Red, White, and Blue Bake Sale

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This weekend, May 30 from 10 to 2, the Rochester Historical Society is holding a bake sale at the Rochester Land Trust Pony Pasture on Mattapoisett Rd. We will be selling pies, breads, cookies, squares, muffins and more. There will also be some exciting raffles. This is a great location, a chance to help out the Historical Society, win a cool prize and run into friends. If you would like to contribute a baked good for the sale, you can get in touch with me, Connie, at 617-750-2818 or eshbach2@aol.com. Don’t worry about baking in red, white or blue. It’s more a theme than a baking requirement.

ORRHS Students to Attend Boys’ State & Girls’ State

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Eight members of the class of 2026 at Old Rochester Regional High School will be attending the Boys’ / Girls’ State Convention sponsored by the American Legion’s Florence Eastman Post 280, June 13 to June 19, at Stonehill College in North Easton, MA.

            Boys’ State: The Mattapoisett Lions Club will be sponsoring Lucas Hadley. The Boston Foundation and Lawrence DiCara, Esquire, will be sponsoring both Grady Oliviera in memory of George White, and Luke Pierre in memory of Jack DeCosta. Lastly, the Machacam Club will be sponsoring James Russell.

            Girls’ State: The American Legion Florence Eastman Post 280 will be sponsoring Sage Elia. The Mattapoisett Lions Club will sponsor Addison Roy. The Boston Foundation and Lawrence DiCara will sponsor Olivia Thompson, in memory of Jerry DeCosta. In addition, the Mattapoisett Woman’s Club will be sponsoring Angela Palmer.

            To be eligible for Boys’ / Girls’ State, a student must be a member of the junior class who has achieved high academic success. Delegates must also show evidence of leadership ability and an interest in the democratic process. At the convention, delegates will study local and state government. They will establish and operate their own cities and towns and state government in miniature. This will include forming two political parties, holding conventions, nominating candidates, conducting campaigns, and electing officials. The primary goal of Boys’ / Girls’ State is for attendees to develop a better understanding of how State Government functions.

Memorial Day in Mattapoisett

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            They gathered to remember. They gathered to support one another in a ceremony meant to enliven memories of those fellow townspeople who have left this plane of reality to a journey we will all take one day. But moreover, for now, they came to say “thank you.”

            On May 25, Center School once again was the venue as the community gathered for Memorial Day.

            The agenda featured the angelic voices of the Showstoppers who in perfect harmony sang spirited renditions of The Star-Spangled Banner, America the Beautiful, and others.

            The speakers included guest Rear ADM (ret) Cashman who invited the attendees to reflect on President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. Lincoln drew inspiration for that speech from the ancient Greek statesman Pericles. Pericles believed a democratic society was based in part on the notion that people needed to gather and collectively forge consensus through debate and that they must gather to remember and give praise to those who have gone before because, “time passes quickly” Cashman said we must remember sacrifices made on our behalf and “that the secret to real freedom is to have a brave heart.”

            Also speaking was Select Board member Jodi Baur. Baur said unlike festivities that will be taking place around the country as America celebrates its semiquincentennial, Memorial Day is a day of reflection, for “those heroic men and women who served in our armed forces and fought to give us the freedoms we enjoy today.” She went on to say, “The best way we honor the fallen is by living worthy of their sacrifice, by strengthening our communities, treating one another with dignity and protecting the freedoms they died defending.”

            Others who spoke briefly were Representative Mark Sylvia, Veteran Ray Hanks who spoke of the renovation work taking place at the Hammond Cemetery, and Chaplin Micheal Frady whose prayers gave solemnity to the ceremony and reverence to the fallen.

By Marilou Newell

‘Tender’ Memories Matter Most

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            Thank you, Mr. Jaccaci. And good morning, Class of ’26, Tabor community, families, faculty, and alumni.

            As many of you know, I am standing here today for one simple reason: chicken tenders.

            For those who do not know, most of my presidential campaign was about chicken tenders every Tuesday. And it was not just some silly idea I thought of while hungry. It was a well-planned strategy that I thought of while hungry. Tender Tuesday worked so well because it was a small part of the day that everyone valued together. It was not a championship game or prom. It was a random Tuesday with chicken tenders.

