Audrey Howard (Smith) MacDonald

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Audrey Howard (Smith) MacDonald, 84, of Marion, MA, died peacefully on January 19, 2026 after a long courageous battle with Alzheimer’s. She was the daughter of the late Frank and Mary (MacKenzie) Smith of Cambridge, MA. Audrey was predeceased by her loving husband of 61 years, Ronald F. MacDonald; and her late sister Joan Smith.

            Audrey was a graduate of Cambridge, Rindge and Latin High School and Burdette College School of Secretarial Science. She worked at New England Gas and Electric Company in Cambridge where she met her dear husband. Ron and Audrey were fortunate to relocate to their beloved Marion where they raised their family. Audrey was an active member of the First Congregational Church and loved working at local employers Eames Insurance Company and American Research & Management Company.

            She is lovingly survived by her two children Ronald F MacDonald, Jr. of Arlington and Chatham, and Janice (MacDonald) Koss and L.Brian Koss of Woburn (formerly Winchester) and Chatham, two granddaughters, MacKenzie Koss of Dorchester and Abigail (Koss) Gravallese of Marshfield; sister Gwen Washburn of Kennebunk, ME; nephew Andrew Washburn of Kennebunk, ME; nieces, Lauren Walier of Keene, NH; Paige Wilner of Old Greenwich, CT; Lindsay Brancaleone of Eliot, ME; and Elizabeth Smith of Sarasota, FL. She was affectionately known by her family as Gammy, and will always be remembered for her loving and comforting demeanor, generous spirit, wise words, and unwavering strength and determination.

            Thank you to the wonderful caregivers at Sunrise of Arlington.

            A Celebration of Life will be held at the First Congregational Church in Marion in May.

            Arrangements are with the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd. (Rt. 6), Mattapoisett. For online guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Swimmers Put up Personal Bests

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            Old Rochester’s boys and girls swimming teams split at Seekonk on January 22, as the boys team won, 102-74, while the girls team lost, 85-65. Chase Karo was named the swimmer of the meet for the boys, winning the 500-yard freestyle with a personal-best time of 5:43.52. Bree LeFavor was the swimmer of the meet for the girls. LeFavor won the 100 backstroke with a personal best-time of 1:08.06 and qualified for Sectionals.

Sports Roundup

By Aiden Comorosky

Hoo-ah! Snow Days!

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            Snow, as any New Englander knows, is a great facilitator to sports and play. It’s the stuff that gives us snow angels, snowmen, sledding, skiing, and snowshoeing. Or, if you prefer, snow is the inducer of deep hibernation and resting for the season to come.

            Whatever way you look at it, snow falling is a beautiful sight and one that we northerners adore (all the more if timed right). I am not tethered to weather reports though. I prefer to be open to surprises, and I detest being disappointed when the predictions fall short. As a result, I’m often the last to know about an impending storm; so be it if it’s against my Girl Scout code. It seems silly when people panic over snow predictions. Case in point – the supermarket frenzy. I went to get a balloon for my granddaughter after school the other day to find absolutely mayhem … I went to a different store, which had lines galore, and was relieved that the florist shop allowed me to pay for my few items in one go. Though it shouldn’t surprise me that a week in advance people were reacting to the news of a snowstorm.

            Actually, I’m rebelling against an upbringing where the weather report determined everything. Suffice it to say that snow is part of the New England experience that must be endured and hopefully enjoyed.

            Beyond the pleasures and visual appeal the snow brings, there are real benefits for our plants. By insulating the ground, snow inhibits vast changes in the soil temperature and also maintains soil moisture. Great fluctuations – freezing and thawing – can hurt roots and even fall-planted bulbs, causing them to expand and contract or to essentially press the start switch in their growth cycle. Too many ups and downs in temperature can be calamitous. So, the snow serves to balance the temperature like natural mulch blanketing the bare ground, preventing frost heaves. Mind you, lots of plants need cold to happen in order to go forward and bloom, so maintaining cold beneath the ground is essential and snow helps.

