ORRHS Student Designs Mattapoisett Land Trust Sticker

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The design for the new Mattapoisett Land Trust (MLT) sticker is a circular collage with four panels containing scenic images of nature, a sunset and a recycling bin. The sticker contains the words “Stewardship,” “Education,” and “Preservation.”

            The artist behind this new sticker, which will be used to promote the local conservation group, is an Old Rochester Regional High School student.

            Old Rochester Regional (ORR) School District and MA Superintendency Union #55 Superintendent Michael S. Nelson and Principal Michael Devoll are proud to share that the winner of the MLT Sticker Design Contest is visual arts student Grace Victoria.

            Grace’s design will now be produced as an official MLT promotional sticker.

            Representatives from MLT visited Old Rochester Regional High School’s Visual Design class on June 2 to recognize students for their submissions to the MLT Sticker Design Contest.

            Under the guidance of art teacher Kate Butler, students in Visual Design and Art 2 classes were challenged to create original sticker designs that reflected the MLT’s core values of education, stewardship and preservation.

            “The project provided students with an opportunity to apply their design skills to a real-world challenge while supporting a local organization dedicated to conserving and protecting Mattapoisett’s natural resources,” said Butler.

            The students’ contest entries were then displayed throughout May at the Mattapoisett Public Library, where members of MLT reviewed the sticker designs and voted for a winner.

            During their classroom visit, MLT representatives Wendy Copps, Mary Cabral, and Sarah Stoner announced the results of the MLT Sticker Design Contest and presented awards.

            In addition to Grace Victoria winning the contest, Annalise Millenche was recognized as runner-up. Both students received gift cards donated by local businesses, including Uncle Jon’s Coffees, Eden Coffee and Bakery, Fieldstone Farm Market, Shipyard Galley and Nick’s Pizza, along with embroidered MLT baseball caps.

            “This contest gave students an opportunity to apply their artistic talents in a meaningful way, while connecting with an organization that plays an important role in our community,” said Principal Devoll. “We are proud of Grace, Annalise and all of the students who participated. Their creativity and hard work were on full display throughout this project.”

            “This contest was a great way to challenge our students to channel their creativity to serve a community partner that’s focused on protecting our natural resources and educating our community on this issue,” said Superintendent Nelson. “Projects like this help students understand how their artistic skills can be used beyond the classroom and have a positive impact in the community. Congratulations to Grace and Annalise on the well-deserved recognition, along with all of our students who contributed outstanding designs.”

From the Files of the Rochester Historical Society

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The other day as I was driving down Mary’s Pond Rd., I saw a mother goose and her goslings. Later in the day on another road, I saw two swans. This reminded me that I was told swans and geese don’t get along, but I have often seen them sitting companionly side by side at Leonard’s Pond.

            All of this got me thinking about the divides in this country that make it impossible for some of us to converse or even to sit side by side. As alarming as these divisions are, history tells us that they aren’t new. In the 18th century Rochester had more taverns than today. As the colonies moved slowly towards a split with England, the divisions between those who believed in loyalty to the king and those who questioned his treatment of his colonists in America were reflected in Rochester Center having two taverns in close proximity to each other with one for Tories and one for Rebels/Patriots.

            These divisions also began to show up at Town meeting amongst those active in town government. Samuel Sprague, a member of a prominent family who along with Noah and Nathaniel Sprague, held important town offices at various times, had been the town representative to the General Court for several years, but in 1772 he was not re-elected as some suspected him of having Tory sentiments.

            This led Town Meeting to vote “if our representatives or any other person in this Town that either has or shall hereafter basely Desert the Cause of Liberty” that they “be treated with that Neglect and Contempt that be justly deserved”. Not long after this Rochester formed a “committee of inspection” to call out any who spoke favorably about Tory sentiments.

            Again, in 1776, Samuel Sprague was on the hot seat. This time Isaac Snow who was the chairman of the Inspection Committee accused him of being “unfriendly” to the colonies’ cause. He was accused of saying “he was not convinced of the justice of the Cause of the Colonies” and he “utterly refused to take up arms in defense of the Common Cause of the Colonies”. Sprague never became an “out-and-out Tory”, but he sold his home and moved to Fairhaven.

