From the Files of the Rochester Historical Society

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As weather warms and snow melts, our museum will be reopening and our current exhibit, “The Tools and Industries that Made Rochester” will be up for at least another month. It can be viewed before our April 15 meeting at 6:00 pm and by calling Connie at 617-750-2818 or emailing eshbach2aol.com.

            Some of the tools on display, like the scythes, come in many sizes and have many uses. Others have a very specific use, like the cranberry scoops and the wide shovel from the Hartley sawmill designed for shoveling sawdust.

            What almost all of these tools have in common is that they are made of wood and/or iron. This means that they (particularly the larger ones) are very heavy. One example, the broad axe was used to remove bark from the sides of a felled tree. The logger would walk down the log swinging it one-handed along the side. When I say that I found just lifting it with two hands was difficult, that’s an understatement.

            Another large and heavy tool was the Peavey or “Persuader”. As you can see in the picture, a peavey is a very large wooden mallet. This tool was used in the building of “timber framed ” houses or barns. It was raised into the air and then brought down to “nudge” or push timbers into the proper position in the building’s frame.  In other words, it was used to persuade the timbers to take their place in the construction. The peavey was used rather than a sledgehammer or similar tool to avoid damaging the timbers. Stop by the museum and try hefting it and you’ll appreciate both the strength and balance needed to work with it. Like all the tools of the past, the user needed well- muscled arms, a strong back and a straight eye to complete a day’s work.

By Connie Eshbach

Four Bridges at the Mattapoisett Museum

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Four Bridges, a New England-based bluegrass band, will be returning to the Mattapoisett Museum on Saturday, April 11 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Tickets are $18.00 for Museum Members and $20 for the general public. They can be ordered from the Museum’s website www.mattapoisettmuseum.org/events or will be available at the door if available.

            Four Bridges Bluegrass Band has performed together since 2013. From fast-paced, hard-hitting bluegrass to sultry and down-home country music, they encompass a wide range of traditional sounds that burn with their own vibe. They’ll have you dancing, crying, hootin’, and hollerin’. After years of performing together at countless venues, weddings, celebrations, and tours. They are well-seasoned musicians and know how to bring it. On top of that, they absolutely love to play, and it shows. Last year’s show sold out, so purchase your tickets now.

Mattapoisett Road Race College Stipends

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July 4 will be here before we know it and so will the 54th running of the Mattapoisett Road Race, “4 on the 4th”! Begun in 1971 by Bob and Doris Gardner, 15 runners raced from Point Connett to Shipyard Park. Since then, the route has changed a few times, and now, over 1000 runners start at Shipyard Park, run through the village and around Ned’s Point Lighthouse, and finish at Shipyard Park. Townspeople line the course and cheer on their friends and family.

            Proceeds from the race are used to fund awards for college-bound senior athletes from Old Rochester Regional High School. Over the years, more than $200,000 has been given to deserving students. The online application can be accessed via a QR code available at the high school guidance office. The application deadline is May 18.

Town Meeting Warrant Closed

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            The Marion Select Board met on Tuesday for three action items, though the most notable was the closing of the Town Meeting Warrant.

            First, the board moved to approve the appointment of an Election Warden. As recommended by Town Clerk Katrina Desroches, Elisabeth Horan received a unanimous vote of approval by the board. She gratefully shook hands with municipal workers in the room, with her work beginning on the town’s election day, May 15.

            Next, the board quickly approved the 53G Fund Regulations for the Department of Public Works’ Sewer & Warer Division without discussion.

            Finally, the Select Board was on to close the draft Town Meeting Warrant. Up for discussion were 47 total articles, one being a Citizens Petition and the final two being Special Articles.

            Chair Randy Parker noted he had paused discussion on the budgetary articles of the warrant at the last meeting to allow other board members to further look them over. He then said he had already approved the finance articles last time and had no questions. Article 1 was approved with no members nor audience having anything to say or questions. That began a theme, as Articles 2-31 were rapidly approved next, with unanimous votes and no discussion.

