Mattapoisett Woman’s Club

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The Mattapoisett Woman’s Club invites interested local residents to its February 19 monthly meeting for a unique presentation with professional textile conservator Kate Tarleton. Whether it’s a family christening gown handed down from generation to generation or a quilt recently purchased at an antique shop, the heirloom textiles in your possession require special care. Join Kate Tarleton and the Mattapoisett Woman’s Club to learn about the best methods for preserving, exhibiting, and caring for your precious antique and vintage textile treasures. Participants are encouraged to bring a textile about which they need conservation advice for the Q&A session following the lecture.

            Visitors are welcome to attend this presentation which will begin at 11:30 am at the Mattapoisett Congregational Church in Reynard Hall. The Mattapoisett Woman’s Club is a civic, social, educational and philanthropic organization. Membership is always open to local women who are interested in the objectives and mission of the organization. For more information or questions please contact info@mattapoisettwomansclub.org.

ORRHS Receives $75,000 Career Pathways Grant

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There are currently 23 students at Old Rochester Regional High School who are on pathways to develop practical skills, earn college credits and get a taste of what work is like in their career of interest.

            Old Rochester Regional (ORR) High School recently received a $75,000 grant from the state government to support the ongoing implementation of the Innovation Career Pathways (ICP) program, which provides students with opportunities for work-based learning in high-demand industries.

            In total, the ORR program has received $135,000 in grant funding since April 2025, when it was among 37 programs at high schools across the state to receive an initial ICP designation from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).

            Olive Huggins, a junior, shared her experience with the ORR Career Pathways program at the Old Rochester Regional School Committee Equity Subcommittee meeting held on Thursday, January 29. Huggins is among the 23 students enrolled in the ICP program at ORR, which offers two state-designated career exploration pathways: Business/Finance and Advanced Manufacturing. The ORR ICP program features a combination of academic coursework, technical training, work-based learning, and college credit opportunities, offering students the chance to develop real-world skills, earn industry-recognized credentials and make career connections.

            So far, five students in the ORR ICP program have completed college courses and 13 are currently enrolled in college courses in their related career field. Students in the ORR ICP program will have access to internships such as Thompson Consultants Inc., an engineering consultant.

            Students have also embarked on on-site internships through ORR’s DECA student businesses, ORR Originals (a T-shirt press) and Bulldog Bites (a to-go snack box business for after school clubs, activities, and sports). ICP grant funding covered start-up costs for the student-led, school-based enterprises.

            Old Rochester Regional High School’s Innovation Career Pathways in Business & Finance and Advanced Manufacturing are both built on meaningful partnerships with the local business community. The ORR ICP program invites employers, organizations, and skilled professionals to collaborate with on the expansion of internship opportunities that provide students with authentic, hands-on experiences aligned to high-demand careers. Through these internships, students develop essential workplace skills, explore career pathways, and apply technical and academic learning in real-world environments. In turn, ORR ICP program partners have the opportunity to mentor emerging talent, contribute to workforce development, and help ensure a strong, skilled pipeline of future employees for the region.

            “Together, we can create impactful learning experiences that benefit students, businesses, and the greater Old Rochester community,” said Assistant Principal Lauren Millette.

            Members of the local business community and industry partners are asked to please contact Millette at laurenmillette@oldrochester.org to learn more about partnering with ORR on the ICP program.

            The ORR ICP program is open to all interested students. To participate, students first attend an informational session to select a pathway and then complete an application with parental approval. Once accepted, students join specialized Bulldog Block sessions to explore their chosen field. They progress through a rigorous course sequence that begins with foundational high school classes and moves into advanced technical training and independent learning projects. As students master these high school requirements, they transition into dual enrollment courses to earn college credit. Throughout this journey, students meet regularly with mentors and ICP coordinators to manage their coursework and secure high-impact internships and build their portfolios.

            Coordinators and mentors for the implementation of the ORR ICP program include Assistant Principal Lauren Millette, technology teacher Scott McElroy, chemistry teacher/DECA advisor Alyssa Whitney, and DECA advisor/paraprofessional Beth Trout.

            Superintendent Michael S. Nelson, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Shari Fedorowicz, Principal Michael Devoll, and Assistant Principal Millette thanked DESE for its investment in Old Rochester Regional High School students, offering them a transformative experience that will enable them to develop essential skills, gain awareness of future career opportunities and make informed choices about their post-secondary education.

            “Programs like Innovation Career Pathways give students meaningful exposure to careers while they are still in high school, giving them a chance at early exploration of their potential careers, college-level courses and technical skill development,” said Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Fedorowicz. “The recent $75,000 grant allows us to continue developing our ICP program, as we strive to help students make informed decisions about their futures.”

            “The ICP program is creating real opportunities for students to connect what they are learning in the classroom to the world beyond school,” said Principal Devoll. “We are seeing students take ownership of their goals and engage more deeply when they can see how their work applies to future careers.”

            “This grant funding from the Healey-Driscoll Administration strengthens our ability to support students through every stage of the pathway, from exploration to college coursework and internships,” said Assistant Principal Millette. “It also allows us to continue building partnerships that give students authentic experiences in high-demand fields. We’re grateful to be able to expand upon this program and provide additional opportunities to our students.”

