Marion Seeks Input to Help Shape Future of Harbor and Waterways

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            The Town of Marion is inviting residents, boaters, waterfront property owners, business owners, fishermen and visitors to help shape the future of the community’s harbor and waterways by participating in a public survey as part of the Marion Harbor Management Plan.

            The Town is currently developing a community-driven Harbor Management Plan that will establish a long-term vision for Marion’s harbors and waterways. The plan will address a wide range of issues, including boatin​g, navigation and public safety, waterfront infrastructure and services, commercial and recreational fishing, natural resources and water quality and coastal resilience.

            The Harbor Management Plan is being funded through a $150,000 grant awarded to the Town of Marion through the Massachusetts Seaport Economic Council. The grant allows the Town to undertake the planning process at no cost to local taxpayers while developing a roadmap for the future management of Marion’s harbor and waterfront resources.

            Community input is a critical component of the planning process. Following a well-attended public meeting held on April 28, the Town has launched a public survey to gather additional feedback from residents and stakeholders about existing challenges, priorities, and opportunities for improvement along Marion’s waterfront.

            “We encourage everyone who uses, enjoys or depends on Marion’s harbor and waterways to take a few minutes to complete the survey,” said Town Administrator Geoffrey Gorman. “Whether you are a year-round resident, seasonal resident, boater, fisherman, waterfront business owner or simply someone who enjoys spending time on the water, your input will help guide the future of one of Marion’s most important community assets.”

            The Town is partnering with the Urban Harbors Institute at UMass Boston to develop the Harbor Management Plan. The Urban Harbors Institute is an applied research institute within UMass Boston’s School for the Environment that works with coastal communities to promote sustainable natural resources and thriving waterfronts through research, planning, public engagement, and education.

            Survey responses will help identify community priorities and inform recommendations that will guide future decisions related to harbor operations, waterfront access, environmental stewardship, infrastructure investments and long-term resilience planning.

            Residents and stakeholders are encouraged to complete the survey here by June 26.

            For more information about the Marion Harbor Management Plan, visit the Urban Harbors Institute project page at Urban Harbors Institute Current Projects Page.            

Anyone with questions can contact Shannon Hogan at Urban Harbors Institute by emailing

The survey can be found here: https://umassboston.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eQnq2gYAL9j0FWm

Rene E. Harbeck

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Rene E. Harbeck, 84, of Rochester, passed away Thursday, June 11, 2026, at St. Luke’s Hospital following a brief illness.

            He was the beloved husband of Patricia J. (Grandfield) Harbeck, with whom he shared 61 years of marriage, a bond built on love, devotion, and a lifetime of shared memories. Born in Fairhaven, Mr. Harbeck relocated to New Bedford in 1965, later residing in Dartmouth for 30 years before making his home in Rochester for the past 26 years. He was the son of the late Rene Y. and Alida (Ricard) Harbeck.

            Mr. Harbeck was a U.S. Army Vietnam era veteran and attained the rank of Private, First Class.

            He was the proprietor of American Energy Savers in New Bedford, where he sold and repaired wood stoves. He took great pride in his work and deeply loved his shop, which reflected his craftsmanship and dedication to serving his customers.

            Aside from his work, he enjoyed spending time at Snipatuit Pond in Rochester, a place he found peaceful and meaningful in his leisure time.

            Rene will be remembered for his steady presence, strong work ethic, and quiet devotion to family. His long marriage and the life he built across the South Coast stand as a reflection of a man who valued commitment, hard work, and the people closest to him.

            In addition to his wife, Patricia, he is survived by his two sons, Douglas P. Harbeck and his companion, Ellie Almeida of Fall River, and Craig A. Harbeck and his wife, Maria, of Lewes, Delaware; four grandchildren, Rachel Harbeck, Dylan Harbeck, Patrick Harbeck, and Alina Harbeck; as well as several nieces and nephews.

            He was predeceased by his two sisters, Jeanine Greaves and Denise Fitzpatrick.

            Rene will be remembered for his steady presence, strong work ethic, and quiet devotion to family. His long marriage and the life he built across the South Coast stand as a reflection of a man who valued commitment, hard work, and the people closest to him.

            In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Mr. Harbeck’s memory to a charity of your choice.

