April Vacation at the Mattapoisett Library

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Attention teens, are you looking for something to do this April vacation? Visit the Mattapoisett Library at 7 Barstow Street.

            Celebrate school vacation week with WildKat Hoops on Tuesday, April 22, at 1:00 pm. Participants will learn basic hula hooping moves while increasing hand-eye coordination, strength, balance, and agility. No prior hooping experience is required. Wear comfortable clothes, and bring a water bottle and an open mind. Host Kat Suwalski provides hoops. Ages 12 and up. Grab a friend and join us.

            Did you know April is “Financial Literacy Month”? On Wednesday, April 23, at 12:00 pm, join us for Economic Empowerment Hour. This is an excellent opportunity for teens aged 12 to 18 to learn essential skills like budgeting, saving, and understanding credit. No need to register – just swing by for some expert advice to kick off your financial journey. Pizza to follow.

            Stretch, unwind, and recharge with gentle yoga on Thursday, April 24, at 11:00 am. Andrea DeVeau-Cabral of Power and Grace Yoga will guide the session. This adaptable experience is recommended for all levels of physical ability and is suitable for ages 12 and up – no registration required.

            Don’t just sit around the house this vacation. Move, learn, and relax with us at the Mattapoisett Free Public Library. We can’t wait to see your smiling faces.

            As always, these events and activities are free and open to all. Visit our website for more information and updates. If you have any questions, please email alawrence@sailsinc.org or call us at 508-758-4171.

Washburn Could Get Parkour Course

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Marion’s Open Space Acquisition Commission met on April 3 to go over a few action items, including a Point Road Bike Path update, proposed parkour course, and a survey.

            Chair John Rockwell said an inspection of the bike path area is forthcoming with the commission saying the selection for the Point Road Bike Path “Construction Supervisor” is currently underway. Rockwell said they need someone with the experience necessary to make field decisions should they arise. He also volunteered himself for that role, “mostly because I’m available,” he added. He was appointed by the commission with a unanimous vote.

            Following this, the minutes for the three prior meetings were approved from January 2, February 6, and March 6.

            Discussion was then waged on the idea of using grant money for the addition of a parkour course at Washburn Park. In the last few decades, parkour has become increasingly popular in media as well as an exercise discipline. Rockwell said before the commission can give the go-ahead, a few things must be worked out. Location must be determined as well as the determination for parking. Maintenance must be discussed with the Recreation Department. A course must also be designed and approved with the entire process needing to be budgeted out as well.

            Rockwell added this process will involve discussions with the public, also adding that the commission seeks to know if the addition of a parkour course is “a doable thing, or not. Or a good thing, or a bad thing.” The chair stated there is the opportunity for grant funding via the Community Preservation Act next year.

            The final topic of discussion was that of a citizens’ survey for open-space needs of the town. The chair said the last survey of this nature was sent out in 2017-18, with the first being done in 1986 from the League of Women Voters and then again in 1994. They are done roughly every seven to eight years, according to Rockwell. Consistently, the commission said, the need and desire for local walkability has been high with Rockwell saying there is a need for more paths and trails.

            The next meeting of the Marion Open Space Acquisitions Commission was not announced at adjournment, though it will take place remotely in May.

Marion Open Space Acquisition Commission

By Sam Bishop

Springtime

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            Spring comes in increments – each little note building up to a symphony. We bystanders are delighted by the show and feel ourselves come alive in this most resplendent of seasons. Birdsong and tiny flowers envelop us, brooks gush, buds swell, drawing us into this magnificent and mysterious rebirth.

            Are you ready? Then roll up your sleeves, pull on your garden clogs and get ready to review the remains of last year’s garden. Do not be too dismayed at the frayed looks – even if you did a thorough fall cleanup, the winter has left its mark. It is a daunting task, yet we take delight in the adventure. Before long, you will see a magical transition made by your own working hands.

            Where to begin? We know the script by now, having many springs before now. It starts with an earnest desire to create and a strong-working body that will get things going. And also knowing what the end result will look like. It may not always turn out exactly as you envision, but no matter – look at it as an adventure, an opportunity for personal growth and invention. Here are some ideas to help you begin:

            1. If you are starting out, create your new garden on paper with your own unique tastes and uplifting elements. Get to work digging the site and loosen the soil, careful not to over-till it, but allowing nutrients and oxygen in.

