Miracle Mitt Rekindles Long-Lost Love

on

Andrew Daniel’s Ray Kinsella moment came from his son rather than his father.

            Eleven years ago, the Marion resident’s son Jackson arrived home from Kindergarten with a flier for youth baseball.

            “He wanted to sign up. My youth baseball in the league didn’t end well, I didn’t enjoy it. I actually hated the game at the end,” recalls Daniel, fighting off emotional moments after throwing out the ceremonial “first ball” for Opening Day of Old Rochester Youth Baseball on Saturday morning at Gifford Park.

            Daniel was publicly recognized for his 11 years of volunteerism and had just thrown the“first ball” to ORRYB President Mike Duarte when he recalled that baseball hadn’t always brought him the joy it has for the past decade.

            As a child, baseball in his mind was anything but a field of dreams, more of a stitch in the gut, a bitter loss lacking resolution.

            “Not a good relationship with the head coach. It just put a nasty taste in my mouth for the rest of my life, and (when Jackson asked) I was like, ‘no, anything but baseball,’” recalled Daniel. “I was struggling between bringing up bad feelings or letting my kid down. And I remember not being able to sleep that night. … I didn’t want to let him down.”

            After all those years, what he thought had faded from memory was suddenly raw all over again.

            “I’m not overly religious, but I needed help with that one,” said Daniel, who prayed. “It wasn’t like it’s the most important decision in the world, but … it was just a tough thing for me. I said, ‘I need a sign.’”

            The next day, Daniel got into his white van that he typically parked at the police station, and on his way to work, he spotted something in the middle of Route 105 near the S-shaped curved in the road. Resting on the yellow divider lines: a men’s size, black, Easton-brand baseball mitt.

            Having pulled over to confirm what his discovery was, Daniel brought the glove to the police station and told them in case anyone reports it missing.

            “If not, I’m going to keep it for the time being, and I still have it today,” said Daniel, who since that day has brought it to the fields as a coach in T-Ball, farm league, minors and majors, having guided minor and major league teams to championship finals.

            For five years, he spent seven days a week on youth baseball, working on field maintenance when there wasn’t a game or a practice.

            “I always tell the parents, ‘I’m not a professional hitting coach, but I spent an extraordinary amount of money on them for my kid, and I paid really good attention,’” said Daniel, who studied the teaching videos and is trying to save baseball parents some of that money by being a sponge for baseball instruction and paying it all forward.

            Freshly retired from his roles in ORRYB, Daniel stills breathes baseball. He now coaches his daughter in softball and is helping coach Babe Ruth League and travel baseball. His son is a freshman playing in the ORR High School program.

            Sharing a laugh with his ORRYB maintenance successor Jim Perry, who of course didn’t realize what he was getting himself into when he volunteered his own time, Daniel hasn’t retired as much as he has redirected his revived passion for America’s pastime. All because someone left a baseball glove on his pathway to work.

            His ORRYB teams never won the championship. The prize was his opportunity to make baseball a positive experience for all those children. But like Shoeless Joe Jackson tells Kinsella at the end of Field of Dreams, Daniel knows it was he who needed that mitt the most and the second chance that came with it.

            “It’s the craziest thing,” he said, “and it’s the biggest blessing.”

ORR Youth Baseball Opening Day

By Mick Colageo

Clue on Stage

on

Old Colony’s production of Clue on stage will be this weekend and next weekend. May 10 at 7:00 pm, May 11 at 3:00 and 7:00 pm, May 17 at 7:00 pm, May 18 at 2:00 pm and May 19 at 2:00 pm.

            There are two separate casts for this play. Cast one is this weekend and cast 2 is next weekend.

            There will also be raffle baskets, a concession stand and a 50/50 raffle at all shows. All proceeds benefit the Old Colony Theater Company.

Director of the Mattapoisett Library

on

The Town of Mattapoisett and the Library Trustees announced today that Colleen Tierney will be the next Director of the Mattapoisett Free Public Library. Her first day as Director will be Wednesday, May 8.

            Colleen is coming to Mattapoisett from Texas where she has many years of experience working in school and public libraries, most recently serving as Director of Library Services in the Kyle Public Library in Kyle, Texas. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science from Providence College and a Master of Science in Library and Information Science from Syracuse University.