            Private funeral arrangements committed to the care of Aubertine-Lopes Funeral Home,

129 Allen St., New Bedford

Hugh Thanks His ‘Chain of Survival’

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            Captain Kevin Richard of the Rochester Fire Department could not believe his eyes.

            Having received the call at approximately 8:30 am on May 10 that a golfer at Rochester Golf Club was unconscious and not breathing with CPR reportedly in progress, he arrived at the course parking lot off Route 105 to the sight of Hugh McGonagle’s arms flopping into the air and back down, out of sight.

            “That’s the best CPR I’ve ever seen,” Richard recalled saying.

            The life-saving intervention was being performed by fellow Sunday-morning golfer John Magilton, who intercepted McGonagle’s playing partners in transport back toward the clubhouse from way out on the 3rd hole where McGonagle had collapsed while sitting in his cart. Magilton, a medical professional who recognized the trouble from the 1st hole, told them upon reaching the parking lot that McGonagle needs to be on the ground, where he furiously worked for two minutes until EMT’s were on site.

            “I was spent,” Magilton confessed.

            Critical recognition, critical seconds, critical training and critical decisions among several parties that morning saved McGonagle’s life. In celebrating this success story on Friday at the Rochester Senior Center, Richard identified Magilton’s intervention as an essential component in the “chain of survival.”

            The arrival of Rochester Rescue 210 and Engine 193 coincided with that of the Rochester Police Department. Suddenly, a team of EMT’s, paramedics, and police officers were engaged in McGonagle’s treatment and evaluation. CPR continued in the parking lot, upgraded with use of the Lifepak 15 Cardiac Monitor and the Lucas automated CPR device. Several shocks were administered.

            An ambulance took McGonagle to Tobey Hospital. On the way, he regained consciousness and communicated but, being critically ill, was taken from Tobey to Boston via Boston Medflight Helicopter.

            Paramedic Steve Cody, McGonagle’s son-in-law and a nurse practitioner, paused to reflect on the storm in his mind as he was faced with such a personal situation.

            “I flipflopped back and forth between paramedic and son,” he said, recalling the realization that his wife Danielle, McGonagle’s daughter, was listening on the other end of his cell phone. “Literally, it was a switch back and forth between medic and son. I talked to him, he’d look up at me, ‘Stevie, Stevie,’ he’d recognize, then I’d have to do something else. It just depended on where my brain was at the time.”

            Cody, 50, has been on life-saving missions for 29 years. He served in the trauma unit now known as BMC South (Brockton), worked in the emergency room and, as a psychiatric nurse practitioner, plans to point his career toward mental health.

            “I’m just hoping we can get ‘CPR saves lives’ message to people because, honestly, it takes five minutes to get there, and if you’re not doing anything, that’s five minutes wasted,” said Cody.

            Response times to the rapidly growing, eastern end of Rochester around Routes 28 and 58 are substantially longer. Due to prohibitive, post-Covid construction costs, pursuit of an auxiliary fire station in that area has been tabled with the town fiscally challenged to build a long-overdue replacement of the main station adjacent to Rochester Elementary School.

            Inflation only amplifies Cody’s concern that residents learn CPR and buy their loved ones – or any victim – critical minutes while professional help in on the way.

            As Richard described the effort before officially recognizing the many who pulled together to save McGonagle, the chain of survival on May 10 was instant, cohesive, cooperative, and unbroken. As miraculous as it sounds, those involved saw individual public recognition as an opportunity to reinforce the message that this can be a normal response.

            “We talked about the chain of survival because it’s literally a chain,” said Cody. “You have to recognize immediately, you have to call 911 immediately, you have to start CPR immediately, you have to continue CPR, it has to be effective, we have to get there, we have to (defibrillate) immediately, as soon as possible. You take any one of those chains out, and he had three to five minutes without a pulse.”

            The loss of any one of those links in the chain, said Cody, would have produced a different outcome.

            Richard compared McGonagle’s event to the one Fire Chief Scott Weigel suffered at home. The chief was in attendance Friday to present awards to participants in McGonagle’s rescue.

            Fully familiar with first-responder lifestyle – Danielle is also an EMT and soon-to-become nurse practitioner – the survivor was fully cognizant of all that went into his rescue and shared big hugs with his family and friends.