            Vice Chair John Hoagland would move to accept, Member Norm Hills would second, and Parker would call the vote, being all “aye.”

            When the board got to Article 31, Hoagland said, “let’s talk about this one for a minute.” Hills made note of the article as being the transfer of land from the Marine Resource Commission to the Select Board. He stated the land had been transferred to the MRC in 2009, but they have little use for it. Hills stated he hoped the decision to bring the land under the Select Board would allow them to give the land to a proposed Parks Department. Parker immediately said, “I don’t support that,” and with short discussion between the three, Parker made motion to remove the article with only Hills voting to support it.

            Article 32 was a flip of the previous, with only Hills voting “no.” The article deals with eligibility to hold public office as well as limiting the holding of the title of Chair of any board, committee, or commission to no more than three years.

            Article 33 focuses on the relationship between pet owners and tenants and received little discussion other than to point to the reasoning of the article as aligning with the state’s Ollie Law, passed in 2024. Statewide, its official name is “Act to Increase Kennel Safety” and mainly focuses on regulations for commercial boarding and training kennels. It was approved unanimously.

            Article 34 pertains to the Attorney General requirements for the MS4 Bylaw, recently passed in the Fall Special Town Meeting. It grants authority to the town to handle abatements in relation to MS4. It was approved unanimously.

            Quickly, the board then approved Articles 35-45. 45 being a Citizens Petition.

            The two Special Articles were then approved with little discussion. Article S1: To see if the Town will vote to transfer from available funds in the Treasury (Free Cash) a sum not to exceed $219,869.19 to supplement the Fiscal Year 2026 budget of the Department of Public Works to pay expenses associated with the removal of snow and ice from public ways during said Fiscal Year; or take any other action relative thereto. Article S2: To see if the Town will vote to transfer any remaining balance in the Fiscal Year 2026 Group Insurance budget, after all obligations for said accounts have been satisfied, to the Town’s General Stabilization Fund, established pursuant to M.G.L.c.40, §5B, or take any other action relative thereto.

            Following the short 21-minute meeting, the Town Meeting Warrant was officially closed. The Select Board will hold a Town Meeting Warrant Review at the Marion Music Hall on Wednesday, April 22 at 6:00 pm. Town Meeting will be held on Monday, May 11 at 6:45 pm in Sippican School. The Town Election is on Friday, May 15, 2026, but in person early voting is Thursday, May 7 through Thursday, May 14.

            The next regular meeting of the Mation Select Board is scheduled for Tuesday, April 7 at 6:00 pm in the Marion Police Station.

Marion Select Board

By Sam Bishop

What’s Up There?

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            This is the continuing monthly column for the astronomer in all of us, or the aspiring astro-physicist. Compared to areas near Boston or New Bedford, generally speaking, the Tri-Town has pretty good dark skies and thus are very fortunate in that regard. This year has already brought with it some great stellar sights as we eye with anticipation humanity’s return to the Moon.

            First up, on April 1, the scheduled launch of the long-delayed and long-awaited Artemis II mission from Kennedy Space Center. The 9-day-long flight will see four astronauts, three Americans and one Canadian, return to lunar orbit for the first time since Apollo 17 in 1972. Not spoken of often, this mission also breaks the record for the most astronauts in deep space (out of Earth orbit) at one time, with the previous record from the Apollo missions at three.

            The crew is Commander Reid Weismann from Maryland, Pilot Victor Glover from California, Mission Specialist 1 Christina Koch from Michigan, and Mission Specialist 2 Jeremy Hansen from Ontario.

            After liftoff and competing one orbit around the Earth, the Orion capsule begins its four-day, 240,000-mile dart to the moon, which it reaches on day 6 of the journey. After nine days, the capsule crashes back to the blue planet and lands in the Pacific. If the April 1 launch date is unfavorable, NASA is targeting the first six days of the month more generally as alternatives.

            For cosmic events this month, we stick with the moon at first. On April 2, the month’s full moon will occur. Being the first full moon in spring, this one is referred to as the “Pink Moon” due to the colors of flowers in bloom, not the color of the Moon’s glow itself.