            “The Library Trustees are absolutely delighted that Colleen has accepted this position” states Ruth Jolliffe, acting chair of the Library Trustees. “She is well prepared to continue the tradition of strong library directors leading the Mattapoisett Free Public Library.” Ms. Jolliffe added, “We are very grateful to Susan Pizzolato for her willingness to serve as interim director during our search for a new director, and we are very grateful to the Select Board for their prompt action in hiring Ms. Tierney.”

            For more information, please contact the Mattapoisett Free Public Library, 7 Barstow Street, Phone: 508-758-4171.

Road Reconstruction Committee

on

To the Editor;

            Residents of Mattapoisett will be asked to vote for or against a Road Reconstruction Committee at Town Meeting on May 13th. A Committee is the way to resolve the current concerns about the project, especially since the project has been pushed out to 2027 and because trees, infrastructure and taxes are at stake.

            The Committee will hold public meetings and ensure that public questions are responded to. The reason for this committee is to make sure the end product of this Road Reconstruction meets the resident’s goals without surprises. A committee with relevant industry and committee experience will bring a 1) balanced perspective to decision making, 2) understanding of design and construction 3) thorough reviews of options and alternatives before it is too late to make changes. It just makes sense to have a representative local committee meeting regularly and overseeing the future use and character of our main public roads in the Village.

            We encourage you to read more about the petition on our Facebook page: Friends of Mattapoisett Village Roads, where you will find frequently asked questions and the comments of our citizens. And most importantly, please be present at Town Meeting to cast your vote on this important issue.

Bonne DeSousa, Mattapoisett

Sandra Hering, Mattapoisett

The views expressed in the “Letters to the Editor” column are not necessarily those of The Wanderer, its staff or advertisers. The Wanderer will gladly accept any and all correspondence relating to timely and pertinent issues in the great Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester area, provided they include the author’s name, address and phone number for verification. We cannot publish anonymous, unsigned or unconfirmed submissions. The Wanderer reserves the right to edit, condense and otherwise alter submissions for purposes of clarity and/or spacing considerations. The Wanderer may choose to not run letters that thank businesses, and The Wanderer has the right to edit letters to omit business names. The Wanderer also reserves the right to deny publication of any submitted correspondence. All letters must be typed and submitted directly to: news@wanderer.com.

Stretch Code Stays for Now

on

Action on Article 31 of the warrant for the May 13 Annual Town Meeting asking Marion voters if the town should opt out of the state’s Stretch (building) Code and effectively resign from its membership in the state’s Green Communities program will be postponed indefinitely after the Select Board determined Tuesday night that there is much more to be learned on both sides of the debate less than a week from Town Meeting.

            The Town House Annex conference room was packed with citizens, including three members of the town’s Energy Management Committee that spearheads Marion’s participation in the incentive-based, state program that since 2018 has yielded $548,975 in grant funding with an application due to be submitted on Friday for $262,000 in municipal, energy-saving projects.

            The motivation for the town to reconsider its participation stems from changes that are making the Stretch Code more stringent. Marion Building Commissioner Bob Grillo explained that it was his duty to bring the matter to the Select Board’s attention to ensure the town understands the laws he will be obligated to enforce.

            Opinions were many on the floor, and EMC member Bill Saltonstall told the crowd he opposes the article “because it’s misleading and confusing.”

            The note on the warrant that the Finance Committee withholds recommendation due to no financial impact is “simply not true,” said Saltonstall, asserting that an approval at Town Meeting would prevent the town from substantial state grants and Eversource energy savings.

            Lisa Sullivan, the regional coordinator for the Green Communities program, was in attendance to field questions and offer clarifications to the board and residents.

            Those against the article appeal to Marion’s 24% energy reduction since joining Green Communities in 2018 and assert that if the article is approved, the town may never be able to get its municipal projects completed.

            There was plenty of support for objections to the article, each greeted with a round of applause.

            Christian Ingerslev, the chairman of the EMC, said that while disadvantages of the Stretch Code include higher construction costs due to stricter requirements than the base code, up-front costs can be reduced via the MassSave program and competitive grants that can offset third-party costs.

            Ingerslev also said that while the Stretch Code can add layers of complexity, additional time and the need for professional expertise and can be particularly onerous with older buildings, the code brings better energy efficiency, HVAC performance and sealing of buildings.

            From an environmental standpoint, greenhouse gases are lowered, helping combat the effects of climate change and offering better indoor-air quality, supporting the state’s broader goals for stewardship of the environment.

            “Marion should be a forward-looking town,” he said, adding his recommendation to vote no and to keep the Stretch Code and the town’s Green Communities designation.

