Rochester Women’s Club Scholarship Fundraiser

On Saturday February 21, from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm the Rochester Women’s Club will again be hosting its Left Right Center Scholarship Fundraiser. Join us at the American Legion Hall, 3 Depot Street in Mattapoisett.

            Join us for a fun afternoon of games, raffles and snacks. A $20.00 entrance fee will get you in the door. Winners keep all their cash.

            We will have $1.00 Games and $5.00 games. All proceeds from the entrance fee will go to our scholarship fund. Each year we award three Rochester graduating high school seniors with a $1,000.00 scholarship.

            Space is limited so get there on time to grab your table. Bring your own snacks and drinks or enjoy the ones we will be providing. The legion does not supply alcohol. This is a bring your own event.

ORRHS Drama Club to Perform ‘The Proposal’ for METG Festival

Superintendent Michael S. Nelson and Principal Michael Devoll are proud to announce that the Old Rochester Regional High School Drama Club will present a modern adaptation of “The Proposal,” Anton Chekhov’s famous one-act comedy about complications and absurdities surrounding the business of love.

            The Old Rochester Regional High School Drama Club will first perform its modern adaptation of “The Proposal” in the preliminary round of the 2026 Massachusetts Educational Theater Guild (METG) High School Drama Festival on February 28 at Joseph Case High School, located at 70 School St. in Swansea.

            Then, the Drama Club is bringing it home to Old Rochester Regional High School to present “The Proposal” at 7:00 pm on March 6. Tickets will be on sale at the door for $5 each.

            “We’d like to wish our performing arts students the best of luck as they compete in the METG High School Drama Festival,” said Principal Devoll. “We also look forward to getting a chance to support the Drama Club on March 6 for its performance back at home.”

            “We always look forward to seeing the sets, the production and the performances of our ORR Drama Club students,” said Superintendent Nelson. “I’d like to offer my support as they continue to prepare for the METG Festival and the upcoming show at Old Rochester Regional High School on March 6.”

            Brayden Fanti, who became theater director at ORR last school year, wrote an “absurdist adaptation” of Chekhov’s “The Proposal” for his students to perform.

            The adaptation is a modern take on “The Proposal,” which starts off with a man named Lomov who asks for his neighbor’s hand in marriage, leading to a series of heated arguments and over-the-top meltdowns about trivial matters, such as pet ownership, property, pride and personal grievances.

            The ORR Drama Club’s performance of “The Proposal” in the preliminary round on February 28 will be judged by an expert panel on acting and technical design. Of 112 one-act plays that enter the festival, 14 will move on to the State Finals held on March 26 through March 28, with three ultimately named as winners of the competition. Two schools chosen from the METG State Finals will then go on to represent Massachusetts in the New England Drama Festival, a regional showcase of secondary school theatre.

            Fanti urged the community to come support the ORR Drama Club students at the March 6 performance and enjoy a night of hilarious comedic escapades.

            “The METG Festival is a wonderful experience for our students, and bringing the show back to ORR makes it even more special,” said Director Fanti. “Our students have been working hard preparing for this show, and they’ve done an incredible job embracing the style of acting needed to make this play work. They’re excited to share it with the community and to represent ORR at the METG Festival.”

Margaret A. Ferreira

Margaret A. Ferreira, 81, of Mattapoisett, passed away peacefully on February 5, 2026, following her courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease.

Born on January 5, 1945, Margaret was raised in New Bedford, the daughter of Clinton Rimmer and Anita (Rogers) Rimmer. She was the devoted wife of Thomas Ferreira for nearly 60 years.

Margaret grew up on Mount Pleasant Lane in New Bedford with her four sisters, with whom she shared cherished holidays, birthdays, date nights, and vacations throughout her lifetime. Her childhood home became the center of Rimmer family celebrations for decades as the sisterhood’s families grew.

A proud 1960 graduate of Holy Family High School, Margaret later attended Cape Cod Community College, where she met her future husband, Tom. They soon married and began their own family story. Margaret loved the charm of Cape Cod in both summer and winter and developed a deep appreciation for the ocean and the serenity of Buzzards Bay and Vineyard Sound. She also enjoyed spending time at the lake in New Hampshire. She shared this love through many family outings to Cape beaches and restaurants, encouraging her children and grandchildren to explore and enjoy the region she held so dear.

Friendship was something Margaret truly treasured. Her friends meant a great deal to her, and she had a beautiful way of remembering shared moments, laughter, and meaningful conversations.

