The Road from Belhaven by Margot Livesey

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Please join us at the Mattapoisett Free Public Library on Sunday, September 22 from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm for a Fall 2024 Purrington Author Talk Series. Hear author Margot Livesey give a talk about her newest novel The Road from Belhaven (2024) – the story of a girl’s coming of a late-19th century Scotland. Livesey grew up in a boys’ private school in the Scottish Highlands where her mother and father worked. She took a B.A. in English and philosophy at the University of York in England. Margot has published nine novels, including Eva Moves the Furniture, The Boy in the Field and NYT best seller The Flight of Gemma Hardy. Margot has taught at many universities and has been the recipient of many fellowships. Margot is currently teaching at the University of Iowa Writers’ Workshop. She lives with her husband, a painter, in Cambridge, MA, and goes back to London and Scotland whenever she can. Author Alice Sebold says, “Every novel of Margot Livesey’s is, for her readers, a joyous discovery. Her work radiates with compassion and intelligence and always, deliciously, mystery.” Signed books will be available for purchase. The program is free and open to all.

Mattapoisett Woman’s Club Invites New Members

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The Mattapoisett Woman’s Club invites women of Mattapoisett who are interested in learning more about club membership to its ‘welcome’ luncheon on Thursday, September 19 at 11:30 am in Reynard Hall at the Mattapoisett Congregational Church. Whether you are new to the area, a new mom, a stay-at-home mom, or newly retired, you are welcome to enjoy lunch and meet some fabulous women. Women from surrounding communities with ties to Mattapoisett are also welcome to join.

            The Mattapoisett Woman’s Club is a philanthropic organization that executes fund-raising events such as “Taste of Mattapoisett”, the biennial garden tour and more. These events generate the funds to support scholarships for local high school students, as well as make financial gifts to charitable organizations throughout the south coast. In addition to sponsoring fundraising events, the Woman’s Club offers small group activities focusing on the interests of club members, for example the garden group, great books, mahjong and walking group. Membership is open to any woman who is interested in getting together with fun-loving women and supporting the mission of the organization.

            We look forward to meeting you on the 19th. Philanthropy, friendship and fun await. For more information or questions, please contact info@mattapoisettwomansclub.org.

Life Savers Recognized

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George Powers was enjoying a springtime bike ride with a few hundred other cycling enthusiasts when he experienced a near-death heart attack. It’s a date he and his family aren’t likely to forget – May 19, 2024, on the Tour de Crème.

            Several cyclists sprang into action performing CPR, while others called for the emergency medical services. The story has a happy ending thanks to the collective and swift efforts of all who assisted Powers in his moment of need. On September 10 during the regular meeting of the Mattapoisett Select Board, the Powers family said thank you as did the town.

            Receiving “hero” citations from the American Heart Association were Sergeant Adalberto Cardoso Jr., Detective Dennis Tavares, Officer Sean Parker, Officer Isaac Perry (harbormaster), Assistant Harbormaster Luke Mello, Officer Paul Andrews, and Paramedic Mike Florio.

            Rising to speak, Powers thanked all for their care and professionalism and for being there to help him as life hung in the balance. The combined efforts resulted in Powers’ body re-establishing a viable pulse before heading to the hospital.

            To show their appreciation, Powers’ brother George created a handcrafted coat rack inscribed with words of appreciation.

            In other business, the board voted to allocate $64,000 of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding for the purpose of purchasing staff laptops, upgrades to systems in the Town Hall conference room for improved remote-meeting transmissions, and installation of a new fiber switch.

            Town Administrator Mike Lorenco reminded the public that the state is still collecting comments via a survey posted on the town’s website (Mattapoisett.net) on the topic of Hazard Mitigation.

            He also announced a special presentation on Radon to be held on Wednesday, September 25, at 1:00 pm in the library conference room hosted by the Board of Health. “Radon is an odorless, tasteless gas that can exist in any home,” an announcement read. It further stated that Radon can be found often in structures built on ledge or sand, both prevalent in the area. Representatives from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health will be in attendance.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Select Board is scheduled for Tuesday, October 1.

Mattapoisett Select Board

By Marilou Newell

Ghosts, Explaining the Paranormal

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The Rev’d Eric E. Fialho, Rector at Saint Gabriel’s Church in Marion, will be leading a six-week comprehensive course exploring how the Church defines, understands and explains the topic of Ghosts. Fr. Fialho is an accomplished instructor and has taught courses on many topics over the years, but he said that this one will probably be his favorite. Fialho had this to say about his upcoming class “Ghosts. Explaining the Paranormal”, This is a topic that interests many people, sometimes for the wrong reasons. There are many books and movies and TV shows on the subject of ghosts, and the public continues to be fascinated by the paranormal. We are all spiritual beings and most of us wonder about what happens to us when we die.”