            2. Smooth out the battle scars of winter – withered leaves, twigs and branches, displaced pebbles and shells and uneven soil. Perfunctory tasks like these allow a preview of the show underway – buds and shoots marching toward the light. Pretty soon your labors will have you limbering up in sync with nature. I had one close call though while removing leaves. A bunny’s nest. I quickly piled the leaves back, thinking of their future bouncing shapes across the landscape.

            3. Think like a plant. If you are placing orders for plants online, remember to schedule the delivery for when the ground is warmer (above 40 degrees) and drier. A big mistake is planting in cold, muddy soil. Shoot for early May, which will give you time to do the prep work and read up on your forthcoming acquisitions.

            4. To safeguard your seedlings during the inconsistent spring night temperatures, invest in a cold frame. You can also use a garden cloche or an overturned bucket or pot to cover seedlings.

            5. Pruners and other gardening tools need to be sharpened and smoothed if you did not do it over winter. Old deciduous hedges should be hard pruned in spring where necessary and then fed well to encourage new growth. Keep off the spring-blooming trees – but prune roses when they bud out. It’s a good time to cut back fruit trees if you have not done so yet. Look for signs of frost damage – but don’t eject a plant that appears to be dead. It may revive in early summer and can be trimmed of any deadwood.

            6. Admittedly not the most exciting task, it’s time to turn the compost pile and burn the sticks and brush. Use dry fresh compost and seasoned manure to top dress your gardens. Not necessary to dig it in, as you’ll disturb precious ecosystems. Nutrients added from the top will work their way down.

            7. Feel the magic – plant some seeds. Use peat pots or egg cartons – that way you can install them directly into the ground when ready. Try something new like watercress – rich in antioxidants and more vitamin C and K than most vegetables and fruits. Popular in Victorian sandwiches, cress is among the lush greens available for salads, soups, sandwiches and stir-fries. Try out a fun flower like the easy-to-grow Mexican heirloom vine Cobaea scandens (aka Cathedral Bells) or violet-blue flowered Heliotropium arborescens (Marine Heliotrope) with its heady vanilla fragrance.

            8. Early spring is the best time to repair trellises and fences before vines and shrubs start leafing out. Amendments should be done now to pergolas, gazebos, balconies, patios and chicken coops where it applies.

            9. When the garden finally defrosts and the soil crumbles it’s time to plant early spring vegetables. Normally I plant peas on St. Patrick’s Day, but this year hasn’t been typical. It’s not advisable to plant in wet, compacted soil, as the reduced aeration will hinder. But soon I will put in some peas, spinach, lettuce and leeks.

            10. One must-do on my spring list is inventorying the contents of my shed and greenhouse. Time to pare down. Prepare the beehives and toss dysfunctional equipment. In the short window that is the growing season, we all need to keep organized. More time to smell the roses.

            “Spring is nature’s way of saying, ‘Let’s party!'” – Robin Williams

Three Wins for Bulldogs

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The Old Rochester Regional High School boys tennis team edged Fairhaven High School on April 1, taking a 3-2 at Hastings Middle School in ORR’s first match of the season. Subhav Parajuli was named the player of the match. The Bulldogs took their 1-0 record to Cohasset on Wednesday (results were not available at press time).

Boys Lacrosse

            The Bulldogs played Bishop Stang on April 1 to open up the season, winning 11-9 and hosted South Coast Conference rival Apponequet (2-1) on Wednesday (results were not available at press time).

Baseball

            Old Rochester played its first game against Wareham on April 4 and won 10-1. The Bulldogs’ next game is scheduled for Friday, April 11, at home against Seekonk (0-1).

Sports Roundup

By Aiden Comorosky

From the Files of the Rochester Historical Society

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            In our museum exhibit, we have quite a few toys and games. It’s amazing how so many of them share similar beginnings and how far in the past they were first played. While some of the early colonial toys and games can be traced back to the influence of Native Americans, many others have roots that go much further back to the earliest civilizations in Asia and the Middle East or to the days of the Greeks and Romans.

