Upcoming Events at the Elizabeth Taber Library

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During Saturdays in April, the Elizabeth Taber Library will be hosting Basket Weaving workshops with artist Patty Benson of the New Bedford Arts and Cultural Emporium. Workshops are taking place in the Elizabeth Taber Library’s new event space. Each session in April will have participants creating a completed basket. There are currently limited spaces only available for the final Basket weaving class scheduled for April 26 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. To register please call or contact the library at ETLibrary@sailsinc.org.

            During select Saturdays in May, Glass Artist Kim Savoie will lead individual flameworking workshops at the Library for participants age 10 and up. No experience necessary – just bring your creativity:

            May 3 – Bead Making Session – Discover the art of glass bead making in this hands-on flame-working class at the Elizabeth Taber Library. Participants will have 20 minutes at the torch to shape and design their own unique glass beads.

            May 24 – Pendant Making Session – Create a one-of-a-kind glass pendant in this introductory flame-working class at the Elizabeth Taber Library, each participant will have 20 minutes at the torch to melt and shape molten glass into a beautiful pendant to take home. You’ll learn to shape, add color to and mold each pendant into your desired design. A perfect way to explore the magic of glass artistry.

            May 31 – Straw Making Session – Join us for a unique flame-working class at the Elizabeth Taber Library and craft your very own reusable glass straw. Each participant will have 20 minutes at the torch to shape and personalize a durable, eco-friendly glass straw. Add fun designs to glass tubes and learn how to fire polish them. A fun and sustainable way to try your hand at working with molten glass. 6 slots will be available for each workshop. To register please call the library.

            Tickets are on Sale for An Afternoon Tea, at the Marion Music Hall, April 13, at 3:00 pm. This event is a fundraiser by the Friends of the Elizabeth Taber Library and all proceeds will benefit the library. Enjoy an elegant and delicious afternoon tea followed by a performance by local singer – songwriter, Grace Morrison. Tickets are available for purchase at the Elizabeth Taber Library 2:00 pm to close until April 11 or until sold out. Cash or check only. For questions regarding this event please email Michelle at periwinkles4@hotmail.com

            Saturday, April 12, is the full moon – the Pink Moon. We’ll be celebrating all day. Kids ages 0-5 can join us at 11:00 am for a pink-filled story time, and then from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm kids ages 2-plus and their grownups can join us for our full moon party. Pink crafts, a pink scavenger hunt, and pink treats abound.

            Afternoon activities for kids in grades K-4 and their grownups will be held available in the library meeting room from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm on Thursday, April 10, and Thursday, April 17. On April 10, Kids can join in basket weaving, and our Lego boat challenge will put engineers to the test on April 17.

            For more information on the Elizabeth Taber Library visit us at www.ElizabethTaberLibrary.org or email the library at ETLibrary@sailsinc.org.

‘Teacher to Teacher’ Podcast

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Old Rochester Regional (ORR) School District and MA Superintendency Union #55 Superintendent Michael S. Nelson is pleased to share that Assistant Superintendent of Student Services Jaime Curley was recently featured on Corwin’s “Teacher to Teacher” podcast.

            Curley joined host Dr. Carol Pelletier Radford and fellow guest John Almarode for the premiere episode of Season 4, which focuses on the theme of Mentoring in Action. Episode 4.1, titled “Intentional Mentoring,” explores the challenges and rewards of guiding early career teachers, the value of honest feedback, and the need to personalize and contextualize mentorship.

            Curley shared her own experience with the topic, giving her insights on the importance of mentoring and honest feedback within teaching. Curley, Almarode, and Radford also discussed the necessity of personalized and contextualized support for teachers in the current academic climate.

            “I’d like to thank Dr. Carol Pelletier Radford for the opportunity to participate in this podcast,” Assistant Superintendent of Student Services Curley said. “We had an intentional and thoughtful conversation about the important role of today’s mentors, and I left the podcast with new perspectives and stories to consider.”

            The “Teacher to Teacher” podcast, sponsored by Corwin, provides a space for educators to engage in meaningful discussions about best practices, professional growth, and classroom success.

            “The podcast that Jaime took part in led to a very interesting conversation on the role and impact of mentors for teachers,” Superintendent Nelson said. “These types of conversations lead to growth and understanding between different people, and it was fascinating to listen to. I want to thank Dr. Pelletier Radford for providing Jaime with the opportunity to have this discussion, and I appreciate Jaime for taking the time to participate and share her insights.”