            The new moon will be on April 17, making this the best time to hunt for galaxies, nebulae, and other dimmer stellar masses.

            On April 18, Mercury, Mars, Saturn, and Neptune (if you have a capable telescope) are all near each other in the early-morning sky just near the horizon. Venus is also visible, though it is at night and near the moon.

            The Lyrid Meteor Shower occurs this year between April 15 and April 29, peaking on April 24 with about 18 meteors per hour. It is named after and seen near the constellation Lyra, or near the star Vega. The star Vega is where the aliens in Carl Sagan’s Contact were from, if you were wondering.

            Taking the spot of Venus nearest the Moon in the night sky is Jupiter, that closes in on our moon on April 22 in a “conjecture.” Around this time, Venus will be visible near Uranus (also requiring a telescope) as the two are just off from the Pleiades star cluster, known as the Seven Sisters.

Astronomy Update for April

By Sam Bishop

Sippizine Call for Submissions for “Lucky” Issue

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Southeastern Massachusetts creatives are invited to bring prose, poetry, and visual art centered on the theme of “Lucky” to the community literary magazine Sippizine.

            Open to poetry, prose (under 1,000 words), visual art and video, submissions are accepted through April 4. Sippizine provides a welcoming platform for both established and emerging voices to share their stories. Contributors from Onset to Fall River have contributed to the six previous issues of this community literary project.

            “As Sippizine begins its fourth year, I appreciate the range of voices we’ve shared,” says editor and publisher Alanna Nelson. “Each creative brings a new angle to life in our neck of the woods.”

            Visit sippizine.art to read past issues, find fresh inspiration, and submit to the next issue. Bring us your prose, poetry and art, and celebrate life in Southeastern Massachusetts.

Spring Hike with MLT at Old Aucoot

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On Saturday, April 4 at 10:00 am, the Mattapoisett Land Trust is excited to bring you a dog hiking Adventure. This is the first in a year-long series every other first Saturday of the month (next walk in June!).

            We can’t think of a better way to spend a couple of hours on a Saturday morning than hiking with friends and dogs in the woods! Bring your own dog or meet new ones on this Adventure Hike. We will meet at the new Grace Pond parking lot (please continue down Bowman Rd. to the new lot) for a walk through Old Aucoot District. The Old Aucoot District is a collection of properties making up roughly 397 acres of protected land and trails. Don’t have a dog to bring? No problem – there will be plenty of dogs to share! We will begin by heading down the red trail towards the water, then loop back and meander up Old Slough Road to the parking lot for an approximately 1 1/2-hour walk. What a great way to start the weekend! This event is free and will happen rain or shine! Wear sturdy shoes, and your dog should be on leash. Questions? Email manager@mattlandtrust.org.

Rose (Converse) Morgan

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Rose (Converse) Morgan of Wenham, formerly of Ipswich and Marion, died peacefully on March 22nd, two weeks before her 90th birthday.

            Born in Boston on April 6th , 1936, she was the daughter of the late Rose Bullock Converse and Roger Wolcott Converse. She was raised in Brookline and spent her summers in Marion, where she developed a lifelong love of sailing and raced in Sippican Harbor.

            Rosie attended The Park School, The Winsor School, and St. Timothy’s School, and graduated from Smith College in 1958.

            In 1959, she married Hewitt “Cub” Morgan, Jr. The couple settled in Ipswich, where they raised their three daughters. Rosie was active in her community and supported numerous nonprofit and educational organizations. She served as a board member of the Ipswich YMCA and the United Way of the North Shore.

            She was an accomplished golfer and tennis player, with her name appearing on championship boards at Essex County Club in Manchester and The Kittansett Club in Marion. She recorded three holes-in-one.

            Rosie was known for her warmth, competitive spirit, and genuine interest in others. She was a devoted mother and grandmother and was a constant presence at her family’s activities and sporting events.

