Snowflakes fell on the hats and coats of those who took the Sippican Women’s Club’s 27th annual holiday house tour on Saturday. Attendees enjoyed walking through five homes of local Marion residents which were beautifully decorated for the Christmas season.

Handy’s Tavern, home of the SWC, was open for touring as well as the Elizabeth Taber Library, Sippican Historical Society Museum, and the Marion Art Center. A holiday luncheon was served in the First Congregational Church Community Center, and afternoon tea was served in the Parish Hall of St. Gabriel’s Church.

The open houses included two on Front Street in the village, including the home of Tabor Headmaster John and his wife Casey Quirk. Students from Old Rochester Regional High School and Tabor Academy greeted people as they entered and provided information on the age of the home as well as other interesting facts. The Headmaster’s home has a ‘great room’ used for entertaining and formal dances for students.

Tinker and Bill Saltonstall’s home on Front Street was also on the tour, and visitors were greeted by Saltonstall’s granddaughter, Lucy. The home is over 120 years old and was formerly a Tabor Academy dormitory. The home has rooftop solar panels for domestic hot water and electrical energy. Bill Saltonstall, who is a member of the Marion Energy Management Committee, provided handouts to visitors on ways to save energy in their homes.

Another house on the tour was the Curran home on Point Road, which was renovated to comply with the new FEMA regulations. The home was the venue for the Curran’s two daughters’ weddings this past summer.

The residence of Lars and Ruth Olson at Hammett’s Cove Road was also on the tour. This Carriage House was designed and built by Olson, who is a fine-home builder. The beautiful home overlooks Hammett’s Cove, and sweeping marsh landscape views could be seen throughout the home.

The Menzel family home, located on Moorings Road, off Converse Road, was the last house on the tour. Built in the early 1900’s, the home was originally used as housing for workers and servants during the construction of Converse Estate.

All the homes were decorated by local floral artists, and decorations were for sale.

“We were thrilled with the turnout,” said SWC President Susan Ford, “we’ve heard comments that it was the best house tour ever.” According to Ford, money raised annually from the tour is used to provide college scholarships for Marion high school seniors. “We usually give three or four scholarships for high school seniors, but also award continuing scholarships to those already in college who had a scholarship with the SWC before,” said Ford. “We want to recognize students who have been outstanding in their academic career as well as school activities and community service,” said Ford.

By Joan Hartnett-Barry

Sculptor and artist Timothy Wade enjoyed the light snowfall on Saturday in front of the Marion Art Center as he sculpted a four-foot tall Santa and his sidekick, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

Carefully using a chainsaw and delicate tools, Wade took a solid block of ice and within a few short hours created two beautiful and carefully detailed sculptures. “I had a professor at the Maine School of Art (MSA) who took me under his wing,” said Wade, “he was an excellent sculptor and he taught me how to sculpt ice and snow.” Wade graduated from MSA with a degree in sculpture. “I enjoy the creative process and sculpture in general,” said Wade.

Deb Bokelkamp, Executive Director of the Marion Art Center, has asked Wade to come back year after year to create Christmas-themed sculptures on the brick patio in front of the art center.

“We love the Sippican Women’s Club House Tour and are on the tour and thought it would be great for those taking the tour to see Wade in action…it is very interesting to watch him work with the ice,” said Bokelkamp. The MAC was open during the tour, as was their ‘holiday shop’ featuring original works by artisans from throughout New England. Wade’s creation can be seen out front of the MAC as long as the cold weather stays with us. The MAC is located at 80 Pleasant Street in Marion.

By Joan Hartnett-Barry

“To me, it isn’t Christmas unless I read it,” said Michelle Tapper-Racine from the basement of the Joseph H. Plumb Memorial Library, where she and a group of Charles Dickens enthusiasts – ranging from casual to serious – gathered to participate in a reading of “A Christmas Carol” on Saturday morning.

The group, organized in part by Library director Gail Roberts, came from all over the area and as far as Cape Cod to take part in the reading of the classic Christmas tale of Mr. Scrooge, and Roberts said that she hopes it will become a local tradition.

“We just think it’s a great read, and not that many people do it,” said Roberts, a self-proclaimed Dickens fanatic. “We hope it becomes an annual event.”