            Fialho will focus on how the church has looked at this topic and made sense of it. Fialho added, “Without giving too much away, I think people will be very surprised by what they will learn over these six weeks. I am excited to burst bubbles and surprise people.” Through readings from Holy Scripture, Church mothers and fathers, and experts in the ever-evolving fields of parapsychology and exorcism, students will study one of the most misunderstood areas of belief in Christianity. Speaking about the sessions Fialho had this to say, “They will be an hour and a half each and consist of lecture, discussion, and story telling. I wanted to create a space which is both intellectual and folksy. I really wanted to make sure people had the ability to share personal ghost stories if they wanted to. I have also invited an exorcist from the Episcopal Church to guest lecture on one of the evenings.”

            This is a free-of-charge hybrid course, and will take place in-person at 124 Front St. in Marion on Wednesday evenings from 6:45 pm to 8:15 pm from September 25 to October 30. College-level reading assignments will be given for almost all sessions, and this course is open to all people aged 18 and up. Fialho hopes that many people from the area will want to attend, and he has made space accommodations for what will prove to be a very popular course. If you plan on attending in-person or via Zoom, please email Parish Administrator, Jenny Lima at stgabrielsmarion@gmail.com. In order to attend the course, students are asked to plan to be present for all sessions. Auditing and dropping in and out will not be allowed for this course.

            Fialho will also be leading an optional “field trip” to Salem in October and bring attendees around on a private tour. Information and signup about the field trip will be provided during the first session.

Mattapoisett Republican Town Committee

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The Mattapoisett Republican Town Committee welcomes members, guests and community members to join us on Thursday, September 19 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm to attend our monthly meeting. The location is at the Knights of Columbus, 57 Fairhaven Road, Mattapoisett. Join in the discussion and planning of the upcoming Southcoast Rally.

            2024 MA Republican Primary winner of 10th Bristol State Representative is invited to speak and share his plans for a November victory with us. There will be light snacks, cash bar and good conversation. If you have any questions, contact Paul Crisuolo, Chairperson, PCMattyGOP@proton.me.

Durant Enacts Transition

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Rochester’s new town administrator, Cameron Durant, grabbed the reins of his job quickly at his first Select Board meeting Monday.

            The former Human Resources director for the Town of Fairhaven’s first motion as Rochester’s head administrator was to recommend disbanding the Town Administrator Search Committee, which the Select Board quickly did.

            “We’ll do another in another 30 years,” Durant said. To this, Select Board Chairman Brad Morse responded with a smile, “I sure hope so.”

            Next, Durant motioned and received approval to extend Interim Town Administrator Suzanne Szyndlar’s contract for that job for another month, to obviously assist him with the transition. Szyndlar will remain the town’s finance director until her retirement on June 30, 2025.

            The town administrator position was vacated by the prior administrator, Glenn Cannon, when he accepted a similar role in Carver in March.

            Durant requested that he be authorized to sign all grant awards and day-to-day operational agreements with town vendors. Before approving the latter, the Select Board voted to raise the monetary limit he can spend on such operations from $50,000 per contract to $100,000 per contract.

            In other action, Durant announced the bid opening for the Gifford Park playground construction project will be held on Thursday, September 12, at 11:00 am at Town Hall. The 3,649 square-foot children’s playground’s full cost will be $81,881.70. Half of that cost will be borne by the local non-profit “Tri-Town for Protecting Children.”

            Durant announced he will be available for a “meet and greet” with the public on Thursday, September 12, at 6:00 pm at the Council on Aging Senior Center, 67 Dexter Lane.

            The Select Board approved two new Rochester Police policies and procedures recommended by the new police chief, Michael A. Assad, Jr. One is a new policy for promoting department officers. The other is a policy for town police officers and patrolmen taking a patrol car home.

            The board appointed Arthur Smith to the Registrar of Voters for a term to expire on April 30, 2027.

            The board approved the Buzzards Bay Coalition’s route through town for the Watershed Ride on October 6 and the Charles River Wheelers Ride route through town on October 13.

            The board endorsed a citation to retiring employee Lorraine Thompson for her 11 years of service with the Council on Aging.

            The board approved plans for 29 new Eversource and Verizon utility poles on Snipatuit Road between Numbers 722 and 865, 655 and 694, 500 and 610 and 280 North Avenue, and a new utility pole on Stevens Road.

            The board continued to January 27 its public hearings into plans for Eversource utility pole and manhole cover locations on Rounseville Road. An Eversource representative attending the meeting said the six poles in the island right-of-way have been moved, but the company is awaiting permission from the landowner for the relocation, and it needs wetlands permits for three of the poles.

            The board continued to January 27 its public hearing into plans for a new utility pole on Featherbed Lane.

            Both of the public hearings will take place at Town Hall, 1 Constitution Way.

