Caroline Rose Friedman

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Caroline Rose Friedman of Barrington Rhode Island passed away unexpectedly on February 4th, 2025, after a joy-filled but very challenging life complicated by her many medical issues. Make no mistake, Caroline packed a lot of fun into her short life. Caroline was a true warrior and a gift to all she met.

            Caroline is survived by her loving parents Theodore “Ted” and Elizabeth “Betsy” Friedman; younger sister Addison “Addy”; dogs Daisy and Piper; grandmothers Shari Friedman of Barrington, RI and Kathy McGowan of Mattapoisett, Mass and Venice, Fla; Grandfather Robert (Deborah) Friedman of New York City; aunts Katie Emche (James) of Ocean Pines, Md; Marya Dunham (John) of Mattapoisett, Mass; and Kerry McNulty (Brian) of Duxbury, Mass; uncles Dan (Robyn) Friedman of Maplewood, NJ and Eric (Kate) Friedman of Washington DC; Caroline was predeceased by her paternal grandfather Charles McGowan and uncle Peter McGowan. Additionally, Caroline had a host of loving and adored cousins; Jake (Gabby), Phoebe, Elizabeth, Matthew, Kathleen, Kate, Izzy, Oliver (Jane), Carsyn, Owen, Grayson and Finley. Family was the center of Caroline’s world and she showered them all with her unlimited love.

            Born in Providence, RI, Caroline raced into this world two months early and had medical challenges from day one. She spent her first four months surrounded by her parents, family, and exceptional caregivers at Women & Infants NICU & Boston Children’s Hospital as she underwent open heart surgery and a host of other procedures. It was a very rocky first decade, but she persevered. Immediately Caroline captured everyone’s attention with her fierce determination that defied all the odds.

            Caroline’s pure and generous spirit, coupled with her willingness to share herself with you, was truly captivating. Time with Caroline was a joyous, full-sensory experience. She would tell you a story, lock in on you to hold your attention, get up in your space, share her photos, ask you questions, share laughs and wave others away. It always felt like an honor to be singled out of the pack as the object of her affection. For Caroline, time spent at the beach in Mattapoisett with friends and family was time well spent. The beach was her happy place. Caroline thrived in social gatherings, large or small with those closest to her. She  connected her large extended family daily through her two group texts: “Family Funhouse” and “Friedmans are bomb.” A popular message on the Funhouse group chat from Caroline was, “Good afternoon, everyone, how is your day going?” She brightened our days with her kind words, thoughts on life and questions to the family. Facetime was the preferred way of communication because she always wanted the full experience of seeing you if you were not lucky enough to be together. A social media maven at heart, Caroline also enjoyed managing multiple accounts chronicling her adventures and her pets.

            Life for this remarkable woman was not without complications. The 21 years we had with Caroline were only possible through miracles of modern medical science. We nearly lost her a few times, especially in her early years. For her first 12 years, Betsy & Ted had to mix lifesaving medication every 24 hours, which was then pumped into a central line, straight into her heart. That medication had to be on ice, dispensed from a very small backpack to keep this courageous and special child alive. The backpack that she wore with confidence every day was her first fashion statement. She learned to crawl, sit up and then to walk, all while hooked up to oxygen and her backpack.

            Her doctors in Rhode Island and Boston were passionate about her care and gave her their very best treatment, time and attention. They too were captivated by her charm and irresistible personality. Caroline’s ability to personally connect with all the specialists she saw regularly, whether checking her in at a doctor’s appointment or trying to draw blood from her in the hospital, was unbelievable. Once when she was at Boston Children’s Hospital for an especially long time, Caroline decided she would brighten people’s days by decorating stethoscopes – wrapping them in crazy patterns of duct tape. Doctors & nurses came from all over the hospital to drop theirs off at the foot of her bed and come back to pick it up later! She was always a force to be reckoned with whenever she discovered a new interest!

            Caroline never allowed her limitations to dampen her spirit. She demanded to swim like everyone else – so her first bathing suit was a custom-made drysuit to keep her backpack dry. A couple of years ago, she wanted to work at Oxford Creamery – her favorite ice cream spot in Mattapoisett, so she asked the owners for a job. Like everyone else, they quickly fell under her spell, and she enjoyed two incredible summers working for the best bosses around. The added benefit of the possibility of a lobster roll at the end of her shift, was always a perk!