Roberts said the idea for the reading came from library patron Stan Moszczenski, and together, they organized the event. After speaking with the other library directors in Marion and Mattapoisett, Roberts said there is the potential to have the event celebrated across the Tri-Town area in the future.

“The other libraries are keen on that,” said Roberts.

The reading, which was inspired in part by the marathon reading of Melville’s “Moby Dick” at the Whaling Museum in New Bedford, was attended by about 10 or so people, but Roberts said that the cooperation of the other libraries, coupled with word of mouth about the event, could help it grow in the future.

“We put the call out—Dickens fans came out from all over the area,” she said. “I think eventually it will spread [even more].”

Dr. Elise Frangos, Assistant Superintendent of Old Rochester Regional Schools, said that the story is part of the seventh grade curriculum at the schools and that reading it aloud brings extra life to it.

“The human voice adds such a richness to this book,” she said.

Lee Heald, who is the Director of AHA! in New Bedford and who’s been involved in organizing the Moby Dick readings as well, said that events like this one are important in local communities.

“I think it’s important to get out of the house and have public events based around books and literature,” she said.

By Nick Walecka

Marion’s First Congregational Church delivered the season’s perfection with Cassandra Morgan directing ‘The Heart of Christmas’ cantata. This annual event is sugar on the plums for anyone who appreciates live music.  The combined voices and instruments of over 60 performers filled the church with pitch perfect music telling the story of Jesus’ birth.  From bluesy pieces or full operatic compositions by Pepper Choplin the full house was delighted and moved tears to joy. Ending with Joy to the World the audience joined in the singing concluded with thunderous applause and shouts of ‘bravo’.

By Marilou Newell

On Tuesday, December 10^th, students from the New Bedford Youth Ballet performed a condensed version of A New England Nutcracker at the Mattapoisett Free Public Library. Kay Hanley Alden, a dance educator and choreographer, presented The Making of a Dancer and A Nutcracker Journey. The program was an opportunity to introduce classical dance and music to the community. Those in attendance learned about dance, as well as the story of The Nutcracker and its origin.

Ms. Alden formerly studied and taught dance throughout Europe and Asia. She has also studied at the Boston Conservatory and taught tap in the school’s out-reach programs. “I was delighted to have the New Bedford Ballet Youth Ballet come to Mattapoisett. How professional and talented these young dancers are. They worked in limited space and on a carpet. Bravo”, said Ms. Alden.

A New England Nutcracker is an original adaptation of the traditional Nutcracker and was created by New Bedford Ballet’s director, Rebecca Waskiel-Marchessault. New Bedford Ballet has a long history of bringing arts into the community, as they believe in the value of the performing arts. For over twenty years, NBB has continued its mission of performing ballets, providing classical ballet training to children and adults, ensuring access to ballet instruction for all through granting and scholarships.

By Shawn Gosciminski Sweet

A full moon and a dodged snowstorm helped make this years’ Marion Stroll a hugh success, according to organizers Paula and Eric Strand.  “We dodged a bullet with the weather prediction,” said Paula Strand, “and here we are with a beautiful afternoon and a full moon rising.”

This year marked the nineteenth year of the stroll, started by Marion General Store owner Jack Cheney and his late wife, Betty.  As a team, the Marion General Store owners began an annual Christmas tradition that is looked forward to by many, both local and from afar.

“Jack Cheney is the grandfather of the stroll and if it weren’t for he and Betty’s vision, we wouldn’t be here talking this afternoon,” said co-organizer Paula Stand.

All the local village businesses were open to serve free hot cocoa, roasted chestnuts, candy, lollypops, popcorn, chowder, eggnog, pumpkin spiced lattes, wassail, hotdogs, cookies and other food and drink for those strolling around Front Street, Main Street and Cottage Street, in the square that makes up the stroll quarter.  This year, Anthi, up on Spring Street joined in on the fun and also had an open house with refreshments.

The First Congregational Church of Marion held a live nativity scene and also had the church open to the public.  The church is soon to be honored by being approved on the National Registry of Historical Properties.  It will be only one of three properties in Marion on the registry.   Handy’s Tavern, owned by the Sippican Women’s Club was also open for viewing.  This year’s theme was an ‘old fashioned Christmas’ which included simple decorations including a wicker doll carriage, wooden toys, fruit decorations and basic necessities, harkening back to the days of old.

