Riptides Shine in New England

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Amidst the dripping-wet maze of young swimmers moving about while hidden under caps, goggles, and towels in between their many events at last weekend’s YMCA New England Championship at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, there was no chance that Noella Michaud or her Gleason YMCA Riptides teammates would get lost.

            “We have like a color, and we were bright, neon pink with a cap and a shirt that has our names. We know who our friends and coaches were,” said Michaud a day after a weekend performance that saw the Riptides finish 19th overall among more than 50 teams competing in the culminating event of the winter season.

            Noella, a 10-year-old, fifth-grade student at Rochester Memorial School, finished second among Age 9-10 swimmers in the 100 Butterfly and third in the 50 Butterfly. After spending four times per week in the water and battling a common cold, she admitted to some fatigue but would not have missed this opportunity for the world.

            “I got sick; I could have gotten worse, but I did really well,” she said.

            Noella said she needs approximately 15 minutes in the water for warm-up before competing for keeps. A big meet like the New England Championship requires a swimmer to recover quickly but, at the same time, could involve a long wait.

            “It can be right after, but you can wait like 20 minutes or 25 minutes,” she said. “You get really cold; you have to stay warm to keep your muscles ready and stuff.”

            Ava Gagliardi showed her readiness with an individual, sixth-place finish in the 50 Backstroke, and the eight-year-old, third-grader at Rochester Memorial School swam the first leg for the Wareham-based YMCA’s 8 & Under Girls Medley Relay team including Emelie Michaud (Rochester), Molly Beson (Rochester) and Isabella Duran (Carver) that finished fifth.

            “I’ve been swimming since I was six months old. I remember maybe when I was four-ish,” said Ava, who specializes in the backstroke.

            “That’s my favorite one. You have to swim a lot and have fun doing it and go as fast as you can,” she said. “Last year, I wasn’t like, into it? Then it just went into a whole different perspective for me this year.”

            When Ava was done swimming her backstroke leg, she joined teammates and coaches on the other side of the pool and followed the rest of the relay. “We were all cheering, and it was really fun. And they were really fast, too.”

            Camaraderie is evident at a Riptides practice, where the coaching team of Russ Anderson, Niko Duarte, and Brooke Michaud has cultivated a culture of enthusiasm, positivity and discipline essential to water safety.

            Having warmed up for practice, the swimmers listen intently to Duarte’s outdoor voice booming out specific instructions for the execution of repetitions that the swimmers need to follow, according to the digital time clock on the wall. They react as if every repetition will translate into the next big competition.

            The New England Championship became that showcase for these efforts.

            In the Age 9-10 session, Charlie Hall, a nine-year-old, third grader from Mattapoisett, finished fourth in the 100 Freestyle, eighth in the 50 Freestyle, and fourth in the 50 Breaststroke. Charlie was recently champion in the 100 Freestyle at the SENECY league meet.

            In the Age 13-14 competition, Jason Anderson, a 13-year-old, seventh-grader from Wareham who attends Old Rochester Regional Junior High School, finished eighth in the 200 Individual Medley and placed sixth in the 200 Backstroke, breaking the Gleason YMCA team record. Chris Glover (Plymouth) broke two Riptides records, finishing fifth in the 200 Freestyle and eighth in the 100 Freestyle. He also took sixth in the 50 Freestyle.

            The Riptides’ 8 & Under squad had an exceptional performance as a group, the boys placing fifth, the girls seventh and the age-group overall placing fourth.

            The Riptides’ 8 & Under Boys Freestyle and Medley Relay teams of Sam Reece (Rochester), Peter Voci (Marion), Oliver Hancock (Plymouth) and Henrik Obrebski (Rochester) both took third place, and the Riptides’ 15 & Over boys’ relay team of Liam McGee (Marion), Zach Travis (Wareham), Riley Karo (Marion), and Jake Iappini (Marion) broke the Gleason YMCA’s 200 Medley and the 400 Freestyle records.

            The winter season may have officially concluded, but some members of the Riptides will keep swimming while transitioning to spring sports.

            “We will be talking about maybe doing spring swim. I do have a pool so that can help me, too, but maybe,” said Ava Gagliardi, who plays tennis, pickleball and basketball and participates in Krav Maga classes at South Coast Self Defense in New Bedford.

            Noella Michaud is still building upon a year that has seen her take first place in the SENECY League 50-yard Butterfly.

            “There’s this record I want to get before this season’s over and before you turn 11,” she said, referencing her May 9 birthday and the Gleason YMCA’s record for the 500-yard Freestyle. “There’s a certain time you need to get. … It goes on this board at the Y. This year I got two (records).”

