Paris in the springtime is a sublime experience. Arriving from capricious New England in mid-April, I found Paris already fully leafed out, awash in pastel blooms with temperatures climbing into the 70s. Off came the jacket as we settled into seats at an outdoor café, savoring the warmth and the easy rhythm of the city. The beautiful weather continued throughout my stay, much to my delight. Yet the greatest joy of all was reuniting with my daughter and son-in-law who are fortunate to call Paris their home.

            What struck me immediately was how far ahead Paris was in spring’s unfolding, thanks to its milder maritime climate. Wisteria cascaded over stone walls and balconies, while chestnut trees stood crowned in blossoms – scenes so lush and fragrant they felt almost transporting. Everywhere we wandered, spring announced itself with elegance.

            One afternoon in the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, we marveled at the Temple of the Sibyl, a miniature homage to the ancient Temple of Vesta in Tivoli, Italy. Perched above a manmade lake, the park offered sweeping views and a moment of calm reflection as I caught my breath from striding the steep grade. Couples, friends and families stretched out on the already thick green lawns relaxing in the afternoon sunshine. The park, commissioned by Napoleon III during Paris’s great 19th-century transformation, opened in 1867 after a former gypsum quarry and landfill had been transformed into one of the city’s most enchanting green spaces. Its rolling hills, exotic trees, waterfalls, and bird-filled lake make it difficult to imagine that this tranquil setting once stood near the infamous Gibbet of Montfaucon, where, for centuries, the bodies of executed criminals were displayed.

            Another afternoon while across the city we ventured to Jardin du Luxembourg, a place I had not visited since I was twenty-one and backpacking across Europe. Set beside the Latin Quarter in the heart of the Left Bank, the gardens offer a striking contrast to the romantic wildness of Buttes-Chaumont. Created in the early 17th century for Queen Marie de’ Medici, widow of Henry IV, and inspired by the gardens of Florence, they were designed to surround her new palace – now home to the French Senate.

            The Luxembourg Gardens blend French formality with a softer English style: chestnut-lined promenades, geometric flowerbeds, quiet lawns, fountains, and statues at nearly every turn. Its most poetic corner is the Medici Fountain, modeled after Italian Florentine design, with its long, shaded reflecting pool centered by Auguste Ottin’s sculpture Polyphemus Surprising Acis and Galatea. We wandered the park watching children sail rented toy boats across the central basin, just as they have since the 19th century. Later we joined others escaping the heat beneath the trees – old friends talking quietly on the green metal chairs, visitors lingering to absorb the calm beauty of the gardens.

            Looking back, I see how these two parks speak very different visions of Parisian green space – each reflecting a distinct mood and history.

            Buttes-Chaumont is theatrical, romantic, slightly unruly – the kind of landscape one might expect in an English painting, all steep inclines, unexpected turns, and picturesque follies. Olivia told me she first discovered it on her first visit to the city and actually envisioned herself living here. Now she does, not far from its winding paths.

            The Jardin du Luxembourg, by contrast, conjures palace grounds with its poise and symmetry. The layout feels royal in the gravel promenades, clipped trees, fountains, and carefully arranged flowerbeds. If Buttes-Chaumont feels like a romantic escape, the Luxembourg Gardens feel like the polished salon of the city itself. One is atmospheric and unexpected; the other elegant and composed. Together they reveal two sides of Paris – its love of cultivated beauty and its delight in imaginative reinvention.

            The vacation could not have been more perfectly timed. It felt less like a traditional tour of landmarks than a rare opportunity simply to enjoy one another’s company. We did venture out to several memorable places – a mesmerizing concert by Anohni at Philharmonie de Paris, dinner in Montmartre, a hike through Père Lachaise Cemetery, and a day trip to Monet’s gardens at Giverny (the latter to be explored in a future column) – but much of the real joy of the trip came from simply being together at chez McLean/Caudron.

            Perhaps best of all was the unexpected discovery that my daughter has developed a genuine passion for gardening, a pleasure that felt perfectly in tune with the season itself.

            Olivia had anticipated that I would help her with plant selection for the balcony of their new apartment. Naturellement, I would assist – after all, I make house calls for family, especially those living abroad. I was delighted to find the balcony on the sunny side of the building, overlooking neighboring gardens softened by trees and walls that created a sense of private green refuge. Aside from this “borrowed” landscape, the balcony itself was sparse: a vigorous wisteria already trained along the railing, and a few rather tired potted shrubs left behind by previous tenants, soon to be subjected to a decisive pruning as we began the balconyscaping.

            This is also now the domain of their cat, Victor, who comes and goes freely through his cat door during daylight hours. The couple, however, wanted the space to serve them as well. They already have a bistro table and chairs, along with a pizza oven, and hope to add a lounge chair to complete their small urban Eden.

