Buzzards Bay Coalition Granted “OK” for Conservation

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The Rochester Conservation Commission began its meeting Tuesday by permitting a project to restore a bog on Wolf Island Road to natural wetlands.

The Commission granted a Negative Determination certifying that wetlands bylaw restrictions do not apply to the Buzzards Bay Coalition’s proposal to install up to four temporary wells and two shallow water level monitoring wells to gauge river and groundwater levels at 52 Wolf Island Road. Coalition Restoration Coordinator Evelyn Mortimer explained these actions are part of a plan to restore the Morris family bog there into wetlands while the family retains use of two acres. The work, she said, will include removing a dam and restoring a natural water channel for fish and other wildlife and a red maple swamp.

Before the unanimous vote, Conservation Agent Merilee Kelly asked where the new well would be placed. Mortimore said, north of the site. Commission Member Ben Bailey asked how soon work such as removing the dam would commence. Mortimore admitted the project has been years in the making and the dam won’t go anywhere for around two years. Bailey asked if the grass along the bog will be maintained so people can continue to view the annual boat race from that spot. Mortimore said the Coalition would work with the town and the Land Trust on these details.

Next, the Commission quickly approved a Notice of Intent for a plan to install a new private well, a rear deck and clear brush and deadwood within a wetlands buffer zone at 57 Gifford Lane. The vote came after the applicant’s representative, Darren Michaelis, noted a very deep well is being proposed for the site.

In other action, the commission approved an amended Order of Conditions for a plan to construct a new home and driveway at 7 Forbes Road. Project engineer Brian Wallace, attending on Zoom, explained the amendment is needed because of changes to the site plan. The changes are to shrink the footprint of the house, lose some area in the wetlands buffer zone and move the driveway location to the left side of the house. The Commission voted to approve the Order of Conditions with the amended site plan.

In response to a Notice of Intent application to construct a single-family home on a new lot on Gifford Lane, the Commission set a site visit for April 19 at 7:30 am and continued the hearing to its next meeting. The applicant’s representative, Christian Farland, explained the 8.5-acre site is currently wooded. It is basically a peninsula facing the pond. The concerns of Commission members focused on keeping the project at least 25 feet from the wetlands, as regulations require, and moving where the driveway is placed. “Kicking the driveway over,” Commission Member Mike Gifford said, “would make our lives a lot easier.”

The next Conservation Commission meeting will be Tuesday, May 6 at 7:00 pm, at Town Hall, 1 Constitution Way.

Rochester Conservation Commission

By Michael J. DeCicco

Mr. & Mrs. Wingate Celebrate 100

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From covert intelligence in the thick of World War II to a game of Backgammon. From life-and-death decisions to sublime pastimes of retirement, Ann and Roy “Will” Wingate have made the best of their 100 trips around the sun.

In just a few words of appreciation that the married couple shared with the full house that gathered on April 10 at the Cushing Community Center to celebrate their centenarian birthdays, they provided a glimpse into a life worth 1,000 years.

Mr. and Mrs. Wingate, whose birthdays arrive in May and October, have been married 70 years, and they have five children, seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

“They still take care of each other every day in their own home,” said Dianne Cosman of the Friends of the Marion Council on Aging. “We had a little conference at the Friends, and we decided the 100th day of the year would be the appropriate day to celebrate both together, so that’s why we’re here today.”

Among attendees were Senator Kelly Dooner (3rd Bristol and Plymouth District) and Representative Mark Sylvia (10th Bristol District), who both read proclamations recognizing the Wingates for their achievement.

“It’s really inspirational to all of us to see you both reaching this milestone together. It’s a special occasion, story of love, compassion, commitment, and it needs to be recognized,” said Cosman. At which point Mrs. Wingate interjected, “and a game of Backgammon,” setting off a roar of laughter from the crowd.

Mr. Wingate rose to speak into the microphone, briefly referencing his interception of foreign-language messages between enemy parties during WWII.

