Rochester Historical Society

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As cold weather sets in, our Sundays at the museum will end. However, if you wish to visit this Sunday, November 27, please call Sue at 508-295-8908. We are always happy to open the museum by appointment. To arrange a time, call Sue at the above number or Connie at 508-763-4932 or email sash48@comcast.net or eshbach2@aol.com.

            The Historical Society will be at the Plumb Library Christmas sale on December 1 from 10-2. We will have T-shirts, sweatshirts, books, tic-tac-toes, small boxes and cup plates, all with Rochester logos or scenes, great for Christmas presents.

            On Sunday, December 11, we will have an organ concert at the Rochester Historical Museum at 355 County Road. The museum will open at 1:00 and the concert will begin at 2:00. There will be more information in the coming weeks.

SLT Post-Thanksgiving Dog Walk

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The Sippican Lands Trust invites your pooch(es) and you for our annual Post-Thanksgiving Dog Walk on Sunday, November 27 at 1 pm at our White Eagle property (part of Aucoot Woods) in Marion.

            All dogs and owners are welcome. Dogs must be leashed and under their owner’s control at all times.

            The 248-acre White Eagle property supports a rich diversity of habitats, including upland pine, mixed hardwood forest, shrub and wooded swamp, freshwater marsh and cranberry bogs. The White Eagle property and surrounding land make up a 482-acre contiguous parcel of land that is home to several rare and threatened species, including the Eastern Box Turtle, the Spotted Turtle and the Water-willow Stem Borer.

            White Eagle is located off of Route 6 in Marion. Turn onto Parlowtown Road across from the town cemetery and follow road until you reach the cul-de-sac. Veer left onto the dirt road and follow past an abandoned cranberry bog on your right. The dirt road is bumpy so please use caution when driving down dirt road. Parking is available directly past the bog and along the dirt roadside. The kiosk is a short walk beyond.

            Please dress appropriately for the day’s weather and please bring water for your canine companion(s) and you. Only the worst weather will cancel an SLT walk. If a walk is canceled, then information will be posted to SLT’s website and Facebook page. For directions or further information, send an email to info@sippicanlandstrust.org or call Sippican Lands Trust at 508-748-3080.

John G. Kurgan

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John G. Kurgan, 81, of Mattapoisett passed away Monday, November 21, 2022 suddenly at his home.

            He was the son of the late Tadeusz and Jennie Kurgan of New Bedford.

            John is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Fran; his son, Matthew and his wife Carol; his daughter, Kristina and her husband John; his sister, Gail McKenna of South Carolina; and his three grandchildren, who he adored, Christopher, Nicholas, and Summer Skye.

            His entire career was spent in advertising and he loved every minute of it.

            John enjoyed many years sailing on his boat ABENAKI in Buzzards Bay. In retirement, he focused his energy on his love of landscape painting.

            His funeral services will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, contributions in John’s memory may be made to the charity of your choice. For online guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Town Talks Targets for ARPA Funding

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            The Town of Rochester will be getting $595,250 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, but only if it knows what to spend it on. Plymouth County Treasurer Tom O’Brien and County Commissioner Jared Valanzola visited the Select Board during its Monday night public meeting to explain how to apply for the funds the right way.

            O’Brien said the town’s applications for these funds must fit one of five categories: Water Infrastructure investments, Broadband Infrastructure investments, Premium Pay for Essential Workers, Public Health and Public Safety.

            A sixth category is Revenue Replacement, O’Brien said, but this category has been harder to define by anyone who has tried to apply under it. So the county is not choosing to emphasize it. O’Brien said the application requires a certifier, who is usually the town or city manager or administrator and a filer, who is usually the town accountant or other numbers cruncher.

            The town has at least two and a half years to apply, O’Brien said. “So there is time to process the application,” he said. “This is a good opportunity for you to submit.”

