In Praise of All Artists

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There is a finite number of superlatives available in the English language, words to describe something outstanding, something that radiates beauty, something that is wonderful. But there is an infinite number of words that describe emotions like the universe of emotions evoked by the 2023 Summer Members Show at the Marion Art Center now on view through September 22.

            The show opened on August 11 with a stunning 117 works of art to feed your art-loving soul.

            To give you a sense of what’s in store when you take the show in for yourself, consider this: There are 25 acrylics, 20 oils, 10 pastels and 21 watercolors. Add in a textile, two charcoals on newsprint, three-dimensional collages, wooden sculptures and a host of other delicious offerings and, well, it’s an art banquet. We appreciated it all fully aware of the mental and physical effort it takes to produce art in any form.

            Don’t pass anything by as you marvel at John Magnan’s sculptures inspired by man’s inhumanity to man in the 1600s to the trap of continuous data in 2022 (oak, maple, white oak.) While his social commentary is reflected in his sculptures, the masterful manner in which the artist turns wood into a feather or a META symbol into a flowing, seamless piece demonstrates his command of the material and the process.

            You’ll want to stand in front of Sarah Brown-Miquelle’s pastels and be bathed in her color choices. Brown-Miquelle is the winner of the 2023 Annual National Juried Exhibition for Pastels Only held in July on Cape Cod.

             Tucked into a corner of the second-floor gallery are two faces that touch any animal lover’s heart. These, too, are pastels done by Jane Egan, whose animal faces engage the viewer and seem to lock eyes with you in a tender, endearing manner.

            Janet Smith-Flaherty controls her watercolors while producing delicate works; Kate Frazer Rego’s mixed-media collages are in a word brilliant; and Alice Shire’s brush work yields precision and imagination.

            And there are several adult students showing their works for the first time, who were thrilled to be counted among those who are classically trained.

            “I have taken classes here … they are very good and encouraging to the beginner,” said Janet Cromer, explaining that her watercolor was inspired by objects she has collected over the years, pieces that mean something to the fabric of her life experiences. “Painting them as a still life I think immortalizes them.”

            Cromer’s piece has deep, saturated colors not normally associated with watercolors. “The great thing about the Members Show is any member can enter,” she stated with a smile.

            Don’t take my word for just how splendid this show is. Take advantage of the wealth of talent on display now at a neighborhood gallery, the Marion Art Center, whose petite frame belies its power to bring us outstanding art in all its forms.

            Here is the full list of artists: Sage Lamade, Veronique Bale, Linda Olsen, Lynette Torres, Peggy Totten, Peggy Cal-Conley, Susannah Davis, Carole Constant, Jill Law, Butch McCarthy, Barbara Healy, John Magnan, Russell Saunders, Tianxu Zhou, Meg Hartley, Darlene Sassmann, Freddie Popitz, Barbara Geagan, Elizabeth Antonell, Kate Butler, Iria DeValles Vieira, Jayne Degnan Tirimacco, Michelle Lapointe, Tom Geagan, Nini Evans, Susan Gilmore, Nat Simkins, Donna Gagnon, Nataliia Noble, Robert Dunn, Judith Klein, Mary Cosme, Elwin Williamson, Andriy Noble, David Danis, Heide Hallemeier, Sarah Brown-Miquelle, Susan Costa, June Strunk, Alice Shire, Michael Matherson, Zelia Kenyon, Nicole St. Pierre, Virginia Price, Miriam Towle Lopes, Emma Rose Zhou, Susan Lawrence, Ben Bassham, Michael Pietragalla, Kate Frazer Rego, Kyle Riseley, Janet Smith-Flaherty, Helen Johnson, Lenora Pennington, Heather Long-Roise, Christy Gunnels, Jane Egan, Ellyn Gaspardi, Diana Parsons, Susan Meadows, Donna Paulding, Anthony Days, Maeve Bradley, Helena Oliveira, David Maloney and Janet Cromer.