Margaret’s career was focused in the utility industry, where she worked for both New England Telephone and Eversource Energy. She valued the relationships and opportunities this work provided, including the chance to continue her education. In 1998, while working full time and attending night classes at Stonehill College, Margaret earned her Bachelor of Arts, a milestone achievement and a special moment for her.

Our mum was extraordinary in countless ways, with a spirit and energy that seemed to know no limits. She could sing, play the piano, be an artisan baker, prepare gourmet meals, play tennis, run road races, and cheer us on, both on and off the field. She was our closest confidant, our spiritual pillar, and often the one who simply listened without judgment. She was the person you wanted beside you for every meaningful moment in life, and someone of whom we are incredibly proud. She loved skiing at Mt. Sutton in Canada and found great joy in hosting dinners where family and friends felt truly welcomed. She was immensely proud of her grandchildren and cherished every moment spent with them. She always looked forward to lunches at The Pasta House with her sisters, traditions filled with laughter and connection. She embraced life fully and, above all, treasured being with her family, which was always closest to her heart.

Margaret faced Parkinson’s disease with strength and grace. Though the disease progressed, her spirit continued to shine through her bright blue eyes and her enduring love for family and friends. She was the light in our lives and will be missed dearly.

Margaret is survived by her four children: Mark and his wife Darlene of Winthrop; Jane Connolly of Sandwich; Kristen Ferreira of New Bedford; and Matthew and his wife Marisa of Richmond, Virginia. She was the proud and loving grandmother of seven grandchildren: Patrick, Sean, and Jack Connolly; Meghan Seguin-Ferreira; and Ben, Beau, and Brooke Ferreira. Margaret was predeceased by her son-in-law, Sean Connolly, whose memory remains a cherished part of the family.Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, February 13th at 11:00 AM in St. Anthony’s Church, 26 Hammond St. Mattapoisett. For online guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Marion Town Sticker Purchases

Beginning on Wednesday, February 4, the following permits will be available for purchase in the Town Clerk’s Office at the Marion Town House Annex, 14 Barnabas Road:

-Marion Resident Beach/Parking Permits

-Marion Resident Transfer Station Permits

-Marion Resident Guest Passes

-Marion Shellfish Licenses

            These stickers will no longer be available at the Harbormaster Building.

Mattapoisett Land Trust Winter Break Activities

The Mattapoisett Land Trust has announced its schedule of Staycation Activities for the upcoming school winter break.  All activities are free of charge and offer local families an opportunity to explore MLT properties and connect with nature.  To find Staycation Activities, visit the MLT website mattlandtrust.org and explore the Family Activities link on the left side of the page.

            Starry Night is an opportunity for people of all ages to gaze at the night sky on the evening of Tuesday, February 17, at Grace Meadow-Santos Farm Preserve located off Aucoot Road at the end of Bowman Road in the eastern part of Mattapoisett.  The event will feature speakers, telescopes, a small fire, and a children’s craft.  Plenty of parking will be available.

            On Saturday, February 21, from 10:00 am to 11:30 am, a Forest Stewardship and Climate Resiliency Walk will be conducted by MLT forester Kate Marquis at Brandt Island Cove District Preserve.  The walk starts at the Anchorage Way kiosk entrance at the corner of Tara Road and Anchorage Way.

            Throughout the week families can enjoy nature-themed Scavenger Hunts at four MLT properties: Munn Preserve on Mattapoisett Neck Road near the stone pillars demarking the Antassawamock private community, Grace Meadow-Santos Farm Preserve, Dexter (Tub) Mill Park, and Dunseith Gardens.  Our new Scavenger Hunts have a list of items to find, and individual finds can be documented with photos.  For more information, see mattlandtrust.org/family-activities/   For trail maps of two of the properties, see: bit.ly/mlt_munn_map and bit.ly/mlt_oldaucoot_map.

            The MLT is pleased to be partnering with the Mattapoisett Free Public Library on these projects.  Themed MOBY backpacks, designed for many different nature adventures, are available in the library’s Children’s Department.  Brochures, Scavenger Hunts, maps, and MLT Trail Passports can be picked up at the library also.   Books about trails, trees, animals, and birds as well as snowshoes, trekking poles, binoculars, GoPro Hero 7 camera kit, and more items are available at the library to check out.  For more information, see mattapoisettlibrary.org/explore-the-outdoors.

ADU, Cottage Community Rules Refined

            It’s no small task to create new zoning bylaws that will have long lasting ramifications, including the aesthetic look and overall character of Mattapoisett’s historic village, as well as providing a new type of housing.

