The MAC offers Theater Program for Summer

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The MAC is pleased to announce All Things Theater, a late summer theater program for ages 10-15. The camp is meant to show participants multiple facets of theater craft both on stage and behind the scenes. Activities may include acting, improvisation, costume creation, stage management, tech, and movement. Featuring working professionals from the area, the camp will operate for one week, Monday, July 28 throughFriday, August 1 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm each day. The MAC theater at 80 Pleasant St, Marion, MA will host the camp. The cost for a one-week session camp is $250 for MAC members and $290 for nonmembers. More information is available at marionartcenter.org/all-things-theater.

Declaration of Independence 249th Anniversary

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On July 4, 1776, the United States Declaration of Independence, formally The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, was signed. A note, most signatories wouldn’t sign until August 2, but I digress. This paper would officially declare, in writing, the United States strove to become a sovereign nation, distinctly not under the British Crown of King George III. George was 38 at the time and had been King for nearly 16 years.

            War had raged on the continent for nearly a year by this point, with the Battles of Concord and Lexington occurring over a year earlier (April 19, 1775). The signing would officially begin the American War for Independence, which would last another 5 years until the Battle of Yorktown in 1781. The war would officially end after 8 years of fighting with the signing of the Treaty of Paris on September 3, 1783.

            Of the declaration’s signatories, nine had been born in Massachusetts with five serving as Massachusetts State Representatives (John Adams, Samual Adams, Elbridge Gerry, John Handcock, and Robert Treat Paine). The last surviving signatory was Charles Carroll of Carrollton, Maryland, who lived to the age of 95 in 1837, over 56 years after signing.

            For Independence Day, the Town on Marion will not have fireworks. Marion will have a parade, however, beginning at 9:00 am near the Town House. The Mattapoisett Road Race will also begin at 9:00 pm at Shipyard Park where it will circle around town in a 4-mile circuit.

By Sam Bishop

Herbicide Use Approved for Brainard Marsh

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The Conservation Commission at its June 25 meeting endorsed a project initiated by the Sippican Lands Trust (SLT) that will use herbicides at the Brainard Marsh to target what the trust calls one of the worst invasive species – phragmites.

            The commission applauded the effort and acknowledged that the effort will help restore the marsh to its original state.

            There were some concerns about how that area is a recreation area where people walk and swim. Commissioners asked for signage and asked if there was a risk of over spraying and drifting to other areas.

            SLT representatives said that these herbicides are applied by certified professionals and there would be signage. Representatives also said that they apply the herbicides in August or September over a three-year period. The work aligns with an order of conditions from the state Department of Environmental Protection.

            SLT said the spraying is conducted in a conservative way so the herbicides drip down and do not spread into other areas.

            Conservation Commissioners and SLT members noted that the town has tried pulling the phragmites from the marshlands, but that effort is slow and not as effective as using herbicides.

            Town Planner Doug Guey-Lee shared some of the same concerns as Commissioners and asked that the Conservation Commission receive documented reports of the work and progress.

            At a light meeting in terms of agenda, the commission briefly discussed changes that were made to a development at 28 Wareham Road. Commissioners noted that there were changes from the original plans but conceded that nothing was impactful. The commission issued a certificate of compliance to the applicant.

            The next meeting of the Marion Conservation Commission is scheduled for Wednesday, July 9 at 7:00 pm in the Marion Police Department.

Marion Conservation Commission

By Jeffrey D. Wagner

Mattapoisett Town Band

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The second scheduled concert for the Mattapoisett Town Band will take place on July 9 at 7:00 pm at Shipyard Park in Mattapoisett. Please visit our Facebook page for updates regarding any weather conditions.

            This concert will be eclectic, featuring music from various genres, including but not limited to ragtime, movie soundtracks, Radio hits from the 1960s through the 1980s, and a few marches. All ending with a Swing band favorite.

Whales, Octopi & Sharks, Oh My

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On Saturday, July 5 at 11:00 am the Mattapoisett Land Trust will host a free performance of participatory songs and movement by Stand-Up Chameleon Jackson Gillman at Munro Preserve near the town wharf in Mattapoisett. Whales, Octopi & Sharks, Oh My. is described as a musical dive into marine science. Drizzle of shine, (Call 774-377-9191 to determine whether it needs to be postponed). Summer at the Beach will be the third in a quarterly series of “Celebrate the Seasons in Song & Story.” One more seasonal concert, Awesome Autumn, will follow in October.