By Marilou Newell

Shellfish with the MNHM

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Shellfish with the Marion Natural History Museum will be presented on August 18, from 9 to 12 for Grades 2 – 6. Can you tell a bivalve from a mollusk? We’ll be taking a look at the upwellers on Island Wharf, learning about oysters and other shellfish with Marion’s Shellfish Warden and hearing about the important role they play in the bay. We will also take a tour of some of the local aquaculture farms and visit Meadow Island with the Marion Harbormaster.

            We’ll also be making fish print T-shirts. Please bring a clean cotton T-shirt or cloth the day of the program. To register for this program please visit our website: www.marionmuseum.org.

The Best of Broadway

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On Friday, August 18, the Marion Concert Band continues its Friday evening concert series with a program of music from the Broadway stage. The program, which features a guest vocalist and includes highlights from some of Broadway’s most memorable shows, is as follows:

The Showman – H. Akers

Variations on a Korean Folk Song – J. B. Chance

Broadway Show-Stoppers Overture – arr. W. Barker

Blue Moon – L. Hart; El Larabee, vocalist

Selections from Into the Woods – S. Sondheim

Opening Night on Broadway – arr. M. Brown

Make Our Garden Grow (from Candide) – L. Bernstein

West Side Story Selections – L. Bernstein

They Can’t Take That Away from Me – G. Gershwin; El Larabee, vocalist

Selections from My Fair Lady – F. Loewe

The Invincible Eagle – J. P. Sousa

            El Larabee is a rising sophomore at UMass Dartmouth, studying jazz voice in their music program. El has performed in over sixty musicals from the local to professional level with highlights including performing the title role of Pippin in Bristol Community College’s 2021-2022 season, portraying Teen Princess Fiona in Stadium Theatre’s 2018 production of Shrek, musical directing 20 Cent Fiction’s 2023 production of Zombies From The Beyond and currently performing with the Newport Playhouse and Cabaret Restaurant.

            The concert will begin at 7:00 at the Robert Broomhead Bandstand, Island Wharf off Front Street in Marion. All concerts are free and open to the public. “Like” us on Facebook at “Marion Town Band” for up-to-date announcements and rain cancellation notices.

No Solution in Sight for Bylaws

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            The Codification Committee remains in suspension since being taken from the purview of the Planning Board per a 1955 Town Meeting vote discovered only weeks ago.

            The plan to reconstitute the committee to report directly to the Select Board has brought about recurring debate, mainly between board members Randy Parker and Norm Hills, the latter the former chairman of the Codification Committee when it operated as a subcommittee to the Planning Board.

            During Tuesday’s public meeting of the Marion Select Board, Parker insisted that the committee needs some oversight, and he likes the idea of the Select Board voting to approve its decisions.

            Hills thinks voting is too strong an action to be serviceable, considering the machinations of the committee’s activities and how it merely works to identify conflicts and problems with bylaws and recommend fixes or resolutions that require approvals beyond its own authority.

            Like Parker, Select Board Chairman Toby Burr would like to see adjudicatory boards like the Planning Board to have the option of resolving bylaws pertaining to its own activities, passing them on to  the Codification Committee or not make any change.

            Hills said the committee has systematically been working off 280 comments to the general code.

            “We’ve been whittling that down so 21 of those are left,” he said, qualifying that summary with the fact that more conflicts are discovered during the tedious process. All the work is done “so the building commissioner understands what he’s enforcing, and that’s not the case with a lot of bylaws.

            “Whatever we do has to go to the Planning Board, and the Planning Board has to have a public hearing, so there’s no smoke and mirrors.”

            Burr said, based on his conversations, that Planning Board members don’t always know what’s going on. Hills replied, “None of them have even volunteered to show up (at a Codification Committee meeting.) We’re not trying to hide anything. … We’ve been doing this work because nobody else wanted to do it. … I don’t think they understand how much work is involved. … If they want to do it, that’s fine with me.”

            At the outset of the reconstitution of the committee, Parker said he is not a fan of it and felt that the committee had overstepped its mission.

            Town Administrator Geoff Gorman suggested a dual approach. “We can do it both ways too,” he said, sharing a hypothetical in which the committee and an adjudicatory board would discuss ideas.

            Sensing a lack of consensus on the subject, Gorman told the board he would “consult with Town Counsel and see if we’re going in the right direction.”