            Select Board member Randy Parker said the key to supporting a move out of Green Communities is, “what we adopted in 2018 is not what we’re going to be presented.”

            Parker said it is important that residents understand that the question was asked in 2018 if the Stretch Code would affect existing dwellings and “the answer was no.” That’s what Parker understood would be changing until Sullivan laid out some thresholds that she believes have far less potential to trigger the updated Stretch Code than what Parker believed coming into the meeting.

            During the discussion, Parker had also addressed concerns about the town’s historical district. Longtime resident Chris Washburn, also an electrician, said he has seen many homes in Marion and that if the Stretch Code is applied, many would become teardowns and the town would lose its character.

            Grillo wanted to make sure the town understands that with changes in the Home Energy Rating System (HERS), the Stretch Code has effectively become the Base Code. Sullivan found herself correcting conclusions being drawn by residents regarding the interpretations of how HERS ratings will affect their home projects.

            Select Board member Norm Hills suggested that such a trend is not new and continues. Parker, however, disagreed in the newness of its application limits.

            Resident Shaun Walsh identified a fear of the unknown in the room and a “real lack of information about this, and that tells you that this article should not pass.”

            Walsh asked what percentage of building permits issued by the town over the last five years would have triggered the new Stretch Code. Sullivan estimated that the answer is probably closer to 5% than 50%.

            Hills said he dug through the last three years and pulled 27 building permits … all big houses, he said, and concluded that “this code, I don’t think, would impact that.”

            Margie Baldwin said, “The reason the state did this is climate. Some of us have to take our lumps … yes, it hurts some pockets, but … this is something that’s real. … We have to face reality.”

            Select Board Chairman Toby Burr asked Sullivan and Grillo if they knew what the ramifications are for the construction of sports facilities like ice rinks and bubbles.

            Resident Catherine Collings said that rebates have come slowly from MassSave.

            Resident Chris Collings suggested that although an excess of $500,000 in grant funding sounds impressive, the figure represents a miniscule fraction of the town’s annual operational budget and therefore would be better realized within the budgetary process so as to escape the hooks that come with the grants.

            Resident Tucker Burr questioned if the state puts more money into the Green Communities bucket or if grant applications become more competitive.

            Sullivan said Green Communities started with $10,000,000 and has been doubled. There are 295 municipalities among the state’s 351 communities, four of which joined over the last year. Citing the requirements on its already-expensive plans for a new fire station and police headquarters expansion, the Town of Rochester recently became the only town to ever opt out of the program.

            As more residents acknowledged a need for more education on the subject, Parker changed his stance and supported holding Article 31 with the stipulation that the town host Green Communities for three informational meetings in a larger space with the possibility of bringing the article back to a special fall town meeting.

            “This isn’t going away,” he said before making his motion. Hills and Toby Burr agreed, bringing applause from a gathering that Town Administrator Geoff Gorman had to ask to disperse so that the board could conduct the rest of its agenda.

            Early in the meeting, Police Chief Richard Nighelli appeared before the board to request three appointments to his staff, beginning with Assistant Harbormaster Andrew Miller. The board approved and also approved the appointments of full-time patrol officers Patrick Adams and Mark Norman.

            Since 2020, Miller had become a regular on the Harbormaster’s staff and, under police reform, was required to leave the department to pursue state certification as a police officer so he could join Adam Murphy’s core with Deputy Harbormaster Dave Wilson.

            Miller is a 2018 ORRHS graduate and Massachusetts Maritime Academy and will join the Harbormaster Department effective Sunday, May 12.

            Marion Fire Ladder truck No. 1 will be junked at a profit of $10,000. With its replacement due in the fall, the town has arranged for support from surrounding departments, including Wareham and Onset.

            Kelli McSweeny was appointed to the Music Hall Advisory Committee.

            The board granted Tri-County Music Association a Special One-Day Alcohol Beverage License for a June 9 scholarship fundraiser, band concert and 250-guest event from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm at the Tabor Academy Alumni tent.

            The board granted Tabor Academy a performance time extension to 11:30 pm for live music for the dinner/dance, part of the school’s Reunion Weekend June 7-9.

            The board also approved: Annual Water Restrictions from June 15 to September 15, a Mobile Home and Trailer Permit at 507 Delano Road, the town’s Water & Sewer Abatement Policy and Water/Sewer commitments for final readings of $329.58 (April 12) and $304.36 (April 23).

            The board disapproved a Water/Sewer Abatement of $2,226.73 requested at 44 Rocky Knook Lane.

