The First Snowy Stroll

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A thin blanket of snow fell over the SouthCoast last Sunday, but that didn’t stop the Marion Village Christmas Stroll from happening.

            Maybe some were dissuaded from attending, but you wouldn’t be able to tell from seeing the packed Island Wharf with spectators waiting for Santa and Mrs. Claus’ boat to dock. The boat appeared to struggle as it approached, needing to make a second pass. When the couple stepped off however, it was all smiles and waves.        

            The typical treats and goodies were up for grabs from generous local businesses. Ice cream, cookies, popcorn, hot dogs, churros, eggnog, and surely others I missed. While getting a snack, you could watch kids, and some adults, hurl snowballs at each other across the street.

            Santa sat at the entrance to the Marion Music Hall, as the snow made it impossible for the horses to make an appearance. Near where he sat was the Tabor Academy Buoy Tree is planted. The colorful tree/art installation was recently put up by students Morgan Karvonen, Taylor Karvonen, and Deming Dwyer to raise money for a non-profit to beneif food pantries this winter.

            Alana Nelson, Vice-Chair of the Planning Board, said she, nor anyone else, can remember a stroll where it snowed in the 31 years they’ve done one. It was truly a magical day – does this herald a white Christmas?

Marion Village Christmas Stroll

By Sam Bishop

From the Files of the Rochester Historical Society

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Someone who will remain nameless once suggested that there wasn’t enough Rochester history for all the articles I have written and maybe I was submitting them more than once. It was a joke, but I realized that unless you went to the museum and looked through all the file cabinets and books and boxes, you would have no idea of how much history and how many human- interest stories are stored there. I do occasionally revisit a topic when a new angle or new information comes to light.

            However, there is one story I revisit every year (though always with a new article), and that is the story of the East Rochester Congregational Church’s (our museum) organ. While the organ appears to be a pipe organ, the pipes are merely decorative. As we had pointed out in our 2024 exhibit, there was a time when if you wanted music in your home, you either had to make it yourself or invite musicians to your home.

            During the 1800’s to the early 1900’s, it became popular, for people who could afford it, to have an organ in their home. Very wealthy people like Henry Flagler, one of the tycoons in the same era as Fairhaven’s Henry Huddleston Rogers, had music rooms. Flagler’s was ballroom-sized with a soaring ceiling and a huge pipe organ that had once graced a European cathedral.

            Other less wealthy people of means needed a smaller style organ for their music rooms. This brings us to the Vocalion organ. The organ (pictured here) here in our museum was once in the home on the Hathaway Estate in Wareham and was donated to the East Rochester Church by a Mrs. Stone in 1932.

            Now, to the organ itself. As I said, at first glance, it looks like a pipe organ, but is an American Reed Organ built in 1895 by Mason & Risch, formally, the Hamilton Vocalion Organ Mfg. Co. of Worcester, MA. The decorative pipes are a hand-painted wooden facade. The stenciled nameboard says, ” Vocalion”. To quote Joe Sloane, an antique organ expert, ” Vocalion was the name given to a unique keyboard musical instrument conceived and marketed by its inventor to exemplify the pinnacle of reed organ building in the late 19th century.

            Reed organs produce music through suction, but Vocalions are different from other reed organs. It makes music using pressure in a way that mimics the human throat. Going with that analogy, the organ has a number of “throats” that range in size giving it a much greater capacity than that of the human lung. When played, air passes from a wind chest (on a par with the human lung) through the “throats” making the reeds vibrate. Therefore, the mechanical action of the organ is designed to play its vibrating brass reeds rather than pipes.

            In ads for Vocalion organs, it’s stated that they had everything found in a pipe organ and could produce tones as beautiful as the finest pipe organs. The Vocalion however, was less expensive and would fit more easily into a large, but not palatial home or church.

            Vocalion organs have become rare. Many older churches have either taken them apart and put them in storage or sold them. We feel very fortunate to have ours as part of our museum. Like anything over 100 yrs. old, it has its issues, but it still produces some special music. We have been told that it actually needs to be played more, so if there’s any person or group interested in playing our organ, you can get in touch with us at 617-750-2818.

