A Marion public servant recently received a momentous and renowned award. Cathy Barker, Assistant Town Clerk, was recently awarded the Municipal Clerks Honor Roll Award by General Code.

            The nationally renowned group has recognized municipal clerks with the award since 2001, making Barker part of the 26th anniversary slate. “The Municipal Clerks Honor Roll has celebrated the people who bring heart, organization, and compassion to local government. This year’s nominations once again shone a light on the remarkable individuals who make their communities stronger simply by showing up every day with dedication, kindness, and professionalism,” the organization’s statement reads.

            With five nominations, Cathy Barker received the most in the entire state of Massachusetts. She is also the first in Marion to ever receive this nationally-recognized award.

            At her award presentation ceremony in the Town House Annex last week, Marion Town Clerk Katrina L. Desroches gave this speech:

            “It is both an honor and a privilege to speak about Cathy Barker, one of the most outstanding and kindest individuals I have ever known. I can say with complete confidence that she is the best person I have ever worked with. Her integrity, dedication, and genuine care for others make her truly exceptional.

            In municipal government, we often talk about dedication, professionalism, and service. Cathy exemplifies those qualities every single day. She consistently goes above and beyond for the community, her fellow co-workers, and to the Clerk’s office. She demonstrates exceptional initiative by identifying and consistently taking on new projects that improve efficiency. I often have to remind her to take a break and enjoy the rare moments of downtime that she does have – which usually lasts about three seconds before she finds something else to do.

            What makes Cathy truly exceptional is that she never waits to be asked. She sees what needs to be done and takes action. She is constantly looking for ways to improve procedures, support the Town, and strengthen the work of the Clerk’s office. Equally notable is her positive attitude, which she maintains even in high-pressure situations. She approaches every challenge with professionalism and a willingness to help, contributing to a supportive and effective work environment. Whether we are facing a busy election cycle, meeting important deadlines, or handling unexpected challenges, Cathy remains kind, patient, and focused. When faced with unfamiliar questions or complex issues, she shows strong determination and a genuine commitment to finding the right answer. If she does not immediately know an answer, she diligently researches and identifies the accurate answer, ensuring that residents and coworkers alike receive correct and timely information. She never settles for guesswork; she always takes the time to get it right.

            Public service is about more than completing tasks. It is about serving people with integrity, respect, and compassion. Cathy illustrates those values every single day. She treats every resident with kindness and professionalism, and she approaches her responsibilities with a level of care that reflects her deep commitment to this community.

            The Municipal Clerk Honor Roll recognizes individuals who demonstrate outstanding service and dedication to the profession. Cathy is the very definition of what this recognition represents. Her dedication, initiative, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to excellence make her a truly deserving recipient of this honor. She also received the highest number of nominations in the entire state of Massachusetts.

            Cathy, thank you for everything. Your hard work (and friendship) means more than words can adequately express. We are all incredibly fortunate to have you serving the Marion community, and I am so very honored to celebrate this well-deserved recognition.

            Congratulations on being named to the Municipal Clerk Honor Roll. I am so proud of you, and no one could be more deserving of this honor.”

            More information on the award and the recipients can be found at General Code’s website, www.generalcode.com/municipal-clerks-honor-roll.

By Sam Bishop

On June 10, a raccoon was captured in Mattapoisett and was submitted for routine testing to the Department of Agriculture. That same department notified the town Natural Resources Department and Health Department on June 23 that the raccoon tested positive for rabies.

            The raccoon had been captured near the wooded areas of the intersection of Holly Lane and Channing Road, just east of Town Beach. The USDA highlighted that there are no known exposures between infected animals and domestic animals or humans, nor any other positive tests in the area, calling it an “isolated incident.” The Town of Mattapoisett also stresses “there is no ongoing public health risk.”

            In order to maintain safety, it is recommended to vaccinate domestic animals, including outdoor cats, as well as avoiding leaving food and water outside the home. If a person or domestic animal is thought to have been exposed, the town requests residents contact the Mattapoisett Natural Resource Officer at 508-209-4931. Rabies can be treated if action is taken quickly.