From the Files of the Rochester Historical Society

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My Grandmother was born in 1894 and grew up in Roxbury, a section of Boston, which is very different today than it was then. Her father had come to the United States from Ireland by way of Canada. Once here, he went from operating a tea cart to owning a brick-and-mortar store.

            My grandmother graduated from Bridgewater Normal School in 1914 and upon graduation, she and her friend, Emily Ward, decided they wanted to both teach school and to travel. The traveling part was quite adventuresome for two young ladies in the early 1900’s.

            In those days the Department of Education for Massachusetts had a large ledger in their office in which all the teaching vacancies in the state were listed. Teachers interested in a job could make an appointment to look for a potential opening. My grandmother (Marion Frazer) and her friend, Emily, found that the town of Rochester had two openings in the elementary school. They moved to Rochester and began their teaching careers. They taught here in town for two years,1915 and 1916, while boarding in area homes.

            True to their travel plans, they then accepted teaching positions in Danvers, MA. The picture with this article shows Marion Frazer when she was teaching 5th grade there.

However, her traveling plans never made it any further than Danvers.

            While living in Rochester, she had met and was being courted by James Hartley. He did not let distance interrupt his plans and was willing to make the trek from Rochester to Danvers and back. On one return trip from Danvers, he fell asleep at the wheel and collided with a telephone pole. Fortunately, he wasn’t seriously hurt and my Grandmother always said that she decided she should accept his proposal of marriage before he did himself in.

            They were married in June of 1917, lived first in New Bedford and then bought a home in Rochester. She had two children, was actively involved in town and particularly in the Grange and taught school for almost 50 years. Both in Rochester and surrounding towns.

By Connie Eshbach

FCCR Holy Week Worship Opportunities

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First Congregational Church of Rochester, 11 Constitution Way in Rochester, is pleased to announce its Holy Week schedule. We invite you to come and worship with us. Our gatherings will also be livestreamed on our website, www.rochestercongregational.com.

            April 13 at 10:00 am – Palm Sunday. Our pastor, Rev. Colby Olson, will share a joy-filled message, and palms will be distributed after the worship gathering.

            April 17 at 7:00 pm – Maundy Thursday. This somber service includes Communion, Scripture reading, and the gradual extinguishing of lights in the Sanctuary to impress upon the hearts of believers the awful consequences of sin and the magnitude of the Savior’s sacrifice. Since this is such a solemn service, we ask that attendees enter and exit in silence.

            April 18 at 7:00 pm – Good Friday. This Good Friday gathering will include Communion and a special message of reflection.

            April 20 – Resurrection Sunday. Our sunrise gathering begins at 7:30 am on the Church Green and will be followed by a free Easter breakfast in our Fellowship Hall. An Easter worship gathering will be held in the Sanctuary at 10:00 am during which we will celebrate that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is alive. So that we can adequately prepare for the free breakfast, we ask that you call the church office at 508-763-4314 by April 13 to let us know you’re coming.

Historic Survey Phase One Completed

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            The cultural and societal value of history cannot be overstated. Whether it is our family histories, national or even global histories, and yes, local history, it tells us who we are, where we’ve been, and aids us as we plan our futures.

            The Massachusetts Historical Commission, under whose guidance all local historical commissions are charged, provides cities and towns with directives for archiving local history. One of the single-most important aspects of work performed by local commissions is documenting a town’s historical assets. The process of collecting data and then formatting it for inclusion on the state’s commission website is no small task. It requires expertise in architecture, history, and how to navigate aged documents to extrapolate significant data in a building or site’s progression through time.

            Lynn Smiledge has been engaged by the commission, and has for more than a year, been unearthing Mattapoisett’s long history as told by its old buildings and other locations. On March 29 she gave a presentation that thoroughly explained her work thus far. Smiledge discussed how architectural styles date a building while deeds, marriage certificates, and death notices can tell the hidden stories therein.

            Smiledge’s work is being funded by Mattapoisett’s Community Preservation fund as supported by the town at Town Meeting. Phase One is complete; Phase Two is in process and

Phase Three is seeking Community Preservation funding. The full report and presentation is available on the town’s website.

