underwater and shellfish beds.

            Further discussions with the Marine Advisory Board are planned, as the issue of flowable fill remains an open question.

            A Notice of Intent filed by Ladan and Mehran Mestchian for 1-84 Angelica Avenue for three parcels was reviewed. The project includes the construction of a stone revetment, the cutting of dead and dying trees, invasive plants and maintenance of an existing lawn. Creation of walking trails is also planned. The project was continued pending comments from Natural Heritage.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission is planned for Monday, December 8.

Mattapoisett Conservation Commission

By Marilou Newell