Mattapoisett Yacht Club

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Attention all racers, potential racers, and those that might be interested in joining the Race Committee.

            The annual Skipper’s Meeting is scheduled for Saturday, May 31, at the American Legion Hall on Depot Street at 5:00 pm. The session will commence with an overview of the responsibilities and expectations associated with being part of the Race Committee. This will be followed by a discussion on racing, during which key rules and procedures will be reviewed.

            Registration is now open for all the 2025 Mattapoisett Yacht Club races. Please be advised that the MYC will now utilize Regatta Network for race management. We believe this system will enhance the experience for our racers by providing timely information and faster posting of results.

            Ensign and Wednesday Night Racers. Each series (June, July, and August) is regarded as an individual event. Consequently, participants are required to register and pay for each series separately.

            New this year – Crew Finder. Use this option if you are looking for crew, or if you are interested in being a crew member on a boat. Available on the racing pages.

            Also, keep in mind that racing will be held the week of July 4 (July 1 & 2)

            If you have any problems registering or have any questions, feel free to contact Fran at vicecommodore@mattapoisettyc.org

            Please make every effort to attend this meeting. There are always great discussions and something to learn. BYOB and stay after the meeting to socialize.

Mattapoisett Election Candidates

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ORR School Committee

Each of the tri-towns elects members to the Old Rochester Regional (district) School Committee; these two candidates from the Town of Mattapoisett are running for one, three-year term.

Nina Datshkovsky Ennis

            I’m running for the Old Rochester Regional (ORR) School Committee because I believe parents must have a strong voice in shaping the future of our schools. I aim to be a voice for parents and their contribution to the vision for ORR schools. As a mother and active community advocate, I bring a passionate, common-sense approach rooted in family values and a deep belief that parents are essential partners in the success of our students. I am committed to a bold vision that prioritizes academic excellence, fosters meaningful family engagement, and empowers our entire community to be active partners in every student’s success. Through my work in educational, medical, and judicial settings as a Spanish interpreter and translator, I’ve supported diverse families and witnessed firsthand the gaps in communication and access. I know how critical it is to ensure all students feel supported and all parents feel heard. I’ve also led programs focused on youth development, reinforcing my belief that strong schools are built on trust, transparency, and collaboration between families and educators. With a multicultural and multilingual background, a deep respect for parental rights, and a passion for high-quality education, I will advocate for nutritious food programs, increased physical activity, open communication, and transparent decision-making that puts students first. I’ve served in leadership roles across civic and community organizations and understand how to communicate, build consensus, and deliver meaningful results. Together, we can build a school system that educates with excellence, engages families openly, and empowers our children to thrive.

Betsy Stewart

            My name is Betsy Stewart and I am running for ORR School Committee because I believe in the value of public education and know that a strong school system supports and sustains the health and vitality of its local community. Our public education system must prepare students for tomorrow’s opportunities and challenges. I believe that with my work and life experience, I can make a significant contribution to the school committee and to our community. My combination of professional expertise, leadership experience and community service uniquely position me to serve on this school committee. As a wellness professional and small business owner, I bring extensive knowledge to this role with a passion for education, community well-being and smart resource management. My priorities are accelerating learning improvement, lowering the town’s tax burden through budget reform, investing in civics education, ensuring student safety and increasing civil discourse. I ask that you put your confidence in me and vote for a candidate who will thoroughly research and evaluate current issues which will come before our committee, advocate for students, teachers and staff and work diligently to improve and build upon current academic standards and educational outcomes in the ORR schools, making it an even better educational institution than it already is. Our children deserve the best possible junior and high school experience. I believe my contributions will help foster a thriving educational environment for all students. Please remember to vote on May 20th and ensure that your voice is heard. Thank you.

Mattapoisett Water/Sewer Commission

Two candidates, incumbent Dana Lebaron Barrows and challenger Mason Mathieu, are running for one open seat, a three-year term.

