The Rev. Robert Malm, Interim, St. Peter’s on the Canal, Buzzards Bay will visit St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, 34 Water St., Mattapoisett on Sunday, July 10. Services using the 1928 Book of Common Prayer will be used at the 8:00 am and 10:00 am services. All are welcome.
The Tri-Town community has continuously come together during the past two years to engage in meaningful events to address concerns about racism, inequality, with a goal of creating a more inclusive and supportive region. This was showcased when community members came together so graciously to support the reopening of TTAR’s Little Free Diverse Library after the vandalism suffered at the end of 2021. During the reopening ceremony, TTAR leadership was able to engage in such meaningful conversation with community members that we felt compelled to rename our community outreach and engagement event. This event will occur in person at Rochester Memorial School, 16 Pine Street, Rochester, on Thursday, July 28, 7-8 pm. For planning purposes, we ask that attendees register here: forms.gle/HZFPkh4EMjEswGhT9. Participants are encouraged to provide questions about diversity, inclusion, allyship and how to be a part of the change in their registration form.
For more information, connect with us by following Tri-Town Against Racism on Facebook.
Peter Joseph Muise, of Marion, formerly of Hanson, passed away on July 6th, 2022, at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston after a courageous 19 year battle with cancers and post-transplant complications.
He was born in Milton in 1955, son of the late Daniel Muise and Winifred (Caristi) Hayes, and spent his early life in Quincy, Braintree and Weymouth.
Peter earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and a Master of Science degree in Finance from Bentley College. He began his banking career in 1977 at Quincy Savings Bank and rose through the ranks to become Senior Vice President Chief Financial Officer. Peter joined First Citizens’ Federal Credit Union in 1996 and served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer before his appointment to President and CEO in August 2008 through his retirement in January 2021.
Peter was very involved in his communities on the South Coast and the Cape, and gave so much of his time to causes and projects that helped others. He was the Chairman of the Board for the Housing Assistance Corporation, Inc. and an Executive Committee member of the Homeless Service Providers Network in New Bedford. He was one of the founders of Rise Up for Homes, a fundraising and advocacy organization to support ending homelessness. He served as the Co-Chair of the South Coast Regional Network to End Homelessness and was a member of the New Bedford Regeneration Committee. He was Chairman for four years on the Greater New Bedford Workforce Investment Board and served for several years as the Co-Chair of the National Academy Foundation’s Advisory Board for the New Bedford High School’s Education and Industry Coordinating Council.
While awards and accolades never defined him, because he was far too humble to be comfortable with the praise, he was the 2015 recipient of the Sister Rose Award from the City of New Bedford, the 2014 recipient of the Sydney Adams Award from the Inter-Church Council of New Bedford and The Standard-Times 2013 SouthCoast Man of the Year. In 2004 he was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Massachusetts Association of School Committees in recognition of his twelve years of dedication as an elected member of the Whitman-Hanson Regional School Committee. He was also chosen as the Town of Hanson’s Citizen of the Year in 2006 after having served for two years as Chairman of the Town’s Government Study Committee.
Peter was a friend to many, and never met a “stranger” in his life. He remained close friends with his various circles, the S B Crafters, the Nice Guys, Old Bankers, and the Band. Peter was a connector and supporter. Many who knew him, even if they had just met him once, were included in his network of friends, and he often emailed, texted or called to help out and support others and connect them to people who might help them achieve their goals.
While his career contributions, accomplishments, and friendships were both significant and numerous, Peter’s number one pride and joy was his family. He will be remembered as a loving and constant presence, only a car ride or phone call away, willing to help whenever they needed support, advice, or assistance. He was an avid New England sports fan and he never missed watching Patriots games with his wife. As a beloved Gramps, he introduced each grandchild to NesQuik chocolate milk at breakfast, how to fill bird feeders, and proudly taught the older ones how to play chess and drive the red “people mover” around the neighborhood. He liked to play “on the ground” with his grandkids, despite his health, and was a silly-faced, giggle teaser. A lover of food, Peter relished in a good meal. When he wasn’t working or with his family, he could be found golfing or most likely, futzing around the yard in his crocs with socks.