“First of all, Ann and I greatly appreciate all of you coming in here today, and we wish you good fortune all the rest of your lives,” said Mr. Wingate, who had been serving in the Air Force in Bremerhaven, Germany, before meeting Mrs. Wingate there.

The couple’s travels have taken them to residences in Marion, Mattapoisett, Cape Cod, western Massachusetts and Florida. They reached their 80s and decided to settle in Marion. Mr. Wingate worked in construction management in New Bedford, Virginia and Florida. While in Florida, Mrs. Wingate managed a travel agency.

Mrs. Wingate was obviously suited for the role, as the couple has visited approximately 28 countries and lists Scotland as their favorite.

In a written statement, the couple expressed appreciation to the Marion COA.

Offered a choice of birthday cakes, the Mr. and Mrs. Wingate chose differently so the Friends provided both chocolate cake with chocolate frosting and vanilla cake with lemon filling and butternut-cream frosting.

Along with state dignitaries, the event was attended by several town officials, some of which enjoyed cake and some who apparently decided their best chance at 100 trips around the sun demands discipline.


By Mick Colageo

ORRHS Second Term Honor Roll

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The following students have achieved honors for the third term at Old Rochester Regional High School:

Highest Honors: Seraphina Arruda, Sydney Bosma, Nathanael Bushnell, Bobby Calder, Phoebe Cowles, Olivia Crowley, Alexander Dai, Sara Duane, Rafael Duarte, Sadie Hartley-Matteson, Hadley Kuppens, Faelyn McCarthy, Katherine McIlmail, Ella Milhench, Elise Modracek, Xavier Monteiro, Caitlin O’Donnell, Xavier Pateakos, Jiya Patel, Isabella Perez-Dormitzer, Quinn Perry, Brady Reardon, Grace Rousseau, Lucille Runyon, Claudia Surace, Scarlett Sylvia, Emily Wyman