            Another common Yankee belief is that snow provides nutritional benefits for plants. Often called the “poor man’s fertilizer,” snow deposits nitrogen into the soil. When the ground thaws, this nitrogen becomes available for plant uptake. Research suggests that between 2 and 12 pounds of nitrogen per acre are deposited each year through precipitation, including both snow and rain. Much of this nitrogen comes from the atmosphere, while the remainder is produced through nitrogen fixation caused by lightning – an essential natural process that supports agriculture. While not a replacement for traditional fertilizer, this natural process provides a “free” boost that supports early spring growth.

            Hopefully these benefits will prove themselves as we turn our eyes to spring and our flowers. My procrastination seems to have worked in my favor regarding bulbs. Each year I seem to take longer to plant them (partly intentional to outsmart the thieving squirrels)… well in past years this has gone swimmingly (sorry for the mixed metaphor), but I did wait until the ground was freezing over – a tad risky and, though the results were good, my numb fingers paid the price. In past years, I waited even longer in hopes that snow would gently seal the bulbs in. Snow has that aura – it’s protective, comforting and peaceful, whether you’re a bulb, a human, or Punxsutawney Phil.

            Pretty soon (February 2) we will know the dictate of the famous groundhog. I’m betting (hoping) on six more weeks of winter and more hibernation time. It doesn’t seem like we’ve really had a proper winter yet, so I’m inclined to stay bundled up a bit longer. Meanwhile I’ll check my Farmer’s Almanac.

            “He seemed a part of the mute melancholy landscape, an incarnation of its frozen woe, with all that was warm and sentient in him fast bound below the surface…” – from Etham Frome by Edith Wharton

The Seaside Gardener

By Laura McLean

Many Monumental Approvals

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            The Old Rochester Regional High School Track Department’s road race and an initiative for more solar on town properties received endorsements at the January 21 Select Board meeting in the Police Station conference center.

            Jessica Pilla, a teacher at the high school and a track coach, said the cross-country team has fewer needs but the track team is playing with older hurdle equipment and mats. She speculates that some of the mats in use date back to the 1980s. Modern replacement mats are priced at $13,000 per pack, Pilla said.

            Pilla said the department works on fundraising frequently, but she said a road race would further help the program. She said successful fundraising could also open more opportunities, such as scholarships for students and other training equipment such as treadmills and ellipticals. 

            The board endorsed the road race, which will take place later this year on a currently unspecified Saturday. 

            The Select Board also approved placing solar panels on the new Department of Public Works building, which is expected to open next month.

            The Energy Management Committee met with the Select Board late last year. At that time, the board was hesitant because start-up costs will range in the $90,000 range. However, EMC members said there are state and other funding sources that will help pay back that appropriation.

            Town Administrator Geoffrey Gorman said a solar company has also approached the town about placing solar arrays at the landfill, which could also generate energy and savings for the town.

            The Select Board appointed several members to the 175th Anniversary Committee. Board members noted that some people have applied but were not appointed. Officials at the January 21 meeting still encouraged non-appointees to volunteer. They mentioned that with many facets of this town birthday celebration, subcommittees might form and some interested parties, not appointed to the main committee, might get a second opportunity for an official appointment.

            The Select Board also approved some town-land for the long-awaited shared-use regional bike/walking path route through Marion to Mattapoisett.

            That South Coast Bikeway starts in the Fall River area and is in the process of ending close to the Cape.

            Gorman said that the state Department of Transportation has three engineers working on the design, which is still in flux. He said the town also received a $97,000 feasibility study project as the path continues to be revised.

            The Select Board also approved a donation from the Friends of the Council on Aging for an industrial grade hand mixer, which will save kitchen staff time as they prepare calzones, pizza and other treats for COA events.

            The mixer’s market price was over $3,500 but a grant has allowed the friends group to secure a deal to purchase it for just under $2,000.

            The next meeting of the Marion Select Board is scheduled for Tuesday, February 3 at 6:00 pm in the Marion Police Station.

Marion Select Board

By Jeffrey D. Wagner

Summer Programs at the MAC

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Registration for all summer camps at the Marion Art Center will open to MAC Members on Friday, January 30, and to nonmembers on Friday, February 13.