By Connie Eshbach

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.

            On Thursday, December 18, you can come make a super soft and snuggly fleece pillow with a wonderfully festive snowman design. Ages 6 and up. Due to limited supplies, registration is required. This program starts at 3:45 pm and ends at 4:30 pm.

            Missing our storytimes? No need to worry. We will be having a Cozy Winter Storytime on Saturday, December 20, at 10:30 am. All are welcome, and no registration is required. Speaking of storytimes, our Family and Baby Storytimes will be back starting in January, so keep an eye out for more info on that.

            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.

Upcoming Events at the Elizabeth Taber Library

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The Library will be closed Wednesday, December 24, Thursday, December 25, and Friday, December 26 in celebration of Christmas. The library will reopen on Saturday, December 27.

            The library will be closing at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, December 31.

            Ring in the New Year at our Noon Year’s Eve Party. Kids of all ages and their caregivers can join us between 11:00 am and 12:00 pm noon on Wednesday, December 31 to dance, snack, craft, and countdown to noon.

            For more information on the Elizabeth Taber Library visit us at www.ElizabethTaberLibrary.org or email the library at ETLibrary@sailsinc.org. 8 Spring Street Marion, MA 02738. 508-748-1252.

Debate League’s First Tournament to Spark 2025-26 Season

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Old Rochester kicked off the 2025-2026 debate season with hundreds of debaters and judges from around 15 local high schools.

            Members of the Southeastern Massachusetts Debate League (SEMDL), which aims to elevate the next generation of critical thinkers and communicators, gathered on Wednesday, December 3, at the Old Rochester Regional High School for the season’s first tournament.

            “The size of the league has grown so we packed every possible space at Old Rochester Regional High School,” said ORRHS Social Studies Teacher Dr. Colin Everett. “This year the league is debating the following resolution: ‘The United States federal government should significantly increase its exploration and/or development of the Arctic.'”

            The policy-style debate focused on this season’s specific, nationwide topic. The competition employs a 2 vs 2 debate format. Judges sat in classrooms with four students at a time, as a pair from one school argued the affirmatives, and a pair from another school argued the negatives.

            Old Rochester Regional debaters won nine of their debates and lost six. Old Rochester’s team included the following student debaters: Cadogan Crete, Alexandra Fiano, Aurora Froes, Madeleine Gendreau, Penelope Angeley, Paige Marotta, Max Ohrenberger, Angela Palmer, Subhav Parajuli, Isabella Perez-Dormitzer, Luke Pierre, Eva Pinhancos, Emerson Roy, Catherine Sylvia-Everett, Olivia Thompson, Owen Travers, and Elena Villafranca.

            “I’m always impressed by the talent displayed by Old Rochester’s debate team,” said ORRHS Principal Mike Devoll. “This exercise is such a valuable experience for everyone involved. The powers of persuasion are vital to success in the everyday life of modern professionals. These debates help our students to hone those skills early.”

            The League will meet again on January 7 in Hanover (North) or Bishop Stang (South), on January 28 in Taunton, on February 11 in New Bedford, and for the finals on February 25 in West Bridgewater.

            Besides Old Rochester, the following high schools participate in the SEMDL: Bishop Feehan, Bishop Stang, Bridgewater-Raynham Regional, Cohasset, Fairhaven, Foxborough, Hanover, Hingham, New Bedford, Rising Tide Charter Public School, Silver Lake Regional, Sturgis Charter Public School, Taunton and West Bridgewater Middle-Senior.

            “These debates require the students to think critically on their feet while pulling together cohesive and persuasive arguments,” said Superintendent Michael S. Nelson. “No matter the winner, the students who gather to compete at these debate tournaments walk away with incredibly valuable skillsets.”