            Noella admits chasing the club’s 500 record “gets really tiring.” The race consists of 20 laps up and down the 25-yard-long pool. “It’s hard to count so they have these things called counters. If it’s a red one, it’s the last 25,” Noella explained. “I’m six seconds away from the record.”

By Mick Colageo

Mattapoisett Woman’s Club Magic Event

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The Mattapoisett Woman’s Club invites interested local residents to its March 20 monthly meeting featuring magic by Dennis Blanchard from Eventful Magic. This month’s program will provide a fun, and unforgettable experience transcending conventional programs. Witnessing incredible mind-bending tricks can inspire thinking outside the box and help individuals approach challenges with a fresh perspective. Magic encourages lateral thinking which can spark innovative ideas and solutions to one’s life. Not only is it good for your brain, but it’s fun and sure to leave a lasting impression. Visitors are welcome to attend this unique and exciting program which will begin at 12:45 pm at the Mattapoisett Congregational Church in Reynard Hall.

            The Mattapoisett Woman’s Club is a civic, social, educational and philanthropic organization. Membership is always open to local women who are interested in the objectives and mission of the organization. For more information or questions please contact info@mattapoisettwomansclub.org.

Historic District Survey

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The Marion Village Historic District Study Committee met on March 11 to tabulate and report out the results of their recent survey of town residents regarding a proposed local historic district bylaw.

            The survey was conducted at the request of several village property owners at the Study Committee’s public meetings in January and February. The primary intent was to assess the level of interest in creating a historic district among those most directly affected by it: property owners in the district.

            There are a total of 201 properties in the proposed district. Upon final tally of 101 votes from within the proposed district, the results were 50 in favor, 45 against, 6 maybe.

            In addition, out of district ballots were received from 48 people: 42 in favor, 6 against.

            The Study Committee has submitted the survey results to the Select Board with a request to move forward by placing the bylaw on the warrant for a Town Meeting vote. The bylaw would require a 2/3 majority vote at Town Meeting to be adopted.

Gifford Park Renovation Expansion

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Rochester’s Select Board Monday learned the details of a proposal to turn the plan for a new playground at Gifford Park into a larger renovation that expands space for travel lanes, pedestrians, and parking at the ball field.

            The 3,649 square-foot playground will be placed in the park’s northeast corner. Displaying a concept sketch of his ideas for the western border, resident Nate Reece said Monday that the car lane along the area of the ball field is a single path ending in a choke hold at Mary’s Pond Road. With land from abutting Wildlands Trust property, he suggested that lane could be expanded by 30 feet for safer passage of cars and pedestrians and expanded parking.

            This renovation would add handicapped accessible parking for the entrance to nearby Wildlands Trust trails, he said. He noted he has already had conversations with the Wildlands Trust, which agrees a deed transfer or land swap could make this plan happen. That cooperative effort would be the next step of this plan, he said.

            He explained this renovation would improve safety and accessibility for park and trail users. The widened access road would allow for two-way traffic flow and better distance between baseball game spectators and moving vehicles (current access is single lane, in close proximity to bleachers). There would be 50 additional parking spaces, which would remove the need for cars to park along the road, as they do now during the busy baseball season.

            He said he has spoken to Dave Hughes of the Park Commission, and that board would be willing to take the design plan ‘under advisement’. This, Reece said, “is what my goal was from the start, to provide something for the town, Park Commission, Wildlands Trust, and residents to use as they see fit. The focus of the plan is on what could change beyond the current scope of changes at Gifford Park, primarily collaborating with the abutters, the Wildlands Trust.”

            Town Administrator Cameron Durant agreed to start that initial conversation with the trust. Select Board Member Adam Murphy praised Reece for the approach he was taking of consulting the interested parties on his own. “The transparency and buy-in present here is huge,” he said.

            In other action, Durant reported an update on the review of the FY2026 budget. Though the budget planning is still in process, at present, he said, the town is seeing a $740,000 deficit. Current plans to reduce this deficit include removing full-time from the Finance Director’s position, reducing hours for the new town planner, and removing a full-timer’s weekend coverage of the fire department.

            Durant reported the State Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance’s request to area towns for 8,000-13,000 square feet of warehouse space. He said interested parties in town should answer the invitation to bid.

            Durant announced the SEMASS Pilot payment for February 2025 of $380,000.

            The board approved the Buzzards Bay Coalition 19th Annual Watershed Ride’s route through town on October 5, 2025.

            The board signed a new three-year contract with Building Commissioner Paul Boucher.