            Another, whom Isaac Snow in his role as chairman accused was Nathaniel Sears. There is no mention of why and the list of Rochester’s Revolutionary soldiers shows a Nathaniel Sears. As with all such committees, the judging of others often goes too far. Isaac Snow accused the Rev. Thomas West who was preaching at a religious service in North Rochester of being an “Old Tory”. That led to Snow being disciplined by the First Church of Rochester.

            However, the committee wasn’t disbanded, but Snow was replaced by Earl Clap in 1779 “to take evidence against those that are Enemical to the American States”. So maybe opinions on governments always lead to divisions in society and swans and geese are able to get along because they have no concern for politics or maybe it’s because they’re Canada Geese.

By Connie Eshbach

Marion Social Club Pig Roast

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The Marion Social Club located at 44 Pumping Station Road in Marion is having a Pig Roast on August 16. Dinner will include a very nice portion of roast pig, jag, baked beans, applesauce, coleslaw, corn bread and dessert. The Pig Master is the same one we have had in the past and the meal is out of this world. Tickets are $40.00 each and can be reserved by calling Betsy Youngson at 508-295-8253. Cut off date is August 8, don’t delay. The doors will open at noon for socializing, and dinner will be served at 1:00 pm. Also, we are looking for new members to help us with our dinners which the proceeds fund our scholarships and Senior Bake.

Meet and Greet with Potter Wendy Goldsmith

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In conjunction with the Mattapoisett Free Public Library’s Art Series and a ceramic exhibit by Wendy Goldsmith called Birds of a Feather and Other Friends, June 2 to June 30, Goldsmith will be at the library in person on Wednesday, June 24 from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm for a Meet & Greet the Artist. Come meet Goldsmith, hear about her work, view the exhibit, and get answers to questions you may have for her.

Multiple Path Projects Slowly Advance

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            The Marion Open Space Acquisition Commission met in-person in the Police Station on June 4 with Chair John Rockwell noting at meeting start that one of the members was not present and the appointment of officers may need to be delayed to the next meeting, to which other members agreed.

            The commission quickly discussed and approved the minutes of their May 7 meeting and then began talks on the Land Bank Fund report. Member Norm Hills noted the total amount in the interest-bearing account sat just over $249,000. The money in the account is used to purchase land, Rockwell noted, adding land appraisals can be completed with the fund as well in order to access values.

            The commission then moved to discuss the transfer of land for the Marion Shared Use Path, which has moved successfully to its second committee in the Massachusetts General Court. Rockwell noted the transfer of 3,000 square-feet will still need to pass through a third reading committee, which the Chair joked, “is where projects go to die,” but also noted a “good legislative team” is working on and is supportive of the transfer. The transfer cannot be finalized until it has received approval from the state legislature which then passes to the Select Board for the final transfer sign-off.

            Next, the commission began talks on the Creek Street and Point Road Bike Path. Chair Rockwell noted they received a draft contract for four phases of work. Rockwell noted the fourth and final phase, or “task,” of the work was missing from the draft, which will be included in the commission’s comments back to the original submitter. There was then a unanimous vote of approval to send the draft back with corrections.

            Rockwell then brought up that in his home garage, he has some materials such as silt fence and geo-textile fabric originally bought with Community Preservation Plan (CPA) funds that is surplus from Point Road Bike Path construction. Rockwell recommended giving it to the Department of Public Works (DPW). Commission members agreed, and a unanimous vote was taken to transfer the material to the DPW for proper storage or use as deemed fit.

            Next was a discussion on tree removal and general site maintenance at the Grassi Bog Conservation Area off Route 6 at 814 Mill Street. The commission worked to meet with an inspector from the state’s Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) on June 30 who would walk through with members to answer questions regarding projects and share professional opinions.

            The next meeting of the Marion Open Space Acquisition Commission is scheduled for Thursday, July 2.

Marion Open Space Acquisition Commission

By Sam Bishop

Structure Fire at SEMASS/Covanta Waste-to-Energy Facility

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On Sunday at approximately 11:57 a.m., the Rochester Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire at the SEMASS/Covanta Waste-to-Energy Facility located in Rochester.

First-arriving units reported heavy smoke coming from the shredder area of the facility. Upon establishing command and conducting an initial sizeup, crews determined that the conveyor belt system which feeds waste into a shredder had broken and had spread the fire within the facility.

Firefighters immediately initiated suppression operations. Due to the size and complexity of the incident, automatic mutual aid was requested from the Marion and Mattapoisett Fire Departments.