Mason Mathieu

            My name is Mason Mathieu. I have been a resident of Mattapoisett for most of my life. I attended Center School, Old Hammondtown School, Old Rochester Regional Junior High and ORR High School. After high school, I attended the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting before obtaining a Juris Doctorate from the University of Massachusetts Law. I passed the Massachusetts Bar Exam in 2023 and the Bar Exam for Florida in 2024, and I am currently licensed to practice in both states. I am employed in my family Law Firm of Mathieu & Mathieu in New Bedford and Marion. I am also a part time assistant city solicitor/tax title attorney with the City of New Bedford Treasurer’s Office. I am currently on the Board of the Human Rights Committee for the Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative (SMEC). I am seeking to be a commissioner for Mattapoisett’s Water & Sewer Commission because I see it as an opportunity to give back to the community that I have been a part of for the majority of my life. I feel my experience and training would be beneficial in decision making as a board member on the commission. This town has provided me with a safe and fun environment to grow up in, and I would be honored to dedicate a portion of my time and efforts in order to help ensure that it continues to improve and prosper. Thank you for your consideration.

Mattapoisett Board of Health

Two candidates, incumbent Michelle Bernier and challenger N. Douglas Schneider, are running for one, three-year term.

Michelle Bernier

            For the past three years, I have been honored to serve on the Mattapoisett Board of Health. I became interested in serving on the Board in 2023 when I retired from my job as Solid Waste director for the Town of North Attleboro. For 20 years I was responsible for the town’s landfill, gas flare and monitoring system, their transfer station and curbside trash collection program for 8,000 households. Since my retirement, serving on Mattapoisett’s Board of Health has given me the opportunity to use the knowledge and experience I gained in that job. In addition to reviewing septic systems, the Mattapoisett Board of Health is responsible for your weekly trash collection, the operation of the transfer station and compost site and maintenance of the capped landfill. The town has recently signed a five-year contract with a new waste-hauling company; we are starting a swap shop for reuse and have ordered a new scale for the transfer station. I have lived in Mattapoisett since 1987. I served on the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen from 1996 to 1999. I did my undergraduate work at Providence College and my graduate work at the College of William and Mary. Prior to my employment in the recycling industry, I had a varied career including teaching for a couple of years at Riverview School in East Sandwich. I believe I am making a significant contribution to the town with my expertise and experience, particularly in the area of recycling and composting. I would appreciate your vote. Thank you.

Abutters Angry over Solar Array

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            Rochester’s Planning Board Tuesday entertained a further review of two large projects on Cranberry Highway and Snipatuit Road and the neighbors’ strong concerns over them before ultimately continuing both hearings to its next meeting.

            First, the board reopened the Site Plan Review application hearing to build a 20,000 square-foot commercial building for contractor bays with associated access drives, parking areas, utilities and stormwater management system at the west side of Cranberry Highway.

            Applicant Sealord Enterprises representative Bob Rogers said the property will include 55 parking spaces and 10 bays measuring approximately 25×20 square feet. Board Chair Arnold Johnson asked if there will be security gates, dumpsters, and any retail use. Rogers said there will not be such a gate at the property entrance, but pads for dumpsters are in the plans, and he is not looking for variances that would allow retail use. Johnson requested a lighting plan for when Rogers returns after the town engineer’s peer review.

            Linda Westgate, a direct abutter who said she has lived there most of her life, complained the area is highly congested already. “I can’t imagine how it will be after this moves in,” she said. She complained she is one of the few residential buildings left there now. “The woods are going away. The animals are going away!”

            “I don’t think you will see us from your house,” Rogers answered. “I don’t think there will be big noise.”

            The board continued this hearing, pending a peer-review report from the town engineer.

            Next, the board reopened its Special Permit and Site Plan Review hearing for Logging Swamp Solar dba ReWild Renewables’ plan for a solar array on 49 acres in the area of 600 Snipatuit Road. Zak Markes of ReWild Renewables noted the project will be set within 2,000 acres of forested land. The array itself will have a 50-acre footprint, including 35 acres within a 15-acre fence perimeter. He said the developer’s two top concerns are being as far out of sight and mind of the abutters as possible and controlling stormwater.

