SLT Osprey Marsh Pavilion

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Sippican Lands Trust (SLT) celebrated the opening of the Osprey Marsh pavilion on Point Road with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Selectman Randy Parker spoke about the importance of the Community Preservation Act (CPA) for such projects in Marion. President Cathy Stone recapped the project and thanked donors and Board members for seeing it to completion. The ribbon cutting was done by Mary Howland Smoyer, donor and steward of Osprey Marsh, and Susannah Davis, clerk and project manager for SLT. The pavilion will see many upcoming programs and events.

MLT Salty’s Soiree

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Join us on Saturday October 19 from 5:30 – 7:30 pm for an evening of fun, family-friendly, fall activities. Salty’s Soiree takes place at Dunseith Park on the corner of Rt. 6 and North St. in Mattapoisett (aka Salty the Seahorse Park). We will have storytelling by the wonderful Karen Chace, live music by Jeff Dunn, a toasty bonfire, and plenty of s’mores making materials.

            Please park in the village and walk, do not drive, to the soiree; there will not be parking available at Dunseith. Bring a flashlight with you to find your way back to your car at the end of the night. In the event of inclement weather, the rain date for the event is Sunday October 20, same time and place.

            You won’t want to miss this quintessential autumn evening. This is great for all ages (the stories aren’t too spooky). All are welcome.

Becky Nurse of Salem

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 The MAC Theater is pleased to present Sarah Ruhl’s Becky Nurse of Salem, a dark comedy, directed by Brie Riccio. Show dates are October 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27 in the MAC’s Anne Braitmayer Webb Theater, located at 80 Pleasant Street, Marion. Friday and Saturday shows start at 7:30 pm, and Sunday shows start at 2:00 pm.

            Out of work and out of love, Becky Nurse is an ordinary but strong-willed grandmother just trying to get by in post-Obama America. She’s also the great-great-great-great-granddaughter of Rebecca Nurse, who was infamously executed for witchcraft in 1692 – but things have changed for women since then, haven’t they? Desperate to raise her troubled teenaged granddaughter right (and hoping to hook up with an old flame), Becky visits a local witch for help. But those spells and potions don’t work out exactly as planned.

            The cast includes Sarah Morse, Bethany Lamoureux, Lucy Bly, Kiah Allair, Honey Puder, Thomas Conway and Brennan McKiernan. Donn Tyler is stage manager, with sound and lighting by Steve McManus, set construction by Chris Podrecca, costumes by Bethany Lamoureux, with Jess Wilson as intimacy coordinator. Tickets, just $20 for MAC members and $23 for nonmembers, can be purchased at marionartcenter.org/events. The MAC is also a participant in Mass Cultural Council’s card to culture program. Learn more on the online ticket page.

Book Donation Day

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The Friends of the Elizabeth Taber Library will sponsor a Book donation day at the Library, 8 Spring Street, Marion, on Saturday, October 19 from 10 am-1 pm. We will be accepting adult books, children’s books, large print books in good condition, also accepting games and puzzles. We are not able to accept textbooks, encyclopedias, etc. The Friends of the library will help unload your donations from your vehicle.

            There will also be a pop-up book sale on the library lawn from 10 am-1 pm. Come drop off your gently used books and browse the book sale.

Hermina C. “Minnie” (Canastra) Souza

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Hermina C. “Minnie” (Canastra) Souza, 96, of Mattapoisett died Wednesday, October 2, 2024 at St. Luke’s Hospital after a period of declining health. She was the wife of the late Joseph Souza.

Born in Acushnet, daughter of the late John and Herminia (Valera) Canastra, she lived in Mattapoisett for most of her life.

She enjoyed collecting dolls and spending time with her family.

She is survived by her son, Robert Souza and his wife Karen; two grandchildren, Melissa Shepherd and her husband Darin, and Tim Souza and his wife Rebecca; two great-grandchildren, Ava and Charli Shepherd; and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her siblings, Manuel Canastra, John Canastra, Joe Canastra, Beatrice Ouellette, Isaura Pastrana, Virginia Fortes, Rose Motta, and Mary Mocco.

A private burial service will be held in St. Anthony’s Cemetery, Mattapoisett. For online guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Extension of Transmission Lines Coming

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            On September 26 at Old Rochester Regional High School, the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities held a public hearing to share with impacted communities (Mattapoisett and Acushnet) and residents therein a plan to extend an existing, overhead transmission line and an associated substation. The developer/owner of the site is NSTAR, doing business as Eversource.

