Four Bridges Bluegrass Band

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The Mattapoisett Museum, 5 Church St, Mattapoisett, will again be rocking, this time with Four Bridges Bluegrass Band on April 26 at 6:00 pm This New England-based bluegrass band has performed together since 2013. From fast-paced, hard-hitting bluegrass to sultry and down-home country music, Four Bridges encompasses a wide range of traditional sounds that burn with their own vibe. They’ll have you dancing, crying, hootin’, and hollerin’. After years of performing together at countless venues, weddings, celebrations, and tours, they are well-seasoned musicians and know how to bring it.

            The Four Bridges Bluegrass Band consists of Jeremy Place, Benjamin Marshall, Nelson Hiller and Sal Salco. Jeremy Place, from Middleboro, plays the mandolin, guitar, banjo, and vocals. By day, Jeremy is a music educator. At night, he’s an avid songwriter.

            Benjamin Marshall, a Rhode Islander, plays the banjo, guitar, mandolin, fiddle, vocals & bass. He admires and respects the bluegrass icons, and that sound is very much a part of Ben’s musical chemistry.

            Sal Salco, also a Rhode Islander, plays the mandolin, and vocals and is the President of the Rhode Island Bluegrass Alliance. He has played with Four Bridges many, many times over the years and recently officially joined the band as a touring member.

            Nelson Hiller, Mattapoisett’s own, plays bass, mandolin, guitar, and vocals.

            A talented and prolific songwriter, Nelson is blessed with a sharp wit and an ear for good music.

Spring Sings & Strings at the MAC

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The Marion Art Center is pleased to present two concerts to celebrate Spring.

            Aoife Clancy was born and raised in Co Tipperary Ireland and grew up in a family steeped in music. Her father Bobby Clancy was a member of the group “The Clancy Brothers” and at an early age introduced her to old ballads and traditional Irish songs.

            Aoife will be joining the MAC for an evening of music & song on April 18 at 7:00 pm at 80 Pleasant Street in Marion. The cost for members is $20 and for non-members $25. Tickets, information and reservations at marionartcenter.org/events.

            Unplugged: 2025 is starting up again on May 9 with two sets by memorable duo Marcus Monteiro & Donn Legge. New seating times for the popular show are 7:00 to 8:00 pm and 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm. The cost for members is $15 and for non-members is $20.

            Donn Legge (guitar) is a busy performer on the South Coast of Massachusetts. He can be seen playing with Blues Train, South Coast Jazz Orchestra, Patrice Tiedmann’s Seaglass Theater, Dori Rubbicco, NB Rude Boys, and Kareem Sanjaghi on Cape Cod. Saxophonist Marcus Monteiro continues to impress his audience with intensity, interpretation, and consummate improvisational skills.

CPAC Completes Grant Reviews

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            The March 31 meeting of the Mattapoisett Community Preservation Act Committee was held to finalize their 2025 grant reviews and to discuss possible allocation of funds to a housing category.

            Chairman Chuck McCullough said that the category for housing had been rather stagnant for a number of years, and even though area-wide discussions over the lack of housing, especially any that might be defined as affordable, took place, little had been done to move the needle on housing units.

            He suggested to the committee that the sum of $250,000 be moved from undesignated funds to housing funds. The committee voted in the affirmative. The total now allocated for housing-related grant requests now stands at $161,404.67. Town Meeting must approve the transfer of monies from undesignated to housing.

            McCullough had prepared a spreadsheet capturing all money now being held in various Community Preservation funds. Those are Open Space and Recreation $55,459.00, Historic $30,159.00, and undesignated $1,085,606.20 (before possible transfer as previously noted).

            Grant applications total $113,044. The applications are: Mattapoisett Museum Carriage Shed ADA access being requested under the Historic category $45,000; Hammond Cemetery restoration $10,000; Historical Survey Phase 3 $30,000; Florence Eastman American Legion Post renovations $10,544; and, Old Hammondtown School Community Garden (requested by the Marion Institute) $17,500.

            All grant applications must receive Town Meeting support to be funded.

            Mattapoisett’s Spring Town Meeting is scheduled for May 12 at 6:30 pm.

Mattapoisett Community Preservation

By Marilou Newell

All Is Well With My Soul

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            Easter is fast approaching and with it returns snatches, bits, and pieces of childhood memories.

            As a child, it was a day to eat chocolate before breakfast and dress up in new Easter outfits. It was celebrated in a secular fashion; my parents didn’t attend any type of organized religion. They did, however, send us to Sunday school. That’s where I learned the Lord’s Prayer, memorized the order of the books of the Bible, learned about the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus as told in the King James Bible and practiced sitting like a lady and keeping my white gloves clean. A solid foundation.