By Sam Bishop

            You know it’s summer when the orange daylilies burst into bloom. These resilient flowers line the stone wall on both sides of our driveway, spill around the outdoor shower, and brighten roadsides and gardens throughout our village and beyond. They seem to announce that summer has truly arrived.

            For me, these common orange daylilies are also a gentle reminder of how quickly the season passes. When they’re in full bloom, summer feels as though it’s hitting its stride. But almost as soon as the blossoms begin to fade, I’m reminded of Shakespeare’s words: “summer’s lease hath all too short a date.” Suddenly, the long, lazy days seem to be slipping away far too fast.

            I have an old photograph of two of my children, ages nine and twelve, romping across the front lawn while the daylilies and other perennials lean toward them. It’s one of those seemingly inconsequential snapshots that has become permanently lodged in my memory, capturing the simple pleasures of summers long ago. The flowers are still here, faithfully returning each summer. The children, now in their thirties, come home whenever they can. But as we all know, neither gardens nor families can stop time.

            Which brings me to this month’s gardening lesson. Not to dwell on the fleeting nature of summer, but to remind ourselves to be present for it – to notice the garden while it’s putting on its brief, spectacular show.

            Just two weeks ago I was admiring our Japanese snowbell tree, its delicate, lightly fragrant, bell-shaped flowers dangling beneath the canopy like tiny white lanterns. I may have overlooked its bloom entirely last year because the display is so understated. Then, almost overnight, every blossom was gone. I actually walked past the tree wondering if I’d imagined the whole thing.

            Gardens have a way of teaching us that beauty often arrives quietly and leaves just as quickly. If we’re not paying attention, we can miss some of the season’s finest moments. That’s reason enough to slow down, wander the garden a little longer, and savor whatever happens to be blooming today.

            The same is true of the rhododendrons I gushed about in a recent column, the flowering quince in spring, and the fringe tree with its airy white blossoms. Every plant has its moment in the spotlight. That, after all, is the rhythm of a garden.

            My friend Nancy says that’s exactly how she likes it. “I prefer the short, the fleeting, the precious,” she told me. “Not to be confused with Lord of the Rings.” She has a point. Who wants a plant hanging around long after its best days, like a Christmas tree still standing in February? As I eye my dwindling – but not quite finished – pansies, I’m already imagining what will fill the window boxes next. Change, after all, is invigorating.

            So here we are in July. Drink it in. Be present. Gardening is one of the few pursuits that engages all the senses – the scent of lilies, the warmth of the sun, the hum of bees, birdsong in the trees, and the taste of that first sun-ripened tomato.

            July should be the month of appreciation. Much of the planning and spring fussing is behind us. Even the weeds seem less offensive than they did in May. They certainly haven’t slowed down, but somehow, they’ve become part of the midsummer landscape. Some borders grow so lush and crowded that they remind me of the inscription on the Statue of Liberty: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses…” Every plant seems to be jostling for its own patch of sunlight.

            Of course, I have a theory about weeds: the bigger they get, the easier they are to pull. Whether that’s wisdom or procrastination depends on whom you ask.

            Whether you’re in the first act of your gardening season or well into the second, take time to enjoy what you’ve created. The work never really ends, but by July it settles into a gentler rhythm. There will always be deadheading, staking, watering, and yes, weeding. But there should also be time simply to wander.

            My husband and I still dream up new projects, but we’re learning to pause and appreciate what’s already here. Last night’s rain forced us to move a small gathering into the greenhouse. It turned out to be the perfect vantage point. From there we watched rabbits at play, listened to the evening chorus of birds, and looked through the hedge toward the fruit trees and tomato cages. It struck me that we rarely experience the garden from that vantage point. One guest remarked that the view felt like something out of Alice in Wonderland. I chose not to ask whether that made me the Mad Hatter. Another friend thought she spotted bittersweet nightshade climbing through the hedge, so I have a little botanical detective work ahead of me. Gardens always offer something new to notice when you change your point of view. Perhaps that’s one of the greatest gifts a garden gives us. It teaches us to pay attention – not only to what is blooming, but to the fact that it won’t bloom forever.

            “The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time.” – James Taylor.

The Seaside Gardener

By Laura McLean