            We will always remember Caroline’s love for ice cream, lobster rolls (at any time and any price), singing and dancing to music (Taylor Swift, Queen, Mylie Cyrus, Katy Perry and Chappell Roan), saying “Music is my life” and then laughing because she knew it would make others laugh too. She loved eating sushi, building the perfect charcuterie board, planning parties and trips, playing Unified Basketball (“Can’t Miss Caroline” was her nickname), participating in Unified Theater at Barrington High School, watching Jimmy Fallon, and drinking as many French Vanilla Swirl Iced Coffees from Dunkin (or Pink Drinks… or another from a rotating list of drinks at Starbucks) as she could convince anyone to buy for her. She was always taking pictures of her family and friends, making funny videos, crafting homemade ice cream, sending out endless sunset and cute dog pictures and documenting her quest to add to her large and small kitchen gadget collection.

            Caroline’s strength, perseverance and enthusiasm for life were legendary. She was a beacon of light and beamed positivity. Her radiant smile and warm presence revealed the love she had for everyone around her. She brought out the best in everyone and simply made you a better human just by being in her orbit. Sunshine, joy, laughter and so much kindness all wrapped up in one small person.

            We will celebrate Caroline’s remarkable life and tremendous legacy with a party fit for the ultimate party planner herself at the beach next summer – exactly as she would have loved. The family would like to say a very special thank you to her unbelievable pediatrician Dr Kevin Clegg of Barrington Pediatrics and her Cardiologist/Pulmonary Hypertension Specialist Dr Mary Mullen of Boston Children’s Hospital who helped guide all of Caroline’s tremendous and very complicated care so lovingly for over 21 years.

            In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Caroline’s name to the Pulmonary Hypertension Association.

            “And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count, it is the life in your years” – Abraham Lincoln.

            Please visit www.smithmason.com for online condolences.

Farm Conservation Plan Review Required for Wetland Project

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Rochester’s Conservation Commission Tuesday said “not so fast” to the withdrawal of a Notice of Intent application to convert a wetlands swamp at 224 North Avenue into a wildlife and aquatic habitat, agricultural drainage area, and fire emergency pond.

            The petition was axed just prior to the board’s February 4 meeting after Conservation Agent Merilee Kelly consulted with the DEP and concluded the work was exempted from wetlands bylaw restrictions because it is 61A agricultural land. During the meeting, the board declared that applicant and farmer Cody Wood still has to seek its permission to do this work.

            Commission member Ben Bailey said his research reveals that Wood must submit a Farm Conservation Plan that the board must review and approve. He said exemptions from wetlands bylaw restrictions do not include the creation of a pond, only the expansion or reconstruction of an existing one. “It’s not something he can just do on his own,” Bailey said.

            The other board members agreed. Commission Chair Christopher Gerrior said review of such a conservation plan would then need to be followed by a Notice of Intent application. He added that the pond creation needs to be an integral part of the kind of farming the applicant is planning. “He needs to describe what he wants to do there,” Gerrior said.

            “He has to go through those hoops,” Bailey added.

            Gerrior instructed Kelly and administrative assistant Danielle Craig to immediately inform Wood in writing of what he must do and find out if he already has a written farm plan.

            In other action, the board issued a Certificate of Compliance marking the successful completion of the Order of Conditions for the construction of a new storage shed and yard improvements at 129 Dexter Lane.

            The board issued a Certificate of Compliance endorsing the successful completion of the Order of Conditions for the construction of a new residence and associated work for property owned by Joel C. Sullivan on High Street.

            The board learned state engineering consultants will be studying the railroad track embankment near SEMASS as part of a project to detect why a recent track embankment failure and collapse occurred. Engineering consultant Ellen Douglas explained via Zoom that a serious embankment failure occurred in Sandwich on October 27, 2020. The study will assess whether climate change is affecting Massachusetts rail infrastructure this way. Drought conditions may have caused the 2020 collapse. This Cape Cod Rail Resilience Research project will be funded totally by state funds, she said. Two other Cape Cod locations are also being studied.

            The next Conservation Commission meeting will be on February 18 at 7:00 pm, at Town Hall, 1 Constitution Way.