Marion Art Center

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The MAC is auditioning actors for the comedy, The 39 Steps, adapted by Patrick Barlow from the novel by John Buchan. The play will be directed by John Heavey. The auditions will be held at the MAC’s Anne Braitmayer Webb Theater located at 80 Pleasant St., Marion, MA on Saturday, January 3 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm and on Sunday, January 4 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. There are nine performance dates: March 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22. Evening shows are at 7:30 pm, and Sunday matinees are at 2:00 pm.

            The 39 Steps is a fast-paced, slapstick comedy thriller where an ordinary man, Richard Hannay, is framed for murder and must go on the run to stop a spy ring from stealing vital British military secrets. The humor derives from the entire story being performed by a small cast who play over 150 characters, often making rapid costume and character changes. One actor plays the hero, Richard Hannay; an actress plays the three women with whom he has romantic entanglements; other actors play every other character in the show, each occasionally playing multiple characters at once. Thus, Alfred Hitchcock film’s serious spy story is given a comedic, zany twist.

            Although The 39 Steps was originally produced with just four actors, the MAC production’s casting will be flexible with regard to gender and doubling or even tripling of roles. The two exceptions are that Hannay will be played by one man throughout and Pamela and Annabella will be played by a single woman. Auditions will be cold readings from selected scenes of the script. In casting we are looking for versatile performers with a rich imagination who can make bold, physical choices. Find the full character list, along with more information, at marionartcenter.org/auditions.

            Extended Hours at the MAC – The MAC will be extending gallery hours during the Holiday House Tour, on Saturday December 13 from 10:00 am to 4 pm. The MAC offers the Small Works & Holiday Shop which supports local artists. All pieces may be collected upon purchase for this “cash and carry” show. The Marion Art Center is located at 80 Pleasant Street, at the corner of Pleasant and Main streets in Marion.

            Holiday Photo Booth at the MAC – The MAC will once again be offering the Holiday Photo Booth on the MAC patio, weather permitting, on Sunday, December 14 from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm. Stop in during the Marion Holiday Stroll; climb inside our winter wonderland igloo to take your own selfies, pet snapshots, family portraits, and photos with friends. The MAC elves will be on site and available to help. Our galleries will open for shopping between 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm. The MAC is located at 80 Pleasant Street, Marion. More information at marionartcenter.org/events.

From the Files of the Rochester Historical Society

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When I started writing about Rochester history, I titled the articles from the “Files of the Rochester Historical Society” because one of the important things that we do within our museum is to collect and preserve pictures and all kinds of paper (ephemera and archival material) that are important to the understanding of Rochester as a town and also of its place in Massachusetts history. History after all is just a story of a time, a place, an event, a community or an individual.

            In addition to all that “ephemera” that is filed away, we also have many items donated by individuals who didn’t want to send their historic items to the landfill. Among these items is one of the earliest treadle sewing machines, a rare vocalion organ, a newly acquired flax wheel and the bench from Bettencourt’s front porch where workers from the Hartley Sawmill would sit to eat their lunches and occasionally, carve their names or initials into the wood.

            If historical societies aren’t careful, they can simply become repositories of dry papers and dusty stuff. This can be particularly true of small, underfunded ones similar to ours. However, the Board of the Rochester Historical Society, pictured here at a meeting (with some incidentally wearing our newest Rochester item, a fleece vest with our embroidered logo which will be for sale at the library’s Dec. 13th sale) believe that history is a living thing that should be shared with its community. It shows us where we’ve been, so we know how we’ve gotten to where we are today.

            To bring Rochester history alive, we plan monthly programs and yearly exhibits (with the help of those who donate or loans their historic items). All of this takes work and planning from moving heavy cranberry sorters and awkward agricultural spreaders to creating programs that we hope people will find interesting.

            For a small, member-supported museum reliant on donations and Cultural Council grants, we definitely punch above our weight class (I think that’s a boxing term). A few years ago, when our exhibit centered on maps, it was listed on an international website for museums focused on maps. More recently, a local educator praised our exhibit on how people of Rochester entertained themselves for over 300 yrs. as one of the best social history exhibits he’d seen.