            Anyway, Ma, aka the Easter Bunny, would always hide the Easter baskets where a small person could find them and after exploring its contents and eating “one small piece of chocolate,” we’d dress up.

            Those where the days before my brother was born so it was just me and my older sister donning new duds. There we stand, forever frozen in black and white, standing stiffly across the street from our house posing in front of a mound of dirty snow. A big mound, a colossal mound compared to our global warming, no snow winters or springs of today. I remember how cold it was standing there waiting for the shutter to open and close in the Brownie Box camera pointed in our direction.

            I worried about getting my new shoes and lace trimmed socks wet. I thought I looked so grand in those shoes even though they pinched and poked at my chubby little feet. None of the new clothing was comfortable, I realized upon much belated reflection. The crunchy slip that pushed the skirt of my new dress out from my freezing legs was very scratchy. It also exposed a lot of leg like a Shirley Temple costume without the music playing in the background (I was probably tap-dancing in my imagination. I loved Shirley).

            Ma. Now as I think about her, I’m amazed that she was able to function at all. Back then, all I knew as a needy child was my neediness, especially for being physically close to my mother. But she must have unwittingly fostered that need. My parents had suffered the agony of losing a child only a few weeks old, a child born before me. Ma would later tell me that doctors had advised her to have another child. I was that child.

            They carried on in true post-WWII style. Ma put Easter Baskets out in the spring, decorated Christmas trees in December, made cakes and celebrated birthdays. They, she, got on with living.

            No, there wasn’t any Easter day church service attendance for us, but there was a sort of deep sentiment pulling us all together on special days, days I’m sure were very reverential for my parents as they coped with grief neither fully recovered from.

            Although my mother had a sister and brother close by, within easy walking distance, with many cousins around our ages, we didn’t share in a family meal or even a visit. I don’t know how we spent the day, but I do recall a traditional meal of baked ham, mashed potatoes, and peas. Assuredly, there was a pie or two from the Cushman Baker.

            At school, as we counted down the days to Easter weekend, we were given mimeographed coloring pages. Fresh from the mimeograph machine, we deeply inhale the chemicals emanating from the paper. We were in ecstasy.

            The pages were pictures of fluffy bunnies and ducks, floral wrapped crucifixes and eggs waiting for our artistic efforts. I was the type of colorist who outlined all the images in a corresponding color before filling in the images while trying to control a fat crayon with no point on the end (or, maybe we were high from the poison laced coloring pages).

            On good Friday, long before it was a day off from school, we gathered up all our artwork and brought them home for display on refrigerators across town. I was very proud of my coloring talent. Decades later, Ma would keep coloring books and crayons at the ready just in case a great-grandchild came to visit. Coloring must be in our blood.

            Easter hails new beginnings, the emergence of new life, spring blooms everywhere. For me, it is a time when I remember snuggling up to my mother for warmth and comfort. With her ample arm wrapped around my narrow shoulders, all was well with my soul. I hope during those brief moments she found peace and comfort too.

This Mattapoisett Life

By Marilou Newell

Mattapoisett Road Race College Stipends

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July 4 will be here before we know it and so will the 53rd running of the Mattapoisett Road Race, “4 on the 4th”. Begun in 1971 by Bob and Doris Gardner, 15 runners raced from Point Connett to Shipyard Park. Since then, the route has changed a few times, and now, over 1000 runners start at Shipyard Park, run through the village and around Ned’s Point Lighthouse, and finish at Shipyard Park. Townspeople line the course and cheer on their friends and family. Proceeds from the race are used to fund awards for college-bound senior athletes from Old Rochester Regional High School. Over the years, more than $200,000 has been given to deserving students. The online application can be accessed via a QR code available at the high school guidance office. The application deadline is May 15.

MCC Celebrates Holy Week

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The public is invited to join us as we observe Holy Week beginning with Palm Sunday, April 13 at 10:00 am. Palm Sunday is a Christian celebration that marks the beginning of the Holy Week leading to Easter Sunday. It commemorates Jesus’ triumphal entrance into Jerusalem when people laid down palms and branches before him as a sign of honor.

            Maundy Thursday will be observed on April 17 to recognize Jesus’ Last Supper with his disciples. An evening service of scripture and hymns will be held at 7:00 pm in the sanctuary.

            On Sunday, April 20, we will observe Easter Sunday as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus from the dead with 2 services: a 7:00 am sunrise service at Shipyard Park along the waterfront and a family service at 10:00 am in the sanctuary.