Additional mutual aid resources were requested including a Tanker Task Force consisting of tankers from the Wareham, Lakeville, Acushnet, and Freetown Fire Departments. Additional engine companies and manpower responded from Lakeville, Freetown, Acushnet, Wareham, Middleborough, Carver, and Onset. Ambulances were also requested from the Wareham and Freetown Fire Departments to support on-scene operations. Marion EMS responded to a medical call in Rochester at the time of the fire.

During firefighting operations, one firefighter was transported to a local hospital for evaluation and treatment of heat exhaustion. The firefighter’s condition is not believed to be serious. An employee from the facility was evaluated by EMS for an injury and released.

During the incident, firefighters reported a partial collapse of a section of the facility’s roof due to the intense heat generated by the fire. Crews adjusted operations accordingly and continued suppression efforts while maintaining firefighter safety as the top priority.

After approximately two hours of sustained firefighting operations, crews brought the fire under control. Firefighters remained on scene conducting overhaul operations and extinguishing remaining hot spots for awvwral hours. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

The Rochester Fire Department would like to thank all mutual aid departments and facility personnel for their assistance and cooperation during this challenging incident.

Mutual Aid Departments.

● Marion Fire Department

● Mattapoisett Fire Department

● Wareham Fire Department

● Lakeville Fire Department

● Acushnet Fire Department

● Freetown Fire Department

● Middleborough Fire Department

● Carver Fire Department

● Onset Fire Department

● Rochester Police

● Regional Old Colony Comms

● Providence Canteen

The Rochester Fire Department reminds the public that mutual aid partnerships are critical in managing large-scale incidents and ensuring adequate resources are available to protect the community.

Further information will be released as it becomes available.

Rochester Fire Department Press Release

Summer Events at the Elizabeth Taber Library

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Plant a Seed and Read at the Elizabeth Taber Library this summer. From storytime and outdoor concerts to author visits and programs from the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, there’s something for everyone. Visit elizabethtaberlibrary.org/events to find a full list of programming. You can also stop by the Library to pick up a list of children’s programs.

            Kids of all ages and their caregivers are invited to join us for our Summer Kickoff event between 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm on Monday, June 22. You’ll be able to sign up for summer reading, enjoy a sweet treat, and participate in activities from the Library and the Marion Art Center.

            Kids and adults can enjoy conversations with local authors this month. 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.

            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.

            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.

Rochester Historical Society June Events

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Wednesday, June 17 at 7:00 pm at the Rochester Historical Society Museum, we will be singing along with Tom and Sheila Perry and then diving into our annual ice cream social.

            Saturday, June 20 at noon, we will join you at the Plumb Library for Women of 76: True Stories of Revolutionary Women. As always, we’ll bring refreshments. Make sure to reserve a spot on the Library site.

Mattapoisett Scholarship Fund

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The Town of Mattapoisett Scholarship Committee recently awarded $5,000 in scholarships to four local students as they prepare to continue their educational journeys. The recipients are Logan Pinto, who will attend Fitchburg State University; Nina Pierre, who will attend Fairfield University; Grace Custadio, who will attend Brandeis University; and Katherine Thomsen, who will attend Providence College.

            Funded entirely through voluntary contributions from Mattapoisett taxpayers, the scholarship program provides financial assistance through two award categories: the Scholarship Fund Award for graduating high school seniors and the Education Fund Award for residents pursuing education through a recognized college, university, vocational school, certification program, or other approved training opportunity.

            The committee reported that community support for the program continues to grow. Including this year’s awards, nearly $10,000 has been distributed to local students over the past three years, helping recipients pursue their educational goals.

            Contributions may be made at any time through the Mattapoisett Tax Collector’s Office. Residents are also reminded that information regarding the Scholarship Fund appears on local excise tax bills, providing an easy opportunity to make an additional voluntary contribution when paying taxes.

            The Scholarship Committee extends its congratulations to this year’s recipients and thanks the many residents whose generosity has made these scholarships possible. Continued community support will help ensure that future Mattapoisett students and adult learners have access to educational opportunities for years to come.

Clambake-Grab & Go

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Clambake-Grab & Go at the Knights Hall, 57 Fairhaven Road, Mattapoisett, on Sunday, June 28. Pick Up 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm, $50 per person. For Tickets call Jim 508-863-3496.