            It was explained that Line 112 will be tapped to extend from off Mendall Road in Acushnet to the Crystal Spring substation on Crystal Spring Road in Mattapoisett. The substation expansion plans include replacement of existing substation and a second transformer being added, along with upgraded and/or new ancillary equipment. The footprint of the substation and associated fencing will also be expanded.

            Eversource representative Dan Hagen outlined the scope of the project and described why the expansion is considered necessary. He said through his slide presentation that “to ensure that electricity flows with a high degree of reliability, the upgrades” are required. Continuing on, Hagen stated these changes would allow for future interconnection with the power grid, permit future growth and help meet the commonwealth’s clean-energy and climate goals.

            To extend Line 112 in what Hagen described as “primarily cleared” land, some additional vegetation removal will be required. The line will parallel Line 114 and will necessitate the construction of 26 weathering-steel structures. These structures measure approximately 60 feet in height. The line will ultimately cross Mendall Road in Acushnet, Long Plain Road, Tinkham Lane, Hereford Hill Road and Crystal Spring Road in Mattapoisett.

            Public comments were taken with several residents expressing concerns. One person inquired about possible drilling during construction. She said she was a beekeeper and that earlier construction and drilling in this area caused her hives to fail. Another speaker insisted that portable sanitation units be placed at the site during construction to avoid a defecation in the open, which the speaker said happened previously.

            Coupled with that health concern was the lack of consistent securing of gates at the site, leaving them open to illegal dumping. And there were comments regarding the need for improved screening along Crystal Spring Road, a scenic byway. Hagen indicated that all concerns would be taken into consideration moving forward. Local oversight by the Conservation Commission was also noted by Hagen.

            Public comments will be taken until October 10. Plans are available at both the Mattapoisett Town Clerk office, the Acushnet Town Clerk office and the Mattapoisett Free Public Library. The project Hot Line number is 833-836-0302.

Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities

By Marilou Newell

Book (re)Marks: What’s up this Month at Plumb?

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Welcome to Book (re)Marks, all the info you need about what’s happening this month at Plumb Library. October is National Reading Group Month, also known as National Bookclub Month. The Library is celebrating by marking the 20th Anniversary of our Library Bookclub. Way back in 2004 library staff were tasked by the Director to set up a bookclub at the Library, a brand new venture that Library patrons had expressed interest in having in-house. Off the staff went, figuring out a lot of things about planning and running bookclubs along the way. There were many facets to consider: How will books be chosen? Do we decorate or dress up or have props? How do we get people to commit to coming? Should there be food? After lots of debate, we picked three books to be read in October, November, and December of that year, asked people to sign up, decorated and served themed food, and Café Parlez was introduced to the Library community. The first selection was “Memoirs of a Geisha” by Arthur Golden, a hit with our readers, and that was all the encouragement we needed to keep the bookclub going. Starting in 2008, titles were selected based on an overall theme for the year, and we’ve maintained that format ever since. We have had meetings when there haven’t been enough chairs in the Library to accommodate everyone in attendance, and others with just a couple of attendees, but the readers have continued to show up month after month. Even during COVID, bookclub continued to meet via Zoom or outside in the Reading Garden. Over the last 20 years lots of readers have come and gone, the Library staff has changed over a couple of times, and a secondary, nonfiction bookclub was absorbed. The bookclub has even had a name change. As of 2023, it’s been known as “Books & Babble,” a name selected by our members. By the end of this year, we will have logged 229 books read since 2004. If you’d like to join us, we’d be happy to have you. Books & Babble meets at 6:30 pm the last Thursday of the month. This bookclub is open to adult readers aged 18+. To see upcoming titles and meeting dates, check out the Events Calendar on the Library’s website or stop by the Library to pick up a list. The theme for 2025 will be announced at the October meeting. Here’s to another 20 years of great discussions about books of all kinds.

            Other regularly scheduled meetings for the month include: COA Bookclub 1 pm Tuesday October 15, “The Lost Apothecary” by Sarah Penner Books & Babble 6:30 pm. Thursday. October 31, “The Cat Who Saved Books” by Sosuke Natsukawa

            Knitters Group, 6:30 pm, Mondays, October 7, 21, & 28, Social meeting of fiber-crafters, Writer’s Group, 6:30 pm, Thursday, Oct. 17, Open to anyone 18+, refreshments served.