            We know an exhibit is a success when the people visiting identify with it. As people left this year’s exhibit of “The Tools and Industries That Made Rochester” there were comments that the exhibit “really took them back” or reminisces about working with some of the tools. I know I have a much greater appreciation of the 19th and early 20th century workers who hefted the heavy iron and wooden tools on display.

            Hopefully, our upcoming 2026 exhibit, “Rochester and the Revolution” will live up to its predecessors. We’ll be opening sometime late spring/early summer and would appreciate any Revolutionary or colonial memorabilia that could be loaned to the museum.

By Connie Eshbach

Further Conditions for Bike Path

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The Marion Conservation Commission met on December 3 in the police station’s conference room and approved the South Coast Bikeway project’s path through Marion – provided that some conditions are met.

            Project engineer Jeremy Packard met with the commission on November 19. Commissioners did a site review in late November after that hearing. The conditions include that project maintenance does not use chemically treated ice-removal methods, informs the commission about any changes, and also provides an annual report about wetlands-replication work and how it has impacted native species or waters.

            Packard told the board that, since the November 19 meeting, it was discovered that one area of around 3,200 square feet slopes and could impact wetlands. He said the project proponents would raise the elevation to avoid wetland damage.

            As mentioned at the previous meeting, Conservation Commission members lauded the plans with Shaun Walsh calling it “the most comprehensive plan” the commission has seen in a long time.

            The 3.9-mile proposed path through Marion via Front Street will also offer parking at Washburn Park and Point Road, totaling around 15 spots, according to Packard.

            Packard, who has been working on the project for 10 years, noted that the Marion leg of the project width has been narrowed from 12 paved feet to 10 paved feet, maintaining the same elevation and making minimal impacts to wetlands and related buffer zones, according to rules detailed in Wetlands Protection Act.

            There will be swales on the shoulder of the path and three infiltration basins.

            Packard said that next year the project will procure all necessary permits and hope to begin construction in 2027 on this eastern portion of the path. Packard said he expects the path to be open to Marion residents by 2029.

            At the December 3 meeting, Packard said he does not anticipate any other changes but agreed to keep officials in the loop if any state agencies take issue with any of the new plans.

            The meeting had very little on the agenda, and within 30 minutes the commission heard Packard’s new update, closed the public hearing, and approved the project with the conditions.

            The next meeting of the Marion Conservation Commission is scheduled for Wednesday, December 17.

Marion Conservation Commission

By Jeffrey D. Wagner

David L. Pendergast

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David L. Pendergast, 75, who divided his time between Boston and Mattapoisett, Massachusetts, and Naples, Florida, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on Friday, December 12, 2025. He was the beloved and devoted husband of Mary (Bevelock) Pendergast.

            Born in Boston, David was the son of the late William and Betty (McCarthy) Pendergast. He was raised in Dedham and Weston, Massachusetts, where he formed friendships that remained central to his life. He was a graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University and earned a Master of Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School, forming enduring friendships at both institutions that became lifelong bonds. He also earned a PhD in Counseling Psychology from Fordham University.

            David lived a life devoted to public service and advocacy, particularly in the field of mental health, a calling that reflected both his deep compassion and his belief in the dignity of every person. His career included roles as Director of Aftercare at the Erich Lindemann Mental Health Center and Chief Psychologist of the Inpatient Unit at Medfield State Hospital, as well as Director of Behavioral Health Services for Network Development at Harvard Community Health Plan. He was especially proud of his work as an expert witness in a class action lawsuit brought by the Disability Rights Center of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Following that case, he was appointed by the U.S. Federal Court as Commissioner of Mental Health in the U.S. Virgin Islands, where he represented consumers of mental health services and their families and made a lasting and meaningful difference in countless lives.

            David possessed an insatiable curiosity and a deep love of learning, paired with a quick wit and a gift for conversation. He had a remarkable ability to connect with people through humor, storytelling, and genuine interest, and his warmth and intellect drew others to him. This same charisma extended to the dance floor, where he delighted in twirling and swirling his partner through each step, confidently leading with style, joy, and unmistakable flair. His interests were wide-ranging, including sports, fitness, music, history, politics, and travel, but above all, he cherished his family and friends.