            The things that end up mattering most are the things you don’t anticipate. They are the small, unremarkable shared moments that make up most of your lives that you almost never notice and usually forget by the end of the day. After years of being a student, I have been in the same conversation hundreds of times. Three more weeks until spring break. I need to survive until the weekend. When is Vince going to get this speech over with?

            We are always somewhere else in our heads, waiting for the next thing. But the thing about living in the future is that you miss everything happening right now. Think about a road trip. Nobody frames a photo of the highway. Nobody remembers the gas station or the bad Wi-Fi or the arguments about where to stop for food. But a few years from now, those are the things you laugh about. The destination was just the excuse to take the trip.

            The championships, the awards, the college acceptances—those were the destinations. But now consider the road getting here. The late nights with friends, the Tender Tuesdays, the Macbeth performance. That was the actual trip.

            So how do you stop staring out the window and letting time pass? Be grateful. Gratitude is not just a feeling you get when life is going well. It is a deliberate choice. All the planning, the worrying, the waiting—it all goes quiet the second you stop and appreciate something. The amount of beauty in your life is dependent on whether you choose to notice it.

            I am extremely grateful for the people that have been on this road with me for years. You were there for the late nights and the early mornings and the Tender Tuesdays. You will spend years of your life trying to find people who share these experiences with you. And right now, they are sitting right next to you.

            So before you look forward to whatever is waiting for you after this—and it is going to be great—take one second to be here, really here. Take a look around and appreciate how far you’ve come and the people who have helped you get here.

            Congratulations, Class of ’26. We have shared the past, we are sharing this moment, and we will live on in each of our future beginnings. Thank you.

Tabor Academy Co-Head of School Senior Address

By Vince White ’26

Salt & Light at the MAC

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Salt & Light, the new show in the MAC Galleries, will open on Friday, May 29 with an artists’ reception from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. The show runs through July 3, 2026, with artists’ talks in the galleries scheduled Thursday, June 25 at 5:00pm. All events are free and open to the public and will be held at the Marion Art Center, located at 80 Pleasant Street, Marion.

            Salt & Light brings together painters Kim Gatesman, Christy Gunnels, and Barbara Healy, whose work celebrates the distinctive landscapes of New England – rocky shorelines, salt marshes, cranberry bogs, and open coastlines. Though united by place, each artist brings a singular vision to the canvas, exploring light, color, and atmosphere in her own way. The result is a rich conversation between perspectives, inviting viewers to look slowly at the land, water, and sky that define our remarkable SouthCoast region.

            Kim Gatesman is a painter, printmaker, and an overall creative with a professional career that spans a range of disciplines and industries over the last 20 years. With numerous bodies of work, Kim covers a variety of genres from realism to abstract, colorful to black and white, and traditional to esoteric, all showing the same level of skill and dedication across her portfolio. She earned her MS, Arts Administration at Boston University, Boston and her MA BFA, 2D Studies (Printmaking) at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth,, MA. Kim grew up in the woods of Western Massachusetts, and now lives in Swansea where she also maintains her private studio.

            Christy Gunnels, born in Magnolia, Arkansas, has lived and worked on the South Coast of Massachusetts all of her adult life. Her works are in collections around the United States, England, Canada, Taiwan, and France. She received her MFA in painting from The Milton Avery Graduate School of the Arts at Bard College where she studied with Regina Granne, David Diao and Allen Cote. For many years she was an art instructor and director of fine arts in the Wareham, MA Public Schools. She is a realist painter inspired by her surroundings, creating oil paintings from her garden, birds, and the marshes and ocean outside her home.

            Barbara Healy is a contemporary, award-winning artist working in oils and acrylics. Her paintings are in many collections, including Tobey Hospital. A Connecticut native, Barbara fell in love with the South Coast, and her husband Shaun, while getting her BFA at UMASS Dartmouth, and stayed. Her studio in Dartmouth, MA has been on the South Coast Artists Open Studio Tour for 15 years. She is a Juried Artist Member of The National Association of Women Artists, Cape Cod Art Center, and also teaches painting.

            More information can be found at marionartcenter.org/events.