            In his Town Administrator’s Report, Gorman noted major events coming up such as the Annual Town Meeting to be held on Monday, May 13, at 6:45 pm at Sippican Elementary School, the Annual Town Election to be held on Friday, May 17, from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm at the Cushing Community Center on Route 6 and the town’s Annual Memorial Day Remembrance ceremonies to begin with a 9:00 am procession from the Music Hall up Front Street to Old Landing, where the observance will be completed.

            Independence Day Parade applications are available at marionma.gov and at the Marion Town House.

            Gorman said that after a $10,000 donation from Tabor Academy, the Fireworks Committee is still $7,000 of its $40,000 goal and has until June 16 to raise the money to hold the event scheduled for July 6 (rain date July 7).

            The Annual Town Party scheduled for August 24 at 4:00 pm at Silvershell Beach is also soliciting donations.

            Parker said the Harbormaster construction has now begin shingling the roof and that plumbing work has started with electrical installation anticipated over the next week.

            The next meeting of the Marion Select Board will occur at the Annual Town Meeting to be held on Monday, May 13, at 6:45 pm at Sippican Elementary School with the board’s next regular meeting scheduled for Tuesday, May 21, at 6:00 pm at the Town House Annex building.

Marion Select Board

By Mick Colageo

Songs of the Sea

on

The South Coast Children’s Chorus (SCCC), under the direction of Dr. Tianxu Zhou, presents the “Songs of the Sea” concert, a captivating musical journey celebrating the region’s rich maritime heritage. Comprising 75 singers in Grades 1-12 from throughout the South Coast, SCCC includes two ensembles: the Preparatory Chorus and the Advanced Chorus. In collaboration with the New Bedford Harbor Sea Chantey Chorus, under the direction of Tom Goux, this energetic ensemble infuses authentic nautical flair into the performance, transporting the audience to the bygone era of seafaring adventures.

            Against the backdrop of the Whaling Museum, the concert’s theme of the sea resonates deeply, reflecting the community’s maritime legacy and connection to the ocean. Selections will include traditional sea shanties as well as modern repertoire evoking a variety of ocean imagery, from collecting seashells to the legend of the mermaid. Through harmonious melodies and evocative storytelling, the performers pay homage to sailors, fishermen and maritime traditions, inviting the audience to embark on a musical voyage filled with tales of bravery, hardship and camaraderie on the open seas.

            The performance takes place on Thursday, May 9 at 6:30 pm at the New Bedford Whaling Museum, 18 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford, as part of the monthly New Bedford AHA Night.

Elizabeth Taber Library

on

Join author and garden expert Kerry Mendez Saturday, May 11 at 11 am at the Marion Natural History Museum for an introduction on creating a beautiful garden with dazzling native specimens that attract accolades as well as pollinators. The presentation includes mail-order sources for natives in addition to your local garden center. This free event is brought to you by the Elizabeth Taber Library and sponsored by the Friends of the Elizabeth Taber Library and the Marion Natural History Museum. Spaces are limited, please call or sign up at the library.

            Find some great gifts for Mother’s Day and support the library with a visit to the Friends of the Elizabeth Taber Library outdoor book sale on Friday and Saturday, May 10 & 11.

            Mango Languages, the highest rated language learning app, is free with your Marion Library Card. Download the Mango Languages app for access to over 75 languages, including American Sign Language. Patrons also have access to the Little Pim Children’s learning program. Find the link on the library’s website or download the app and register with your Marion Library Card.

            For more information on the Elizabeth Taber Library, visit us at www.ElizabethTaberLibrary.org or call us at 508-748-1252.

ORR Quintet Named SCC Academic All-Stars

on

Old Rochester Regional Superintendent of Schools Mike Nelson and ORRHS Principal Mike Devoll recognized five ORR High School seniors, Theo Jacobsen, Brenna O’Donnell, Alia Cusolito, Jacob Hadley and Ava McLeod, who were honored as South Coast Conference Academic All-Stars during the SCC’s luncheon held on April 25 at Independence Harbor in Assonet. Faculty advisors Kathleen Brunelle and Randy Allain also attended.

            “I am incredibly proud of our students, who I know will achieve great things after graduation,” Nelson said. “Their distinctions were highly deserved, and it is a privilege to have such outstanding individuals represent Old Rochester Regional High School and watch them receive this recognition.”

            ORR 2022 graduate and keynote speaker Edward Gonet IV spoke to students about his experiences since graduating. The former Academic All-Star quoted Mahatma Gandhi, telling those in attendance, “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.”