            Identification and documentation of historic resources is the foundation of community. The goal of the survey was to document representative historic resources from major themes in the development of Mattapoisett including agricultural, maritime, commercial, institutional, and an undocumented resource from an underrepresented community. The survey thoroughly documented 112 properties, which included three area forms and 75 individual resources. Additionally, five properties were recommended as eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

            The inventory forms have been submitted to the Massachusetts Historical Commission where they are in the process of being scanned and placed on an easily accessible database, MACRIS. (Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System). The forms will also be available in hard copy at the Mattapoisett Public Library and on the Mattapoisett Historical Commission website.

            A Historic Property Survey Plan, completed in January of 2023, identified approximately 300 high priority resources. The Historical Commission is currently moving forward with Phase Two of the survey and has contracted with Lynn Smiledge to document an additional 100 resources. The commission has applied for another CPA grant to continue with the next phase of research and documentation. A warrant article for the next phase is planned for the Spring Town meeting in May.

            Smiledge has also identified Homestead Court and Barlow Cemetery as sites of historic significance. Many throughout the community are aware that the cemetery contains the remains of Revolutionary Soldiers. But the military significance of this neighborhood (Barlow Cemetery and Homestead Court situated close by one another) may not be as evident.

            The residential homes were built for the benefit of WWII veterans, and the cemetery is the final resting place for local soldiers who participated in securing independence for our country.

            Smiledge notes of the cemetery that while the grounds and fencing are in pretty good condition. The grave markers, headstones and such are in seriously poor condition. They need cleaning and conservation.

            The cemetery was deeded in 1789 to Rochester’s Second Precinct, aka Mattapoisett.

Architectural features now documented by Smiledge are Cape Cod (1700-1840), Federal (1780-1820), Gothic Revival (1840-1880), Greek Revival (1830-1850), Italianate (1850-1880), Second Empire (1855-1885), Queen Anne (1800-1900), Shingle (1880-1900), and Colonial Revival (1880-1955). She pointed out the addresses of homes, primarily in the village area that feature specific styles.

            Here’s an idea, why not take the children (or just yourself) on a walking tour uncovering the types of buildings there are in town. Who knows. Maybe one day your homes will be added to the survey.

Mattapoisett Historical Commission

By Marilou Newell

Robert “Bob” Bowers

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Robert “Bob” Bowers, of Mattapoisett, husband to Cathy Bowers, passed away peacefully at his home on April 1, 2025, at the age of 77 after a courageous battle with ALS.

            Bob was born in Roxbury, MA on June 18, 1947, to Edward and Catherine (McGuire) Bowers. He was raised in Dorchester, MA where he attended BC High. In 1969 Bob completed his undergraduate degree at Boston College where he worked at the radio station and developed his lifelong love of radio. He went on to get his master’s degree at the University of Maine and then taught high school English in Boston.

            In 1979 he started as a professor of English, speech, and radio broadcasting at Massasoit Community College in Brockton, MA. Bob started Radio Massasoit and developed a thriving Media Arts program with Professor Tim Trask. Bob brought together a diverse student population with people from the region to create new and innovative programming to serve the greater Brockton community. Partnering with WATD in Marshfield, WKKL on Cape Cod, and many other radio stations in the region, Bob gave opportunities for Massasoit students to learn and grow in radio, podcasting, and audio production. Bob served as the department chair of Communicative Arts at Massasoit for many years. As chair, he was credited with revitalizing the Media Arts program, expanding the course offerings, and advocating tirelessly for Massasoit students. He was honored by Massasoit with the Marguerite Donovan award for his dedication and commitment to students.

            Bob was an avid fan of old-time radio, western movies, and TV programs. He was a long-time member of the Radio Collectors of America and attended annual radio conventions for many years. At one of these conventions Bob and his long-time friend Alan Chapman had the idea to re-create live radio shows locally with original stars. After producing shows in the Massasoit TV studio, the program was moved to the theater and Radio Classics Live was born.

            Radio Classics was a unique stage show with a live audience that was broadcast on the radio, aired on Massasoit’s regional cable channel and recorded to be streamed on-demand. The show was performed for over 20 years with two shows per year and featured stars like Peg Lynch, Will Hutchins, Betsy Palmer, Arnold Stang, Dick Van Patten, Alan Young, John Astin, Rosemary Rice, and many more. Bob was the driving force behind every one of the 41 shows which brought together original stars of radio, television, film, and local on-air personalities to produce old-time radio shows from the ’30s ’40s and ’50s. In the 20 years of Radio Classics Live, Bob raised over one million dollars in scholarship funds for Massasoit students. He received a lifetime achievement award from students for his work on Radio Classics Live.