            The board approved Memorial Day Parade road closures. The roads will be closed at Dexter Lane, Town Hall, and Mary’s Pond Road, and Gifford Park. The parade will be on May 25 from 11:30 am and go until 1:00 pm.

            The next meeting of the Rochester Select Board is scheduled for Monday, March 31 at 6:00 pm at 1 Constitution Way.

Rochester Select Board

By Michael J. DeCicco

ORR Students Perform at SMMEA Junior District Festival

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Old Rochester Regional (ORR) School District and MA Superintendency Union #55 Superintendent Michael S. Nelson, High School Principal Michael Devoll, and Junior High Principal Silas Coellner are proud to congratulate eight ORR instrumentalists and vocalists who performed at the Southeastern Massachusetts Music Educators Association (MMEA) Junior District Festival.

            The following students took the stage at Hingham Middle School on March 7-8:

John Eilertsen, French Horn (Grade 7)

Sophia Meleo, Trombone (Grade 7)

Bridget Lee, Soprano (Grade 7)

Sophie Zhou, Trombone (Grade 8)

Mia DeRossi-Goldberg, Soprano (Grade 8)

Mara Donnelly, Flute (Grade 9)

Joshua Marcolini, Tenor Saxophone (Grade 9)

Rebecca Schaefer, Trumpet (Grade 9)

            “Seeing our eight students shine among such talented peers was truly inspiring,” said JHS Music Teacher Richard Laprise. “They performed beautifully and demonstrated the hard work and passion that we value in our Old Rochester musicians.”

            The eight musicians from Old Rochester auditioned and earned a place to participate in two days of intensive music rehearsals in either a choir, orchestra, or band.

            “The culminating concert on March 8 demonstrated the tangible results of our students’ hard work and dedication and highlights the value of quality music education in our community,” Laprise said.

            “We are all extremely proud of our students who participated in the festival,” Principal Devoll said. “This is a labor of love that requires significant time spent outside the classroom, and we’re thrilled to see that their hard work has paid off.”

            MMEA has approximately 1,500 members, and provides leadership in professional development, advocacy, student assessment, opportunities for students, and providing comprehensive, quality music for all students.

            “This festival provides a tremendous opportunity for young musicians to excel,” said JHS Principal Coellner. “This experience pushes them beyond their regular school curriculum, fostering significant growth in their skills and confidence.”

            MMEA is divided into five districts with a chair and an executive board for each district. Each of the districts organizes honor ensemble festivals and general music events. A percentage of students who participate in district festivals are eligible to audition for All-State honors ensembles.

            “Congratulations to John, Sophia, Bridget, Sophie, Mia, Mara, Joshua, and Rebecca,” said Superintendent Nelson. “We are immensely proud of their achievements and proud to have these students represent Old Rochester.”

Marion’s Historic Village

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To the Editor,

            As long term (50 years +) residents of Marion’s historic village, we wholeheartedly endorse the proposed historic district to be voted on at the spring Town Meeting. Of the 350 towns in MA, there are over 200 local historic districts including neighboring towns of Rochester, Wareham, Westport, and Dartmouth.

If you carefully review the by-law (available on the town website) you will see that it is very light in what it covers and allows. The intention is to preserve the character and historic nature of the village without being too burdensome on the property owner.

            People say that they moved to Marion because of its historic seaside New England heritage, which everyone values a great deal. That heritage can be threatened by demolition, new building, and additions not in character or scale with their neighborhood. This is happening already, and the question is how to protect against that.

            We own our houses for only a short time in their history and will pass that history on to owners in the future. Let’s protect our historic village for many generations to come.

            Sincerely,

Michael and Margie Baldwin, 3Marion

John and Merry Conway, Marion

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.

LWVSC Candidates Forum

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Residents of Marion will have the opportunity to hear from candidates on the Marion ballot at the League of Women Voters SouthCoast (LWVSC) Candidates Forum. The event will occur on Tuesday, April 29 at 7:00 pm in the Multipurpose Room of Sippican School, located at 16 Spring Street, Marion.

            Mr. Jack Eklund of the LWVSC will serve as moderator.

            In contested races, all candidates will be requested to make an introductory statement lasting no more than two minutes. Following this, they will answer questions about local issues and their candidacies posed by the LWVSC.

            The public is invited and will have a chance to ask questions of the candidates.

            Questions from the public can be submitted in advance to LWVSC Voter Services Coordinator: phgirard508@gmail.com.

            Candidates in uncontested races will be invited to deliver a two-minute statement explaining their reasons for running. No questions will be asked of candidates who have no opposition.

            The forum will be filmed and shown on Old Rochester Community Television.