            Dominoes and playing cards both date back to 10th century China, and board games were first played in ancient Egypt. Forms of balls, jacks and spinning tops were found in ancient tombs and there are records of the ancient Greeks and Romans playing with them. The materials used to create them – bone, stone or wood – have all been replaced by plastics and other new compounds.

            There is an early mention of building blocks in 1798. The wooden blocks had letters carved in them and they were used to teach children their ABC’s. Early blocks were called “rational toys,” and it was believed that children would learn not only their letters but also the concepts of gravity, physics and spatial relationships, as in how different parts become a whole.

            Although today we think of board games as primarily for children, they have been an adult pastime for centuries beginning with rudimentary chess and backgammon. Both Chinese Checkers and Parcheesi, originally from India, have been sold in America for over 100 years.

            I remember that my grandparents met with other couples weekly or monthly to play whist or Canasta. They would hold the card games at different houses. The Rochester’s Women’s Club grew out of weekly card games played by a group of local women at the Men’s Club building off Mary’s Pond Road.

            The “pandemic” reintroduced many of us to both jigsaw puzzles and card games, while many of the board games of the 1950s and ’60s were introduced to a new generation. At the museum, we also have a marble game with quite a few rules and a lot of marbles. Our homemade board came from Canada and dates back to the 1950s.

            So, whether you want to try your luck at marbles or backgammon or you just want to spin a top or accessorize Mr. Potato Head or want to ask questions of the Ouija board pictured here, we hope you’ll join us at the museum at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, April 16, to kick off our 2025 season.

By Connie Eshbach

Rochester Memorial Day Boat and Kayak Race

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The Rochester Fire Department will again sponsor the Rochester Memorial Day Boat Race.

            The Rochester Memorial Day Boat Race on the Mattapoisett River will take place on Monday, May 26, starting at 8:30 am at Grandma Hartley’s Reservoir, Snipatuit Road, in Rochester and finishing at the Mattapoisett Herring Weir at River Road and Route 6.

            A Kayak Division will again be included in the race this year. Basic guidelines for the division are: minimum age 18, single person kayak that the contestant can sit inside of the cockpit, contestant must wear an approved USCG personal flotation device for the entire race, and there will be a $10 entry fee. See the rules document for all information pertaining to the kayak division.

            For the Mattapoisett River Racer (MRR) boats, the minimum age for contestants is seven years old on Memorial Day. There will be two people to a boat. The boat must be a homemade river racer design of any material you choose. There are no limitations or restrictions on types of paddles.

            Divisions include the kayak division and the MRR open/men’s, women’s, junior boys, junior girls, co-ed and parent/child divisions. Junior division teams are both contestants under 14 years old. Parent/child is for a parent with his/her child (child under 14 years old) or an adult (25 or older) with a child (child under 14 years old). Trophies will be awarded to the first, second and third-place finishers in each division.

            A boat building seminar will not be held this year, but free plans are available for the asking. Contact Art, (artbenner@comcast.net) or Bill (watlingw@gmail.com). We can put you in touch with experienced MRR boat builders that can answer your questions and offer tips, tricks and considerations for building the boat.

            Pre-Registration Is Required. Only one registration session will be held at the Rochester Council on Aging (RCOA) Senior Center, 67 Dexter Lane, on Friday, May 16, from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. Starting positions will be assigned or drawn after the registration closes. A signed registration form must be submitted by each contestant for a team to be eligible for a starting position. Registration forms and rules may be obtained at Lloyd’s Market, at Art’s house, 319 Cushman Road, or at the registration session. Or email Art (artbenner@comcast.net) and request the rules and registration form.

            You may deliver the completed forms to 319 Cushman Road or you may return the forms by email, but you must bring the original, signed forms to the registration session. Or you may return them by regular mail (USPS). If returned by email or USPS mail, you’ll get acknowledgment that they were received. If you don’t get a reply from Art, assume the forms were not received and hand deliver a set. Registration forms must be in the Committee’s hands by Friday, May 16, at 8:00 pm in order for last year’s teams to be assigned a starting position based on last year’s finish position or for new teams to draw a starting position for this year. Kayak division contestants will draw starting positions after the MRR’s.