            Select Board Chairman Woody Hartley and Town Administrator Glen Cannon hinted at what categories the town would choose to apply under with their questions.

            Noting that the Old Colony Regional Vocational-Technical High School has water-infrastructure issues to be addressed, Hartley asked if an application could be made for a program that would benefit several communities in the county.

            “Absolutely,” O’Brien said. But he added that each municipality involved in the program would have to apply for its piece of that funding separately.

            “Then we’d have to put the plan together first,” Hartley said.

            Cannon noted an agreement for the Public Safety Building Feasibility Study contractor was on the night’s agenda. He asked if that building project would fit an ARPA category.

            Here, too, O’Brien was encouraging. “Yes,” he said emphatically.

            O’Brien and Valanzola noted more information on the ARPA program in Plymouth County is available at www.plymouthcountyarpa.com.

            Elsewhere on the agenda, the Select Board approved the installation of a new utility pole at 128 Neck Road.

            Next, it endorsed sending a letter of support to the state regarding the town’s new Open Space and Recreation Plan. This plan was drafted by former Conservation Agent Laurel Farinon, then received comments from state officials that were incorporated into the plan by Town Planner Nancy Durfee. This draft must now be reviewed again by the state.

            The board then approved the Public Safety Building Feasibility Study agreement that now has a contractor attached to it. The Galante Architecture Studio in Cambridge will study whether to renovate or replace the police station for a contract worth approximately $10,000.

            The board next accepted the land donation of Featherbed Lane to the town, after a recommendation from the Conservation Commission.

            The board approved transferring $2,500 from the “sticker” account for the Gifford Park Baseball Field irrigation project.

            Cannon announced a new clothing donation bin is being installed at the Council on Aging Senior Center and that boxes to discard U.S. flags are being donated to the town by SEMASS. “U.S. flags should not be thrown in the garbage or shredded,” the boxes instruct.

            Cannon also announced the town’s Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held on Monday, December 5.

            The next meeting of the Rochester Select Board was not scheduled at adjournment.

Rochester Select Board

By Michael J. DeCicco

Upcoming events at the Elizabeth Taber Library

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In celebration of Thanksgiving the library will be open until 12 on Wednesday November 23 and closed on Thursday and Friday November 24 and 25.  We will be open for our normal business hours on Saturday.

            Saturday Storytimes – Our next storytime will be on Saturday December 3. Play, read and create with us.

            Food drive to support the Marion Food Pantry. Support the Marion Food Pantry by dropping off donations of shelf-stable food, pet supplies or unopened hygiene and cleaning products to the Elizabeth Taber Library throughout November and December.

            For more information on the Elizabeth Taber Library, visit us at www.ElizabethTaberLibrary.org or call us at 508-748-1252.

Your Garbage Man

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Dear Mattapoisett,

            Over the last 8 years, I have been your local garbage collector, and I am writing this letter to inform you that on January 7, 2023, I will be retiring. I want to thank the town of Mattapoisett for their consideration, generosity, and kindness throughout my entire time as your garbage man. It was a pleasure to go to work each day knowing I would be met with a kind, smiling face no matter what route I would have that day. Due to the incredible people of Mattapoisett I have felt nothing but a strong sense of welcoming into your community. My family and I cannot thank you enough for all you have done and you will all hold such a special place in my heart. It has been my pleasure to serve your community and again I thank you for everything.

            Sincerely Yours,

George Mendes

“Your Garbage Man”

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.

Mattapoisett Woman’s Club Holiday Greens Sale

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The Mattapoisett Woman’s Club presents the 3rd Annual Holiday Greens Sale, which is a Pop-Up event, on December 3 from 9 am to 1 pm (or earlier if sold out.)  The sale will be held outside, in the parking lot between Ying Dynasty and Harriet’s Catering, at 20-22 County Road (Route 6) in Mattapoisett.  The rain date is Sunday, December 4, same time, same place.