Honors: Caroline Achilles, Elizabeth Achilles, Logan Amaral, Lily Ambrosi, Sophia Anesti, Penelope Angeley, Gianna Annunziato, Georgia Bailey, Henry Bailey, Chloe Bairos, Abigail Balsis, Ella Bartholomew, Claire Bates, Henry Becker, Hayden Belanger, Elijah Benson, Henry Berry, Adam Berube, Ella Bishop, Nolan Blanchette, Allison Bodeau, Clara Bonney, Cadel Bosma, Rose Bouley, Sophie Bozzo, Maddilyn Branco, Caroline Brogioli, Laila Brown, Nolan Bushnell, Drew Butler, Aiden Cabral, Brianna Cabral, Ethan Cabral, Lucas Cabral, Sarah Cabral, Ryan Calderone, Cassidy Carroll, Delaney Chase, Kelsi Chick, Joie Ciffolillo, Rosemary Clark, Gavin Coffey, Alden Cole-Vieira, Jacob Collier, Aiden Comorosky, Belle Comorosky, Madison Conner, Gabriel Connors, Ashton Cook, Taylor Cook, Owen Cooney, Raegan Correia, Bridget Coryer, Cannon Cosindas, Emma Costa, Nina Costa, Cadogan Crete, Sarah Curry, Rylee Cusick, Jack Czerkowicz, Dannylynn DaPonte, Matthew DaRosa, Emma Debonise, Jake Dellas, Reis DeMello, Averee Depina, Luke DeVoe, James Devoll, Mara Donnelly, Gisele Duchaine, Jeannine Duchaine, Abbigail Dupont, Eden Dupre, Aidan Eagle, Neal Eddleston, Sage Elia, Gavin Estevez, Margaret Ewing, Elizabeth Feeney, Max Ferrari, John Ferreira, Riley Ferreira, Alexandra Fiano, Michaela Fiano, Ava Figueiredo, Katelyn Fisher, Robert Flynn, William Fortier, Brendan Foster, David Fredette, Brendan Fuller, Dillon Furtado, Caroline Gallagher, Jack Gallagher, Giada Gandolfi, Brandon Gates, Connor Gauthier, Jacob Gear, Madeleine Gendreau, Daniel Giandomenico, Maya Giandomenico, Emerson Gonet, Caden Gonsalves, Clara Gouveia-Silva, Isabel Govoni, Zadie Goyette, Benjamin Graham, Katherine Guevara, Chloe Guttenberger, Lucas Hadley, Sebastian Harrigan, Logan Hart-Bonville, Ian Hartwig, Madalyn Haverty, August Herbert, Brody Hiles, Logan Hiles, Lily Hinds, Estella Holbrook, Isabella Hollis, Hunter Horsey, Lyla Hotte, Elizabeth Houdelette, Braelyn Hughes, Emma Iappini, Jacob Iappini, Taryn Jackson, Emma Johnson, Sawyer Johnson, Jacob Jones, Emile Joseph, Chase Karo, Lanie Kazen, Jazmin Kearns, Kierra Keegan, Genevieve Kelly, Hazel Kelly, Elizabeth Kilpatrick, Hadley King, Leighton King, Olivia Kinney, Charlotte Laliberte, Tenley Lane, Ava LaPointe, Austin Lassiter, Seamus Leary, Mackenzie LeBlanc, Cormac LeClair, Bree LeFavor, Lucy Lombard, Caitlyn Lund, Jenna Lynch, Aiden MacLeod, Addison Mahar, Logan Maher, Logan Mann, Abigail Mansfield, Hannah Mansfield, Joshua Marcolini, Isabel Marujo, Neva Matos, Tiera McCarthy, Liam McGee, Benjamin Meighan, Carly Mello, Zachary Mendes, Ethan Miguel, Maiwenn Moisy, Blake Moreau, Maya Morrison, Miah Motta, Zack Mourao, Grady Muldoon, Caillaigh Mullen, Desmond Murphy, Connor Nelson, James Noblet, Grady Oliveira, Liam Osterday, Owen Osterday, Morgan Paiva, Angela Palmer, Scarlet Patnaude, Morgan Patraiko, Reilly Patraiko, Bailey Pelland, Eamon Perez, Marley Perry, Nathan Perry, Benino Petrone, Varunyu Phimolmas, Luke Pierre, Nina Pierre, Jocelyn Pires, Audrey Pither, Zachary Ponte, Tyler Porto, Delilah Post, Leah Ptaszenski, Jasmyn Pumphery, Dimitri Raposo, Zachary Riggs, Tessa Ripley, Noah Robert-Howley, Ellen Robitaille, Matthew Rock, Sebastian Romig, Erin Root, Ava Ross-Sinkler, Addison Roy, Maxwell Roy, Tucker Roy, Julian Sanchez, Rebecca Schaefer, Austin Scully, Landon Sexton-Murphy, Christina Shultz, Ian Shultz, Benjamin Silva, Ella Silva, Luc Silveira, Eve Skomal, Kaelie Smalley, Chelsey Soltau, Molly Souza, Marie Spenard, Addyson Spencer, Alexa St Louis, Stefan St. Louis, Heather Surace, Nathan Tanque, Blair Thomas, Ezra Thompson, Jack Thompson, Olivia Thompson, Katherine Thomsen, Hannah Thorell, Noah Thorell, Nathan Tobin, Amanda Tomasso, Braylee Trout, Nathaniel Tse, Rachel Tse, Cassandra Tseki, Thomas Tseki, Lucia Valadao, Olivia Valentim, Claire Vergoni, Nolin Vieira, Connor Villafranca, Sasha Volkema, Avery White, Linden White, Liam Whittaker, Matthew Williams, Molly Wronski, Katherine Young, Dayvie Zuckerman, Kennedy Zussy.