            The traditional Ham and Bean Supper will take place at the RCOA, Senior Center at, 67 Dexter Lane, Saturday, May 24, 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Supper tickets may be purchased at the door. There will be raffles for each of two carbon fiber racing paddles made by Bill Watling III. And also, a raffle for a handmade afghan or quilt, made by Cecelia Hall. Tickets will be sold at the registration session and at the Ham and Bean supper. The winners will be drawn at the supper.

            For further information, contact Boat Race Chairman Arthur F. Benner at 508-763-2024 or email: artbenner@comcast.net. Visit Facebook, “Rochester Memorial Day Boat Race” for any changes or updates.

MS4 Vote Pushed to 2026

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The Marion Planning Board met on Monday and immediately jumped into a Pre-Submission Conference. The conference/presentation was for Sippican Holdings, LLC on 13 Barnabas Road. Work is now proposed for the Richard Arthur Building or “Building 3.”

            Justin Downey appeared as representative and explained that, instead of the originally proposed 49,000 square-foot area of work, a smaller footprint of 40,000 square feet is proposed.

            There will be no exterior alterations to the property, with just the interior of the Richard Arthur Building altered. The project will remain in its current blueprint and footprint, with nine parking spaces being planned for the site. There are no changes in drainage or runoff with the building continuing to use existing utilities and connections. Emergency and fire services will also not be affected. “I don’t foresee any additional demands on services,” Downey said.

            “I think it makes a lot of sense,” Planning Board Chair Andrew Daniel said. The board was pleased with the revised blueprints and raised no serious concerns or protests to the plans. Town Planner Doug Guey-Lee said the applicant has conducted a traffic study and was pleased with the work that has gone into forging the plans. This is one of a few different plan iterations presented in the past. The plans were approved and signed unanimously with no comment or alteration.

            Two public hearings were continued to future meetings without discussion. The hearing for 61 and 63 Oakdale Avenue for a Special Permit for Derek A. Maksy and Denise Allard was continued to April 22 per request from applicants. They had received some pointers and requests from the harbormaster. The hearing for FSJ Marion Realty, LLC at 207-215 Wareham Street was continued to May 19 per request from the applicant.

            The board then approval of minutes for their March 17 meeting.

            Finally, a discussion on the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Bylaw began. The bylaw was proposed for Town Meeting this year and was put forth by the Department of Public Works. However, the bylaw was pulled out.

            Daniel said the administrator of DPW “kicked it back to us” to work on and talk it through. There will be a discussion at Town Meeting with the Planning Board now hoping for a vote on it next year. The bylaw will primarily function to meet state MS4 requirements. Daniel also said there will have to be a few public hearings to work out a plan by the next Town Meeting. Resident John Rockwell said, “it might be helpful if you have someone come in – who’s job is to explain to the community MS4.” The Planning Board said they will continue the discussion on this proposed bylaw in a few weeks.

            The next meeting of the Marion Planning Board is scheduled for Tuesday, April 22, at 7:00 pm at the Marion Police Department Conference Room.

Marion Planning Board

By Sam Bishop

Local Artist John Magnan

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John Magnan, who specializes in woodworking and sculptures, has recently completed some home-based pieces now displayed around the fireplace of a new home. Magnan crafted his pieces using the South Coast’s biodiversity as inspiration. The selection, Magnan says, is to “visually and symbolically bridge the inside of the home to the outside world.”

            Magnan, upon being contacted regarding the installation, shared some of his history and how exactly he arrived in Mattapoisett and in his craft:

            “I moved to New Bedford to earn my MFA in sculpture at UMD after early retirement from a senior executive position at the National Security Agency in Maryland. My wife Annie Jonas and I always enjoyed spending time in Mattapoisett, so ten years ago we moved here.