            ArtStart returns to the MAC for four weeks this summer. ArtStart is the MAC’s summer art program for children ages 4 1/2 to 9 years, offered in June and July each year. ArtStart teachers are specialists in music, dance, theater, and art, most of whom teach throughout the year and are professionals in their fields. Activities include arts and crafts, theater, music, games, and storytelling.

            The schedule for 2026 is:

            Session 1 Monday, June 29 – Friday, July 3

            Session 2 Monday, July 6 – Friday, July 10

            Session 3 Monday, July 13 – Friday, July 17

            Session 4 Monday, July 20 – Friday, July 24

            The cost is: MAC Members: $275 Nonmembers: $315. More information is available at: marionartcenter.org/artstart.

            Dungeons & Dragons: Our participants are immersed in a week-long journey of creative storytelling and thrilling improvisation with the Guild of Imagination’s five-day Dungeons & Dragons program. Players will craft their own unique hero and embark on a fantastical adventure. With a focus on encouraging creativity, teamwork, and problem solving, Dungeons & Dragons ignites imaginations and nurtures storytelling skills. This unforgettable experience will forge friendships in a safe and supportive environment and create memories that will last a lifetime. Sessions run in late July and early August for ages 10-15. Learn more at marionartcenter.org/d-and-d.

            All Things Art is an immersive weeklong program which takes place in late summer and is geared toward young artists ages 10-15. During their time in the Art Studio, young artists will experiment with a number of practices, techniques and media such as drawing, sculpting, printmaking, fiber arts, working with clay, and more. Learn how to talk about art making and what inspires one’s creative choices.

            The All Things Art Schedule for 2026:

            Session 1 – Monday, August 3 – Friday, August 7;

            Session 2 – Monday, August 10 – Friday, August 14.

            Cost: MAC Members: $275 Non-members: $315, plus a $45 materials fee per student each week. Classes meet in the MAC Studio 9:00 am to 12:30 pm each day. For more information and to register: marionartcenter.org/all-things-art.

            All Things Theater is a weeklong theater intensive for preteens and teens ages 10-15. Young actors will learn from several instructors, many of whom are professional artists working in their fields. This interactive afternoon theater camp will showcase multiple facets of theater craft both on stage and behind the scenes. Activities may include acting, improvisation, costume creation, stage management, tech, and movement. Monday-Friday in the MAC Theater 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm each day. The 2026 Schedule is:

            Session 1 – Monday, July 27 through Friday, July 31

            Session 2 – Monday, August 10 – Friday, August 14

            The cost for MAC Members is $265 and for nonmembers it is $305. For registration and more information go to marionartcenter.org/all-things-theater.

Upcoming Events in the Children’s Department at the Mattapoisett Library

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From now until the end of January, we are collecting donations for local food pantries in the form of non-perishable food, pet food, diapers, cleaning supplies, and items to support personal hygiene. Thank you to those who have already donated. Your generosity has made all the difference.

            We have two storytimes to offer. Family Storytime is on Thursdays at 10:30am, and Baby Storytime is on Fridays at 10:30 am. This batch of sessions will run until mid-February.

            The world-famous Quahog Reading Program is back for its 13th year. This reading program is specifically for children in grades 3-6 and runs until April 12. We have a fantastic selection of books this year, so you will not want to miss out on this one. Registration for the program ends on February 28 at 4pm, so that should give folks plenty of time to get down to the library and get signed up. We have many events that are exclusive to participants in the Quahog Reading Program, so keep an eye out for those. Come visit us, send us an email, or give us a call for more info.

            The first Quahog event we have is the e-Resources Workshop. Quahog Readers can learn about two apps, Hoopla and Libby, which give them access to the world of eBooks and audiobooks – all they need is a library card. Participants at this event will earn a raffle ticket. Come to the library on Thursday, January 29, at 3:00 pm to check this out.

            On Tuesday mornings from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm noon, we have a Drop-In Play Group for crawlers to Pre-K. On Thursday afternoons from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm, we have a Drop-In Play Club for kids ages 5-10. Please note that these groups are drop-in, not drop-off: There’s no registration required, but adults must stay with their young ones.