Robert “Bob” Stuart Reardon

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Robert “Bob” Stuart Reardon, 86, of Marion, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on April 15th, 2025, surrounded by his loving family and friends.

            Bob was born in Brockton, Massachusetts, to the late Stuart Reardon and Viola (Backstrom) Reardon, where he lived and worked for over 40 years. Bob’s love of the ocean inspired him to design and build his dream home in Marion, where he and his family moved in 1981.

            Bob was a kind-hearted man who never spoke ill of anyone. He was unassuming and ever-present, a steady hand that guided his children and grandchildren without meddling or judging. At the end of each weekend, like clockwork, “The Sunday Night Caller” would telephone his children and grandchildren to see how everybody was doing – a tradition so appreciated, that it will no-doubt carry forward for generations. Bob loved the Boston sports teams. He could often be found lying on his bed listening to Red Sox games on the radio or wearing his classic Celtics jacket around town. He instilled the love of the ocean in his children and would take his boat, the Lil’ Jay, out for hours fishing for tautog and bluefish. He also enjoyed clam-digging and even had special quahog sneakers. In his earlier years, he cherished hunting in Maine with his father, family, and friends, building connections and memories. Bob loved his pickup trucks, golfing on Tuesdays with his Little Harbor golf league, playing cards, and taking walks with his dog and grandchildren. Bob gave freely of his time and supported numerous charities. He was involved in Boy Scouts of America, Little League Baseball and Dollars for Scholars. Bob enjoyed spending his time watching and cheering at his grandchildren’s games, time with the grandkids that they will remember and cherish.

            Bob graduated from Brockton High School, served on active duty and in the reserves in the US Coast Guard, and graduated from Northeastern University with an associate’s degree in Engineering. He worked for over 40 years at Bay State Gas Company as a mechanical engineer.

            In addition to his parents and brother, Bruce Marshall Reardon, Bob was also predeceased by his loving wife, Elizabeth (Betty) Reardon, his daughter, Deborah Lynn Reardon, and stepson, Daniel DiPierro. His beloved children will miss him: Daniel Robert Reardon (wife Mary Kate) of Berkley, Massachusetts, Amy Reardon Doherty (husband Brendan) of Westwood, and James Stuart Reardon (wife Marianne) of Sudbury, as will their mother, Dianne (Maynard) Reardon of Tiverton, RI. He also leaves behind his cherished grandchildren, Logan Reardon; Owen, Eamon, and Meredith Doherty; and August and Leif Reardon. When Bob remarried, he gained and was survived by loving stepchildren and step grandchildren that he considered to be his own: Lisa and Myles Cambridge, Clifford and Christina Parrott, Antonette and Peter O’Rourke, Carolyn DiPierro, and Lauren, Chris, Ethan, Connor, Finn, and Stella.

            Friends and family are welcome to pay their respects on Thursday, May 8th, from 4 to 7 pm at the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Route 6, Mattapoisett. A private burial will take place on Buzzards Bay this summer. Memorial donations in Bob’s name may be made to the Buzzards Bay Coalition, 114 Front Street, New Bedford, MA 02740, www.savebuzzardsbay.org. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Marion from the Green Communities Program

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Dear Citizens of Marion,

A small group of our residents is once again attempting to extricate Marion from the Green Communities Program, which since 2018 has provided over $750,000 in grant funding to make town buildings and infrastructure more energy-efficient. Those improvements are saving the town thousands of dollars each year through reduced energy costs.

Out of the 351 municipalities in Massachusetts, 297 (85%) have joined the Green Community Program. One of the conditions for joining is to comply with the so-called “stretch” building code, which applies ONLY to new home construction and to additions larger than 1000 sq. ft. to existing homes.

The stretch code requires new construction to be more energy efficient than the “base” building code (which applies to non-Green Communities), thereby reducing energy costs to the homeowner. The stretch and base codes were nearly identical until January 2023, when an update to the stretch code was implemented by the state. As a Green Community, we are required to adhere to these updates. A further update in February 2025 relaxed some of the code requirements, notably for historic buildings.