Rochester Conservation Commission

By: Michael J. DeCicco

Clowns, Trains and Monkeys

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As I was saying…

            Since the new year began, I have made every effort to ignore the world around me, locally and nationally. I have attempted to just chill out and relax sitting by the fire catching up on reading my collection of last year’s Christmas gift books. It hasn’t been easy.

            If I glance at my phone to check the weather, I find out that the polar vortex has caused dangerous cold (as if I hadn’t noticed). There are endless alerts to an egg-shortage due to bird flu; that the world’s largest iceberg is about to collide with an island in Britain and wipe out the penguins and seals; and that the doomsday clock is getting closer to twelve.

            I’m reminded there are wars in the east or terrible wildfires in the west. It has been especially hard to avoid the shenanigans in Washington, D.C. It seems the usual circus has expanded down there. The clown car appears to have a new coat of bright red paint and brand-new tires ready to spin its wheels around the beltway and beyond.

            Congress of course…well let us not talk about that anymore, although I have already heard one pundit suggest that a “monkey could do their job.”

            Well, maybe one can. Meet Mr. Wide and Jack.

            James Edwin Wide…a man…and his friend Jack…a monkey lived in South Africa in the 1800’s. Jack, to be precise, was a baboon (but let’s not quibble).

            Mr. Wide was a signalman for the local railroad. When the trains announced their arrival at the station with a series of whistles, Mr. Wide’s job was to push and pull assorted levers changing the direction of the tracks, ensuring the train would arrive at the proper spot safely. It was a very important job.

            One day at the market Mr. Wide spotted the baboon pulling an oxcart. Impressed, he purchased the monkey, named him Jack, and proceeded to train it to clean his house, wake him up in the morning, and wheel him to the train station in a small trolley. Did I mention Mr. Wide had no legs thanks to an accident on the job? This made Mr. Wide’s life much easier.

            One day Jack failed to wake Mr. Wide. Being a very smart monkey, he arrived at the station alone and performed Mr. Wide’s job of pushing and pulling levers without incident. No one seemed to notice and after a few days of this Mr. Wide, discovering what Jack was up to, let him continue to guide the train safely into the station…until a passenger complained.

            Investigators from the railroad company arrived to witness Jack’s amazing ability and decided to keep him on the job. Mr. Wide would continue to receive his pay as Jack’s “supervisor.” Jack would also get paid in beer plus 20 cents per week.

            Yes, this is a true story! You can’t make this stuff up.

            Jack continued to do his job for nearly 10 years without any mistakes (thankfully!) while Mr. Wide would pursue his hobby of taxidermy. (Maybe Jack noticed early on what Mr. Wide’s hobby was).

            Jack passed away in 1890 of tuberculosis. His skull now resides in the Albany Museum in Grahamstown, South America.

            Perhaps the clowns in Washington ought to take heed.

            Mattapoisett resident Dick Morgado is an artist and happily retired writer. His newspaper columns appeared for many years in daily newspapers around Boston.

Thoughts on…

By Dick Morgado

Summer Programs at the MAC

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The MAC has opened registration to members for the ArtStart 2025. ArtStart is the MAC’s summer art program for children ages 4 1/2 to 9 years, offered in June and July each year. ArtStart teachers are specialists in music, dance, theater, and art, most of whom teach throughout the year and are professionals in their fields. Activities include arts and crafts, theater, music, games, and storytelling.

            The schedule for 2025 is Session 1: Monday, June 23 – Friday, June 27;

Session 2: Monday, June 30 – Thursday, July 3 (4 days, no camp July 4);

Session 3: Monday, July 7 – Friday, July 11;

Session 4: Monday, July 14 – Friday, July 18;

Session 5: Monday, July 21 – Friday, July 25. The cost for the 5-day session: MAC Members: $255, Non-members: $295; cost for the 4-day session is: MAC Members: $205, Non-members: $240. Registration for non-members will begin on February 18. More information is available at: marionartcenter.org/artstart.

            Dungeons & Dragons: Our participants are immersed in a week-long journey of creative storytelling and thrilling improvisation with the Guild of Imagination’s five-day Dungeons & Dragons program. Players will craft their own unique hero and embark on a fantastical adventure. With a focus on encouraging creativity, teamwork, and problem solving, Dungeons & Dragons ignites imaginations and nurtures storytelling skills. This unforgettable experience will forge friendships in a safe and supportive environment and create memories that will last a lifetime. Session 1: July 28 – August 1; Session 2: August 4 – August 8 MAC. Members: $250, Non-members: $285. More information at: marionartcenter.org/d-and-d.