            “I can start a little light golf – chipping and putting – after six weeks. This Sunday makes five weeks,” said McGonagle, who goes 6-foot-1 and is down from 245 pounds when he collapsed to 226 as of June 12.

            “They’re healing,” he said of his ribs. “It feels much better now. At least, if I have to cough, I can cough … it was hard to breathe.”

            When McGonagle woke up in the hospital to tremendous pain in his chest, he asked his doctor why. The answer was his ribs were broken. “How many?” he asked. “All of them.”

            Magilton said, “You’re welcome.” Laughter ensued.

            Danielle Cody thanked the Rochester Fire Department, the civilians who intervened and the community at large in a letter shared on social media.

            “Statistically, the odds were against him, but the immediate action of those around him changed everything. … I wanted to share the full story because it is a beautiful, rare testament to the power of quick thinking, community, and the compassion of strangers and friends alike,” she stated in her letter. “My family and I are eternally grateful. We are overwhelmed by the skill and heart shown by first responders and everyone on that course. On a lighter note, if you’re looking for a place to play golf, head to Rochester – it’s clearly the safest course around!”

            Receiving Civilian Lifesaver awards: John Magilton, Brent Burrel, Charles Schlaegel, and Warren Hovasse.

            Fire/EMS/Police Lifesaver awards: Deputy Chief Jeffrey Eldridge, Captain Kevin Richard, Paramedic David Zander, Paramedic Steve Cody, Firefighter Benjamin Ferreira, Sergeant Catherine Connolly, and Detective Paul Douglas.

            Certificates of Recognition: Supervisor Stephanie Lenihan, Dispatcher Kristen McDonald, Fire Dispatcher Ashley Joyce, Fire Dispatcher Andrea Tarrant, Police Dispatcher Jordan Shairs, and Police Dispatcher Patrick Moran.

By Mick Colageo

Elizabeth Taber Library Summer Reading

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Summer Reading at the Elizabeth Taber Library begins on Monday, June 22, with our Summer Kickoff event between 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm. Kids of all ages can sign up for summer reading, enjoy a sweet treat, and participate in activities from the Library and the Marion Art Center.

            Sign up for our summer reading challenge for kids’ birth through Grade 7. Kids are invited to create their own reading goal. Upon signup, each child receives a free book to get started on their reading right away. Complete your reading goal by August 15 to receive another free book. Summer Reading participants will also be able to earn coupons for free ice cream over the summer.

            Summer reading isn’t just for the kids. Teens in Grade 7-plus and adults will earn tickets for weekly raffles by checking out books, attending programs, and writing book reviews. Prizes include books, gift cards, and more.

            Kids and adults can enjoy conversations with local authors as part of summer reading. On Tuesday, June 23, at 6:00 pm, Dianne Hunt Smith will discuss her new book “Whisper in the Waves.” The Library will have limited copies of “Whisper in the Waves” available for purchase. On Tuesday, June 30, at 6:00 pm, kids and their caregivers can listen to Kendal Heldt read her book “Queen of the Rocks,” based on Marion’s Planting Island Causeway, and make their very own sea glass craft.

            On Wednesday, June 24, at 1:00 pm we’ll be hosting our first special summer reading program of the summer – a walk through Butterfly Exhibit. Kids and their caregivers will be able to get up close and personal with butterflies in various stages of their life cycles and learn about their importance to our environment. This is a drop-in program and does not require registration.

            Regularly scheduled, early childhood programs will resume the week of June 22. This includes Lapsit Storytime on Mondays at 10:00 am, Outdoor Family Storytime on Wednesdays at 10:30 am, and our popular messy art program, Messy Morning, on Thursdays at 10:30 am. Messy morning will be open to kids up to age 9 this summer.

            For information on all of our summer programs, visit elizabethtaberlibrary.org/events.

Declaration & Dialogue: Reflections on 250 Years

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The deadline for entry to the MAC’s juried show Declaration & Dialogue has been extended to June 22. The show will soft open on July 10th, with an artists’ reception on Friday, July 17, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Early submissions include works by John Magnan, Keith Maddy, Gayle Wells Mandle, Nancy Dyer Mitton, Susan Gentile, and Peter Stone.