It is crucial for all residents to understand that since the update to the stretch code in January 2023, only two homes in Marion have been affected. While initial building costs of these homes increased by a few percent (after incentives and rebates), those costs will be recovered within a few years owing to the more energy-saving construction. Thereafter, owners of those homes will continue to save money. Meanwhile, ALL the town’s residents will continue to benefit from the grant money afforded by our membership in the Green Communities Program. Not only is our town saving many thousands of dollars, we’re also reducing carbon pollution.

Please demonstrate your love of this town by attending the upcoming Town Meeting on May 12th, and please vote NO on Article 31, keeping Marion in the Green Communities Program. For further information, go to the EMC page on marionma.gov or reach out to your Energy Management Committee.

Jennifer Francis, EMC member


The views expressed in the “Letters to the Editor” column are not necessarily those of The Wanderer, its staff or advertisers. The Wanderer will gladly accept any and all correspondence relating to timely and pertinent issues in the great Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester area, provided they include the author’s name, address and phone number for verification. We cannot publish anonymous, unsigned or unconfirmed submissions. The Wanderer reserves the right to edit, condense and otherwise alter submissions for purposes of clarity and/or spacing considerations. The Wanderer may choose to not run letters that thank businesses, and The Wanderer has the right to edit letters to omit business names. The Wanderer also reserves the right to deny publication of any submitted correspondence. All letters must be typed and submitted directly to: news@wanderer.com.

ArtWeek SouthCoast

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ArtWeek SouthCoast returns to the Marion Art Center (the MAC) with 

seven events during the regional festival scheduled May 8 to May 18. ArtWeek SouthCoast is a 10-day event celebrating the arts in our communities by connecting innovative, creative, and affordable art and cultural events in communities across the region, from Fall River to Wareham. The MAC’s ArtWeek SouthCoast events are hands-on, interactive, and offered at low cost or for free. View all ArtWeek at the MAC events at marionartcenter.org/artweek.

ArtWeek SouthCoast kicks off at the MAC with the popular Unplugged series in the MAC Gallery. The first Unplugged for 2025 features Donn Legge & Marcus Monteiro on Friday, May 9. Find a spot at a cabaret table to listen to a mix of jazz standards and original compositions by both artists. Guests will enjoy a refreshing setting at this “unplugged” performance featuring mainly acoustic sound, without the volume and density often experienced during larger concerts in the MAC Theater. Two seatings are scheduled: 7:00 pm and 8:30 pm. Tickets for one seating (approx. 1 hour per set) are $15 for MAC members and $20 for nonmembers. The MAC is located at 80 Pleasant St. Marion.

Spin Into Spring. Community Bike Tune-up, May 10, 9:30 am to 12:00 pm Is your bike summer-ready? If it needs a little attention after the long winter, bring it to the MAC. We’ll have experts on hand who can look your bike over and give it some TLC in the form of a brake adjustment, chain lubrication or – in the event of more serious issues – they can provide advice about repairs that should be addressed before hitting the road. Please note that our bike repair volunteers will not be prepared to replace broken spokes, brake pads or provide other parts. Free, but requires registration.

Organic Seed Starting Workshop with Paul Split Saturday, May 10, 11:00 am to 1:00 pm During this fun and informative presentation, designed for the beginner and intermediate gardener, we’ll look at an assortment of seeds to grow in our zone. We will explore the organic process from germination to harvest and examine the latest propagation techniques. During the workshop participants will receive everything needed to start their own seeds. The workshop will be held on the MAC lawn or in the MAC Studio and costs $40 per person, with all materials.

Sing your heart out: On Saturday, May 10 at 6:30 pm, the Marion Art Center presents a screening of The Greatest Showman, shown with on-screen lyrics. Sing along with “The Other Side,” “This Is Me,” “Rewrite the Stars,” and more. Costumes are encouraged as is dancing. Paul Kandarian will host this event, recommended for ages ten and up. Tickets are just $8 per person.