            Without delay, we set out the day after my arrival for Truffaut garden center, a large and rather spectacular greenhouse-style nursery. It is an expansive place, carrying everything imaginable, including an unexpected section devoted to exotic birds and small animals. We focused on culinary herbs and decorative plants suited to the long balcony stretching the length of the apartment.

            Sebastien assembled a grow table designed specifically for herbs, which fit neatly into a sunny alcove of the terrace. Into it we planted thyme, rosemary, bay leaf, lemongrass, basil, oregano, with mint put in a separate terracotta pot as mint insists on its independence.

            For edibles, we added cherry tomatoes, jalapeño peppers, artichokes, and a lemon tree. From there, the project became more playful: climbing jasmines, Cytisus canariensis (Canary Island broom), bamboo, and a ceanothus – California lilac with its rich blue blooms – along with two standard lavenders. Window boxes were seeded with annuals, including bright orange nasturtiums that would spill cheerfully over the railing.

            I honestly felt I did more than help with installing plants but had ‘planted’ a more permanent kind of seed. Olivia was genuinely engaged in a way I had not seen before. Years ago, when she had a rabbit, I created a small garden of kid-friendly plants around its hutch – complete with a tulip-shaped gate my father had crafted – hoping to spark an interest in gardening. It didn’t quite take. But this time felt different.

            She was involved with the hands-on process and what would follow, compiling a document cataloguing every plant along with its watering and care requirements. Even during our visit to Giverny, she lingered with curiosity, noticing for the first time the scent of irises and asking thoughtful questions about what she saw as we toured the amazing plantings. On the drive back to Paris, we stopped again for more pots and supplies.

            I could see it taking shape: a budding enthusiasm that might well grow into a full-fledged gardener. And yes – there’s something deeply satisfying in that realization. When you live on different continents, time together is never taken for granted; even the simplest moments carry a particular brightness!

            “When spring comes to Paris, the humblest mortal alive must feel that he dwells in paradise.” – Henry Miller.

The Seaside Gardener

By Laura McLean

Select Board Candidate Spotlights

            The Mattapoisett Town Election is on Tuesday, May 19. There are six candidates running for three open seats on the now-five-member Select Board. Each candidate was offered the chance to submit a column before the upcoming race, and they are presented alphabetically.

Eric Beauregard

            I am Eric Beauregard, a Mattapoisett resident running for one of the three Select Board positions in this year’s election. I am the father of two daughters who attend OHS and ORRJHS. I have served 22 years in the military, including two operational deployments as a pilot. The military provided me with a tremendous opportunity in strategic leadership involving real people, real budgets, and real-world consequences.

            I decided to run for several important reasons. Our town is currently in a very strong financial position, and I intend to help ensure it remains that way. Many surrounding communities are not as financially fortunate, and it takes accountable leadership and disciplined spending to maintain long-term stability.

            If you review the Capital Budget, you can see a trend that much of the town’s infrastructure is aging, resulting in increasing maintenance costs rather than opportunities for expansion. I strongly support Mattapoisett’s AAA bond rating, as a strong fiscal position helps keep borrowing costs low. However, financial pressures will continue to build, and the town needs proven leadership on the Select Board to navigate those challenges responsibly.

            I also believe the town should guide its future growth through the voices of its residents. That requires leaders who listen first and work toward common ground among differing viewpoints.

            Lastly, I believe Mattapoisett can improve its framework for affordable housing. The town remains below 3% of the state’s 10% target, and the Housing Production Plan has not been updated or state-certified in over a decade. The HPP serves as the blueprint for affordable-housing initiatives and helps the town maintain local control over development. Seniors should have opportunities to remain in town while downsizing, and young families should have attainable housing opportunities that help strengthen our community and schools.

            I respectfully ask for your support on May 19th.

James ‘Jim’ Harlfinger

            Jim is committed to listening to the issues and concerns people have and identifying the needs that are not being met. Having lived in Mattapoisett for three decades, he understands the town, but he wants to hear from you, both now and after he is elected. That’s his personal number below. Just call him. Elect Jim so that your voice can be heard. 781-844-4335.

Ned Kaiser

            My name is Ned Kaiser, and I’m running for Select Board because I care deeply about the future of Mattapoisett and the community that helped shape me.

            I was born and raised here, and today I own and manage Mattapoisett Boatyard, where I work alongside a team of more than 20 employees every day. Through that experience, I’ve learned the importance of leadership, communication, budgeting, long-term planning, and making difficult decisions with fairness and accountability.

            I’ve always considered myself a problem solver who enjoys a challenge. In both business and life, I believe that difficult situations require persistence, teamwork, and a willingness to keep pushing forward until a solution is found. The harder something is to accomplish, the more determined I become to see it through.