            Artists inspired by the philosophy of “Declaration & Dialogue: Reflections on 250 Years” are encouraged to apply.

            This exhibition seeks contemporary works that spark conversation, paired with historic artifacts or artworks on loan from private collections or institutions. All visual media is eligible – painting, sculpture, mixed media, video, or new media. Works should reflect the artist’s personal interpretation of the Declaration’s legacy – its ideals, challenges, complexities, or contradictions. Submissions may or may not offer political or social commentary; entries may reflect personal, aesthetic, emotional, or conceptual interpretations.

            Jodi Stevens, executive director at the MAC, stands behind the theme, “it’s an important year in so many ways for the arts; highlighting contemporary artists at this time, while also reflecting on our history, is crucial. On a local level, the summer is a very busy time of the year at the MAC. We want to celebrate our community and engage in meaningful dialogue by sharing these different perspectives.”

            The show will run from July 10 through August 7. Information about the application process can be found at marionartcenter.org/events.

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To the Editor,

            Please vote “yes” for a new Old Colony Voc-Tech High School. My wife and I are both in our 70s, property owners in Mattapoisett and on a fixed income. My wife and I always want to see a bang for our tax-dollar buck. So, we are very interested in avoiding new tax debt for projects we deem to be costly and of dubious benefit to the town. Projects from town meetings or in this case a special election. This is not one of those projects.

            Last vote Mattapoisett approved the new school; it was a no brainer, but unfortunately for we taxpayers and future OC students the other towns did not.

            The state is going to pay $140,000,000 toward a new building, which will expand the shops and increase enrollment from 560 students to 776 students. Old Colony grads tend to stay in our communities and eventually become taxpayers. Each graduating class will be helping pay off the new school debt to the towns of $148,000,000 when they become property owners. This school debt has an end date, and our taxes will go back down.

            The old school is in terrible shape; shops are small and crowded and many have to be brought up to code. So, this does not mean a “no” vote saves us taxpayers money. On the other hand, we shall probably pay more over time for a patch job on the old building, without any state aid.

            Old Colony grads have saved our towns thousands of tax dollars over the past decades, completing projects in all our towns. I have hired Old Colony grads for electrical work as well as auto repair and carpentry projects, and I bet many of you have as well.

Ray M Cabral, Mattapoisett

The views expressed in the “Letters to the Editor” column are not necessarily those of The Wanderer, its staff or advertisers. The Wanderer will gladly accept any and all correspondence relating to timely and pertinent issues in the great Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester area, provided they include the author’s name, address and phone number for verification. We cannot publish anonymous, unsigned or unconfirmed submissions. The Wanderer reserves the right to edit, condense and otherwise alter submissions for purposes of clarity and/or spacing considerations. The Wanderer may choose to not run letters that thank businesses, and The Wanderer has the right to edit letters to omit business names. The Wanderer also reserves the right to deny publication of any submitted correspondence. All letters must be typed and submitted directly to: news@wanderer.com.

Local Teen to Compete for the Title of Miss Massachusetts’ Teen 2026

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The 2026 Miss Massachusetts’ Teen Competition will be held at the Hanover Theatre in Worcester on Thursday, June 18 at 7:00 p.m. Among those vying to be the 21st Miss Massachusetts’ Teen Bree LaFavor, a rising junior at Old Rochester Regional High School.

            16-year-old LaFavor holds the title of Miss Somerset’s Teen. She is the daughter of Daniel and Julie LaFavor and will be singing for the talent phase of competition. Her Community Service Initiative is titled “S.W.I.M.: Swim With Insightful Means.”

            Miss Massachusetts’ Teen Ava Dooley is a graduate of 2025 graduate of Shrewsbury High School and is now a student at Louisiana State University majoring in Marketing with a minor in Fashion Merchandising. Dooley spent the last year making appearances around the Commonwealth as well as promoting her Community Service Initiative titled “Choreograph Your Future: Helping the Next Generation Find Their Path.”  

            “Being able to represent Massachusetts for the last year has been an honor,” said Dooley. “The skills I gained through this opportunity will stay with me for the rest of my life. I hope the work I’ve done has made an impact and inspired other young women to find success in this organization.”

            The field of 17 contestants includes young women from diverse backgrounds who represent every corner of the Bay State.

