The Mattapoisett Women’s Club biannual garden tour on June 28 titled “Down by the Bay” featured nine gardens situated along the waters of Buzzards Bay. It was a glorious day for a tour of the area’s finest gardens, some featuring unique sculptures, unusual trees, and beds to attract hummingbirds and finches.

Photos by Felix Perez

Museum Curator Elizabeth Hutchinson knew that the documents, bits and pieces, articles of clothing, and pictures from the police and fire departments held memories. The community responded to those memory keepers on June 26.

On that evening, the front and back doors of the Mattapoisett Historical Society Museum were flung wide open. With music playing softly in the background and tables laid to overflowing with good things to eat and drink, they hosted an open house and auction.

What the public really came out for, however, was the collection of Police and Fire Department memorabilia expertly organized and put on display for this special occasion – newspaper clippings, crime scene photographs, call logs, uniforms, equipment, many lives and times being relived and relieved. This tangible evidence of those who had been on duty, protecting the citizens of Mattapoisett, is a combination of materials that has been loaned to the museum or has been rediscovered within its walls. The event brought out people who once worked together or who are still working together today. There was laughter mixed with respectful recollections for those who have passed away.

Retired Police Officers Ken Pacheco, Kent Davis, Edward Pina, and Chief Moran (retired), along with Chief Mary Lyons and Officer Anthony Days, enjoyed coming together to reminisce about the old days while looking over the items on display. When asked about highlights of their careers, most said that it was the strong bond of being in service together that they remembered the most – the friendships that have lasted many decades. Oh, there was mention of drug busts, thieves caught, recovered stolen goods, thousands of traffic stops leading to arrests, and the constant threat of danger mixed with good natured ribbing. “Lots of things have changed … lots of guys are gone,” reflected Pacheco. For this night, however ‘it was all good.’

Surprisingly, a number of those who visited the museum did so for the first time. In spite of being employed by the town for years, both Pacheco and his wife, Melody, had never been inside the museum. It was the draw of this exhibit that brought them in. More surprisingly, they had never seen on display the donation they gave the museum – a scale model of the whaling ship Charles W. Morgan. Pacheco had purchased it from a shop in New Bedford as a gift for his parents back in the 1960s. It came back into his possession upon their passing and now is permanently docked in the museum.

Mattapoisett’s Fire Department was also represented. Several active duty members, including Mark Nadeau, Justin Dubois, and Deputy Chief Walter Morgado, came out to view the antiquated firefighting gear and historic documents. Firefighting has its own unique set of potential dangers for those willing to do this dangerous job. Human instinct is to run away from a burning building. Firefighters run towards it. Although techniques, equipment, and understanding the science of structures and fire have evolved over the decades, the basic principles have not. Chief Morgado, whose career on the Mattapoisett Fire Department spans an amazing 51 years with over 30 years as a chief officer, reflected on fire suppression. He said, “….put white on red…” meaning water on fire – period.

As Chris Richards performed a smooth variety of folk and soft rock on his guitar in the carriage house, the assembled enjoyed refreshments and then it was time for Seth Mendell, well-known local historian, to play the role of auctioneer. Nautical themed items went quickly, raising an impressive sum for the museum’s coffers.

The museum has a long list of activities planned throughout the summer. Go to www.mattapoisetthistricalsociety.org for complete details, or call 508-758-2844. The official opening is July 2. Summer hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 1:00 to 4:00 pm for a fee of $5 for adults and $2 for children; Society members free. The Fire and Police exhibit will be on display through the end of August.

By Marilou Newell

In 1971, just fifteen runners registered at Shipyard Park for the first annual Mattapoisett Road Race. Now, 43 years later, this race has become a Fourth of July tradition with more than 1,000 participants from all over the country. Despite the impending tropical storm of last Friday, this year was no exception.

With rain clouds overhead, 1,024 runners and their supporters gathered in Mattapoisett’s Shipyard Park to participate in this year’s race. Race director Bill Tilden was originally worried about the weather’s effect on the race’s turnout, but clearly these runners didn’t mind a little rain. “I wouldn’t say I was surprised – I was hopeful,” said Tilden after seeing the high registration numbers.

The Mattapoisett Road Race’s five mile run passes through Mattapoisett Village, along the waterfront, around Ned’s Point Lighthouse, and back to Shipyard Park. Rain drizzled in the beginning, but overall the weather held out, leaving runners with the burden of high humidity.