            SCC schools annually recognize the top five students of the graduating class with the Academic All-Star Award. The chosen students reflect each of the National Honor Society’s four pillars – Service, Character, Scholarship and Citizenship – and have positively impacted their schools and community.

            “This is a wonderful annual event that kicks off the celebration of the accomplishments of the Class of 2025,” said Devoll, who also served as SCC Principal’s Group President and event emcee. “I have been privileged to attend 16 banquets over the years, and each one captures the unique accomplishments of our top five ranked seniors.”

            SCC member schools include Apponequet Regional (Freetown and Lakeville), Bourne, Joseph Case (Swansea), Dighton-Rehoboth, Fairhaven, Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational-Technical, ORR, Seekonk, Somerset Berkley and West Bridgewater.

            Alia Cusolito – Alia is a member of the ORRHS Drama Club, National Honor Society, Knit and Crochet Club and Acapella, serving in leadership positions in the ORR Music Appreciation Club and as the GSA Club President. Alia is a tireless champion for advocacy. As co-president of the nonprofit Queer Youth Assemble, Alia led the National March for Queer and Trans Youth Autonomy in Washington D.C. Alia collaborated on research with Harvard graduate students about Massachusetts high schoolers’ perceptions of gender-neutral bathrooms. Alia is the recipient of the 2022 Advancing Equity and Justice Award from the Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ+ Youth, an independent state agency. Alia will be attending Smith College in the fall to study public policy.

            Jacob Hadley – Jacob has served as co-captain of the debate team his junior and senior years, captain of the varsity boys tennis team, four-year student council treasurer, vice president of the National Honor Society and as the ORR Boy’s State representative. Jacob also founded and served as president of the ORR Science Olympiad and organized six trips to competitions, including two state championships. Jacob led a research project with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health on the effect of COVID-19 on antibiotic resistance in Massachusetts hospitals and published the study in a scientific journal. Jacob also worked as a biochemistry lab researcher at UMass Dartmouth on developing new treatments for HIV using biotech. Jacob has earned his AP Capstone certificate and is an AP Scholar with Distinction. Jacob will attend Brown University and pursue a concentration in Biomedical Engineering.

            Ava McLeod – Ava is president of ORRHS’s Environmental Club. Under Ava’s leadership, students have been working with the Mattapoisett Land Trust to begin removing an invasive plant species from campus. Ava has served as a member of ORR’s Student Council for the past four years, as president of the class and as a class senator. As a member of our Community Service Learning Club, Ava has also worked with Damien’s Pantry and the Mattapoisett Town Library. Ava plans to attend Bristol Community College in the fall and study Biology.

            Brenna O’Donnell – Brenna is a member of Drama Club, Tea Club, DnD Club and Latin Club. Brenna is also the co-founder of Climbing Club. During her junior year, Brenna represented ORR at Girl’s State. Brenna earned two silver medals and one gold medal on the National Latin Exam. Brenna plans to attend Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering in the fall to study General Engineering with a concentration in Robotics.

            Theo Jacobsen – Theo is an AP Scholar with distinction and is a four-year participant in both DECA and Debate club, having qualified for the state-level competition all four years. In this past debate season, Theo’s team achieved second place in the league, tying the first-place team in speaker points. Theo has taken on many leadership roles, including V.P. of Finance for DECA, Debate Team Captain, and Treasurer of the Old Rochester National Honors Society chapter. Theo will attend Tufts University and study Biochemistry.

Marion Trio Accepted into Order

on

Troop 31 in Rochester would like to congratulate Marion residents Bryan Correia, Iain McManus and Cole Gretton for their recent acceptance into the Order of the Arrow (OA). OA is a service fraternity associated with the Boy Scouts of America and promotes community and camping-service projects that support the BSA and the local community.

            In order to become members, candidates first must be voted in by their peers, then complete a weekend of service with a positive attitude while eating scant food and having spent a night in reflective solitude, all of which reinforces the values of the program based on the legend and lore of the Lenne Lenape or Delaware Indians.

            The boys spent the weekend working on improvements to the waterfront area at Camp Norse Cub Scout camp in Kingston. They are now eligible to move on to a further level of recognition known as Brotherhood, which was completed this same weekend by Cole’s father, Kevin Gretton, a scout leader and mentor of Troop 31.

            All three of the boys have been friends and brothers in Scouting since attending Sippican Elementary School, are now sophomores at Old Rochester Regional High School and are on track to reach the rank of Eagle Scout within the next two years.