            “We are excited to return to Worcester and the beautiful Hanover Theater for what is sure to be another spectacular competition,” said Miss Massachusetts’ Teen Executive Director Rocky Graziano. “One young woman is in for the year of a lifetime and will join a special sisterhood which includes women who are still making a difference in their communities. We also thank Ava for being a wonderful representative of our organization for the last year.”

            The next Miss Massachusetts’ Teen will earn a $3,000 scholarship as well as a full-tuition scholarship to three universities. She will also compete at the Miss America’s Teen competition in September in Palm Beach, Florida.

All’s Well That Ends Well

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            The solution was elusive but not impossible for the first action item on the agenda of the Marion Select Board during Tuesday night’s meeting at the Police Station.

            Homeowner Corey Ferreira had requested a waiver from a bylaw that would have allowed him to install a drinking-water well on his property at 373 Wareham Road (Route 6).

            Ferreira’s representative, David Davignon of Schneider, Davignon & Leone, Inc., laid out an $18,000 plan that would include four actions including the water, the well, a tie-in to town sewer, and a retaining wall.

            Davignon told the board that the town’s water line runs along the opposite side of Route 6 from Ferreira’s address, and a state-approved dig could take up to six months to complete. The well, according to Ferreira, was always part of his building permit.

            What concerned Select Board member Randy Parker was precedence.

            “Everybody who builds a house is going to apply for a well,” said Parker.

            Citing that a well would be half the price of the $38,000 it will cost to get a water line across Route 6, Davignon cited details about Ferreira’s lot and asserted that his quandary is rare enough not to be concerned with copycats.

            “Unfortunately, Dave, for the first time in my life I disagree with you,” said Parker, who insists trouble lies ahead with such an approval. “I’ve never approved (a well) for domestic water – and especially (for a home) on (town) sewer – at least in nine years.”

            Town Administrator Geoff Gorman confirmed that there remain no more buildable lots at Ferreira’s location, but Parker stuck to his argument that an approval for a domestic well at the address would prove to set a bad precedent for the town.

            Davignon countered with a request that the town consider relief on the $10,000 sewer hookup. Parker requested a number. “If I’m greedy, I would ask for the exact difference,” said Davignon, advocating for the applicant. Board Chairman John Hoagland asked if Ferreira would consider $5,000 in relief.

            The compromise was thereby reached: Route 6 will not be dug up, Marion will not approve a domestic well, and will not fear having opened the floodgates for future domestic-well applications. But Ferreira will pay half the regular fee for his sewer hookup. It will cost him $17,000 for a temporary tie-in to the neighboring water line at 369 Wareham Road.

            After a 6:00 pm Public Hearing, it was voted via three motions that the town approves the transfer of the all-alcohol, off-premises license and inventory of ICJ Corp dba Top of The Hill Liquors, 311 Marion Street (Route 6), to Sri Vinayak Corporation, the principals of which are Sonalben Patel (50%), Jaiminkumar Patel (40%) and Vishal Patel (10%).

            The third motion conditioned that ownership would revert back to ICJ Corp should the Patel ownership fail to meet its end of the bargain. ICJ is financing the Patels’ purchase pending an agreed schedule of payments of principal and interest.

            Jaiminkumar Patel will act as manager. He has been working for another Marion-based business since 2021 with no violations. Hours of operation at Top of the Hill Liquors will stay the same.

            The application now goes to the state agency ABCC for its approval.

            Before delving into action items, Hoagland announced that former Marion Harbormaster Adam Murphy has filed a suit against the town, claiming he was fired at a January 28 meeting with the Select Board chairman, the police chief and the town administrator. Hoagland noted that the town disputes Murphy’s narrative, stating that the Marion participants are in agreement that Murphy submitted his resignation at that meeting and it was accepted. Hoagland said he would keep the town informed as the case develops.

            Davignon’s work was also evident in a 26-spot, parking proposal for the area between Wells Road and Route 6 now owned by “JJ” Pope and Michelle Pope. The plan was well received by the Select Board, which has considered the area “an eye sore” for years. Gorman will seek guidance to determine what it will take to bring the plan forward.

            Seeking compliance for a delinquent water bill over three years for a Rochester resident (284 New Bedford Road), the board agreed to waive the required 10% down payment on the principal and the interest provided the resident remain current on the five-year payment schedule. A lien will be applied should the property be sold. Hoagland said there are more such cases to come.