            Bob had a passion for his role as an educator. His primary concern was always for the students. Bob’s kindness and compassion extended to all animals especially the beagles Lucy and Daisy who shared the Bowers’ Mattapoisett home. He was always a friend to any animal in need.

            Bob enjoyed vacationing with his wife Cathy in Stowe, Vermont and Siesta Key, Florida where the couple made some great friends. He was an ardent sports fan and had season tickets to the Red Sox and Celtics for many years.

            Bob had a sarcastic wit and often quoted humorous sayings. His favorite quote was from George Burns who, when asked, “What are you going to do if you die?” responded, “I can’t die, I’m booked!”

            Bob’s family would like to thank the ALS Clinic of Massachusetts General Hospital, Compassionate Care ALS of Falmouth, MA and Southcoast Hospice. Their caring and compassion made this difficult journey a little more bearable.

            Bob is survived by his loving wife Cathy Bowers of Mattapoisett, her son Jayme Wood and his partner Melonie Lefter of Mattapoisett, Bob’s sisters-in-law Pamela Carrier of Mattapoisett, and Jennifer Carrier and her family of New Bedford.

            His visiting hours will be held on Friday, April 11th from 5-8 pm in the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd. (Rt. 6), Mattapoisett, His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, April 12th at 10 am in St. Anthony’s Church, 26 Hammond Street, Mattapoisett, MA 02739.

            In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Bob’s memory to Compassionate Care ALS, P.O. Box 1052, West Falmouth, MA 02574 or at ccals.org. For directions and guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Friends of the Mattapoisett Library to Host Spring Book Sale

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The Friends of the Mattapoisett Library invite book lovers of all ages to their upcoming Spring Book Sale on Friday, April 12, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm in the Library Community Room at 7 Barstow Street, Mattapoisett. This event is a great opportunity to find gently used books at affordable prices while supporting the library’s valuable programs and activities.

            In preparation for the sale, the Friends of the Mattapoisett Library will also be accepting book donations on Thursday, April 10, and Friday, April 11, from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm. Community members are encouraged to donate gently used books to help make the event a success.

            All proceeds from the sale directly benefit the library, funding programs, events, and resources that enrich the Mattapoisett community.

            “We encourage everyone to stop by, browse, and find some great reads,” said Frances-Feliz Kearns, Acting Secretary of the Friends of the Mattapoisett Library. “Your support helps sustain the library’s many wonderful programs.”

            For more information, please contact the Friends of the Mattapoisett Library at friendsofmattapoisettlibrary@gmail.com.

Upcoming Events at the Elizabeth Taber Library

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During Saturdays in April the Elizabeth Taber Library will be hosting Basket Weaving workshops with artist Patty Benson of the New Bedford Arts and Cultural Emporium. Workshops will take place in the Elizabeth Taber Library’s new event space. Each session in April will have participants creating a completed basket. There are currently limited spaces still available for the final Wine Basket weaving class scheduled for April 26 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. To register please call or contact the library at ETLibrary@sailsinc.org. This series is supported by grant funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services as administered by the Massachusetts Board of Library commissioners.

            The Seed Library is back. Visit the library to check out free seed packets for your garden and browse our collection of gardening and back yard homesteading books.

            Messy Mornings are back on Thursday Mornings beginning at 10:30 am. Messy mornings with Miss Macy are a great way for young kids to explore some messy creative craft projects. Dress for a mess. No sign up required.

            New Preschool story times, Mondays at 1:30 pm. No sign up required

            Tickets are on Sale for An Afternoon Tea, at the Marion Music Hall April 13th at 3pm. This event is a fundraiser by the Friends of the Elizabeth Taber Library and all proceeds will benefit the library. Enjoy an elegant and delicious afternoon tea followed by a performance by local singer – songwriter, Grace Morrison. Tickets are available for purchase at the Elizabeth Taber Library 2:00 pm to close until April 11th or until sold out. Cash or check only. For questions regarding this event please email Michelle at periwinkles4@hotmail.com.

            For more information on the Elizabeth Taber Library visit us at www.ElizabethTaberLibrary.org or email the library at ETLibrary@sailsinc.org.