            “My artistic passion is working with a client to help them realize their personal vision through art. I draw my inspiration from them. It’s very satisfying getting to know what a family or organization is trying to express and then creating sculptures that present those thoughts in a tangible, permanent and beautiful form. I just finished three sculptures for the fireplace wall of a newly constructed home on the water. The couple’s love for the land and waterways, their place of inspiration and oneness with nature, led me to create a dramatic life size trio of a blue heron, loggerhead turtle, and red fox, all gazing through the windows to the great outdoors. Most of the time I work from my home woodshop studio, but for large-scale commissions I rent a separate space.

            “As opportunities arise, Annie and I collaborate, as we did for a two-year national project for Eli Lilly to raise awareness of the importance of clinical trials; a multifaceted, multimedia permanent installation for the UMass Law lobby; and two exhibits that traveled around the country addressing social and environmental issues.

            “I’ve been asked to create permanent installations for other clients, including Buzzards Bay Coalition, Southcoast Health Cancer Center, corporations, and private homes.”

            For the Buzzards Bay Coalition, John created a school of wooden fish in the organization’s headquarters in New Bedford. Currently at UMass Law, Magnan has a few different installations on display. Pictures of all can be seen on his website.

            “When I have the time, I enjoy exploring a wide variety of individual sculptural forms and ideas based on my observations of the world around me. Much of that work has been exhibited at Marion Art Center shows, and selected pieces are included in the collections of the Museum for Art in Wood in Philadelphia, the University of Connecticut Library, and the University of Wisconsin Kohler Art Library.”

            Recently in 2020, Magnan’s art was showcased at the MAC in the exhibit “Thor’s Hammer” where he used Marvel Comics iconography to express social commentary on environmental/climate concerns, gender, the opiate crisis, law enforcement, and other tackled issues.

            One of the joys of the Tri-Town is the interesting people and crafts to come across. Even in an area with relatively low population, the Tri-Town is still gifted by passionate and devoted artists bringing character and excitement to the region. John Magnan’s art highlights the importance of inspiration, as living in a place as naturally interesting and diverse as southern New England offers much of. It also highlights the importance of collaboration and teamwork, as he demonstrates with his wife Annie.

By Sam Bishop

Rochester Democratic Town Committee Caucus

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The Rochester Democratic Town Committee will be hosting its 2025 Caucus on Monday, May 5, at 6:30 pm. The caucus will take place at the Joseph H. Plumb Memorial Library, 17 Constitution Way, in the community conference room. Registered Democrats will elect three delegates and three alternates to attend and participate in the Massachusetts Democratic Party Convention for the purpose of discussing and adopting a party platform. The convention will occur on September 13 at the MassMutual Center in Springfield. The final convention schedule will be announced in the Final “Call to Convention,” which will be published in August 2025. Delegates and alternates apportioned to each town must be gender balanced. Committee chairs shall be ex-officio delegates who shall not be included in the total number of delegates allocated for the caucus. Only registered and pre-registered Democrats from Rochester shall be allowed to vote at the local caucus. Pre-registered Democrats must be 16 years old by June 15, 2025, and must be pre-registered by the time of the caucus.

Dogs and Kids Do Mix

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On Sunday, April 13, at 2:00 pm in the Mattapoisett Free Public Library Community Room, the Mattapoisett Land Trust is helping folks enjoy our canine companions, whether at home or on the trail. Did you know that April is National Dog Bite Prevention Month? Do you and your kids know the best way to meet a new dog or show other people how to approach your dog? Join us for a Dog and Kids Safety Seminar. Participants will learn basic Dog body language cues, how to safely interact and approach a dog, and what to do if you have an unexpected dog encounter. This event is free and open to all.

            MLT will follow this seminar with a chance to practice your new skills IRL. You are invited to bring your own dog or meet new ones on an Adventure Hike the following week. On Friday, April 25, during School Vacation week, at 10:00 am join us at the Grace Pond parking lot for a walk through Old Aucoot District. Don’t have a dog to bring? No problem – there will be plenty of dogs to share. The walk will follow Old Slough Road and loop back through the woods for a fun, approximately two-hour walk. You don’t need to attend one to attend the other event. Both events are free and will happen rain or shine. Questions? Email manager@mattlandtrust.org.