            We hope you will join us. All are welcome at Mattapoisett Congregational Church, 27 Church Street, Mattapoisett.

Final Recommendation of District

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            The presentation of the final recommendation by the Marion Historic District Study Committee for the proposed historic district took place Wednesday, March 26. Chair Will Tifft began the presentation by stating the proposed bylaw would likely make it to Town Meeting and that this meeting would be to answer any questions. Tifft stated, however, that the proposition is finalized and will have no further revision.

            “In all honesty, at this point, it’s completed from our point of view,” said Tifft, adding that this meeting is a state-required, pro forma (of the form) meeting to declare the completion of the Study Committee’s report.

            Tifft explained the creation of a historic district follows state law Massachusetts General Law, Part I, Title VII, Chapter 40C: Historic Districts. Section 2 of this law states: “The purpose of this chapter is to promote the educational, cultural, economic and general welfare of the public through the preservation and protection of the distinctive characteristics of buildings and places significant in the history of the commonwealth and its cities and towns or their architecture, and through the maintenance and improvement of settings for such buildings and places and the encouragement of design compatible therewith.” The chair said all state-based historic districts base their existence off this law.

            Tifft went on to explain that the proposed bylaw requires a two-thirds vote to pass. He continued, “It requires, very much, the town to do it. The state – and voters at the time – determined that everybody in the town deserves a voice in this, not only the people in the district.”

            The process of the committee’s current work and surveying began in 2023, with Tifft saying it was concluded Marion Village has the “most intact historic village on the South Coast.” He continued by outlining some aspects of the district, stressing it being limited compared to others in the region. He said, “the bylaw would limit reviews to additions, new construction, and demolition only. All other alterations, including siding, roofing, windows, door trim, mechanical equipment, maintenance, paint colors, all of those things that everybody gets worked up about most are exempt.”

            The proposed historic district and accompanying bylaw will be voted upon by Marion residents at this year’s Town Meeting, May 12, regardless of whether or not the resident would live in the proposed district. The vote requires a two-thirds majority for the bylaw to be added and for the historic district to be created. Additional information can be found on the Marion Historic District Study Committeepage of the town’s website, marionma.gov.

Marion Historic District Study Committee

By Sam Bishop

Boucher Earns Her Place on Mat

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High school girls who compete in boys’ sports are necessarily treated differently, and as a result they can miss out on the camaraderie so essential to the experience. At the end of her first winter of wrestling, Mila Boucher is grateful for the manner in which the Middleborough High School wrestling team made her feel included.

            “It just happened,” Mila said of the tight connection she has made with her teammates. “They kind of started to include me within the first week, and we all just got really close as the season went on because it’s such a tight-knit sport. You have to be close with everyone, just to have fun. I feel like we just got close from all the shared experiences, and competing and going to meets and practicing six days a week.”

            Mia’s mother Kristen Boucher called the team “an amazing group of kids.”

            In addition to its 26-2 dual-meet season and repeat as South Shore League champion, qualifying eight wrestlers for the MIAA Division 2 state tournament, Middleborough High School was recognized by the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association for its sportsmanship.

            “Mila had no problem fitting in with the team. We had a great group of kids this season with excellent captains, evident in the Division 2 Team Sportsmanship awards the team received this season,” said Middleborough wrestling coach Derek Seibert.

            It also helped that Mila has proven herself a tough out when wrestling against girls and boys, earning respect from opponents and teammates alike. “One hundred percent,” she confirmed.

            Having started out at eight years old with training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at her parents’ New Bedford-based studio, Mila describes Jiu Jitsu as “a ground-based, grappling martial art … like wrestling but more like on the ground, on your back.”

            Mila built her skills in that discipline, only last fall taking the opportunity to see how it would all transfer into varsity wrestling.

            The 15-year-old freshman from Mattapoisett attends Old Colony Regional Vocational-Technical High School in North Rochester, but Old Colony does not have wrestling as a varsity sport. Thanks to a cooperative arrangement, Old Colony students can try out for the Middleborough High School wrestling team.

            Mila is the only girl on the team, but her first wrestling opponent was another girl because the season kicked off with a tournament that allowed Middleborough coach Derek Seibert to match her up with some caution. Wrestling against boys is something that has required mental as well as physical toughness.

            “It was a little challenging because I have to remember that I can’t match strength, but I still do my best,” said Mila. “I also try not to get hurt at the same time, because I tend to be stubborn and not want to lose, and it can get me into trouble where I do get hurt. But it feels really good when I do win.”