Still, the race was a success. With a time of 26:49, first place runner Jay Mcmahon, 18, of Swansea crossed the finish line. Not only was this Mcmahon’s first time running the Mattapoisett Road Race, but it was his first time running a five mile race. Unsure about the pacing, Mcmahon’s strategy was simple: keep pace with the first place runner, then pass him at the end. The strategy was simple, but successful. Mcmahon intends to continue his running career in college next year.

The top female runner was Megan O’Brien, 19, who took ninth place overall with a finishing time of 29:51. O’Brien is originally from Palos Heights, Illinois. She attends college in Chicago, but is here in Tri-Town for the summer for an internship with the Wareham Gatemen, a Cape Cod baseball league. “I love running road races,” said O’Brien, an experienced runner back home.

Mcmahon and O’Brien were each awarded $150 for their first place positions, but neither could accept the award due to college eligibilities. Mcmahon chose to donate his winnings to Friends of Cardinals, the Case High School athletic booster club, while O’Brien chose to donate her winnings to the Wareham Gatemen.

The second and third place male top finishers were Tony Fierimonte, 21, of Sutton, and Taylor Days-Merrill, 20, of Fairhaven. For the female top finishers, Lindsay Willard, 35, of Somerville took second, while Melissa Henry, 27, took third.

The Mattapoisett Road Race also recognizes male and female top finishers for several different age groups.

For females ages 13 and under, Meg Hughes, 12, of Rochester won, with an overall place of 31. For the males, Jack Audett, 13, won with an overall place of 122.

In the 14-18 age group, Meredith Reynolds, 18, of Medway won for the females with an overall place of 59. Michael Kassabian, 17, of Mattapoisett won for the males with an overall place of 20.

For runners with ages 19-29, Alice Binns, 24, of Dorchester won for the females with an overall place of 58. Seamus Mcevoy, 21, of Wilbraham won for the males with an overall place of fourth.

In the 30-39 age group, Jennifer Almeida, 38, of Norwood won for the females with an overall place of 25. For the males, Jason Baer, 36, of South Burlington, Vermont won with an overall place of fifth.

In the 40-49 age group, Tarley Sumner, 42, of Acushnet won for the females with an overall place of 40. Patrick Callahan, 41, of Needham won for the males with an overall place of sixth.

For runners with ages 50-59, Nancy Clarke, 52, of Mattapoisett won for the females with an overall place of 85. For the males, Bernie O’Reilly, 51, of Newton won with an overall place of 28.

In the 60-69 age group, Terri Martland, 60, of Newport, Rhode Island won for the females with an overall place of 170. For the males, Bob Ruel, 61, of Whitman won with an overall place of 18.

Lastly, in the 70 and over age group, Theresa Tattersail, 70, of North Attleboro won for the females with an overall place of 638. Jimmy Gray, 72, of North Providence, Rhode Island won for the males with an overall place of 309.

Along with the top finishers and the age group awards, the Mattapoisett Road Race recognizes the top male and female Mattapoisett runners. Julie Craig, 47, was the top female Mattapoisett runner with an overall place of 82. Matthew Petrocci, 29, was the top male Mattapoisett runner with an overall place of seventh.

Since its establishment in 1971 by Old Rochester Regional High School’s assistant principal Bob Gardner and his wife, Doris, the Mattapoisett Road Race’s mission has been to raise money for scholarships for graduating students of ORR. Depending on how much money was raised this year through the registration of roughly 1,150 people, the Mattapoisett Road Race Committee will select a number of 2014 award recipients. Preference is given to students who ran in the road race or participated in the school’s running programs. These scholarships range from $1,500 to $1,800.

“The scholarship awards it provides is an added bonus,” said Tilden, mentioning how the race is also a great way to get the community involved, “I think the town loves it.”

Despite the day’s humidity, the runners loved it too. “It just got hotter and hotter, and the moisture was sticking to you, but I think everyone looks satisfied with their run,” said Lenny Murphy, 18, who’s been running the Mattapoisett Road Race for seven years now.

Most runners seemed appreciative of the light rain at the start of the five miles. “The rain in the beginning was motivating,” said Tina Sylvester, 20, a first time runner at the Mattapoisett Road Race.

The runners were also very appreciative of the many volunteers at the road race passing out water and fresh fruit at the finish line. “We got more water than we did last year,” said Tilden, “Last year we got pretty light on water toward the end because it was so hot.”

Even though this year was cooler, the runners were thankful for the nine water stations with 8,000 cups of water placed throughout the race, as well as the 1,900 water bottles at the finish line.

The Mattapoisett Road Race had another great year, regardless of a little bit of rain and a lot of humidity. As Tilden said, it’s a “good, fun-filled holiday race.”

By Renae Reints