Peter is survived by his wife, best friend, and partner of 50 years, Robin (Fitzpatrick) Muise; and his three children, a son, Jason and his wife Alissa of Holden; a daughter, Carly and her husband Jeff Lavin of Mattapoisett, a daughter Krista and her husband PJ O’Brien of Tolland, CT; and 9 grandchildren, Wyatt, Emily, Lyla, Everly, Graeme, Finnegan, Myles, Rory, and Maisie. He is also survived by a sister, Barbara and her husband Dennis Fleming; a sister-in-law Joanne and her husband Dan Englehardt; a brother-in-law Robert and his wife Susan Fitzpatrick; and a sister-in-law MaryLee Muise. He was the favorite uncle of many nieces and nephews and godfather to 6. He was predeceased by his parents; brother David Muise; and father and mother-in-law Robert G. and Maria Aline (Machado) Fitzpatrick.
The family is extremely grateful for the compassionate and loving care shown to Peter from the staff at Dana Farber, Brigham and Women’s, and Mass Eye and Ear. We thank them for the extra time they gave us to be together, and the way they honored Peter and held us through each trial and tribulation. These amazing people are more than caregivers, they are a part of our family forever.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St Anthony’s Church, 26 Hammond St, Mattapoisett, MA, on Wednesday July 13, 2022 at 10 am. The public is invited to meet directly at church. Burial will follow in Old Landing Cemetery, Marion. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 12, 2022 from 4-8 pm at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd. Mattapoisett. In lieu of flowers, donations in Peter’s memory may be made to Rise up for Homes, (℅ Interchurch Council of Greater New Bedford, 128 Union Street Suite100, New Bedford, Ma 02740 or online at riseupforhomes.com) and the Housing Assistance Corporation (460 West Main Street, Hyannis, MA 02601 or online at https://haconcapecod.org/make-donation/). These donations will be used for continuing his work of serving the homeless and those less fortunate. For the online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.
Margaret Stanley Millspaugh, of Mattapoisett, MA, passed away July 4, 2022. She was born in Oklahoma City, OK, and daughter of the late Francis C. and Helena (Stanley) Millspaugh. Margaret “Margy” was raised in Plainfield, NJ before living in Concord, Watertown, and Mattapoisett.
Margy was a graduate of the Hartridge School in New Jersey and Ithaca College in New York. She worked in several high-tech firms prior to becoming the sole proprietor of Twigs Tides Gift Shop in Wareham. She enjoyed spending time with her many friends while walking on beaches searching for her beloved scallop shells.
Margy is survived by her two sisters; Virginia M. Parker and her husband George of Dedham, MA and Leslie C.M. Amodei and her husband Richard of Carlisle, MA; her brother E. Judson Millspaugh and his wife Elisabeth of Center Barnstead, NH; eight nieces and nephews, and a great niece and nephew.
Her Graveside Service will be held on Friday, July 15th at 11:30 am in Cushing Cemetery, Mattapoisett, MA. Arrangements are with the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd. (Rt. 6), Mattapoisett. For directions and guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.
The Wanderer is pleased to announce that we are soliciting nominations for our 29th annual “Wanderer Keel Awards.” The yearly community service honor, presented to one Tri-Town resident from each of the three central towns in our circulation area, will be announced in our July 30 edition, and each winner will be the subject of a short feature highlighting his/her contributions to the local community. But The Wanderer needs your help in selecting these “unsung heroes.”
The requirements are simple. Nominees must be legal residents for at least five years of Mattapoisett, Marion or Rochester, and must have contributed in some way to the overall benefit of the community – directly to town residents, indirectly through efforts in promoting town activities or working to keep the wheels of local government well oiled. The only restriction is that these persons cannot benefit from their efforts in any other way – either financially or politically (hence, sitting elected officials are not eligible).