Rochester School Committee Candidate Spotlights

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            Editor’s Note: Four candidates, incumbent Katherine Duggan and challengers Barbara Lee, Isabel Gomes-McCann and Stacie Noble Shriver, are running for two open seats for three-year terms on the Rochester School Committee. The Wanderer invited candidates in all contested races in Tri-Town municipal elections to submit statements on their candidacy. Below are the responses.

Katherine Duggan

            My name is Kate Duggan, and I’m asking for your vote for a third term on the Rochester Memorial School Committee.

            I’ve lived in Rochester for over 16 years with my husband and our two children, who both attend RMS. As a former Chair of the Rochester Cultural Council, longtime PTO member, and regular volunteer in the school building, I’m deeply invested in our community and our school’s success.

            Over six years on the School Committee, I’ve learned what effective service in this role looks like. This past year, my first as Chair, we faced unprecedented budget pressures driven largely by extraordinary special education costs. Through collaborative work with the Select Board, Finance Committee, and school administration, we navigated these challenges while protecting what matters most: our students and the educators who serve them. I’m committed to continuing to work with all stakeholders as partners, not adversaries, to solve problems together.

            Looking ahead, my priorities include ensuring adequate and appropriately distributed staffing so our educators can give students the attention they deserve; improving transparency about our budget so the community understands both our challenges and our achievements; continuing to center the student voice by inviting them to share their learning at School Committee meetings; and advocating at the state level for funding reforms that more equitably support small districts like Rochester.

            Our teachers work tirelessly to create the safe, caring environment where our children learn and grow. They deserve School Committee members who respect their professionalism, advocate for the resources they need, and make decisions with student needs in mind, just like they do. I bring experience, collaborative leadership, and unwavering commitment to Rochester students, and with your vote I will continue advancing the interests of Rochester Memorial School for the next three years.

Barbara Lee

            My name is Barbara Lee, I am a mother of two children in the Rochester school system and we are proud to call Rochester our home for nearly five years. I’ve grown to know many of the parents, residents, and teachers of the town through volunteering my time between the local Cub Scouts, PTO events, and the RMS School Council. In addition to the community involvement, I am employed at one of the top Retirement companies with over 25 years of customer service experience, majority being in financial operations.

            With my financial background, I intend to focus on the budgets and expenses, keeping the residents in mind. In addition to budget concerns, recent events have made residents highly aware of current policies in place with little transparency. I strongly feel, with the right representatives, we can come up with a compromise where everyone feels heard, safe, and supported. If I am fortunate enough to be elected, I will continue serve the town of Rochester by being a representative who listens and shares the community’s voice on school issues and financial obligations.

            One of the most important roles of a school committee member is being able to listen to concerns, relate with the residents/parents, as well as try to use their resources to be able to problem solve possible solutions. I respectfully ask for your support and would appreciate your vote on May 27th.

Isabel Gomes-McCann

            Thirty years ago, my husband and I chose Rochester. My children grew up in these schools starting in Project Grow. After 20 years of working in molecular biology both academia and biotech, I left my job to stay home. The flexibility meant I could volunteer in the school district — and I did for 19 years. Rochester’s schools shaped my kids. I want to protect what is great about them while moving into the future.

            A school committee has three core jobs: budget, personnel, and policy. I believe I’m ready for each one.

            On budget — I won’t pretend there’s a magic solution for our deficit. There isn’t. But financial literacy matters enormously here. I’ve created and managed budgets in biotech, academia, and for a large Boston church. I’ve had two years of college finance. I can read a budget, analyze it, and defend it. And when it comes to negotiating for resources — I’m professionally trained and have closed dozens of business and IP contracts.

            On personnel — the committee’s most consequential job is hiring and evaluating the superintendent. I’ve hired across multiple settings, written dozens of performance reviews, and served on search committees, including one right here in Rochester for an assistant principal.

            On policy — good policy means rules that serve kids while following the law. I’ve developed policy governing an $11 million commercial territory, scientific conferences, product trials, and on our Church Council, setting pastoral and organizational direction.

            Here is what ties it all together: every decision must be driven by data and results. That’s not a talking point for me — it’s the discipline my entire career was built on, backed by two years of college probability, statistics, and analytics.

            Rochester has given my family so much. I’d be honored to give something back. I would appreciate your vote.