Clerical Error Delay

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            A clerical error on a public hearing notice has forced the delay in the Zoning Board of Appeals hearing on a house renovation plan at 142 Sarah Sherman Road and handed a difficult decision to applicant Erin Denham.

            The Zoning Board on March 27 opened the hearing on the request by Denham and fellow applicant Janice Mello for a variance to extend the home at 142 Sarah Sherman Road 10 feet into the side yard setback to add new office space. However, the board had to halt the proceedings quickly after realizing the published hearing notice read was a variance request for bylaw section 20.40 E2, the section regulating accessory dwellings. Zoning Board members said it should read as a variance for the section on side lot setbacks, 20.40 D1.

            The board gave Denham the choice of withdrawing the application ‘without prejudice’ so the hearing could be advertised with the correct wording or continuing the hearing to a future meeting. Denham asked what the differences between her two options are. Board Chair David Arancio said that with a continuance, she would not have to pay to redo the abutters’ list notifications or re-advertise. This will be a good option only if Town Counsil returns his call to say the section being sited does not need to be changed, he said. Otherwise, withdrawing and refiling the application would be the expensive option.

            Denham opted for the continuance. She asked whether the town could assist her with re-advertising the hearing without cost should that become necessary. Arancio answered only that this question would have to be asked of the Town Administrator. The hearing was then continued April 10.

            The next meeting of the Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals is scheduled for Thursday, April 10 at 7:15 pm at 1 Constitution Way.

Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals

By Michael J. DeCicco

The 55th Day for Our Pale Blue Dot

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            Earth Day is held on April 22 with this year’s being the 55th anniversary of the first in 1970. It began during a time of great public protest in this country due to the Vietnam War, the Nixon Presidency, and increasing fears of pollution and climate change.

            Earth Day offers us a time to stop and think of our impacts on the planet as a species and as an individual. Everything we do has some effect on the planet and leads to some consumption of its resources. The key is to not over-consume as to have something left for our successors in the future to enjoy. While it’s hard to feel you can make a difference and even harder to actually change your habits, it is important at the very least to think about it and be aware of the fragility of our beautiful home.

            This year, we are again confronted with the time for thought and discussion. Ultimately, it comes down to “is this planet worth saving?” The obvious answer is “yes!” So then, how will we preserve it?

            In 1994, the astrophysicist, author, and TV presenter Carl Sagan wrote the “Pale Blue Dot,” a book inspired by and discussing the intense feelings of looking at Earth through the “eyes” of the Voyager I probe about 4,000,000,000 miles away. The picture shows Earth as less than a pixel. A small, seemingly unremarkable blue-ish pinprick. In this book lies possibly Sagan’s most profound statement:

            Look again at that dot. That’s here. That’s home. That’s us. On it everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives. The aggregate of our joy and suffering, thousands of confident religions, ideologies, and economic doctrines, every hunter and forager, every hero and coward, every creator and destroyer of civilization, every king and peasant, every young couple in love, every mother and father, hopeful child, inventor and explorer, every teacher of morals, every corrupt politician, every “superstar,” every “supreme leader,” every saint and sinner in the history of our species lived there – on a mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam.

            The Earth is a very small stage in a vast cosmic arena. Think of the rivers of blood spilled by all those generals and emperors so that, in glory and triumph, they could become the momentary masters of a fraction of a dot. Think of the endless cruelties visited by the inhabitants of one corner of this pixel on the scarcely distinguishable inhabitants of some other corner, how frequent their misunderstandings, how eager they are to kill one another, how fervent their hatreds.

            Our posturings, our imagined self-importance, the delusion that we have some privileged position in the Universe, are challenged by this point of pale light. Our planet is a lonely speck in the great enveloping cosmic dark. In our obscurity, in all this vastness, there is no hint that help will come from elsewhere to save us from ourselves.

            The Earth is the only world known so far to harbor life. There is nowhere else, at least in the near future, to which our species could migrate. Visit, yes. Settle, not yet. Like it or not, for the moment the Earth is where we make our stand.

            It has been said that astronomy is a humbling and character-building experience. There is perhaps no better demonstration of the folly of human conceits than this distant image of our tiny world. To me, it underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly with one another, and to preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the only home we’ve ever known.”

            A happy 55th Earth Day to you. To channel the energy of those tree-hugging hippies we have to thank for this day, remember to always thank your trees.

By Sam Bishop