            Most of Mila’s 26 victories (against nine losses) in her first season of wrestling came against boys. In the postseason, Mila became the first student in Old Colony’s history to place (finishing fourth) in the MIAA Division 2 state meet and first to place in the MIAA All-State meet (finishing fifth).

            “I am a firm believer that Jiu Jitsu benefits wrestling and vice versa,” said Seibert. “There are a few positions that emphasize different things, but overall having a grappling background coming into wrestling is a big advantage. We have five athletes from Old Colony on our team who come from a Jiu Jitsu background, and all had great seasons for us.”

            Mila’s successes as a freshman helped her become one of Middleboro’s eight South Shore League All-Stars. With only three months of wrestling under her belt, it would seem the sky is the limit for Mila, but she is committed to the process.

            “I have a lot to learn, for sure,” she said. “I did not know what I was doing this season. … I was just going with what felt right and hoping I wouldn’t get called for doing anything illegal. … It got better as it went on. … I got called twice for a Full Nelson.”

            Mila began learning how to wrestle under MIAA rules in October. The adaptation came with restrictions, as in, not every technique or move in Jiu Jitsu is allowed in high school wrestling.

            “It took me a couple of weeks to figure out the rules,” said Mila, noting that submission holds are not allowed. “There was a kid that tapped.”

            At the height of intense competition, Mila found it initially challenging to avoid her Jiu Jitsu instincts, but she learned the ropes of wrestling as she went.

            At 5-foot-3 and a natural 120 pounds, wrestling against competitive high school boys can present a difficult matchup in terms of strength, Mila started wrestling in the 120-pound class but did what most high school wrestlers do. She cut weight to 113 pounds to wrestle in the lighter class but can still compete at 120 as needed.

            “I don’t think 120 is too much of a jump when it’s in the girls’ division, but when I’m wrestling boys it’s definitely a jump,” said Mila.

            Jiu Jitsu has weight classes but does not come with the typical requirement that competitors cut weight. That’s the part of high school wrestling that Mila wishes she could do without.

            “I hate it so much, it’s awful,” she repeats for emphasis.

            “She’s been ‘hangry’ all season,” said Kristen.

            Hydration before weigh-in is tricky because of the obvious need measured against the pure weight of water.

            “It’s so difficult trying to find a balance where I have a little bit of energy to still wrestle but also staying on weight. Sometimes, unfortunately, weight comes before energy,” Mila said. “My teammates are cutting four pounds in an hour, and I just can’t do that.”

            After deciding last year that splitting time in high school between academics and a practicum was more appealing than full-time classwork, Mila matriculated to Old Colony with a concentration in automotive. Despite her skills in Jiu Jitsu, high school wrestling brought its own set of challenges.

            “I was humbled a lot of the time. A lot of things I thought I could win I didn’t, and it was humbling,” Mila said of her freshman season. “I learned a lot of perseverance and not giving up when it got hard, because there were many times where it got very difficult.”

            Seibert sees great things ahead for Mila.

            “I think she’ll get very good. She has a great support system and great work ethic. She’s very coachable,” he said. “Girl’s wrestling is the fastest-growing high school sport in the country over the past few years, and many college programs are being added every year so there are definitely some big, long-term goals.”

            Now that high school wrestling is over for 2024-25, Mila will continue with Jiu Jitsu.

            On the March 22-23 weekend, Mila placed third in her bracket in the International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation’s largest tournament in North America. She says that Jiu Jitsu attracts people of all ages including senior citizens. Mila’s sister Aja, 11, participates in Jiu Jitsu classes.

            Wrestling, however, remains a secondary sport along the South Coast.

            “I wish more schools (had wrestling), but so many people quit early on in the season, not many people stick around,” said Mila. “A lot of people sign up, not a lot of people actually do it.”

By Mick Colageo

Cushing Cemetery Meeting

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Cushing Cemetery is holding its bi-annual meeting Saturday, April 26 at 10:00 am in the Marine Room at the library. All cemetery members and trustees are urged to attend. The public is also invited.

April at the Rochester Historical Museum

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Winter is over and spring is here so the Historical Society will once again have meetings on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at the Rochester Historical Museum at 355 County Rd., Rochester. Meetings will start at 7:00 Pm and be followed by refreshments and conversation.

            Our first meeting will be Wednesday, April 16 at 7:00 pm. As a finale of sorts for our current exhibit, we are planning a games night with a chance to play some of the historic games in the display, from Chinese Checkers, the Marble Game, Dominoes, Parcheesi to building something with Lincoln Logs or calling up the spirits with the Ouija Board.

            If you have a favorite game from your past. feel free to bring it along. Anyone who is still planning to pay their dues for 2025 can do that on the 16th.