Step right up… and into the spellbinding imagination of a man who set out to reveal that life itself can be the most thrilling show of all. Inspired by the legend and ambitions of America’s original pop-culture impresario, P.T. Barnum (Hugh Jackman), The Greatest Showman is an inspirational rags-to-riches tale of a brash dreamer who rose from nothing to prove that anything you can envision is possible.

The MAC presents the MAC Theater Playwrights Incubator 2024-2025, performance of JAB written by this year’ s playwright Kate Herlihy. May 16, 17,and 18. Curtain at 7:30 pm on Friday and Saturday, with a Sunday matinee at 2:00 pm. Tickets are just $10 per person. The play is directed by Jess Ellis-Wilson.

Jab is the story of Marissa facing her ultimate match. She’s trapped in the cycle and pain of an abusive marriage that has taken every part of her. A knock on the door from a seemingly nosy neighbor ends up being her greatest gift; being brought to an all female kickboxing group. Hesitantly, Marissa tries and ultimately finds her hidden strength, power, and self again.

Attend a Paint and Sip Workshop with Barbara Healy May 17, 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Paint your own version of a beautiful sailboat scene with hydrangeas in this fun workshop with artist Barbara Healy. We’ll paint together using water-based acrylics on canvas. Barbara and her assistant Pam will guide you through each step of the process as you get in touch with your inner artist and enjoy sipping wine along the way. You must be 21 or older to register. The cost is $40 per person and includes all materials and wine tasting.

Capping off ArtWeek SouthCoast at the MAC, Crocodile River Music will perform on May 17 at 3pm at the Marion Music Hall, located at 164 Front Street, Marion. This multicultural program presents west African music and culture through dance, song, costume, and rhythm. The 10-12 person group of musicians, singers, and performers will share their knowledge through use of authentic handmade instruments, traditional attire, movement, and art. Attendance is free, but registration is recommended.

Unpermitted Work Reviewed

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Coming before the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission on April 14 was Robert Rogers of GAF Engineering representing Robert Beauregard, 2 Jowik Street. Beauregard had filed a Request For Determination of Applicability seeking a negative decision from the commission to install a concrete slab for a prefabricated storage building, a storage shed, and paved driveway. However, some of the structures are already in place without Commission oversight. The presence of what appears to be an intermittent stream, a jurisdictional area, also came into play.

Much of the landscaping and outdoor structure have been in place for a number of years, a neighbor noted in a letter to the commission. Any new work might create drainage issues on abutting properties it was stated. It was further noted in the letter that outdoor lighting for a proposed pickle ball court was intrusive and the noise from the court would be a nuisance.

But the issue of the stream became the biggest issue taken up by the commission.

Rogers had done some research on whether or not the stream in question was jurisdictional. He said photographic evidence in support of the stream’s status was in hand and would file them before the next meeting. The visuals must substantiate the owner’s contention that the stream is intermittent and not perennial. To do so, there must be four consecutive days of dry soil.

The filing is pending a DEP file number required before the commission may proceed further. The filing was continued to April 28. The issue of whether or not an After-The-Fact filing is needed may be taken up at a later date.

An Enforcement Order naming Micheal Dupont, 122 Mattapoisett Neck Road, was taken up at the end of the agenda but was given lengthy consideration as Dupont explained the situation. No permits had been issued for site work.

One tree was inadvertently removed by contractors, he explained. Other landscape modifications were believed to be located in uplands versus wetlands, Dupont said. He said plans for the property included large gardens for vegetables, but the soil was problematic but hoped to improve them.

Chairman Mike King offered a commission site visit to help the Duponts establish wetlands from uplands and to share ideas for future improvements.