            Featured will be a variety of decorated fresh wreaths, swags and holiday centerpieces, as well as bunches of holly and evergreens, all created by Club members.  Limited edition ornaments, note cards and postcards will also be available for purchase.  Cash, checks, and credit cards will be accepted.

            Bundle up and come join us for this special holiday event.  Proceeds will support the Mattapoisett Woman’s Club Scholarship Fund and other community projects.

Thanksgiving

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For what do we give thanks

For the turkey dinner lovingly prepared?

For the hours of preparation and effort?

Most of all, don’t we give thanks for the family?

Joined together hearts and minds,

We thank God for all the generations represented,

For the mothers and fathers and the precious little ones,

Running around in excitement and happiness.

The warmth of the home filled with tantalizing aromas

For the warmth of the smiles or relatives and friends

Come together a celebration of food and friendship.

Yes, we pause for a day away from our busy lives

To take the time to connect with our families

In a meaningful way.

With our hearts full of joy and gladness,

We give thanks to God for the way He enriches our lives

With love and happiness.

Editor’s Note: Hope Bradley Finley is a 95-year-old Mattapoisett resident who, despite the loss of eyesight and hearing, has continued in her pastime of writing poems. The Wanderer is happy to share them with our readers.

The Poetry Corner

By Hope Bradley Finley

Mattapoisett Library Artist Meet and Greet

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Mattapoisett Free Public Library will be hosting an Artist Meet and Greet: Evolution of a Poetic Medium: Handmade Books in a Digital Age on Wednesday, November 30 from 6:30–7:30.

            Mattapoisett resident Liz LaValley, whose multimedia work is on exhibit at the Mattapoisett Library from November 15 -December 14, will be at the Library on Wednesday, November 30 from 6:30–7:30 to show all the components that she uses to create her multilayered handmade books. Drop by and she’ll answer questions, particularly those on book construction.

Regulations Saving Stripers

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As the Earth on its axis continues to turn the face of the northern hemisphere away from the direct rays of the sun, the migration of Striped Bass continued to march to the orchestration of heavenly spheres on their journey north through Buzzards Bay.

            As they passed the seasonal moment of autumnal equinox on the calendar, our own popular, old songs came to mind, bringing memories such as, “The days grow short when you reach September as well as autumnal leaves fly by my window when you reach November.”

            From my picture seaside window, the deciduous foliage has this year been painted bright colors by colder nights into deeper shades of crimson, yellow and orange, much more defined that decorates the passing pageant of migratory Bass than we remember in recent years. The Striped Bass presence comes into view with seagulls suddenly gathering and screaming overhead where they have cornered bait fish, thrashing around to the surface into crowded corners of coves.

            The bodies of Striped Bass, as in my illustration, have stout features of seven to eight continuous horizontal stripes for which they are named, mostly colored a light olive green, with steel blue on top as well as white or iridescent undersides. They often have a long life of up to 30 years, growing to 5 feet in length and weighing up to 77 pounds. Both male and females are sexually mature when they are eight years old. They have very few predators, except for sharks, seals and human fishermen.

            For centuries they have supported both recreational and commercial fisheries on the Atlantic coast. In all 16 marked-out areas, the commercial-operation systems include gill nets, haul up into boat seines, trawling and hand-held lines.

            Meanwhile in the past year, recreational harvest was estimated at 1,710,000 Bass. The latest, strict individual regulation limit is only one fish per person and that must be at least 28 inches in length. These sharply difficult criteria have increased the Atlantic population dramatically.

            Stripers must now continue their northern journey into the entrance of the Cape Cod Canal by schooling up into marching legions to fit through the narrow passage.

            Gathering large numbers of anglers with spinning rods can cast all the way across either side of the channel with artificial or live bait.

            At the other end, they can return to wider waters and leave behind their passage exposure. We wish them well to complete their final challenge under the emancipation of the catch-and-release conditions that will bring them back again for another next year.

By George B. Emmons