Insurance Cost Lowered for Rochester

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The Town of Rochester almost dropped its long-held municipal insurance policy with the Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association (MIIA) to pay lower premium rates with another company. But MIIA’s lower bid over the weekend preserved the status quo.

            Last Thursday, the Select Board met with representatives of that other agency, the Sylvia Group, whose clients include the City of New Bedford, to discuss its potentially lower premium rates. But by Monday morning, MIIA had come back with a counteroffer and a lower bid, assuring the agency’s place as the town’s insurance carrier.

            Town Administrator Cameron Durant said Rochester has contracted MIIA with a $258,000 premium and a $10,000 coverage deductible for FY2026. Last year’s MIIA premium was $297,000 with a $25,000 coverage deductible, he said.

            Durant explained the town “was looking to reduce costs and increase service.” The latter goal stemmed from Durant’s comment in the Select Board’s discussion with Sylvia Group that he and administrator Andrea Lacerda “were not pleased with the customer-service experience from MIIA.”

            MIIA addressed the customer-service complaint, Durant said, by explaining the company is implementing a new computer system that should improve its customer service. “They said they had a rough go implementing it,” he said. “That was the problem.”

            He said the Select Board was impressed with the Sylvia Group’s presentation, but MIIA’s counteroffer changed the board’s minds about making the switch.

            The next meeting of the Rochester Select Board is scheduled for Monday, July 7, at 6:00 pm at Town Hall, 1 Constitution Way.

Rochester Select Board

By Michael J. DeCicco

From the Files of the Rochester Historical Society

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So much talk around protests being carried out throughout the country made me turn to Abraham’s Holmes memoirs. Holmes of Rochester grew up during the prelude to the American Revolution, served as a soldier and was active in the politics of setting up the new country. In his memoirs, he writes of the events he both witnessed and participated in.

            Following Britain’s moves to place new taxes on the colonies (without allowing for any representation), some took the plans in stride while others became alarmed for what the future might hold. In 1775, when Abraham was 11 yrs. old, the Stamp Act was instituted, and it provoked general feelings of anger and disgust. In his memoirs, Abraham writes, “In the populus cities, riots of no small dimensions broke out. In Boston, August 14, 1765, on a large elm tree, near where the Boylston Market now is were suspended the effigies of Oliver (the distributor of the stamp papers and collector of the tax) the Divil and Lord Bite in the figure of a boot. This singular exhibition attracted universal attention.” The rest of the day was passed in “great hilarity.” At the end of the day, the effigies were cut down, placed in coffins and carried throughout the city until they were burned at Fort Hill.

            The tree from which the effigies were hung was “denominated the Liberty Tree” and as anyone who’s ever watched Disney’s “Johnny Tremain” knows, the tree became a gathering place for the Sons of Liberty, though I can’t picture Paul Revere or Joseph Warren singing under its branches.

            Following this Boston protest, “Liberty Poles” (mimicking the Liberty Tree) began to appear throughout the colonies. As Holmes says, ” Liberty Poles were the order of the day. Every town had one.” He goes on to say that the one in Rochester consisted of “two spars spliced and were on a true slope from top to bottom, it stood 6 or 7 rods from the Meeting House.” It was close to 45 feet tall and at the top was a weathervane that was 3 or 4 feet in length. Carved into the vane was the word, LIBERTY, and it was painted white. The pole stood until the end of the American Revolution and Holmes writes, ” It was generally admitted that it was the handsomest Pole that was known.”

            Today, Rochester has a Liberty tree here in town. If you don’t know where it’s located a hint would be “books,” but that’s an article for another day.

By Connie Eshbach

Upcoming Summer Programs with the Marion Natural History Museum

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Butterfly Walk with Andrew W. Griffith of Massachusetts Butterfly Association, July 16, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. Join the Marion Natural History Museum for a summer butterfly walk. Andrew Griffith of the Massachusetts Butterfly Association will be leading the walk in Nasketucket State Park, Mattapoisett, MA. We will be identifying local butterfly and moth species while talking about their habitat requirements, life cycles, and migration patterns. Let’s have some fun looking for our summer residents. We will be meeting at the park and please plan to wear appropriate clothing for walking through vegetation. This is a free program provided by the Marion Natural History Museum, however please RSVP at www.marionmuseum.org so that we know how many to expect. Meet at Nasketucket State Park, Brandt Beach Road, Mattapoisett at 10:00 am ‘till noon.