            Friends of the Library, 6:30 pm, Thursday, October 17, Annual meeting and election of officers, Board of Library Trustees, 6:30 pm, Thursday, October 10, open to the public.

            The Library will be closed on Monday, October 14 for Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples Day.

            Please check the Events Calendar on our website, www.plumblibrary.com, for a full list of upcoming events, programs, & talks. There’s a lot going on this month. Questions? Please call 508-763-8600 or email info@plumblibrary.com. As always, we hope to see you soon at the Library.

October Programs in the Mattapoisett Children’s Room

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Join us for a fun-filled October in the Mattapoisett Children’s Room, packed with exciting programs for all ages. We’re kicking off the month by celebrating Fire Safety Month at the Mattapoisett Fire Station on Saturday, October 12 at 1 pm. Children and families will have the chance to meet real firefighters, see them in full gear, and explore the fire trucks and equipment. This event is open to all ages, and no registration is required.

            On Wednesday, October 16 at 3:30 pm, patrons ages 8 and up are invited to join us for a Halloween Miniature Terrarium Craft. Let’s get into the Halloween spirit by creating a spooky miniature terrarium using a recycled Qui yogurt jar. Be sure to visit the library or our website to register.

            Then, on Friday, October 18 at 3:30 pm, our Graphic Novel Book Club will meet to discuss The Witches’ Wings and Other Terrifying Tales by Tehlor Kay Mejia. Copies of the book are available at the library, and participants can look forward to a lively discussion, a craft activity, and snacks. This event is recommended for ages 9 and up. You can register on our website, and for any questions, feel free to reach out to bsolaris@sailsinc.org.

            Bring your little ones (ages 1 and up) to the library on Wednesday, October 23 at 10:30 am for a fun fall-themed activity: the Toddler Toilet Paper Roll Fall Tree Craft. We’ll be using toilet paper rolls to create adorable fall trees, and no registration is necessary.

            The spooky fun continues on Thursday, October 24 at 3:30 pm with our Witch Hat and Wand Making event. Recommended for ages 5 and up, children can create their own witch hat and wand. Don’t forget to pick your hat color when you register on our website.

            In addition, storytimes will continue throughout the month of October. Fall Storytime, open to all ages, will take place every Thursday at 10:30 am, while Baby Storytime, recommended for ages 0 to 24 months, will be held every Friday at 10:30 am.

            All programs are free and open to the public. If you have any questions, please contact Michelle Skaar at mskaar@sailsinc.org. You can also find more information on our website at MattapoisettLibrary.org.

Friends of Plumb Library Annual Meeting

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The Friends of Plumb Library will be holding their Annual Meeting on Thursday, October 17 from 6:30-7:30 pm. The meeting is open to all members of the Friends and the public, and will be held at the Library which is located at 17 Constitution Way in Rochester.

            On the agenda are new by-laws governing the nonprofit, voting for next year’s new slate of officers, and annual review of programs and events the group funded. Friends volunteer their time and talents to provide resources for program enrichment, and to encourage public awareness of the services and accomplishments of the Library.

Upcoming Events at the Elizabeth Taber Library

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Join Miss Macy for story times every Tuesday and Thursday at 10:30, starting in October.

            Join us at the library for Ghosts and Legends with Jeff Belanger, Friday October 11 at 6:30. For over 20 years, Jeff Belanger has been exploring the unexplained. He seeks out history, folklore, ghosts, monsters and legends all over the world and in your backyard. His talk presents highlights from his own adventures, a look at the investigation process and compelling audio and visual paranormal evidence. Not just focused on ghost stories, Belanger’s presentation will delve into the reasons behind the legends. Call the library to register for this free event.

            Support the library by enjoying a delicious dinner and lively book discussion at a Marion neighbor’s home at Tables of Content, a fund-raising event for the Elizabeth Taber Library – Sunday October 20 & Friday October 25. Go to the library’s website to register, select your book choices and date, get your book assignment & start reading, receive your dinner location and enjoy your evening. Tickets are $75 per person; all proceeds benefit the library. Learn more and view title options by visiting our website.

            The Banned Book Club returns to discuss the widely-censored horror story The Picture of Dorian Gray on Tuesday, October 15 at 6:30 pm. Eat, drink and discuss Oscar Wilde’s classic gothic novel and the terrors of censorship. Copies of this month’s title are available at the library’s circulation desk.

            For more information on the Elizabeth Taber Library, visit us at www.ElizabethTaberLibrary.org, or call us at 508-748-1252.