Stacie Noble-Shriver

            Our children only get one education. Recently surfaced problems at RMS have not been handled well by the current leadership. Parents should never feel unheard when it comes to their children’s education and safety. I’m Stacie Noble Shriver, MS, MD, and I’m running to be your next RMS School Committee member. I’m here to advocate for the Rochester Memorial School Committee to help us get back on track making education the main thing. Children need a stable emotional environment. Teachers need to know that they are not going to be penalized for standing for their values. Teachers need to know we will be responsible in balancing the budget without jeopardizing their job. I’ve talked with parents who feel excluded from their child’s educational content at school because they are put off when requesting full curriculum disclosure. By working together, I will be the voice of fairness.

            My background in practicing medicine has given me decades of experience listening to patients and using discernment in communication, while focusing on best outcome. I am a mother of three ORR graduates living with my husband in Rochester for 26 years. My priority is the students. I will be the leadership parents can trust. Families across Rochester want schools that are calm, focused, accountable and financially responsible. Barbara Lee and I believe every decision should begin with one simple question: “What is best for the students?” We will be the thoughtful leadership that the Rochester Memorial School Committee needs to create a culture of accountability. Please vote for us on May 27.

OCRVTHS Summer Discovery Experience

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Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School recently opened registration for its 9th annual Summer Discovery Experience program and tickets are expected to sell out fast.

            This unique summer programming runs from July 13-24. Registration is open now on Eventbrite starting at $161.90 per session. Half-day and full-day options are available, with most morning and afternoon sessions offered for students entering grades 5-9.

            Discovery sessions cover a wide range of topics, including outdoor sports, automotive mechanics, culinary arts, cosmetology, forensics, welding, graphics, computer science and more.

            Sessions are taught by Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School educators.

            “Our talented staff are a point of pride for us here at Old Colony,” said Superintendent Aaron Polansky. “We hope that the variety of Summer Discovery programming lets campers develop their current interests and also explore new paths.”

            Most programs run Monday through Friday. Since its introduction in 2017, the Summer Discovery Experience has expanded its schedule from five days to 10, spanning two weeks. Most activities now have time to run twice and accommodate more participants.

            Participants are encouraged to mix and match morning and afternoon sessions. Families are responsible for their own transportation. All sessions are very popular, and spots are expected to fill quickly.

            Full-day participants have the option to remain on campus for a supervised lunch period between 11:30 am and noon in the Old Colony Regional Vocational-Technical High School cafeteria. Students attending both sessions are responsible for bringing their own lunch.

            “It’s fantastic to see so many young people excited to roll up their sleeves and learn,” said Superintendent Polansky.

            All payments made by check must be received in the form of a bank check or money order by the Friday before the start of the selected program to secure a spot. To start camp, each participant will require an updated physical and signed pick up permission forms.

            For more details and to secure a spot for your student email SummerDiscovery@OldColony.us with questions or concerns.

May Children’s Department Events at the Mattapoisett Library

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Our Spring Storytime Session has wrapped up as of Friday, May 15. We look forward to starting up the Summer Storytime Sessions, starting with Family Storytime on Thursday, June 18, and Baby Storytime on Friday, June 19, both at 10:30 am.

            Our Play Group and Play Club are also on break for the summer. Both groups have been enthusiastically attended, and we look forward to all the fun that the fall will bring.

            Circus comes to town. Get ready for a spectacular morning with Circus Celia of Small But Mighty. Join us May 23 at 11:00 am for a jaw-dropping show and interactive workshop. Witness death-defying stunts, mesmerizing acrobatics, and maybe even learn a trick or two. For kids of all ages (and kids at heart.) No registration needed, just show up and get amazed.

            Last but not least, we are finalizing our plans for our 2026 Summer Reading Program. We have a lot of exciting events planned, and we can’t wait to share it all with you once everything is ready to go. Keep your eyes peeled.

            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.

Preston “Tony” Archibald Carrington

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Preston “Tony” Archibald Carrington, 66, of New Bedford and Mattapoisett, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, May 17th, 2026, after a period of declining health. He was the husband of Patricia (Moniz) Carrington for 44 years.

            Born in Trinidad and raised in Florida, Tony lived in New Bedford for many years before recently moving to Mattapoisett.