In doing this, we hope to applaud those who are rarely recognized for their countless hours of service and focus on the many people behind the scenes who remain otherwise anonymous, but who provide crucial support to many town functions.
Like the keel of a ship that keeps the vessel from capsizing, the recipients of the Annual Wanderer Keel Award will be recognized for their stalwart efforts in keeping the community on an “even keel.”
Past recipients of this honor include:
– MARION: Claire Russell (1994); Ralph and Phyllis Washburn (1995); Annie Giberti (1996); Jay Crowley (1997); Tyler Blethen (1998); Olive E. Harris (1999, posthumously); Kathleen P. “Kay” Reis (2000); Loretta B. “Lori” Schaefer (2001); Ann and Warren Washburn (2002); Andrew Santos Sr. (2003); Eunice Manduca (2004); Annie Giberti (2005); A. Lee Hayes (2006); Horace “Hod” Kenney (2007); Margie Baldwin (2008); Jack Beck (2009); Dr. John Russell (2010); Jane McCarthy (2011); Nancy Braitmeyer (2012); Rodney Hunt (2013); Hanna Milhench (2014); Robbi Dunn-Tracy (2015); Joanne Mahoney (2016); Diane Cook (2017); Pete Smith (2018); Robert Raymond (2019); David Pierce (2020); Alan Harris (2021).
– MATTAPOISETT: Maurice “Mudgie” Tavares (1994); Priscilla Alden Hathaway (1995); Norma Holt (1996); Gale Hudson (1997); Kenneth Stickney (1998); Clara Morgan (1999); Betty and Bert Theriault (2000); John N. “Jack” DeCosta (2001); Jo Pannell (2002); Stan Ellis (2003); Evelyn Pursley (2004); Luice Moncevitch (2005); Seth Mendell (2006); Bradford A. Hathaway (2007); Kim Field (2008); David Spencer Jenny (2009); Stephen L. Kelleher (2010); Bento Martin (2011); Howard C. Tinkham (2012); Ellen Flynn (2013); Jennifer Shepley (2014); Ruth Bates (2015, posthumously); Debbi Dyson and Julie Craig (2016); Bonne DeSousa (2017); Jillian Zucco (2018); Lois Knight Ennis (2019); Michael Hugenin (2020); Mike Hickey (2021).
– ROCHESTER: Joseph McCarthy (1994); Jean Fennell (1995); Katherine Hartley Church (1996); Chris Byron (1997); Albert Alderson (1998); Arthur and Aline Lionberger (1999); Kenneth E. Daggett (2000); Georgia D. Chamberlain (2001); Mary P. Wynne (2002); Evelyn F. Benner (2003); Mike Meunier, Sr. (2004); Arthur F. Benner (2005); Pamela J. Robinson (2006); Anna E. White (2007); John E. Lafreniere (2008); Cathy Mendoza (2009); Kate Tarleton (2010); John Cobb (2011); Thomas Goyoski Jr. (2012); Kevin Woodward (2013); Kate Lanagan MacGregor (2014); Gordon Helme (2015); Doreen DeCosta (2016); Danni Kleiman (2017); Pamela and Oren Robinson of It’s All About the Animals (2018); Ann Cambra (2019); Kelcey Robertson (2020); Laurell J. Farinon (2021).
Please send the name, address, and telephone number of recommended nominees, along with a brief description of their key contributions to the community and why you feel they are deserving of this honor to: news@wanderer.com, or via mail, Keel Award, The Wanderer, P.O. Box 102, Mattapoisett, MA 02739.
The deadline for nominations is Thursday, July 22, by 3:00 pm.
Audrey Wood, of Mattapoisett, graduated from The University of Tampa on Saturday, May 7.
The Marion Art Center’s annual outdoor artisan market, Arts in the Park, returns to Bicentennial Park in Marion on Saturday, July 9, 10 am-4 pm. A rain date is scheduled on Sunday, July 10. The park is located across the street from the MAC, located at 80 Pleasant Street in Marion, at the corner of Main and Pleasant.