            For over a year, the Mattapoisett Planning Board has been working on two new bylaws that will, the board says, provide many new opportunities in residential housing. On February 2, the board held a Public Hearing to give residents an opportunity to discuss the Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) and Cottage Community drafts. The board wishes to include many points of view, while crafting the technical language they wish to bring before Town Meeting in May.

            Salient points were shared in a working draft to give voters plenty of time before the Annual (spring) Town Meeting to ask questions and become familiar with the board’s plans. To receive a copy of the draft, contact the Planning Board or Select Board office.

            Regarding the ADU bylaw, the board explained some of the state bylaws language. The draft language reads in part that the new bylaw will, “…increase housing production to address local and regional housing needs across all income levels, housing that fits in context of zoning districts, and all income levels at all stages of life. It would develop small scale infill housing that fits in context of zoning districts that allows single family housing while providing gentle hidden density and further it would provide a more moderately priced housing option to serve smaller households with lower incomes, seniors and people with disabilities.”

            These units would be self-contained with all the utilities necessary for independent living. It was further outlined in the draft that the intent of the new bylaw is, “…to enable property owners to age in place, downsize, or earn supplemental income from investing in their property.”

            As for cottage community units, during the open discussion it was asked what would stop a property owner from selling cottage community housing units at a premium price tag versus an affordable unit. Board member William Wennerberg explained that these new zoning bylaws were not an effort to provide affordable housing but rather a new way to develop available land.

            Several model homes were shown, including Wennerberg’s developments in nearby towns. The concept of cottage communities was first introduced by Wennerberg based on his experience as a developer. He said that people love cottage communities and had previously suggested that such units would fit in comfortably in Mattapoisett, primarily along the Route 6 corridor. Noted were the first-floor size of such housing units, not to exceed 900 square feet; a second-story unit would not exceed 50% of the ground floor.

            As currently written, the dimensional standards are: up to 1,500 square feet; Minimum distance separating structures is to be 12 feet with two parking spaces and an overall height of 14 feet.

            At the Mattapoisett Planning Board’s next meeting scheduled for March 2 at 7:00 pm, the drafts will continue to be refined.

Mattapoisett Planning Board

By Marilou Newell

2026 Winter Olympians from Massachusetts

            The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina, Italy hold their opening ceremony this Friday, though some games have already begun. The US Olympic Team is sending over 232 athletes, with a fairly even 115 women and 117 men, with ages ranging from 15 to 54. Of those 232, 28 are originally from Massachusetts, attended school here, or currently live here. Here are the five of our fellow Yankees who currently reside in the state, proudly searching for the Dunkin’ Donuts di Milano, should you not know who to root for:

            Spencer Akira Howe of Norwood (Figure Skating), Emily Chan of Norwood (Figure Skating), Jessie Diggins of Wakefield (Cross-Country Skiing), Zack DiGregorio of Medway (Luge – Men’s Doubles), and Maxim Naumov of Norwood (Figure Skating).

            The opening ceremony in Milan will take place live at 2:00 pm on Friday, though NBC/Peacock will also show their own live coverage of the event at 8:00 pm.

By Sam Bishop

An Assessment of Canada

            ​This week in Revolutionary War history, let’s check up on what was going on 250 years ago in and around the colonial Province of Massachusetts Bay. Last week, many elements within the Continental Army, as well as the Continental Congress, are already drafting plans to reinforce northern armies to again strike at Canada. However, other elements realize the folly of another such attempt, including General George Washington, who is currently focused on taking Boston. Colonel Henry Knox arrived in Cambridge from Ticonderoga, completing his “noble train of artillery” and reenforcing Washington’s besieging army with necessary artillery to break the hold.

            On January 28, 1776, in his General Orders, Washington informs militiamen, those men not official part of the Continental Army but are serving in private bands for-profit, will, “since the first of January, their pay will be the same as those officers.” In other words, soldiers in a militia group will receive the same pay as those in the standing army, maintaining they follow instruction from the chain of command, not steal, and supply their own arms.

            That same day, Washington congratulates Captain John Manley of the Continental Navy, sailing the schooner Hancock, of his capture of two British transport ships, the Happy Return and Norfolk off the coast of Plymouth. He also says, subtly highlighting the American’s lack of resources and equipment, “You may be assured that every attention will be paid to any reasonable request of yours, and that you shall have the command of a stronger vessel of var, but as it will take up some time before such a one can be fitted out, my desire is, that you continue in the Hancock.” The Continental Navy is active, however, and is slowly growing into more of a headache for the British since its official formation the past October.