            Large Whale Vocalizations, July 25, 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm, Erin Burke, Protected Species Program Manager MA Division of Marine Fisheries, will be sharing DMF’s new passive acoustic monitoring network in Massachusetts state waters and adjacent areas. These monitors collect information on large whale vocalizations, including the endangered North Atlantic right whale. DMF will use this information to enhance our understanding of the spatial and temporal presence of large whales; inform dynamic management of season fishing gear closures and vessel speed restrictions to protect right whales; and aid in the development of effective and efficient conservation measures. Let’s learn more about how this study will be helpful in protecting our local whale populations. A $10.00 donation to the Marion Natural History Museum is greatly appreciated.

            Learn how to make paper with forester Jim Rassman on July 30, 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm at the museum – Register at www.marionmuseum.org.

            Amazing Animal Ambassadors with Cape Cod captive wildlife care expert Bethany Jakubson. Monday, August 4 at 2:00 pm. Cost is $10.00/family. Seeing wild animals up close can become a child’s treasured memory, open up a whole new world of wonder, and spark a lifelong love of animals. This is the mission of Amazing Animal Ambassadors. Join owner Bethany Jakubson and some of her favorite members of the natural world including Milo the Fennec Fox, Bailey the African Pygmy Hedgehog, Sydney, Prim and Roo the three Sugar Gliders, Ande the Chinchillia, and Buttercup the skunk among others. This presentation has been partially funded by the Marion Cultural Council.

            Early Life History of Humpback Whales, August 8, 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm, Humpback whale mothers give birth in the Caribbean and travel with their babies to New England waters to feed each summer. This talk will dive into the world of young calves and juveniles of Humpback whales. Associate Professor Kathryn Kavanagh and doctoral student Eman Khwaja will share some recent research on humpback whale behavior. They study the reproductive and developmental biology of vertebrates, including whales. They will share current studies of the humpback whale population – in particular related to maternal care and life history.

            Please go to the museum’s website: www.marionmuseum.org to register or RSVP to any of these programs.

Join Us The Great Community Picnic

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Begin with a summer sunset by the harbor, friends and neighbors, and your own delicious picnic fare. Add great live music by Gary Brown & Bill Santos. Throw in fresh local oysters. Result? The Great Community Picnic on Thursday evening, August 7, 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm at Munro Preserve adjacent to the town wharf.

            Mattapoisett Land Trust and Mattapoisett Museum, the event hosts, will provide tables, chairs, and tablecloths. Bring your own food, utensils & plates. Creatively transform your table with flowers, napkins, etc.

            Tables available for 4 ($160), 6 ($240), 8 ($320) or 10 ($400) diners. A place at the community table costs $40. Buy a ticket for the community table or buy a table. Space is limited – buy a table while they last.

            This year’s picnic is sponsored by Eastern Bank. Tickets are available online: www.mattapoisettmuseum.org/event-info/the-2025-great-community-picnic-1. Ticket sales will end on Monday, July 28 or when we sell out, whichever comes first. Make plans now to join us for this festive memorable evening.

Buzzards Bay Musicfest Open Rehearsal

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The musicians for the Buzzards Bay Musicfest come from around the country and, indeed, around the world. They perform in the finest concert halls, opera houses, and ballet theaters while continuing to collaborate with world-class artists that make their experiences unique and profound. They have played in ensembles that range from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra to the New York Philharmonic and from the Dallas Symphony Orchestra to the recording studios of Hollywood, the biographies of these players are remarkable and will astound you with their accomplishments and musical pedigree. What is even more astonishing is that they will be performing in the 27th season of the Musicfest at Tabor Academy in Marion from July 9 through July 13. All concerts are free admission.

            On Wednesday, July 9 at 2:00 pm, there will be an open rehearsal. This will be a unique and rare opportunity to observe professional musicians in rehearsal as they prepare for the evening performance. This is a musical event you will not want to miss. The open rehearsal is free for any and all to attend. Music lovers of ALL ages are encouraged to be a part of this special event. All concerts for the Buzzards Bay Musicfest will be held in the Fireman Performing Arts Center on the campus of Tabor Academy, 245 Front Street, Marion. For more detailed information, please visit: www.buzzardsbaymusicfest.com.