            Over the past several years, I’ve also served on the town’s Marine Advisory Board and currently serve as chairman. I’ve enjoyed working collaboratively on issues that impact our waterfront, local businesses, residents, and public access to the harbor.

            In 2022, our business faced a devastating fire that destroyed much of our facility. In the middle of that challenge, our employees, customers, neighbors, and town departments came together in an incredible way. While continuing daily operations, we rebuilt the business from the ground up. That experience reinforced my belief that strong communities are built through teamwork, resilience, and steady leadership.

            As a father of two young boys who will grow up in this town, I care deeply about preserving what makes Mattapoisett special while continuing to move the town in a positive direction for future generations.

            With Mattapoisett transitioning to a five-member Select Board, I believe this is a great opportunity to bring steady leadership, practical decision-making, and a collaborative mindset to the table as our town continues moving forward.

            I would be honored to earn your support.

Frances-Feliz Kearns

            Hello, I’m Frances-Feliz Kearns, and I’m running for Select Board in Mattapoisett.
I’m running because I care deeply about this community and believe my experience can help guide us through the challenges ahead.
            I grew up on the South Coast and attended New Bedford Public Schools. I have earned a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and a Master of Science in Quality Management from the National Graduate School of Quality Management.
Professionally, I bring over 20 years of experience as an engineer across aerospace, defense, and life sciences. I currently serve as a Director of Engineering at Takeda Pharmaceuticals, where I ensure complex systems operate safely, effectively, and in the best interest of the people who rely on them.
            For the past six years, I have served on the Old Rochester Regional School Committee working on complex budgets, difficult decisions, and collaboration across multiple communities. This work has included negotiating contracts across multiple bargaining units to ensure fair and competitive compensation for employees while remaining responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars.
            I have also worked to secure nearly $1,000,000 in earmark funding to support local priorities and strengthen services without increasing the burden on taxpayers. I am actively involved in community service, including serving on the Board of the Friends of the Mattapoisett Library and advocating for increased library funding at the state level.
            Across our town, we are facing rising costs, housing challenges, coastal-resilience concerns, and the need to support both an aging population and attract young families. I believe these challenges require thoughtful, collaborative leadership and strong coordination across local and state government. If elected, I will bring experience, collaboration, and a focus on practical solutions that serve the entire community. I ask for your support on May 19th.

Nicole Doyon Lynch

            I’m Nicole Doyon Lynch, and I would love the honor of serving you on the Mattapoisett Select Board. I’d like to highlight a few of the reasons I believe I could add value to our beloved town – my favorite place on earth.

            I care deeply about this community, where I have deep roots. My husband and I grew up here, attending our schools and playing on our sports fields, and we still meet new friends all the time. Our parents are active in the community – maybe even more so than we are – from the Woman’s Club to the COA and “Resi” golf!

            I would bring 27 years of private-sector experience leading divisions, managing the fiscal health of business units and helping teams of people with differing viewpoints pull in the same direction – to help us do the same here. I want to make sure we understand the implications of our consequential votes and build consensus whenever possible.

            For our government to work long term, there needs to be value in it for everyone. To maintain our beautiful town and ensure it thrives in the future, we will need proactive, needs-based planning with timelines and hyper-vigilance to avoid overrides that have become far too prevalent in other Massachusetts municipalities. To tackle rising costs and aging infrastructure, we will need to pursue outside funding opportunities, review zoning, attract commercial taxpayers to help ease the burden on residents, and create housing opportunities so our seniors and young people can remain in town.

            My focus will always be on Mattapoisett and the people who call it home – and holding regular office hours to stay connected.

Judith ‘Judy’ Mooney

            My name is Judith (Judy) Mooney, and I am running for the Mattapoisett Select Board.

I have proudly called Mattapoisett home for over 40 years, where my husband and I raised our two children. This community means a great deal to me, and I am running because I want to give back through service.

            Over the course of my career, I have spent more than 25 years working in municipal government, including serving as Finance Director and Town Accountant in Mattapoisett, and later as Assistant Town Administrator and Finance Director in Marion. I have worked closely with Select Boards, Finance Committees, and town departments on budgeting, long-term planning, and the day-to-day operations of local government.

            If elected, I will bring a thoughtful, balanced, and responsible approach to the role. My priorities include fiscal responsibility, transparency, and preserving the character of Mattapoisett while planning responsibly for the future.

            I believe local government works best when residents feel informed, heard, and confident that decisions are being made in the best interest of the community.

            I also believe that respectful collaboration and open communication are essential to maintaining the trust and strong sense of community that make Mattapoisett such a special place to live.

Mattapoisett is a special town with a strong sense of community, history, and pride. I care deeply about this town and would be honored to serve the residents of Mattapoisett as a member of the Select Board.

            I respectfully ask for your support on May 19th!