Members of Mattapoisett’s Boy Scout Troop 53 gather around the completed for Owen Lee (top). The scouts were aided by the Highway Department in transporting the lifeguard stands to Town Beach. Photo courtesy of Bodil Perkins.

The Mattapoisett Free Public Library presented a unique opportunity to catch four popular authors at the height of their powers before last Thursday’s Teen Dance.

Scott Blagden (Dear Life, You Suck), Kimberly Marcus (Exposed), Joe Lawlor (bully.com), and Rebecca Maizel (Infinite Days) write for a 12- to 18-year-old audience, typically, and tackle subjects that tend to appeal to that age group.

Blagden’s novel – recently nominated for the Young Adult Library Services Association Best Fiction Award – features a Holden Caulfield-esque protagonist, and the Wareham resident said he enjoys running his workshops for young people through the Mattapoisett Library.

“I did write when I was a teen, but I gave it up, and I didn’t pick it back up until my 40s,” Blagden said. “I regret that, so talking to these kids about writing is something I’m passionate about.”

On Thursday night, Blagden could be seen mentoring fan and aspiring novelist Jacqueline Leduc, a 14-year-old Acushnet resident.

Marcus, who lives in Dartmouth, said she is drawn to both “silly rhyming books for children and angsty, edgy teen novels.” Exposed fits the latter description, but Marcus has published both.

Lawlor’s novel centers on cyber-bullying. The advertiser turned teacher turned author said he has seen bullying up close, and said that today’s brand is different from more obvious bullying in the past.

“These days, it’s different. You don’t always know who the bully is. I wanted it to be topical, but I didn’t want to make it too heavy,” said Lawlor of his mystery. “When you have a school fill of suspects, it’s a really nice way to begin a story.”

Maizel, meanwhile, said that there is a “stigma about supernatural fantasy, like, ‘Oh, another vampire book,’ but I think the idea of emergence and finding your identity really resonates with teenagers.” Infinite Days is the first book in Maizel’s Vampire Queen series, and the second, Stolen Nights, is also out now.

By Shawn Badgley

“This is the party of the summer,” said Marion Art Center board member Shelly Richins as she collected tickets to the MAC’s cocktail party fundraiser on Friday evening. The event was held at a private waterfront home that had a large white tent and plenty of great food, wonderful music and a record turnout.

Music was provided by the Third Shift Jazz Quartet, which played songs from the Great American Song Book. Hundreds of people came to support the effort that raises money for the Marion Art Center, which has two galleries and a community theater located at 80 Pleasant Street in Marion.

“I’ve been going for 15 years,” organizer Kimberly Owens said. “We don’t have a silent auction or anything like that, we just want people to come and enjoy the company of friends and neighbors, enjoy wonderful food and music, and enjoy it all with this beautiful view.

“The funds raised are used for ongoing building restoration, and maintenance and general expenses.”

The Buzzards Bay Music Fest musicians had the evening off and enjoyed the party as the MAC’s guests. It was a chance for the hosts of the musicians to bring their guests, and for the musicians to socialize with one another. Attendees were thrilled to meet the musicians, which they had heard from their seats at the BBMF over the previous two evenings.

“This is a real opportunity to meet and speak with these incredibly talented musicians,” said Trudy Kingery, who helps organize the annual music fest. The MAC fundraiser is always held to coincide with the Buzzards Bay Music Fest so the musicians can enjoy the party and have a night off during their visit to Marion.

The weather held out, and the gathering was enjoyed by all.

By Joan Hartnett-Barry

Everyone around me was of a like mind as I dug into my massive plate of food: “Fabulous!”

The “Men Who Cook” event is an annual food fest whose proceeds go to programs at The Women’s Center in New Bedford. Long an establishment centered on helping women and their families recover and move on from a range of difficulties spanning drug and alcohol abuse, domestic violence and homelessness, the night of cooking helps keep those efforts financially stable.

The chefs – whether private citizens or professionals displaying their craft – donated the food and time because they believe in the work done by The Women’s Center.

The Dawicki brothers of the Bayside Lounge, located in Fairhaven, prepared their pulled pork specialty, which takes two days to complete. Ken, Duke and Joe, along with Joe’s son, Eric, are dedicated to supporting this event and others that help fund The Women’s Center. Joe said “we also assist the Center through the New Bedford Masonic Lodge with their Mother’s Day event.”

Colby Rottler brought his family’s favorite pasta dishes. He said, “There’s nothing better that you can do – feed people.” He has participated in this event for 10 years and always looks forward to it.

Professional chef and New Bedford Vocational Technical High School teacher Henry Bouwquet cooked up batches of delicious scallops with lovely delicate sauces. This was his sixth outing at this event.

Tony Hirsch, of Rochester, is a 10-time veteran. He shyly responded that yes, he does the cooking at home.

“I come without being asked,” said John Larsen, of Acushnet. He was there because it is “such a wonderful event.” He is a six-time contributor.

Whether the assembled were there to simply eat or to feed the hungry, all echoed the same heartening sentiment: “a worthy charity”; a charity that gets to the core values we all embrace – families with strong, healthy mothers.

By Marilou Newell