ArtWeek at the MAC

on

ArtWeek SouthCoast returns to the Marion Art Center (the MAC) with six events during the regional festival scheduled May 9 to 19. ArtWeek SouthCoast is a 10-day event celebrating the arts in our communities by connecting innovative, creative and affordable art and cultural events in communities across the region, from Fall River to Wareham. The MAC’s ArtWeek SouthCoast events are hands-on, interactive, and offered at low cost or for free. View all MAC events at marionartcenter.org/artweek.

            The MAC will kick off the festival with the MAC Theater Playwrights Incubator 2023-2024, performance of All the Frozen Ones written by this years’ playwright Stella Ferra. The play is directed by Kate Fishman and stars actors Zara Lemieux and Garrett Olson. After cryogenically freezing his wife who’s inherited her mother’s degenerative disease, Robert decides to unfreeze her on the eve of his 59th birthday. He is haunted by her illness that led her to be frozen, their now 30-year age gap, and a mysterious knocking sound — What happens when Marian thaws? Performances on May 9, 10, 11, curtain at 7:30 pm in the MAC Theatre. Tickets are $8 per person.

            Hands on: Spin Into Spring. Community Bike Tune-up, May 11, 10:00-12:00 pm. Is your bike summer-ready? If it needs a little attention after the long winter, bring it to the MAC. We’ll have experts on hand who can look your bike over and give it some TLC in the form of a brake adjustment, chain lubrication or – in the event of more serious issues – they can provide advice about repairs that should be addressed before hitting the road. Coffee and donuts are available as are games to keep the kids busy while the work progresses. Patrons can take advantage of the plant sale being held by the Marion Garden Group across the street in Bicentennial Park as well as the book sale at the Elizabeth Taber Library while they wait. Please note that our bike repair volunteers will not be prepared to replace broken spokes, brake pads or provide other parts. Free, but requires registration.

            Take a journey: Annawon Weedon: Historical Journey of Mashpee Wampanoag, May 11, 1:00-2:30 pm, First Congregational Church Community Center, Marion. Annawon Weedon is an activist, storyteller, dancer and tribal mentor of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe. Join us as Annawon shares his cultural knowledge through an interactive solo performance. Travel back through time to the first encounter, learn about the myriad contributions Native peoples have made throughout history, and witness indigenous dance, language, and storytelling. Annawon was awarded a congressional honor as culture bearer for the entire New England region in recognition of his continued efforts for cultural preservation and to correct misinformation and misrepresentation of Indigenous people. Suggested $5 donation or pay what you can.

            Experience: Silk Painting Masterclass: The Magic of Colors & Flowers, Wednesday, May 15, 6:00-9:00 pm. Explore your free, creative side through experimentation with color and paint, without the fear of making mistakes. Join instructor Lidia Mikhaylova in this easy, relaxing silk painting workshop. At the end of the class, you’ll take home your very own masterpiece. Instead of learning complex techniques, students in this class will observe how the paint lives and moves on the surface of the fabric, using various methods of application. Create beautiful flowers and colorful compositions and experience the magic of silk painting. The cost is $35 per person and includes all materials. Held in the MAC Studio.

            Watch: Chainsaw Tree Carving Demo with Evan Verissimo, Saturday, May 18, 10:00-12:00 pm Rain Date: Sunday, May 19 on the MAC Lawn. Evan Verissimo of Kind Tree Carving, is conducting a chainsaw carving demonstration at the MAC. Learn about how his unique carvings are created, see the tools he uses to achieve the desired look of each piece and see him in action as he transforms a piece of wood into a work of art. A local artist out of Acushnet, Evan has been chainsaw carving since October 2022. He combined his passion for art and his skill with a chainsaw as a former arborist and created his business as we know it today. The cost is $5 per person.

            Attend a Paint and Sip Workshop with artist Barbara Healy on Saturday, May 18, 1:00-3:00 pm on the lawn at the Marion Art Center. Paint your own version of a beautiful sailboat scene in this fun workshop with artist Barbara Healy. We’ll paint together using water-based acrylics on canvas.

            Barbara and her assistant Pam will guide you through each step of the process as you get in touch with your inner artist and enjoy sipping wine along the way. All materials will be provided. You must be 21 or older to register. Please wear clothes you can paint in. In case of rain, the class workshop will relocate to the MAC studio. The cost is $35 per person and includes all materials and wine tasting.