            The Select Board is still trying to get the bottom of a discrepancy between $2,100,000 and $2,600,000 in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between member towns and the Old Rochester Regional School District regarding Gateway Health Group funding. The Mattapoisett Select Board approved the MOU, and Hoagland wants to know how that affects Marion’s options. Citing no quarterly reports from the ORR School Committee since January, Hoagland also wants monthly reports and for ORR to move up from a December 31 deadline to September 30 with year-end information. The other Select Board members considered Hoagland’s requests reasonable, and Gorman said he will forward the changes to ORR Administration.

            Normally the purview of the Board of Health, the Select Board discussed the Third Read of the town’s Blighted and Vacant Property Policy. Both Burr and Parker dislike the document, but Hoagland said he can think of at least four properties in town that need intervention.

            “Pitcher Street, when are we going to wake up? They owe us thousands of dollars, and it just sits there rotting,” he said. “I think we owe those residents on Pitcher Street some action.”

            Parker argued that, before arming the town with policy, it would be better to “find out what’s going on behind the scenes and see what we can do with those. … there were times when town found money to help someone. You have to find out what’s going on … I think we’re still that town.”

            Hoagland’s was the dissenting vote against Burr’s and Parker’s that tabled the matter.

            A discussion regarding the Department of Public Works buildings on Route 6 yielded interest in putting together a group (committee), and the focus shifted to the town’s two water towers, their maintenance and apparatus and certification. With neither in use, Parker suggested learning what it will cost to decommission them. Hoagland said it will cost $250,000 to take down the water tower at the former DPW headquarters. The ground there also will need testing. Gorman will provide information that will enable action by the board.

            The town’s new contract with Waste Management adds a third curbside recycling date. Affected residents will be notified.

            Inclusionary Bylaw Fees will remain at $75,000 per unit. Toll Brothers’ project at 78 Wareham Road is already in for $75,000 per unit, but uplands of the former Lockheed Martin business park could be affected.

            Heather Corrigan’s request for a Special One Day Alcohol Beverage License for a July 31 fundraiser for the Marion Art Center from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm was approved. The event anticipated approximately 300 attendees.

            Other votes approved the removal of the July 7 and August 4 Select Board meetings, noting the board can schedule a special meeting to address any business, the scheduling of two meetings in August for the Select Board Goal Retreat, the appointment of Police Officer Nathan Oliveira (effective June 16) to a one-year probationary period, the appointment of Jennifer Petersen as a full member of the town’s Affordable Housing Trust, the dissolution of the DPW Building Committee – with gratitude, the reappointments of many members of Marion boards, committees and staff, and a Water/Sewer Commitment of $1,401.54 (final readings June 4).

            In his Town Administrator Report, Gorman noted that the Town House is on track to move back into its permanent home on the July 27 weekend (July 28 is nomination papers day for the primary). Gorman said eight speed humps are expected this week, six of which will be placed on Front Street with two others for at-large consideration. The Shared Use Path is on track for an August 16 bid, as paperwork has been submitted to the owners of affected rights of way. A July 21 meeting with KP Law will update the board on the taking of land – there were no donations as of Tuesday’s meeting.

            The permit process has been completed to start construction on solar atop the new DPW building; the town is waiting on an update regarding materials. The town is on track to hold a fireworks display. The Independence Day Parade is taking applications online, and any questions can be directed to Executive Assistant to the Select Board Donna Hemphill. The Town Party, scheduled for July 25 (rain date July 26) received a donation on Tuesday. Employee Appreciation Day will be held on June 25, shutting down routine customer service at 12:00 for a picnic at Cushing Community Center.

            Hemphill was congratulated for her graduation from the Municipal Government certificate program at Suffolk University. Gorman scheduled a Wednesday morning coffee and conversation session at the Town Hall Annex on Barnabas Roadconf room, purpose is to sit down for. Town Clerk Katrina Desroches, it was announced, has decided to return to work in public safety and is leaving at the end of the week, and Associate Assessor Linda Dessert is retiring effective July 17. Both jobs have been posted. Finally, Senator Kelly Dooner will hold her office hours Thursday in Marion at the Barnabas Room.