            “We are thankful to DESE and the Healey-Driscoll Administration for their continued investment in Old Rochester students and programs like this that emphasize both academic rigor and career skill development,” said Superintendent Nelson. “Innovation Career Pathways allows our students to get two steps ahead, putting them on a path to graduate with a clearer sense of direction and the tools they need for postsecondary success.”

Disagreement over Point Road Path

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            The Marion Open Space Acquisition Commission met on February 5 and mainly went over developments on the Point Road Path.

            Vice President of Sippican Lands Trust Jeff Doubrava spoke first. Doubrava sought a letter of support from the commission for near the corner of Route 6 and Rocky Nook Lane, on the Rocky Nook Lane side, “kinda meander up towards the back side of the site away from the river and end up at the junction of the site with the Grassi Bog.” This project stems from the desire to connect two conservation regions, Sparrows Mill maintained by Sippican Lands Trust, and Grassi Bog, maintained by Buzzards Bay Coalition. Doubrava explained it would both give visitors more places to walk and offer more places to park.

            MOSAC Chair John Rockwell explained this item was not on the original agenda, and thus a decision could not be decided at this meeting. The next meeting of the commission will likely be attended by Doubrava to formally put forth this request.

            The commission then approved the schedule of its meetings for the next year, approving it as well as continuing to hold meetings at 6:00 pm.

            Rockwell moved discussion to the Point Road Path, specifically to cover material recommended by engineers. “All the recommendations, they all coincide,” he said, referring to gravel and stone-dust popularity. Rather than committing to the whole path now, Rockwell recommended they test it on a smaller portion of trail first.

            Member Norman Hills responded, “I don’t think we should be doing anything until we’ve figured out what’s going to be done.” He added, “it’s not going to solve the problem that’s out there.” Member Kitty DeGroot pushed Hills for an alternate next step, to which Hills recommended hiring an engineer to do a cumulative plan of the whole project.

            Conservation Commission member Shaun Walsh explained the original grant proposal from 2019, saying “the specs were three inches of gravel for subbase to be topped with three inches of stone dust. Neither one of those materials has been used in the construction of this path.” Walsh went on to say he believes what is being worked on now was not what was originally submitted to vote at Town Meeting in 2019. Walsh added that he agrees with Hills’ desire to seek out an engineer.

            Rockwell went back and forth with Walsh until member Tom Friedman said, “this brings us no closer to a solution.” The commission came to a consensus to seek estimates for consultations with an engineer. The commission will need to schedule a special meeting before February 20, as that is the final date to submit for the grant to support further work. Otherwise, they will have to wait a year.

            The next meeting of the Marion Open Space Acquisition Commission has not yet been scheduled.

Marion Open Space Acquisition Commission

By Sam Bishop

Marion DPW Open House

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The Town of Marion invites the public to attend the official Ribbon Cutting and Open House for its new Department of Public Works (DPW) Operations Building, located at 60 Benson Brook Road, Marion. The event will take place on Friday, February 13, at 1:00 pm.

            This milestone marks a significant investment in the Town’s infrastructure and commitment to providing efficient, high-quality public services. Community members are invited to attend the ceremony, tour the new state-of-the-art facility, meet the dedicated DPW team, and enjoy light refreshments.

Weweantic River Bridge Construction

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MassDOT estimates that bridge construction over the Weweantic River will begin on February 23 and run through the end of the year. Hours of work are 7:00 am to 3:30 pm on weekdays. Work will start with tree clearing and erosion control in February, followed by bridge demolition and replacement through the remainder of the year.

            The contractor will use advanced warning signs, truck-mounted attenuators, arrow boards, traffic cones or reflectorized drums, temporary barriers, and police details for typical lane and shoulder closures. Drivers should expect delays, reduce speed, and use caution. All work is weather-dependent and may be impacted by emergency situations. For any questions, please contact the District 5 Construction Office at 857-368-5104.

Mattapoisett Woman’s Club Scholarships

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The Mattapoisett Woman’s Club has announced two $2,500 scholarships available to Mattapoisett residents who are high school seniors planning to continue full-time studies at the college level.

            Scholarships applications are available in the guidance offices at Old Rochester Regional High School, Bishop Stang High School, Tabor Academy, Old Colony Vocational Technical High School, Bristol County Agricultural High School, and online at www.mattapoisettwomansclub.org (see Scholarships). Applications must be postmarked on or before March 31. Incomplete submissions or those received after the deadline will not be considered.

            The scholarships are made possible by fundraising events in our community. Membership in the Mattapoisett Woman’s Club is open to any woman interested in furthering and supporting the philanthropic, academic, civic, and social goals of the organization.

Island Wharf Is a Trust, Not a Parking Lot.

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Dear Editor,

            Island Wharf Is a Trust, Not a Parking Lot. This article appeared in the February 5, 2026, edition of The Wanderer. At a recent meeting, the Marion Select Board discussed future regulation of Island Wharf, focusing on parking and use of the green space between the Music Hall and the Maritime Center.