            On January 30, Washington writes to Major General Charles Lee who Is stationed in New York City. He warns Lee that the British General Henry Clinton has departed Boston with 400 to 500 men, whom he fears will head to New York. He tells Lee to prepare for an assault on the city, and subtly notes that, with men being shifted north to bolster another attempt on Quebec, Lee may be called upon by Congress to head north as well.

            Sticking with Canada, on January 31, Washington writes President of the Continental Congress John Hancock notifying the Congress that, though he believes operations in Canada are of “great importance,” he signals he, “should be happy, were it in my power to detach a battalion from this camp, but It cannot be done.” With the General eyeing up a potential capture on Boston, he is declaring his troops must stay and cannot be sent north with others. He adds that his own efforts and pressure towards the governments of Connecticut and New Hampshire have been fruitful, seeing many new reinforcements raised.

            He notes supply issues, especially gunpowder. He applauds Congress’ efforts to manufacture or acquire more and says, “It is scarcely possible to describe the disadvantages an army must labor under, when not provided with a sufficient supply of this necessity.”

            On February 1, Washington pens a letter to Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Reed, giving a frank assessment of their military defeat in Quebec. He says, “The account given of the behavior of the men under General Montgomery Is exactly consistent to the opinion I have formed of these people.” He notes Continental soldiers’ prowess when defending or guarding behind a parapet, wall, or other shelter, but adds “but I am as well convinced as if I had seen it, that they will not march boldly up to a work – or stand exposed in a plain.”  He is not wholly lacking in faith of his men but highlighting the lack of discipline and experience they have. “The men must be brought to face danger,” he concludes. With that, he notes his men must march forth into Boston and destroy the British encamped within.

            In the following days, Washington received words from both the Governor of Connecticut Jonathan Trumbull and the Treasurer of Virginia Robert Carter Nicholas. Money is scarce and with the raising of additional troops to reinforce the battalions in Canada, the colonies’ treasuries are empty. Nicholas says Virginia is unable to keep up with the “expenses incurred by the northern colonies.” He has had to rely on his own funds and extending his own personal credit to pay for the troops.

This Week in Revolutionary War History

By Sam Bishop

Cuttyhunk Plein Air Festival

The Marion Art Center is pleased to present the eleventh annual Cuttyhunk Plein Air Festival on Saturday, June 20 on the island of Cuttyhunk (town of Gosnold, MA). A rain date is scheduled on Sunday, June 21. Registration for this incredibly popular event opens on Friday, February 6 at 8:00 am online at: marionartcenter.org/cuttyhunk-plein-air. Registration for artists is $115, and for island artists who do not need ferry transportation the cost is $55.

            On the morning of the festival, sixty artists will travel from the State Pier in New Bedford aboard the M/V Cuttyhunk Ferry to the island, where they’ll spend 3-4 hours painting from a location of their choosing. Island ambassadors – residents and volunteers – donate their time using golf carts to shuttle artists to and from their painting spots. Artists will wrap up around 2:30 pm in order to submit their paintings for jurying. Volunteer jurors will award 1st, 2nd, 3rd place, and purchase prize awards. The “_ARTY.” will take place from 3:00 pm to 3:45 pm, with visitors and artists wrapping up to board the ferry by 4:00 pm to arrive back in New Bedford at 5:00 pm. Guests are invited to visit the island to see painters in action and attend the “_ARTY.” celebration at the end of the day. Visitors can mingle with artists and purchase original paintings directly from the artists at the Scuttlebutt Grille Gallery. The “_ARTY.” is free and open to all.

            The festival is supported by a grant from the Gosnold Cultural Council. Many island businesses, mainland companies, and island residents support this event with monetary and in-kind donations and by volunteering their time.

Mattapoisett Nomination Papers

            Nomination papers are now available for the 2026 Annual Town Election in Mattapoisett. There are many offices up for election this year including Town Clerk, Select Board, Assessor, Mattapoisett School Committee, ORR School Committee, Library Trustee, Moderator, Water & Sewer Commissioner, Board of Health, Planning Board, Housing Authority, and Community Preservation Committee. The deadline to request nomination papers is Friday, March 27. The Annual Town Election is scheduled for Tuesday, May 19. Please check the town website (www.mattapoisett.gov) or call the Town Clerk’s Office at 508-758-4100 x 2 for more information.