            River Road has a new parking restriction, but it comes with a wrinkle that left residents watching out what they wish for when Select Board member Norm Hills abstained from the vote because his research on the matter led him to conclude that the street dimensions dictate that state regulations would prohibit parking on River Road altogether.

            The matter pursued by residents ever since the old Gilda’s gave way to the newly reconstructed establishment at the corner of Route 6 almost took a turn that would become problematic to the same residents who felt unsafe under the former lack of regulations.

            Burr and Parker thought it reasonable to enforce only a partial restriction from the corner to the first property line. Four signs will be placed warning violators that illegal parking at the mouth of River Road will result in towing.

            “I don’t think we can allow parking where the state doesn’t allow it,” said Hills before the vote.

            Parker recommended approving the recommended measure and “see how it goes, monitor it.” He was concerned that a complete ban on parking on River Road would not only be unfair to the residents hosting occasional family events but could also lead to many other Marion roads meeting the same criteria and requiring the same signage.

            Gorman will meet with River Road resident Marc Sylvia to determine an exact spot for the sign.

Finance Director Judy Mooney is retiring after more than 20 years with the town and according to Gorman, “leaving very large shoes to fill.” As a result, Marion is forming a Hiring Committee for her replacement.

            Parker suggested that former Select Board member John Waterman would make a good candidate for the job. Gorman reported that 12 applicants have produced approximately half through an initial screening process. Three of those candidates are already working for municipalities.

            “I would like someone to shadow Judy for as long as we can afford,” said Gorman. “It’s moving as quickly as we can make it move.”

            In his Town Administrator’s Report, Gorman also reported that front-end documents for the new Marine Center are complete with procurement the next step. The project’s $1,200,000 shortfall will be brought before voters at the October 23 Special Fall Town Meeting.

            The meeting, to be held at 6:45 pm at Sippican Elementary School, will feature the funding for the harbormaster’s new headquarters, seawall engineering (a shovel-ready project), a cost-of-living adjustment for nonunion town employees, shortfall in funding from collective bargaining, an employee policy manual review and the transfer of a $36,000 opioid settlement from the General Fund to free cash. This will presumably position the town to direct those funds toward addiction-associated programs.

            The Warrant deadline is September 11, closes October 3, goes to the printer on October 5 and is mailed out to residents on October 13. The previously scheduled Special Town Election, said Gorman, is most likely no longer needed.

            Gorman announced that the Marion Fire Department is the recipient of two grants: $190,000 (federal) to replace all breathing apparatus and $285,000 to replace an inoperable bus truck.

            “The chief (Brian Jackvony) does an amazing job going after these grants,” said Gorman, noting that the town’s on-call cadre of firefighters are funded by grant money.

            The plans for the new Department of Public Works building are going well by all accounts.

            Gorman reported a FY24 tax assessment of $35,289.06 with Plymouth County; the item has been budgeted.

            Volunteers are still needed to serve, set up and take down at the Marion Town Party scheduled for Saturday, August 26, from 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm at Silvershell Beach.

            Taylor Souza was approved for appointment as a full-time officer with the Marion Police Department effective August 20 for a one-year probationary period, per Chief Richard Nighelli’s recommendation. Souza comes to the Marion Police from the New Bedford PD where he has worked since January 2022. He has earned undergraduate and graduate degrees from UMass Dartmouth and has taught in New Bedford schools and at Dartmouth High.

            While Hills recused himself, Burr and Parker voted to ratify the Open Space Recreation Plan (OSRP) Implementation Contract between the Town of Marion and the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD.)

            The board approved Water/Sewer commitments of: $400 (new water service July 17; $581.82 final readings July 26; $595 back-flow tests July 26; $1,600 new water services July 27; $315 back-flow tests August 8 and $950 new water service August 10.

            The board approved a two-week extension of Sarah Gardner’s mobile-home/trailer permit from August 11 to August 25.

            The board approved the following election officials: Paul Naiman as warden, Linda Schuessler as deputy warden, and Cynthia Callow as election worker.

            The board approved a minor change to the Red Brick Farm/Mattapoisett River Valley Land Conservation Restriction as prompted by state review.