            Island Wharf was given to Marion in 1901 “exclusively for a public purpose, not commercial.” That language is unambiguous, and it carries moral weight. The Select Board is not the owner of Island Wharf; it is its trustee. Trustees do not trade away a public inheritance for convenience.

            Garrett Hardin warned that commons are not destroyed by bad actors, but by reasonable people making small exceptions. One truck becomes another, one weekend becomes a season, and the damage becomes permanent. Grass compacted by heavy vehicles does not heal. The loss is quiet, incremental, and irreversible.

            To permit commercial vehicles, equipment, or boat storage on the green is to choose short-term accommodation over long-term responsibility. It is to spend down a shared asset that does not belong to any one business, visitor, or board, but to the entire town, including those not yet here to speak for it.

            Concern for local business is understandable. But Marion’s economy depends on its character, not its convenience. Once Island Wharf is scarred, no regulation will restore what was lost.

            Alternatives exist. The Sippican School, nearby church lots, and street parking can meet seasonal demand without sacrificing the green. The moral choice before the Select Board is simple: protect the commons now, or be remembered as the board that allowed it to be slowly erased.

            The Select Board’s Duty: Protect the Commons at Island Wharf.

Eileen J. Marum, Marion

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.

Art Speaks Volumes

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            February is Black History Month, a time to celebrate and a time to remember sacrifices made as well as challenges overcome and those still pending.

            It has been said that, when something bad happens, oftentimes something good can come out of that negative experience. No experience amplifies that point more clearly than the experience that John Excellent suffered through. On February 8, Excellent gave opening remarks at Tri-Town Against Racism’s Black History Month Creative Expressions Contest 2026. He told of a brutal attack he suffered and the subsequent search to find meaning in that horrific moment.

            Sometime later he found TTAR. He shared that, rather than dwell on that horror, he sought a venue of likeminded citizens coming together for positive change.

            TTAR began with a group of mothers whose children had experienced racism. They strove towards bringing such issues to a wider audience in the hope that all people, all races, all genders and gender identifications would have a voice. From their website, “Tri-Town Against Racism is dedicated to defending our community against racism through education, positive communication, and amplifying the voices of those impacted.”

            One of the many programs developed by TTAR is an annual art contest, now in its sixth year. Art produced by school-aged children (from first grade to 12th) shared their vision of inclusivity, positivity, and the power of art. The Mattapoisett Free Public Library hosted the exhibit, which includes art from some 30 junior and senior students from Old Rochester Regional Junior High School and ORRHS who submitted meaningful works.

            The older students used a collage-style format to blend art with examples of what specific leaders have accomplished in their lifetime.

            Many of the young artists selected civil-rights leaders focusing on the impact of these leaders for what has become a monumental movement for equality and inclusivity in our nation. The young artists also understand the struggle is not over as was evident in their artworks.

            Returning to points made by Excellent previously, he urged local citizens to start change “where you live.” From its 2020 start, TTAR has been doing just that with programs geared towards the youth in the communities.

            Winners were selected from the junior and senior classes. The 2026 winners are Noah Santos, Kenna Thompson, Jacoby Santos, Alex Amaral, and honorable mention, Mathew Crain.

            The exhibit featuring creative works may be viewed through March 1 at the Mattapoisett Free Public Library. To learn more about TTAR, you can visit tritownagainstracism.org.

Tri-Town Against Racism

By Marilou Newell

Rochester Historical Society News

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A reminder that we’re looking for membership dues from new, former or current members. This is a slow time of year for us, at least in terms of meetings (we are diligently working behind the scenes and always available), but that doesn’t stop some of our bigger bills from coming in. Think oil and insurance. That means any dues money would come in handy.

            Dues should be sent to: Rochester Historical Society, PO Box 322, Rochester, MA 02770. Individual is $20, Family is $20, Curator $50, Patron $75, Preservationist $100 and supporter $-.00.

            Please include name, address, phone number and if possible, email address. Thanks, and I hope everyone is staying warm.

Tri-County Symphonic Band

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On Sunday, February 15 at 3:00 pm, the Tri-County Symphonic Band, under the direction of Philip Sanborn, will offer a salute to the English composer Gustav Holst. Holst’s compositions for symphonic band have made him a cornerstone of the genre. His band music is celebrated for its rich orchestrations and use of English folk tunes. The concert will feature Holst’s iconic “First Suite in E-flat for Military Band”, “Second Suite in F for Military Band”, and “A Moorside Suite,” which are fundamental works for concert bands, showcasing vibrant harmonies and distinctive movements like marches, intermezzos, and folk song fantasias. There will be a suite of Christmas Carols written by Holt and arranged by Robert W. Smith. Holst’s tone poem “Hammersmith”, the last piece he composed for band, will also be performed.

            The concert will be held at the Keith Middle School Auditorium, 225 Hathaway Boulevard, New Bedford, MA 02740. Adult tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door. Children aged 12 and under admitted free. Tickets may be purchased in advance at The Symphony Music Shop in Dartmouth, The Marion General Store in Marion or online at https://tricountysymphonicband.org.

            Please visit tricountysymphonicband.org for more detailed information.