            All Things Art is an immersive weeklong program which takes place in late summer and is geared toward young artists ages 10-15. During their time in the Art Studio, young artists will experiment with a number of practices, techniques and media such as drawing, sculpting, printmaking, fiber arts, working with clay, and more. Learn how to talk about art making and what inspires one’s creative choices.

            The All Things Art Schedule for 2025: Session 1 – Monday, July 28 – Friday, August 1; Session 2 – Monday, August 4 – Friday, August 8; Session 3 – Monday, August 11 – Friday, August 15. Cost: MAC Members: $250, Non-members: $290, plus a $55 materials fee per student each week. For more information and to register: marionartcenter.org/all-things-art

 

Rochester Republican Town Committee

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The Rochester Republican Town Committee will hold its next meeting on Monday, February 10, at 6:30 pm. The meeting will take place at the Ponderosa Sportsman Club, located at 242 Robinson Rd, Acushnet. Russ and Wendy Keeler are the guest speakers and will talk about the Rochester Land Trust. The community is welcome to attend and bring a friend.

New School Health Committee Created

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The Marion School Committee met Thursday, January 30 with a list of action items and pending approvals. The first item was the approval of a fundraiser for Sippican Elementary for a fieldtrip in May. The sixth-grade trip is to Camp Burgess in Sandwich. The trip fundraiser was unanimously approved. Three donations were also approved and accepted: $4,000 from the Feinstein Foundation for school pantries, Shutterfly/Life Touch annual donation $1614.86 as a part of revenues generated, and $27.79 from a sixth-grade fundraising effort with Red Robin. A mini-grant was also accepted for $320 for a Lego Spike Kit.

             The district’s financial report was given, noting the remaining funds and expenses in line for the remainder of FY25. The Chairperson’s Report was also presented, being about halfway through the current school year. School libraries have reported a record number of books being checked and read the past year with other literacy programs, according to Superintendent Nelson, going strong.

            Project Grow has seen many programs through the winter such as learning about beehives, tracing shadows, and writing to pen pals. Third graders also created portraits for the upcoming Tri-Town Against Racism art contest for Black History Month.

            The committee also went over what was approved at the most recent Joint School Committee meeting from January 23.

            Considering the recent pandemic, the superintended said towards the end of the meeting, “we have learned we need to have a School Health and Wellness Committee – connected to our food service department and physical education department. I am recommending the four school committees appoint a member from each of the boards.” From Marion, committee member Nicole McGaffey volunteered and was approved by the committee for membership in the new School Health and Wellness Committee.

            The next meeting of the Marion School Committee will be held March 6.

Marion School Committee

By: Sam Bishop

Slam Dunks and Hockey Pucks

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Boys Basketball

            The Old Rochester Regional high school boys’ basketball team hosted Bishop Stang (7-7), on January 29, and won 78-61. Gavin Martin was named the player of the game, as he got a double-double, scoring 13 points and having 12 assists. Finn Kavanagh scored 22 points, Grady Oliveira scored 16, and Henry Berry and Hunter Horsey both had 8 points. The Bulldogs doubled Bishop Stang’s score at half, going up 36-18 and never going back. Old Rochester made 9 three-pointers in the win, and their record currently stands at 8-8. Their next game will be played at home against Joseph Case (1-13), on February 7.

Girls Basketball

            Old Rochester played Greater New Bedford Voc/Tech (7-10) on January 31 and won 65-53. The Bulldogs continue their dominance, winning nine games in a row. They will host Bourne (13-1) on February 6.

Hockey

            The Bulldogs played Bishop Stang (12-3) on February 1 and won 4-0. The Bulldogs are now 7-7 after the win and will face Greater New Bedford Voc/Tech on February 5.

Sports Roundup

By Aiden Comorosky

Library Renovations Underway

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Sitting atop a small rise in the topography of Spring Street sits the Elizabeth Taber Library, an elegant fixture in the community since 1872. The library was gifted to the town by philanthropist Elizabeth Taber. The posted history of the library states that Taber was considered the “fairy godmother” of Marion. The childless widow was a sharp financial investor and generous in giving Marion and other organizations outside the town boundaries money used to benefit the cultural and social integrity of this seaside gem.