            Tony was a veteran of the United States Coast Guard, serving aboard the USCGC Bibb and was extremely proud of his service in the Presidential Honor Guard. He was a corrections officer at MCI Bridgewater for 35 years. Tony absolutely loved to travel, especially enjoying trips to South Africa and a return to Trinidad for wrestling matches.

            Tony was a legendary local professional wrestler. Trained by Walter “Killer” Kowalski beginning in the early 1980’s, his wrestling career spanned more than three decades. Originally fighting as Tony Ulysses and Mr. Trinidad, he eventually transitioned into a role as heel manager “Mr. Fabulous”, a loudmouth villain that audiences loved to hate. He was universally loved and respected in the wrestling community and was a mentor to many – happy to share his knowledge, some great stories and the sage advice to “not give up your day job!”. He was inducted into the New England Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2010.

            Tony’s wrestling persona was a complete contrast with the man that he really was. He was a true gentleman, unfailingly kind and humble. He was veteran, a devoted father, a man of great integrity and a consummate entertainer, but his warmth and his gentle nature are his real legacy and the greatest gift he could have ever given his children.

            Tony is survived by his wife, Patricia; three children; sons Traeh and Asher Carrington and daughter, Avery Carrington, all of Mattapoisett, and a brother Darron A. Robinson of Florida.

            He was predeceased by his parents, Stephen Archibald Carrington and Lenore Gomez; two brothers, Stephen Lester Carrington and Ricardo Ian Carrington and a sister Lyn Ward.

            His visitation will be held Monday, June 1, 2026 from 10:30-11:30 am in the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Road, Mattapoisett, followed by his Funeral Service at 11:30 am in the Funeral Home and burial in the Massachusetts National Cemetery.

Revote On Old Colony Next Month

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            Superintendent-Director Aaron Polanski held an Old Colony Building Project Update Informational Session on May 14, where he and other school representatives offered insights and updates into the continuing proposal for an update to the school building.

            There was a multi-town vote last November, where the proposed plan for a new Old Colony building was rejected by voters. On possible alternatives to the original proposal, Polanski said, “When we went out to the public with our initial vote, we do not believe we did a very good job at Old Colony of making clear that there was no zero-cost option.” He added the school building needs “major investments,” where “every option will significantly impact our taxpayers.” He stressed that the “no” vote does not eliminate costs from taxpayers, but instead, shifts the responsibility away from state assistance and 100% to the taxpayer.

            The Superintendent-Director said, “The real question is not whether we spend money, it’s whether we spend it with MSBA (Massachusetts School Building Authority) support or entirely on our own.” He stressed the cost must be paid and can either be done with MSBA help or entirely resting on taxpayer funding, with the longer the wait time, the greater the “construction cost escalation.” He stated there is a Tax Calculator Overview on the school’s project website, oldcolonybuildingproject.com.

            In the breakdown town-by-town and based off enrollment numbers, Acushnet is estimated to contribute $52 million, Carver is estimated to contribute $27 million, Lakeville is estimated to contribute $37 million, Mattapoisett is estimated to contribute $11 million, and Rochester is estimated to contribute $22 million. The total cost of the project sits at $288 million with state grant funding of $129 million with an additional $11 million in incentives.

            Polanski moved on to discuss the risks of “walking away.” Firstly, he stated the MSBA could withdraw support and not “re-enter.” Already expended feasibility study costs would not be recouped and would need to be re-spent in future studies. He added construction costs continue to rise as well.

            The administrator said, “A revote is not ignoring the previous outcome, it is providing taxpayers with information relative to the financial impacts of a no vote that were not clearly articulated in our first round of conversations.” He again pressured that a faster approval would reduce costs and ensure state assistance, though again added, “we did not do a good enough job explaining the fact that there was no zero-cost option.”

            Another no-vote option would necessitate a long-term repair cost, with estimated costs being $157 million to taxpayers. He said it would also potentially negatively impact school enrollment, would not include HVAS, plumbing, or other additions, and would yield higher annual utility costs.

            Polanski said there would be an open house at Old Colony on Saturday, June 6 at 10:00 am. There will be another Building Project Vote on June 20 in the five towns represented by the school.

Old Colony Building Project Update

By Sam Bishop