            The next meeting of the Marion Select Board is scheduled for Tuesday, June 30, at 6:00 pm at the Police Station Conference Room.

Marion Select Board

By Mick Colageo

Children’s Department Events at the Mattapoisett Library

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Our Kids’ Summer Reading Program officially starts on June 23, so be sure to come down and sign up. All of our summer reading events are free and open to the public, so you don’t need to register for the Kids’ Summer Reading Program to attend, but you must register to be eligible for prizes.

            On Tuesday, June 23, Pine Meadow Farms will be coming to the library for a Petting Zoo to kick off our 2026 Kids’ Summer Reading Program. This event starts at 10:30 am, so make sure you get here with plenty of time to park, check in, and get settled. Registration is highly recommended. Not only will this give us an idea of how many folks are coming, but this also allows your friendly neighborhood children’s librarian to contact participants directly.

            We’re trying out a new program this summer. Puzzle Races. Compete against other families for the coveted title of puzzle champions. Registration is required. We only have space for four teams, so when registering, please only register one person (we will reach out for the names of everyone on your team later). Teams can be 2-6 people, ages 6 and up.

            On Thursday, June 25, at 1:00 pm, kids can come unleash their inner Picasso. They will craft a charming little flowerpot, plant a seed, and watch their green masterpiece bloom. All ages welcome. Registration is required.

            Our Summer Storytime Sessions will be starting with Family Storytime on Thursday, June 25, and Baby Storytime on Friday, June 26, both at 10:30 am. Family Storytime will be taking place at Munro Preserve, just down the street from the library. In the event of rain, we will simply meet at the library.

            On Saturday, June 27, at 11:00 am, children ages 6 and up can create a Pirate Costume, make a Pirate Flag, play Pirate Games, learn navigation skills, and more. Spots are limited; registration is required.

            More information about all of our programs is available on our website, mattapoisettlibrary.org, or by calling (508) 758-4171. We hope to see you in the library soon. Until then, keep reading.

Filmmakers to Document the Legacy of Nolan Gibbons

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            Documentary filmmakers from Los Angeles will travel to Marion later this month to attend and film the 6th Annual NolanFest, a free community music festival honoring the life and legacy of local performer Nolan Gibbons. The event will take place on Saturday, June 27, from 4:00–9:00 p.m. at Silvershell Beach in Marion, Massachusetts.

            The filmmakers are producing a documentary that tells the story of Nolan Gibbons’ life, talent, and lasting impact. The film will explore not only Nolan’s journey as a young musician, songwriter, and performer, but also how his legacy inspired the creation of The Nolan Gibbons Memorial Fund, which has awarded more than $60,000 to over 45 emerging artists across the United States and internationally.

Founded in memory of Marion resident and musician Nolan Gibbons, NolanFest has grown into a beloved annual celebration of music, theater, visual arts, and community. The event brings together performers, artists, families, and supporters while raising funds to help young artists pursue their creative goals.

            This year’s festival will feature performances by the nationally recognized a cappella group Hyannis Sound, The Bradley Playhouse, The Showstoppers, The New Bedford Festival Theatre, Break-a-Leg Theatreworks, South Shore Conservatory, Saint James and the Heretics, scholarship and grant recipients of The Nolan Gibbons Memorial Fund, and other talented artists from across the region. Attendees can also enjoy food vendors, artisan booths, family-friendly activities, raffles including the popular Ride to School of Norman the Marion Police Dog, and more.

            “We are grateful that the filmmakers were drawn not only to Nolan’s story, but also to the impact his life continues to have on others,” said Sheila Gibbons, President of The Nolan Gibbons Memorial Fund. “Through the Fund, we are able to support and celebrate artists as they pursue their dreams, continuing the spirit of creativity, connection, and encouragement that Nolan embodied. Nolanfest allows us to celebrate the things he loved most while bringing people together each year through our shared love of the performing arts.”

            NolanFest is free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets and are invited to make a donation to support the Fund’s mission. Volunteer opportunities are also available for individuals, families, and students seeking community service hours.

For event updates, performer announcements, sponsorship opportunities, and volunteer information, visit www.nolangibbons.org or follow The Nolan Gibbons Memorial Fund on Facebook and Instagram.