Taber gifted the town additional monies to ensure the library could operate with financial stability into the future.

Two wings were added to the original building in the 1980s that increased the much needed stack space, that’s library-speak for book shelves. As time has marched forward into the twenty-first century, the growing needs of the community for a host of library services, meant considering renovations. Fortuitously in 2024, an anonymous doner stepped forward with a generous gift sufficient to fulfil many of the identified improvements.

            The architect working with the town and the library staff to identify and refine space needs, and the aesthetic look of the interior spaces is David King, a Boston based architect. We talked to King to better understand the process and the plans. “It’s important to keep the historic look and feel of the space,” he began. And while the overall footprint of the two-story building (the Marion Natural History Museum is located on the second floor) will not change, “…meeting space will be opened up, a fresh and airy breakroom will be configured in the basement, and flexible partitions will be used.” King also noted that the children’s room will see improvements as well.

            Coming into the library through the front doors, King said a new circulation desk will greet visitors. All architectural elements that speak to the age of the building will be honored. Decorative moldings and Corinthian-like columns will remain in place.

            Planning wrapped up a few weeks ago and now the library staff is ready to move to their temporary headquarters in the Marion Music Hall. Nothing short of monumental, Library Director Liz Sherry is excited with what the future holds in store. In the meantime, she wants the public to know that nearly all library services will be available at the Music Hall with the exception of copying and computers and other network-based services.

            Sherry said “…it is gratifying to make these improvements.” She believes it speaks to the community’s support and appreciation for the library. Of the updated spaces she added, “It will be fresh and accessible.”

            Sherry also shared the exciting news that the library had recently received a grant from The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. The grant in the amount of $30,000 (Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) will fund a year-long art education project. Starting in March, this year-long project will bring free professionally led crafting workshops to the community of Marion and help the library build a collection of crafting tools and materials.

            The first craft workshops in March will be led by fine jewelry maker Heather Beck, who will be teaching copper stamping in a variety of formats. Beck will lead the following workshops: Saturdays in March at the library from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm: Marth 8 copper bookmarks, March 15 copper key chains, March 22 copper pendants, and March 29 copper night lights.

            Beck’s classes are aimed at young adults and adults and participants can attend one or multiple workshops. Anyone interested in registering for these workshops can email the library at ETLibrary@sailsinc.org or register in person at the library’s temporary location at the Marion Music Hall. Spaces are limited and participants must be aged 12-or-older.

            Future crafting education workshops include basket weaving in April, glass blowing in May, jewelry making in June, machine and hand sewing in July, and wood carving and scrimshaw in September.

            For more information and updates, visit the library’s website elizabethtaberlibrary.org.

By Marilou Newell

Mattapoisett Food Outreach

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The Lamb of God Christian Church of Mattapoisett will be holding our monthly no-cost Food Assistance Outreach at the Mattapoisett American Legion Hall, 3 Depot Street, Mattapoisett, on Sunday, February 9 from 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm.

            This Monthly Food outreach will have frozen meats, non-refrigerated 1-2% milk, assorted juice, frozen vegetables, fresh eggs (limited quantities), and non-perishables. Supplies are limited and all food is fresh and directly received from the Boston Food Bank.

            All Mattapoisett residents needing additional help with the rising costs of food are welcome. As supplies increase this outreach will be opened up to all of the area towns.

            For more information call (508) 998-6990, or E-Mail: pastor@lambofgodma.org or Facebook: Mathew Vangel.

Marion Town Meeting and Election Information

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The Annual Town Meeting will be held on Monday, May 12, followed by the Town Election on Friday, May 16.

            Here is the list of the available elected positions:

Board of Assessors (1)

Board of Health (1)

Select Board (1)

Marion School Committee (1)

ORR School Committee (1)

Open Space Acquisition Commission (2)

Planning Board (2)

            In order to run for an elected position, you must be a registered voter in the Town of Marion.

            The Nomination Papers are available and must be returned to the Town Clerk’s Office by the end of business on March 28. The potential candidate must secure twenty eight (28) signatures in order to be placed on the ballot. The Town Clerk recommends that the potential candidate obtain at least thirty five (35) signatures.

            Any questions, please contact the Town Clerk’s Office at 508-748-3502.