            The next Rochester Select Board meeting will be held on Monday, September 23, at 6:00 pm at the Senior Center, 67 Dexter Lane.

Rochester Select Board

By Michael J. DeCicco

MA Preservation Funds Available

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The Marion Historical Commission is sharing this preservation funding opportunity for eligible 501c(3) non-profit organizations throughout the Tri-Town area.

            Preservation Massachusetts has announced the 2025 round of the Massachusetts Historic Preservation Matching Grant Program.

            The 1772 Foundation, in cooperation with Preservation Massachusetts, is making available 1:1 matching grants of up to $10,000 for exterior preservation projects, such as painting, finishes and surface restoration; repair to/restoration of porches, roofs, and windows; foundation and sill repairs; and chimney and masonry repointing on historic buildings owned or leased by eligible non profit organizations.

            Properties must be listed in the National Register of Historic Places or be located within a Local Historic District to qualify. Schools and churches generally do not qualify.

            For the full announcement, important dates, criteria, and program details, visit the Preservation MA website at www.preservationmass.org. Questions on this grant program should be directed to: scaplanson@preservationmass.org.

            Letters of Inquiry are due by November 1.

Artist Meet & Greet

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In conjunction with JP Powel’s Mattapoisett Library Art Series painting exhibit called Back Roads, Wild and Imagined Places at the Mattapoisett Free Public Library (September 3 – 29), Powel will be at the library in person on Wednesday, September 18 from 4:00 pm to 4:30 pm for a Meet & Greet. Come meet Powell and hear about his work. He will be bringing his sketchbooks containing pen and ink drawings for all to view.

Love Without Limits

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On September 28 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, First Congregational Church of Rochester, 11 Constitution Way, will hold a free marriage conference and lunch for couples of all ages. “Love Without Limits” will teach couples how to maintain a God-centered loving marriage your entire life. Andrew and Jacquelyn Liput, who have been married for 28 years and raised four girls, will facilitate. Throughout the years, their faith has seen them endure ups and downs, yet they remain best friends and loving companions. Andrew is a lawyer and businessman, and he is currently the CEO of a technology company that prevents financial fraud. Jacquelyn has worked in government and fund-raising, and she has also been a home-school teacher to her youngest daughter. For more information or to register, contact the church office at 508-763-4314 or rochestercongregational@comcast.net.

Sean Patrick Young

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Sean Patrick Young, 62, of Acushnet, passed away at St. Luke’s Hospital, the day after his birthday, on September 6, 2024 after a tragic accident.  He was surrounded by his loving family and heroic hospital staff as he drew his last breath.  

            A humble, kind, self-reliant, devout, and eccentric man, Sean truly stepped to the beat of his own drummer, “however measured or far away.”  Born in New Bedford, Sean spent his childhood exploring in Marion, Massachusetts and graduated from Bishop Stang High School, where he ran track.  He was truly a South Coast native, hunting, fishing, walking, and tilling the land around Buzzards Bay.  Widely read and self-educated, Sean earned an Associate’s degree in history and could talk at length on European and Native American history, religion, current events, and the environment.  Though he truly was a homebody, he was fortunate enough to have traveled a couple of times in his life, once with a Christian Brother to Guatemala and another to a remote Indian reservation in British Columbia to hunt moose. 

            Despite his individualism, Sean was a stickler for the rules, hunting and fishing sustainably, riding his motorcycle cautiously with bright colors or reflective vests, and remaining orthodox in his Christian beliefs. Recently, Sean had entered remission after courageously battling multiple myeloma for the past four years. 

            Moreover, Sean had an immense capacity to empathize with others’ suffering.  In times of sickness or sorrow, Sean was the first to arrive at a family member’s bedside or front door.  He never forgot a birthday, and always gave thoughtful, carefully and creatively-wrapped Christmas gifts to his family.  Those who knew Sean will remember him for his kind smile and his infectious laugh that he would sometimes emit to himself at some ironic thought, while twisting a few strands of hair let loose from his ponytail.  

            Sean leaves behind his mother, Sharon L. Young, and her husband Donald Mayers of Marion; his father, Charles R. Young and wife Maria of Natick; his brother Andrew of Needham; his brother Charles of Franklin; his brother Christopher and wife Lisa and their children Thomas and Meghan of Fall River; his brother Michael and wife Jennifer with their children Tyler Harrison and Katherine Mary of Marion; and many cousins.

            He was predeceased by his brother Joseph, and his grandparents, Sydney and Beulah Burrell, and Mary and Rene Charles Young.

            His visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 11th from 4-7 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Road, Route 6, Mattapoisett.  His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, September 12th, at 10 AM at St. Anthony’s Church, 26 Hammond St, Mattapoisett.  Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Fairhaven. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to your local blood bank or the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation in memory of Sean Young at themmrf.org. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.