David Besse Holmes

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David Besse Holmes of East Falmouth passed away suddenly March 16, 2025. He was born in Boston August 1, 1955; he grew up in Wellesley and spent summers in Marion. He was predeceased by his parents, Evelyn C. Waters and Edwin B. Holmes, II and his step-brother, Greg Waters. He is survived by his loving wife, Rene, his sisters, Nathaline C. (Lindy) Williamson (Elwin), Anne T. Converse, and E. Bradford Holmes (Jeanie), all of Marion, and by nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, mother-in-law (Mary E. Burnes), sisters- and brothers-in law, cousins, and extended family. He leaves numerous friends, always loyal and compassionate to them. David attended the Fessenden School and graduated from Lawrence Academy in 1974. He had 42 years of combined experience wholesale sales and management. David was part of the supplier team that launched Oyster Bay wine in the United States, a career highlight for him. He started a career with the Martignetti Companies in 2008 as District Sales Manager for the South Shore, Cape and Islands. He played an integral role in the expansion of the Connoisseur Division. He was happiest on his boat with Rene and family and friends. He enjoyed fishing, skiing, restoring classic cars, and tinkering with engines. He was an avid golfer until back injuries halted his career. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the American Heart Association (heart.org) or the National Scleroderma Foundation, PO Box 411533, Boston, MA 02241-1533.

Upcoming Events at the Elizabeth Taber Library

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Due to ongoing construction and improvement efforts, our building will remain closed to the public through March 22. During this time services will be limited to picking up holds. We look forward to fully reopening to the public on Monday, March 24.

            Story Times will be held on March 17 at 10:30 am, upstairs at the Marion Natural History Museum.

            During Saturdays in April, the Elizabeth Taber Library will be hosting Basket Weaving workshops with artist Patty Benson of the New Bedford Arts and Cultural Emporium. Workshops will take place in the Elizabeth Taber Library’s new event space. Each session in April will have participants creating a completed basket and will feature the following unique designs:

April 5 – Mail Basket

April 12 – Round Handled Basket

April 19 – Gathering Basket

April 26 – Wine Basket

            Sessions will take place on Saturdays in April from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. Spaces for this free professionally led workshop are limited. Participants may attend one or multiple sessions, and registration is required. To register please call or contact the library at ETLibrary@sailsinc.org. This series is supported by grant funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services as administered by the Massachusetts Board of Library commissioners.

            Please check our website for further updates or call the library at 508-538-1214

            For more information on the Elizabeth Taber Library visit us at www.ElizabethTaberLibrary.org or email the library at ETLibrary@sailsinc.org.

Point Road Path Construction Starts Soon

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A brief meeting of the Marion Open Space Acquisition Commission on March 6 revealed a rough-timeline for the construction of the Point Road path that will install a walking and bicycling path in that part of town.

            Commission Chair John Rockwell reported in the Zoom-cast meeting that the $48,689 contract for the work has been signed, and construction likely will start soon. He said that if the contractor has not started by the time of the panel’s next meeting, he will seek more input from that contractor and report what that start date will be, and he will do so in a “broadcast email” to all members.

            He and Marion Conservation Commission member Shaun Watson estimated, however, that substantial work likely will be completed by Memorial Day. Watson asked, if the contractor starts in a couple of weeks, what is the estimated end date? Rockwell responded by noting that part of the contract is installing two 2700-foot-long grass strips. Watson answered that the key will be that the contractor will not want to start sooner than he would be able to get the grass established. “I would assume the grass would be the last thing he would do,” Watson said.

            Rockwell agreed when Watson added, “If he starts within the next several weeks, you’re probably looking at substantial completion by Memorial Day.”

            Before the commission moved on from that agenda item, Kerri Reynolds of 65 Joann Drive expressed her concerns over the fact the contract describes the project as merely a walking path. She said she wanted to make sure the road surface would be hard enough for bicycling and baby strollers. Rockwell assured her that, in fact, the path will have a hard gravel surface. “We have specified a very robust compactor to go over the material once it’s been added,” Rockwell said. “It’s important to us that everybody can use it. I like to call it a ‘bike hike’.”

            The commission ended its agenda with a presentation regarding a project being planned by Bridgewater State University researchers at Grassy Bog. Bridgewater State graduate student Anatash Sayor informed the board that Grassy Bog is one of 10 abandoned or restored cranberry bogs across Southeastern Massachusetts being studied to see “how healthy” they are in terms of the stream’s ecosystems, its animal species and plant life.

            The commission did not set its next meeting before adjourning.

Marion Open Space Acquisition Commission

By Michael J. DeCicco