The Marion Music Hall was open and had plenty of family entertainment and a photo-booth where families and friends could have four photos taken, just like on the boardwalk in Atlantic City in the old days.  The booth was very popular with lots of young and old squeezing in for group photos, harkening back to the days of phone booth squeeze-ins, only in this case, for photos.

A team of Clydesdale horses pulled carriages full of families and friends around the block. Later, as the evening and darkness came, an aura of the olden days was seen when the wide breath of the horses was vividly seen in the aura of the street lights as they pulled the carriage down Main Street, as witnessed by this writer.  It harkened back to the many days of old, before the invention of the automobile.

The clip-clop and the beauty of these animals and what they left behind on the street was a reminder of times gone by, but which were a true and real part of the town in the past.

The stroll included a petting zoo with a goat, chickens, rabbits and other critters which the younger crowd enjoyed petting.  Santa came in by boat nearby at the wharf and headed up to Bicentennial Park where a comfy chair with a sack of candy-canes and surprises awaited.  The line stretched along Spring Street with youngsters anxious to meet Santa patiently waited.

“I come every year, from Newport, Rhode Island to visit with my friends Ray and Wendy Cullem,” said Marion ‘Patsy’ Robertson as she enjoyed some popcorn while leaning against the high stone foundation of the Handy’s Tavern, home to the Sippican Women’s Club.  “We moved here in 1998 and have come to the stroll every year, and bring friends,” said Wendy Cullem.  “Even the streets smell wonderful, with popcorn and chestnuts,” said Ray Cullem.

Burt Corkim, of Spirits, said that this year’s stroll had a great turnout.  “We estimate two cases of eggnog,” and “we are right there this year, so a great turnout.”  Corkum said that he participated in the first Stroll 19 years ago and invited his friends, Jon and Michelle Pope a year later.  “This is their 18th year,” said Corkum, “we became friends and family.”  The Pope’s own Uncle Jon’s Coffee and host free lattes at the Stroll in Corkum’s store on Spring Street.

The crowds swelled at the stroll which was held from 3 to 6 p.m.  The crowd thinned out just before 5:45 pm and headed up to Bicentennial Park for the annual tree lighting at 6 pm.  Marion Department of Public Works employees were busy with tending fires where residents and visitors could toast marshmallows on sticks and drink hot cocoa.

It was a special moment because this was a new Christmas tree, planted this past June.  It was dug up from local Marion resident Susannah Davis’ parents yard.

“I was working the Arbor Day seedling give away many years ago and we had some left over, which I gave to my parents on Converse Road.  They planted them, and here she is,” said Davis.  Davis’ parents were Natalie and Raymond Davis, well loved town residents.  “I look at it as a legacy from my parents to the town,” said Davis.

“I wanted to do something and decided that this tree would be great because it is a slow growing, salt tolerant, disease resistant evergreen with soft needles.  If a child ran into it at the tree lighting, it is soft to the touch,” explained Davis.   The tree is a concolor fir, a type of white fir.

Davis was pleased to attend the first tree lighting of the donated tree, which was decorated with white lights.  “It’s so beautiful, home grown, raised and lovingly cared for,” said Davis.

Co-Coordinators Eric and Paula Strand agreed that “we want to thank the Marion Department of Public Works, Marion Fire Department and the Police Department for their great help in holding this annual event.” “We love Marion and love the season and for living in this town,” said Paula Strand.

By Joan Hartnett-Barry

The community turned out for a wonderful late afternoon of lights, music, food and fun at the annual Holiday Party at Shipyard Park in Mattapoisett hosted by the Lions Club.  The Lions were collecting non-perishable food and unwrapped new toys to distribute to those in need during the holiday.  In return those in attendance were treated to great food, drinks and crafts for the little ones.  But this event was highlighted but the arrival of Santa and Mr. Claus in a firetruck heralded into the park by the police.  The kids were truly dreaming of all things sweet upon the jolly ole soul’s arrival.  Also on hand to shepard the kids towards Santa was Rudolf and Frosty.  These helpers were really the twins daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel White, Danielle White and Ashley Sweetland who have played these parts for many years.

Photos by Marilou Newell and Felix Perez