            The Recreation Department will be the recipient of a $3,000 donation from the DaSilva family.

            A Special, One-Day Liquor License was approved for the Kennedy wedding on September 2 from 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm at the Music Hall.

            Burr was voted to represent the Select Board member to the Finance Director Hiring Committee.

            Several will travel on Thursday, August 17, to see Hingham’s swap shed and bring back ideas for Marion’s.

            The Marion Select Board has scheduled to meet in executive session on Wednesday, August 16, at 4:00 pm to discuss Marion Village Estates. The next public session has not been announced.

Marion Select Board

By Mick Colageo

Tornado Leaves Work for Homeowners, Mattapoisett

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            The good news is that no one was hurt. That sentiment is what we heard as we followed up with Mattapoisett Town Administrator Mike Lorenco, Water and Sewer Superintendent Henri Renauld and homeowner Sue Linhares regarding the August 8 tornado.

            That is not to say that the damage created by the EF-1 tornado wasn’t costly in terms of cleanup and small-structure damage. A quick glance down Eldorado Drive off of North Street confirmed that tree damage was significant, including damage to a Mattapoisett Highway Department truck. But “no significant harm” was sustained by residents or municipal employees.

            Lorenco shared that he has been in conversations during an August 11 roundtable meeting with Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. Storm damage to Mattapoisett and other communities was the topic. He said some towns experienced flood damage. Storm damage funding is being sought. Lorenco said a very rough estimate of the financial impact is $160,000, but it might be slightly higher.

            “We are waiting to see what insurance will cover,” said Lorenco, who could not speculate on costs associated with tree removal but said that overtime costs from the Highway, Police and Fire Departments would not be sizeable.

            Renauld estimates Water Department damage at about $100,000 to the Tinkham freshwater station. He confirmed that a Water Department employee sought cover inside the treatment building as the tornado approached. Downed trees caused a bit of a challenge in freeing him from the building but, again, “no one was seriously injured.”

            As cleanup continues, Lorenco put out a statement on Monday: “After hearing from several concerned residents, the Town will be doing pickups of tree trimmings, branches and logs … from those residents affected by the tornado.” He went on to say that roads included are Tinkham Lane, Hereford Hill, Stoney Hill Road, North Street and Eldorado Drive. All cuttings should be brought to the edge of the roadway so equipment can pick it up. Questions should be directed to the Highway Department at 508-758-4100.

            Board of Health Director Gail Joseph stated that there is no charge to residents if the Highway Department removes storm debris as noted in Lorenco’s message to the public. “We charge private contractors working for residents; it’s part of their contract with their customer. The town has to pay to remove storm debris from the Transfer Station; it’s only fair that contractors pay for what they dump. That’s our policy.”

            One impacted resident noted that her family will have firewood for many decades to come. “We are slowly reclaiming our property,” said Sue Linhares, whose home was miraculously spared any damage. “It came within 100 feet of my house. … The blessing is no one was hurt.”

By Marilou Newell

St. Philip’s Episcopal Church

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            On Sunday, August 20, The Rev. Benjamin Straley, St. Stephen’s Church, Providence, RI, will conduct services at 8 and 10 am at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, 34 Water St., Mattapoisett, next to the Town Beach. During its 139th summer season St. Philip’s invites clergy from near and far to conduct services each week using the 1928 Book of Common Prayer. All are welcome.

Ospreys: The Revival of a Global Raptor

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            The Marion Natural History Museum and Sippican Lands Trust welcome Alan Poole for a talk on OSPREY on August 17 at 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm at the 150 year old Marion Natural History Museum upstairs at 8 Spring Street (upstairs from the Elizabeth Taber Library, elevator available.)

            Poole is an Associate of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and was editor of the Birds of North America life history series (18 volumes, 18,000 pages) for 22 years. He lives along the coast of southeastern Massachusetts, winters in the highlands of Costa Rica, and has been studying Ospreys for over 35 years.

            Osprey are characteristic visitors to Buzzards Bay and will be heading down to southern bays and Caribbean and South American shores soon.

            $10 entrance and you can sign up at Sippican Lands Trust events page. Scholarships available, please contact info@sippicanlandstrust.org. Register at: givebutter.com/j9IizS.

