Nature Journaling at the MNHM

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The Marion Natural History Museum is offering Nature Journaling with Pen & Ink on February 21, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. During this session we will learn about the different ways to create form and texture with pen & ink and ink wash. This class will explore using ink via black Sakura brand micron ink pens. With the micron pens we will practice different mark making techniques such as stipple, cross hatching and thick & thin parallel lines to create texture and form.

            Instructor will be bringing in a set of her own quill pens and ink to experiment with ink wash and ink line.

            No experience necessary. Tricia Cassady will be teaching and guiding through art exercises. To register please go to www.marionmuseum.org.

Marion Special Town Meeting

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The Town of Marion will hold a Special Town Meeting on Monday, March 23, beginning at 6:45 pm at the Sippican School Multipurpose Room. The warrant will be closed at the February 18 Select Board meeting and warrants will be mailed to voters. For more information, please contact Donna Hemphill at 508-748-3520 or dhemphill@marionma.gov.

Hiles, Bulldogs Handle Case

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The Old Rochester Regional High School boys basketball team played at Joseph Case (6-10) on February 6 and won 72-33. Brody Hiles was named the player of the game, scoring 28 points including 5 three-pointers, and dished out 5 assists. The Bulldogs scored 31 points in the first quarter and managed the game from there on. Old Rochester took an 11-6 record into Wednesday’s game at 10-6 Bishop Stang.

Sports Roundup

By Aiden Comorosky

King to Remain Conservation Chair

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            The Mattapoisett Conservation Commission met on Monday. It became a bit of a marathon meeting as the commissioners addressed technicalities associated with stormwater run-off, bog boards in jurisdictional areas, and other matters. They also voted to have Mike King remain as the chair of the commission, a position he has held for a number of years.

            In agenda matters, a Notice of Intent was filed by Mattapoisett IV Ltd located at 23 Holly Woods. The filing notes that the applicant proposes the construction of an in-ground pool, sports courts, a garage, porches, an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) and the replacement of a deck with associated landscaping. The request was continued for two weeks to allow the 6-acre site to thaw.

            A Request for Determination of Applicability (RDA) filed by David McIntire for property located at 0 Aucoot Road returned after a continuation was previously granted. McIntire plans on allowing the parcel to be used as a nursery. The issue of what type of roadway or driveway should be allowed found the commission deferring the decision to the Planning Board, which has oversight of driveways and roadways. McIntire said he also wished to confer with Highway Surveyor Garrett Bauer.

            Representing a Notice of Intent (NOI) filed by Nepo Realty LLC was David Davignon of Schneider, Davignon & Leone, Inc. The filing calls for the construction of a single-family dwelling. After some discussion regarding drainage, Davignon pointed out that elevations would not be changing, and no fill would be placed on the parcel. The commissioners issued an Order of Conditions.

            Also granted was a Notice of Intent for property next door and another parcel earmarked for development by Nepo. There was significant discussion about the use of wooden planking in jurisdictional spaces. Citizens in attendance voiced concerns that in the near future the state’s Department of Environmental Protection would make construction on barrier beaches a thing of the past. A question was raised by Hillary Vineyard as to whether or not the applicant was trying to push the project through before the state regulations change.

            King said it was possible that residents who have been paying property taxes for years might find their investment unbuildable in the future, but for now they are primarily concerned with following current rules and regulations. The project was conditioned.

            Representing Stephen Vaitses, Bryne Avenue and Shell Beach Road, was Andrew Stackpole of Field Engineering appeared before the commission, and the NOI regarding easement rights was continued to February 23.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission is scheduled for Monday, February 23.

Mattapoisett Conservation Commission

By Marilou Newell

Swipe Right!

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On February 10, just on the eve of Valentine’s Day, an event was hosted at the Elizabeth Taber Library: Swipe Right! A night of Romance Novels and Reviews. Enjoying the newer room in the back of the library, many come to read and discuss various romance books and novels, as well as receiving some reviews from librarians, read-alongs, and treats.

            The event was hosted by librarian staff, which offered insight into many of the books on display around the room. Some of the books discussed and on display were A Court of Wings and Ruin (from the ACOTAR series) by Sarah J. Maas, Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez, The Ginger Bread Bakery by Laurie Gilmore, Icebreakers by Hannah Grace, and many others.

            Library Director Elizabeth Sherry, Head of Adult Services Emily Newell, and Children’s Librarian Macy Davis sat by a table with a stack of their choice books, reading passages to the entranced circle of readers.

            As Valentine’s Day nears, sometimes it’s hard to find events that encapsulate the holiday beyond “buying stuff” and that focus on the love and emotion of the holiday. This reading and discussion event served as an opening to the week of San Valentino, allowing moments of thought and reflection into a holiday that often boils down to heart-shaped chocolate boxes, not that there’s anything wrong with those!

            Valentine’s Day also happens to coincide with the holiday weekend for Presidents’ Day. The Elizabeth Taber Library regularly hosts many similar events, including the Banned Book Club or Cozy Cup Book Club and many other seasonal events, such as Black History Month Storytime on Monday, February 17 at 10:30 am.

Elizabeth Taber Library

By Sam Bishop

Call for Entries – Declaration & Dialogue: Reflections on 250 Years

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The Marion Art Center announces a call for entries to its upcoming juried summer exhibition, Declaration & Dialogue: Reflections on 250 Years. As we mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, we invite artists to engage deeply with what this milestone means now – through lenses of commemoration, critique, hope, and transformation. This exhibition seeks contemporary works that spark conversation, paired with historic artifacts or artworks on loan from private collections or institutions.

            All visual media is eligible – painting, sculpture, mixed media, video, or new media. Works should reflect the artist’s personal interpretation of the Declaration’s legacy – its ideals, challenges, complexities, or contradictions. Submissions may or may not offer political or social commentary; entries may reflect personal, aesthetic, emotional, or conceptual interpretations.

            The deadline for entries is June 1, and the show dates are July 10 to August 7. More information and application instructions can be found at marionartcenter.org/events.

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.