            Alan Gragnani of 655 Snipatuit Road repeated the complaint he lodged at last week’s Conservation Commission hearing that the proposed access road to the site would be 40 feet from his property and 100 feet from his well. He wanted to know how stripped his porch view would become. He wanted to know how much land clearing will need to be done and how the project will affect the already wet conditions that his property and his basement sometimes face.

            Lisa Christensen of 663 Snipatuit Road added the project will come 20 feet from her property. She repeated the neighbors’ suggestion of last week that the access road could be moved farther away from their property.

            Markes assured the abutters the road, once completed, will not carry much traffic, as it is simply an access to the solar equipment. He added that the developer is, in fact, looking into moving the access road. Johnson assured them that by law a developer may not increase water flow in the area of its project. He said the design to meet that purpose must meet high standards and that the Planning Board will not just rubber-stamp a plan. Johnson said the board will follow up and inspect to make sure the project is being done right.

            In other action, the board also continued to its next meeting a hearing to modify the Special Permit and Groundwater Protection District Special Permit for Cushman Road Solar, Cushman Road, under a plan to construct additional sub-drainage improvements within an existing driveway off Robinson Road. Johnson said the peer review was ongoing.

            The Rochester Planning Board’s next meeting will be Tuesday, May 27, at 7:00 pm at Town Hall, 1 Constitution Way.

Rochester Planning Board

By Michael J. DeCicco

Avoid the Summer Itch!

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Here comes summer, bringing outdoor barbecues, swimming and sailing, but also sunburn, mosquito-borne illnesses and poison ivy.

            Let’s focus today on the itchy rash that plagues so many.

            Poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac share the same sap oil, urushiol, in their roots, stems and leaves. The oil is colorless and odorless, so it may not be obvious that you have it on your skin. You can spread it from one part of your skin to another without knowing it.

            About 2/3 of adults develop dermatitis after getting urushiol on their skin, typically 1-2 days after contact, though it may be delayed if a first contact.

            The rash is red and bumpy and intensely itchy, and is often in streaks, reflecting brushing against the plant. If severe, blisters may develop. The rash typically clears in 2-3 weeks.

            Treatment is for symptoms, not cure, and includes wet compresses, calamine lotion and topical steroid creams. If it is very extensive or involves sensitive areas like the face or genitals, oral steroids can be prescribed.

            Much better is prevention. If you think you have been exposed, wash your entire body with mild soap; water alone will not remove the oil, which penetrates the skin. Use a soapy brush under the nails. Wash any clothing that may have contacted the oil in warm soapy water.

            Pets can carry the oil on their fur and pass it to you when you touch them, so bathe them if they have run through the plants.

            Best, of course, is to avoid contact!

            Poison ivy usually has three broad, tear-shaped leaves. It can grow as a climbing or low-spreading vine that sprawls through grass and often grows along rivers, lake fronts and ocean beaches. It is found everywhere in the continental U.S.

            Poison oak has leaves that look like oak leaves and it grows as a vine or a shrub. The plant can have 3 to 5 leaflets per group. It is most common in the western U.S.

            Poison sumac has seven to 13 leaflets per stem that are characterized by smooth surfaces and pointed tips. It is most often found in wooded, moist areas of the southern U.S.

            Summer will be a lot more fun without the itch!

            Edward Hoffer MD is Associate Professor of Medicine, part-time, at Harvard.

What Does The Doctor Say?

By Dr. Edward Hoffer

Boat Race Ham & Bean Supper

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The Rochester Memorial Day Boat Race (RMDBR) Ham and Bean Supper will be held Saturday May 24 at the Rochester Senior Center, 65 Dexter Lane. The supper will be served from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm and tickets can be purchased at the door. Adults, $10.00 and children under twelve are only $5.00. There is the option to eat in, eat on the patio if weather permits, or take-out. Beans baked by the best bean bakers in town, coleslaw, potato salad, rolls and brown bread. And to top it all off, apple crisp for dessert. Proceeds from the supper help offset the expenses of the race.