Tucker Zenski (formerly Michael Osenkowski)

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Tucker Zenski (formerly Michael Osenkowski), 46 years old of Salem, MA died on August 10, 2023 in Seaside, Oregon.

            Tucker was born March 25, 1977 in Petersburg VA.

            He was a graduate of Mount St. Charles Academy, class of 1995 and University of Massachusetts Boston.

            Tucker’s quest for life began in the wild eyes of a boy named Mikey on the beaches of Mattapoisett with his family and Sac O Beans. It took him to the dance floors and living rooms of Salem and then out to the West Coast where he fell in love. As Mikey grew, his quest assigned him another name, Tucker. Off he went to Arcosanti, a commune in Arizona, where he met his life partner, Darina. He lived in San Francisco, where he was an EMT and then finally settled in the redwood forest where he amassed a huge group of friends that also became his family.

            Tucker had a zest for life that was palpable. He was a dedicated friend and fiercely loyal. His level of vibrant energy and child like wonder balanced with his natural spiritual essence drew people towards him.

            His imagination as a child helped create the best forts, and as an adult, magical wands and incredible grandiose stories and ideas. His creativity lead him to pottery, poetry and art.

            His struggle in this life did not make it an easy one, but everyone who knew him did everything they ever could to love and support him and keep him healthy just as he did his best for everyone he knew.

            As his quest for life slowed down, he fought for peace. In the end he truly felt like he was in a better place and slowly sailed into the West Coast sunset.

            He is survived by his parents, Paul and Susan Osenkowski, his sister, Kimberly Delisle, his two nieces, Sarah and Marielle Delisle, his life partner Darina Trendafilova, his Sac O Beans crew, his Arcosanti family, and his Humbolt county family.

            His visiting hours will be held on Friday, August 18th from 4-8 pm in the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd. (Rt. 6), Mattapoisett. His Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 19th at 10:30 am at Shoolman Park adjacent to 8 Oaklawn Ave. Mattapoisett. His family will receive guests from 10 – 10:30 am prior to the service.

Women-On-Target Program

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The Sippican Rod & Gun Club is pleased to announce its annual NRA Women-On-Target program to be held on Saturday, September 23, located at 215 Dexter Lane, Rochester. The program will begin at 8:30 am and finish at 5:00 pm. The program’s morning session will teach the NRA Home Firearm Safety Course which qualifies participants to apply for a Massachusetts License-To-Carry (LTC), or Firearms Identification (FID) card. Following a catered and healthy lunch, the ladies will be given practical and safe shooting experience individually by rotating through the club’s pistol range, 50 and 100 yard rifle ranges, and shotgun trap range. The $95.00 fee includes training materials, eye and ear protection which will be yours to keep, use of the club facility, morning snacks, lunch, ammunition and use of firearms. If interested, please contact Andrew Daniel at 774-929-0321 or email: adaniel81180@gmail.com. Considering that the earlier programs had a waiting list, all interested women are encouraged to apply soon.

Chalk-Full-O-Fun Festival

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On Saturday, August 19 the annual Chalk-Full-O-Fun Festival will be back at the park surrounding the Lillian Gregerman Band shell in Onset. (Rain date is next day.) It is free for spectators. For a $5 registration fee, artists of all ages & abilities can chalk the sidewalk. Each one will receive a 36-count box of colorful chalk. Tabletop chalkboards are set up for those with mobility challenges. As always, there will be an artisan craft fair, music, children’s activities and something special to highlight the theme. Amanda Sellars will be the feature artist. She has been a frequent chalk artist at past events. “Weird, Wacky and Wonderful” is this year’s theme. Caricature artist, Noa Juarez, will be on hand to draw portraits from 12-2:00 pm. Music from the band shell will be provided by Pete & Beth Sanders from 12-3:00 pm. A Story Walk will be set up, and 25 books will be given away to families of young children who take the walk. Volunteers will assist with children’s tattoos. People can vote, and prizes will be awarded for “People’s Choice” favorite artist as well as the artwork that best depicts the natural beauty of Wareham. It’s a fun day all around.