            She is survived by her daughters, Wendy Morgan Richardson and her husband, Peter, of Wenham, and Laura Kemper Morgan of Marion; her son-in-law, David Daignault of Redding, CT; her sister, Christina Jackson and her husband, Patrick, of Yarmouth, ME; her grandchildren, Elizabeth R. MacLaughlin (Ben), Christopher Richardson (Henrietta), Andrew Richardson (Megan), Maximilian and Casey Daignault; her great-grandchildren, Bo, Peter, and Miles MacLaughlin, and James Richardson; and several nieces and nephews.

            She was the wife of the late Hewitt “Cub” Morgan, Jr.; the mother of the late Rose “Posie” Bullock Morgan; and the sister of the late Roger, Costello, and Chandler Converse, and Vera Converse Gibbons.

            In accordance with Rose’s wishes, her funeral services will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to the Posie Morgan Scholarship Fund, New Pond Farm Education Center, 101 Marchant Road, Redding, CT 06896. Arrangements by the Campbell Funeral Home, 6 High Street, Ipswich. Condolences at www.campbellfuneral.com.

Assessors’ Budget & Town Meeting Warrant

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            The Marion Finance Committee remotely met on March 26 with the purpose of discussion the Board of Assessors’ budget, as well as offing recommendations for or against articles on the draft Town Meeting Warrant.

            Assessor George T.J. Walker of the Board of Assessors spoke first, as he and the FinCom quickly discussed the board’s budget. Walker also went over its purpose and various oversights. He stated the town has about 4,100 assessed record cards, totaling around $2,924,000,000 with single-family homes making up the vast majority of valuations.

            For the board’s budget, he noted three areas of focus for large increases. The first was due subscriptions to the Massachusetts Association of Assessing Offices, which has risen 25% from $100 to $125. Next was software, where Walker noted the CAMA (computer-assisted mass appraisal) system that has only four separate options used by the state, with its fees rising from $29,784 to $33,365. There was discussion on wages for those working in the Assessor’s office and the need to raise compensation. Should a hiring need to take place, Walker said, the current wage is far under what other towns are paying.

            Finance Director Heather O’Brien clarified that the requested pay raise would require a increase of the position’s classification and contract, currently being a Class F. Walker stated the three assessor positions, collector, treasurer, and associate assessor, used to be in the same pay grade with the collector role now being outstanding. “It was in the same grade for 24 years,” said Walker, who said, “I have no idea,” when asked why this position was now in a different grade. He stated that the decision was made without his inclusion or knowledge.

            Town Administrator Geoffrey Gorman stated such a contract change was not relevant to the budgetary discussion and said he would be open to discussing it with the assessor at a different time.

            FinCom then moved to offer recommendations on the remaining articles in the draft Town Meeting Warrant that they did not cover at prior meetings. The Select Board was to look at the warrant the following week.

            The next meeting of the Marion Finance Committee was not scheduled at adjournment.

Marion Finance Committee

By Sam Bishop

Not Your Average Barkeeper

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            When you go out nowadays, you are entering a world where the barkeeper is so much more than the guy pouring you a beer – they are most likely a mixologist. A mixologist is an artisan much like today’s chefs are considered “curators” of food. A mixologist most likely has taken classes to learn the craft and fearlessly acquaints the drinker with beverages that are infused with berries, herbs, salts, colors; well, just about anything you can imagine.

            On Tuesday the Mattapoisett Free Public Library hosted a presentation on the subject of mixology and focused primarily on the non-alcoholic drink concepts. Coming before an enthusiastic group of twenty-somethings was the aptly named Cocktail Guru, Jonathan Pogash. Pogash is the owner of this unique enterprise offering consulting services that can include corporate events or catered parties.

            Now living locally, Pogash began his cocktail journey in such world class venues as The Russian Tea Room in New York City.

            With the rise of “mocktails” as a way to serve delicious beverages to those seeking non-alcoholic options Pogash delighted the attendees on this night. He prepared several drinks offering a taste testing for reach.

            Pogash’s presentation included how to shack a cocktail, as well as the types of equipment a mixologist should invest in.

            To learn more about mixology, visit the Cocktail Guru’s website: thecocktailguru.com.

By Marilou Newell