            Lastly, the world-famous Big Ryan, of Big Ryan’s Tall Tales, is coming to the library on February 7. Big Ryan takes the stage at 11:30 am, but we will have plenty of cool things to check out before and after the show for Take Your Child to the Library Day. If you’re attending the show, be sure to get here early to make sure you get a parking spot and a good seat – you will not want to miss this.

            To register for our events or for more information, please check out our website, mattapoisettlibrary.org, or give us a call at 508-758-4171. We hope to see you in the library soon. Until then, keep reading.

County System Approach

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To the Editor,

            My parents moved away from New England in the mid 70’s and eventually settled in Maryland. They missed all things New England, but my Dad told me with frank honesty that he loved the “County System Approach.” The school system was enormous, but the bureaucracy was more efficient because there was only one Police Chief and one Fire Chief (as well as a single administrative department, consistent human resource standards /guidelines and combined purchasing power).

            In light of the overdue spotlight on how our communities are failing to provide the best possible Public Safety services equally to everyone. I propose (although I can’t take credit for this initiative, it’s a compilation of things I have learned) that we: Consolidate Police, Fire, Ems, Public Health, Town Nursing, Social Workers, Dare Officers, Psychologists, and all other “Professional People Persons” into a cross purpose Public Safety Partnership.

            Involve local, state, county, federal, international and global levels.

            Avoid political partisanship whenever possible (and make it possible).

            Rethink the uniforms, titles, promotion path, chain of command, hiring and firing standards and most importantly their overarching mission. They are all part of a Public Safety Partnership… that means the whole organization is half of the equation; the partnership with the communities they serve are the other half.

            Some certified partners may need various educational degrees but most training should be provided at no cost for committed team members.

            For example, as a high school student I would like to be a formal part of the Public Safety Partnership component of my community. I apply to become an apprentice with initial areas of interest being anything from emergency preparedness, wellness and health, challenged current and historical issues, fire prevention, ecological issues, human infrastructure, human resource adaptability, fighting fires, protecting our environment, to enforcement of statutes and laws.

            If I am accepted into this organization, I take a pledge (almost like an enlistment) and for that commitment I will work hard to perform my assigned task and will also receive training, mentorship, career options and the opportunities to better the Public Safety Partnership philosophy. A system that is transparent, involved, caring, just, and based on our tried-and-true Constitution (one that allows for amendments when new ideas come to light). If I don’t have the discipline and maturity to live up to your pledge then, I simply step aside and let someone else step up to the plate (this career path is not for everyone). Public safety needs are 24-7 and they take no vacations.

            Regarding uniforms… how about blaze purple. I might start off my shift helping with traffic control at a construction site, next help facilitate blood donations at a local clinic, then respond to an ill neighbor’s request for food assistance, then tutor a special needs student with their studies and watch over a coworkers children because that coworker is unable to come home on time because they are fighting a fire elsewhere in our county.

            If I am the team member at the fire or in that clinic, I will need to wear the appropriate equipment but for the bulk of my professional work day I will be a caring and committed purple polo shirt wearer, helper, lover and contributor that can (and will) grow and blossom into one of many PubSafePartners.

            Earthicans- I just made up the word (maybe someone beat me to it, not sure) But, we are more than just New England, we are more than just Americans, we are more than the population of currently alive humans, we are … You know where I’m going. Earthicans; yesterday, today, and tomorrow (our legacy, our lives, our destiny).

            Moe’s thoughts for your consideration. Thinking out of this 3D box we are living in.

Moe Molander, 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.

Potential For Old Colony Revote

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            The Old Colony Regional Vocational-Technical High School Building Committee is recommending the region’s five member towns hold another election for the $288 million request to fund a new facility that failed to pass in November of last year.

            Old Colony Superintendent Aaron Polansky revealed in a meeting with officials and project planners at the school on January 27 that this recommendation is set to be approved by the Old Colony Regional Vocational-Technical High School Committee on January 28 as the first step to a “revote” election in June or early September.

            Polansky said the building committee approved the revote option after reviewing a total of five alternative plans. These included just repairing and/or upgrading the current building to address the district’s needs without the state reimbursement of project costs that a larger project would garner. He said a revote was the district’s most viable and fiscally responsible option. “A ‘no’ vote does not eliminate costs to the taxpayers,” he noted. “It shifts 100 percent of the financial responsibility to them.”