An RDA filed by John and Deborah Baglini, Old Slough Road was given a negative 2 decision and a Notice of Intent filing by Gary and Illene Searle, 25 Grandview Avenue was conditioned for the construction of a concrete pad and pavers patio. It was unclear from the filing the full extent of work being proposed; thus, the filing was continued.

The Mattapoisett Housing Authority sought and received conditions for the construction of a new emergency egress and access walkway for Village Court.

The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission is planned for April 28 at 6:30 pm.

Mattapoisett Conservation Commission

By Marilou Newell

Bulldogs Conquer All Challenges

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Boys Lacrosse

The Bulldogs played Greater New Bedford Voc/Tech (1-5) on April 11 and won 16-0. Jake Proffit and Jack Leconte were named the players of the game. Their record is now 2-2, and their next game will be on April 16, at Seekonk (3-2).

Boys Tennis

Old Rochester hosted Dighton-Rehoboth (1-2) on April 9 and won 3-2 on a third set tiebreaker. Connor Galligan was named the player of the match, as the Bulldog’s record moved to 2-0. Their next match will be at Apponequet (3-0), on April 17.

Girls Tennis

The Bulldogs played their first match of the season against Dighton-Rehoboth (1-2) on April 9 and won 5-0. Neva Matos was named the player of the match. They’ll look to win their next one on April 17, at home against Apponequet.

Baseball

Old Rochester faced Apponequet (0-2) on April 10 and won 7-1. They’re now 2-1 on the season, and will play at West Bridgewater (1-2), on April 16.


By Aiden Comorosky

Mattapoisett Republican Town Committee

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The Mattapoisett Republican Town Committee welcomes members, guests and the community to join us on Thursday, April 17 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm to attend our monthly meeting. Find out what is going on in the community and get involved. The location is at the Niemad Building, 57 Fairhaven Rd., Mattapoisett at 7:00 pm – Guest speaker Tom Hodgson, Sheriff of Bristol County 1997-2022, Topic: ICE/Illegal Immigration and Jo-Anne Hodgson, GOP State Committeewoman, Topic: Election Integrity. Legislative Solutions. There will be light snacks, cash bar and good conversation. If you have any questions contact Paul Criscuolo, Chairperson at PCMattyGOP@proton.me.

MNHM Annual Meeting

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Marion Natural History Museum’s Annual Meeting featuring Chris German of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution will give a talk on “From Submarine Vents to Life on other Ocean Worlds” on May 16 from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm.

The first Alvin dives to submarine vents, together with the discovery that they hosted new species of animals never seen before on Earth, was hailed as one of the top scientific discoveries of the entire 20th Century. But what was not yet known, as the millennium turned, was that Earth is not the only planetary body in our solar system that has deep saltwater oceans. In the past ~25 years it has become apparent that there may be as many as 20 such “ocean worlds” among the moons of the Giant Planets that orbit beyond our Solar System’s “snow line”: Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune & Uranus. While the outer pair have not been revisited since the Voyager expeditions of the 1970s-80s, NASA’s Galileo and Cassini missions to the Jupiter and Saturn systems, respectively, have revealed the presence of a number of ice-covered moons, similar in size to Earth’s moons, but with salt-water oceans underneath. In the case of Jupiter’s moon Europa and Saturn’s moon Enceladus, careful study has revealed that those oceans are in contact with an underlying rocky seafloor. Exactly the kind of setting that could host submarine venting of a kind that could host microbial life at the base of a food chain that is independent of sunlight – just like Earth’s submarine vents.

In this talk Chris will share some of the insights from WHOI scientists that are helping shape NASA’s strategies to explore for life in future space missions to icy moons – including the Europa Clipper mission, just launched in October 2024 – and how engineering at WHOI is helping to develop technologies that will be needed to explore further, using audacious, robotics-led approaches to gain access to, and explore within, their underlying oceans.

The event is free however we ask that you register online at the museum’s website: www.marionmuseum.org.