            Also, there will be raffles available for each of two carbon fiber racing paddles made by Bill Watling III. A third raffle for a beautiful handmade 94 x 66-inch quilt, the top made and designed by Faith Bettencourt and finished by the Creative Crafters of the Rochester Council on Aging. And one additional raffle to get your Spring plantings bursting out of the ground, a one-gallon container of Organic Gem Liquid Fish. This will make 15 gallons of ready to use fertilizer.  Tickets for the raffles will be sold at the boat race registration session and at the Ham & Bean supper. The winners will be drawn at the supper.

            This is the 91st anniversary of the race.  Enjoy a great meal at one of the important social events of the year in our area. The more, the merrier. For additional information please contact Arthur Benner, Chairman, RMDBR, 508-763-2024 or email, artbenner@comcast.net.

From the Files of the Rochester Historical Society

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Over many years Rochester has held horse pulls, tractor pulls and even circuses. It has become known as a “horse” town due to the number of stables within its borders and now there will be a rodeo in town.

            The word rodeo comes from a Spanish word that means round up. The earliest rodeos were informal competitions between neighboring ranch hands to see who was best at the roping and riding skills needed to work on a cattle ranch. The first ranches covered extensive, unfenced prairie where cattle grazed and when it came time to round them up in order to trail them to market, those skills were of prime importance. The early names of what would later be called rodeos-stampedes, round ups and cowboy contests reflected this.

            The fencing of the West in the early 1900’s put many cowboys out of work and some turned to performing their roping and riding skills in western shows in a tradition that went back to the 1880’s and Bill Cody’s Wild West Show. With time, a need was seen to bring organization and structure to what were at times chaotic contests.

            In 1929, the Rodeo Association of America was created. It set up rules which excluded many, including women from participating and which attempted to make the contests safer. Seven years later in October of 1936, rodeo cowboys boycotted the Madison Square Garden Rodeo demanding better prize money and judges who actually understood rodeos. By 1939, they had formed their own organization called the Cowboy Turtle Organization. They picked that name because they had been “slow to act but had finally stuck their necks out for the cause”. In 1945 the name changed to Rodeo Cowboys Association and then in 1975 to Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.

            Stories of cowboys and the old west grew in popularity fueled first by radio, then early movies and finally TV starring a host of western stars including the Lone Ranger, Roy Rogers and Gene Autry. By the 1950’s and 60’s, TV was full of western shows and today there is a Cowboy Channel on Cable.

            As rodeos popularity grew, venues in the East, particularly Madison Square Garden, hosted them. The first rodeo in Boston Garden was in 1931. In a box of “historical stuff”, I found a program for the Ninth World’s Championship Rodeo held at Boston Garden in 1940 which my mother attended. Inside the program was the autographed picture of Gene Autry (shown here) who had just begun bringing his rodeo to larger venues.

            I wonder how many other Rochester kids made the exciting trip into Boston to experience the rodeo. For any who did, like my mother, it was one of those events that make you want to save the program and pictures that hold those good memories.

            And now this summer, new rodeo memories can be made right here in town.

By Connie Eshbach

Academic Achievements

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Bessie Pierre of Marion and ORRHS class of 2021, graduated from Duke University with highest distinction from its Sanford School of Public Policy. Her honors thesis is entitled “An Evaluation of the Every Student Succeeds Act’s Educational Stability Provision for Foster Youth in Massachusetts.” Graduating with distinction is among the highest honors that Duke bestows on its undergraduates.

            Emily Humphrey of Rochester has been named to Southern New Hampshire University’s Spring 2025 Dean’s List. The spring term runs from January to May.

Girls Tennis Dominating SCC

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Girls Tennis

            The Old Rochester Regional High School girls tennis team played at South Coast Conference rival Apponequet (10-3) on May 8 and won 4-1. Emily Wyman was named the player of the match. The Bulldogs are a perfect 11-0 on the season and will play at Bourne (4-7) on Thursday, May 15.

Boys Lacrosse

            The Bulldogs hosted Somerset Berkley (3-9) on May 7 and won 13-3. Old Rochester has won its last eight games and took a 9-2 record into Wednesday’s game at Fairhaven (11-2).