The curated event will feature nearly 45 artists and artisans from across the region and includes many new vendors this year. Goods include baskets, ceramics, clothing, collage, fiber, glass, jewelry, woodworking, painted and handcrafted furniture, paintings, photography and more. Shop for gifts, fine art and handmade goods, grab lunch or ice cream, listen to live music by Richard Lewis and John Fernandes and bring the kids for free games and craft activities on the MAC lawn! Visit the MAC galleries throughout the day to see the new exhibit, Mary Ross: A Retrospective, featuring Ross’s unique collages, paintings and assemblages spanning over 60 years.
Visitors can enter for a chance to win prizes from the raffle with one original piece from each vendor. This year, the MAC will raffle off two tickets to its premier summer fundraiser, Cocktails by the Sea, scheduled July 29, a value of $190! Tickets to the summer party will also be available for purchase inside the MAC. For more information, visit marionartcenter.org or email the MAC at info@marionartcenter.org.
Mattapoisett Museum’s newest exhibit, Mattapoisett’s Weird & Wonderful, opens on July 7 from 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm; light refreshments will be served.
Inspired by the idea of a ‘cabinet of curiosities’ – a concept dating back to the 16th century – this exhibit will feature fun and curious items from the collection, many of which have never been displayed. The exhibition highlights the breadth and variety of the museum’s collection. Most of these objects never quite fit into previous exhibits, but we think they are fascinating in their own right! You will see eye stones, thunderjugs, fiberglass cow’s ears, bullet-ridden bibles, and more!
This event has no admission fees, but donations are always appreciated.
Mattapoisett Yacht Club June Series Recap:
In the Ensign Tuesday night Fleet, One Love proved again that they are at the top of their game, finishing first overall for the June Series.
In the Wednesday Night PHRF A Fleet, Kindred Spirits defeated No Quarter Given in the last race to break their tiebreaker and take the June Series win.
Chickadee took the top position in the B Fleet, with three firsts and one second, hard to beat that.
The July series starts this week.
To Whom This May Concern,
Two years ago, when Covid-19 restrictions were still high, I had found out that there would be no raft in the water that year because it was apparently damaged from a storm. Most years, the raft is out right when school ends and the weather gets warmer. I was shocked and disappointed when I did not see the raft out at the start of this summer. However, what surprised me the most was when I went to the Town Beach with friends on June 29, and my mom and I asked the lifeguards if the raft was coming out this year. The lifeguard said that the raft had been dismantled and that she didn’t even think they had it anymore. I can’t believe that the raft, something people in this town look forward to during the summer, something with so many memories is gone. So many people loved the raft and to see it go away would be heartbreaking. That is why we need to bring back the raft! I remember the first time I was able to swim out to the raft when I was young and I want others to have that same experience. That joyful feeling of independence when you know how far you swam out. Once when I had gone out to the raft, a girl I met there told me that their family loves coming specifically to the Town Beach in Mattapoisett just for the enjoyment of the raft. That is why we need to bring back this piece of pure joy. Mattapoisett is special and one of the things that makes this town special in the summer is having fun at the beach. Let us help make the people of Mattapoisett and its summer visitors happy with what we call, #returntheraft!
I remember the first time I swam all the way to the raft by myself. It was the summer of 2019 and I was 6 years old. It was very exciting to be able to do this and unlock one of the freedoms of being a responsible and safe swimmer like all the kids that came before me. My favorite thing to do on the raft was jumping off in different ways with my friends and family. After COVID-19 came and there were lots of restrictions on going to the beach and the raft was not there, it was understandable. As restrictions have been lifted, one of the things I was most looking forward to this summer was swimming out to the raft like we used to. I would like to see the town look into and put a plan into action for replacing and returning the raft to the Town Beach.
My sister and I encourage other people in the town that want to #returntheraft to write to our town’s administrators and request them to do so.
Sincerely,
Piper (12) and Reese (9) Newell
Mattapoisett Residents
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.