            A revote is not ignoring the previous outcome, he added. “It is providing taxpayers with information relative to the financial impacts of a no vote,” he said. “The bottom line is every alternative to a revote costs more locally and delivers less value.” He added the best path is the one that secures state funding and fixes the school’s problems and inadequacies all at once with long-term solutions.

            The first questioner from the audience asked what the building committee would do differently this time. Polansky said they will seek to be collaborative with voters and officials and disseminate more information to help taxpayers better understand the most fiscally responsible approach.

            Rochester Finance Committee member David Arancio said more should be explained to voters about the financial and tax impacts on their vote either way. Project engineer Chad Crittenden of PMD Consultants said not all the ‘What Ifs’ in every aspect of the project’s costs and debt costs are predictable. Polansky said there will be more time to educate residents on what they need to know.

            The state School Building Authority’s reimbursement for the new school’s price tag was projected to be $129 million. The remaining total cost that the school district members would share was estimated at approximately $159 million. Rochester’s share of that price tag would have been $28.4 million. But both the $288 million request to fund the building project and a proposal to pay for Rochester’s $24 million share of that cost with a debt exclusion resulted in a resounding No vote in the November 2025 election. The question to approve the building project failed across all of Old Colony’s member towns, Acushnet, Carver, Lakeville, and Mattapoisett.
The money would have funded a larger, more modern building that replaces the serious infrastructure deficiencies of the current facility at 476 North Avenue in Rochester.

Old Colony Regional Vocational-Technical High School Building Committee

By Michael J. DeCicco

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 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.

            Our 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.

Two Mattapoisett Fires in One Week

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5 North Street  

          On the morning of Thursday, January 22, a fire broke out at the house on 5 North Street in Mattapoisett. At the three-story house subdivided into four apartments, one victim was rescued from the building and brought to the hospital with another being treated for smoke inhalation on site. Other building residents evacuated or weren’t present but were accounted for.

            According to the Mattapoisett Fire Department, an alarm was sounded and Fire Chief Andrew Murray and retired firefighter Mike Hickey arrived on scene at 11:06 am. They confirmed there was a fire and there were still people in the home. The pair worked to evacuate residents and inform others to stay away. Three fire trucks arrived on the scene, Engine 3, Engine 1, and Ladder 1.

            A second alarm was reached, calling upon neighboring towns for assistance. Through mutual aid agreements, Marion, Fairhaven, Acushnet, and Rochester fire departments also arrived on the scene. Wareham Fire Department provided coverage to the others. Mattapoisett Police were also on the scene to help with security, traffic, and transporting a resident to the hospital.

            Firefighters climbed to a lower roof and used their water hose running from Marion’s ladder truck Engine 3 and an axe to break in through the wall. In the Mattapoisett Fire Department’s official statement, they said, “This was extremely difficult with this type of older style construction, where the fire can travel in the walls, ceilings, and floors. I’m exceptionally proud of the work and efforts that everyone demonstrated today.”

            One resident was treated for smoke inhalation and brought to the hospital. A firefighter was also later brought to the hospital and is expected to make a full recovery. Families in the home are currently displaced and are being assisted by the American Red Cross.

            This is still a developing story, and the cause of the fire is still being investigated. Extensive damage was caused to the structure, and it is not yet known if the home can be partially saved or will require demolition.

2 Martha’s Way

            On Monday, just after 2:00 pm, the Mattapoisett Fire Department was called to a structure fire at 2 Martha’s Way, off Bowman Road. When arriving on scene, Fire Chief Andrew Murray reported that the two-story single-family home was fully involved but all occupants were out of the building.

            Overall, the efforts to extinguish the fire was made difficult by the cold and icy road conditions following the winter storm the day prior. Additionally, the remote location of the home meant the departments had to lay down long runs of hoses just to get water to the scene, with water pressure often being a problem. All efforts were focused on fighting the fire from the exterior due to the risk of collapse.

            Mattapoisett received assistance from Marion, Wareham, and Rochester at the scene. Acushnet Fire Department covered the Fire Station during the incident.