Girls Lacrosse

            Old Rochester played at Somerset Berkley (3-9) on May 7 and won 19-4. The Bulldogs had won three games in a row heading into Wednesday’s match against Fairhaven (13-2-1).

ORR Sports Roundup

By Aiden Comorosky

Rochester Memorial Day Boat and Kayak Race

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The Rochester Fire Department will again sponsor the Rochester Memorial Day Boat Race.

            The Rochester Memorial Day Boat Race on the Mattapoisett River will take place on Monday, May 26, starting at 8:30 am at Grandma Hartley’s Reservoir, Snipatuit Road, in Rochester and finishing at the Mattapoisett Herring Weir at River Road and Route 6.

            A Kayak Division will again be included in the race this year. Basic guidelines for the division are: minimum age 18, single person kayak that the contestant can sit inside of the cockpit, contestant must wear an approved USCG personal flotation device for the entire race, and there will be a $10 entry fee. See the rules document for all information pertaining to the kayak division.

            For the Mattapoisett River Racer (MRR) boats, the minimum age for contestants is seven years old on Memorial Day. There will be two persons to a boat. The boat must be a homemade river racer design of any material you choose. There are no limitations or restrictions on types of paddles.

            Divisions include the kayak division and the MRR open/men’s, women’s, junior boys, junior girls, co-ed and parent/child divisions. Junior division teams are both contestants under 14 years old. Parent/child is for a parent with his/her child (child under 14 years old) or an adult (25 or older) with a child (child under 14 years old). Trophies will be awarded to the first, second and third place finishers in each division.

            A boat building seminar will not be held this year, but free plans are available for the asking. Contact Art, (artbenner@comcast.net) or Bill (watlingw@gmail.com). We can put you in touch with experienced MRR boat builders that can answer your questions and offer tips, tricks and considerations for building the boat.

            Pre-registration is required. Only one registration session will be held at the Rochester Council on Aging (RCOA) Senior Center, 67 Dexter’s LN Friday, May 16, 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. Starting positions will be assigned or drawn after the registration closes. A signed registration form must be submitted by each contestant for a team to be eligible for a starting position. Registration forms and rules may be obtained at Lloyd’s Market, at Art’s house, 319 Cushman RD or at the registration session. OR email Art (artbenner@comcast.net) and request the rules and registration form.

            You may deliver the completed forms to 319 Cushman Raod. Or, you may return the forms by email but you must bring the original, signed forms, to the registration session. OR, you may return them by regular mail (USPS). If returned by email or USPS mail, you’ll get acknowledgment that they were received. If you don’t get a reply from Art, assume the forms were not received and hand deliver a set. Registration forms must be in the Committee’s hands by Friday, May 16, 8:00 pm in order for last year’s teams to be assigned a starting position based on last year’s finish position or for new teams to draw a starting position for this year. Kayak division contestants will draw starting positions after the MRRs.

            The traditional Ham and Bean Supper will take place at the RCOA, Senior Center at, 67 Dexter’s LN, Saturday, May 24, 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Supper tickets may be purchased at the door.

There will be raffles for each of two carbon fiber racing paddles made by Bill Watling III. And also, a raffle for a beautiful handmade 94 x 66-inch quilt, the top made and designed by Faith Bettencourt and finished by the Creative Crafters of the Rochester Council on Aging. Tickets for the raffles will be sold at the registration session and at the Ham & Bean supper. The winners will be drawn at the supper.

            For further information contact Boat Race Chairman, Arthur F. Benner, 508-763-2024 or email; artbenner@comcast.net. Visit Facebook, ‘Rochester Memorial Day Boat Race’ for any changes or updates.

RLT Bird Walk

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The Rochester Land Trust is planning a Bird Walk next Sunday May 18 at 7:30 am (bird watching is best done early.) at the Shoolman Preserve in Rochester, led by avian enthusiast Tanya Sanders. This is the height of the migratory bird season, and Tanya will help us identify all manner of woodland and wetland birds by sight and sound. Please bring along your binoculars, and please leave the kids (and dogs) at home unless they are able to quietly observe their surroundings. We will meet at the parking lot on New Bedford Road.

            For more information please call Wendy at 774-454-4418.