            A devoted New England sports fan, David followed the Boston Red Sox, New England Patriots, Boston Celtics, and all New England teams with passion, celebrating their triumphs and debating their shortcomings with equal enthusiasm. His own competitive nature was a defining part of his life and found expression through sport and fitness. He played rugby into his 30s, cycled countless miles, took up boxing in his 60s, and relished hard-fought battles on the tennis court, competing in tournaments until his diagnosis. Fitness was integral to his daily routine, including multiple rounds of 100 pushups.

            An avid student of history, David held a particular admiration for Winston Churchill, whose leadership and words he often quoted. He delighted in spirited political debate, thoughtful conversation, and sharing ideas late into the night.

            While he achieved many professional accomplishments, David’s greatest legacy is the extraordinary network of deep and enduring relationships he cultivated throughout his life. He was fiercely loyal to his friends, deeply devoted to his family, and unwaveringly devoted to his wife, Mary, with whom he shared a life of companionship, love, laughter, and mutual respect. He had a profound and lasting impact on all who knew him, especially his nieces and nephews, who adored him.

            David is survived by his wife, Mary; his siblings, Peter Pendergast; Beth Pendergast and her husband, Walter Arsenault; Julie Pendergast and her husband, George Vega; and Cindy Pendergast, the wife of his late brother, William. He is also survived by his mother-in-law, Patricia Bevelock; his father-in-law, James Bevelock; his sisters-in-law, Tricia and her husband, John O’Reilly; Ginny and her husband, Mike Morhardt; Laurie and her husband, Henry Ho; and his brother-in-law, Greg Bevelock and his wife, AnaMaria; as well as 17 nieces and nephews, 16 great-nieces and nephews, and many loving cousins.

            He was predeceased by his first wife, Linda Pendergast, and by his brother, William Pendergast.

            The family extends heartfelt thanks to the remarkable team of nurses from Nursing Liaisons for their compassion, professionalism, and exceptional care.

            Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, December 18, 2025, from 4:00 to 8:00 pm at Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Road, Mattapoisett. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, December 19, 2025, at 12:00 noon at St. Anthony’s Church, 26 Hammond Street, Mattapoisett, followed by burial in St. Anthony’s Cemetery. For online guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (www.pancan.org).

Barbara (Cochrane) Nicholson

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Barbara (Cochrane) Nicholson, 99 years old, passed away peacefully, at Alden Court in Fairhaven, MA after a period of declining health. She was the wife of the late William T. Nicholson, Sr. Born and raised in Fitchburg, MA daughter of the late Harold and Eleanor (Everett) Cochrane, even as a child, Barbara was adventurous, curious, and fiercely independent. Her father brought her up to believe that women could do anything that men could do and she never forgot that. At the age of 16, she wanted to take flying lessons and her father encouraged her to do so; her mother was not as enthusiastic. She would ride her bike to the Fitchburg Airport to take her lessons and was proud to complete her solo touch and go and received her pilot’s license before getting her driver’s license.

            Barbara graduated high school went on to study at Simmons College in Boston. She wanted to be an Engineer and at that time there was not a program for women at Simmons so although they encouraged her to take Medical Secretary courses, she insisted on the Chemistry courses. Upon graduating from Simmons, she went on to work as a chemist at a textile mill in Providence Rhode Island. That is where she met Bill. Once married, she and Bill lived in several states due to his career as a Power Engineer.

            They settled in North Kingstown Rhode Island and raised their son William (Nick) Nicholson, Jr. It was in North Kingstown that she embarked on a new career as a math teacher at North Kingstown Junior High School for 25 years.

            Barbara and Bill enjoyed many years sailing on Narragansett Bay, traveling to Block Island, Newport, Cuttyhunk, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. They were members of the East Greenwich Yacht Club. She and Bill also enjoyed their condo on Marco Island. After losing Bill in 1982, Barbara retired from teaching. She attended the Leisure Learning Groups at the Council on Aging where she learned photography and computers. Her love of photography served her well on her many trips to Europe, British Isles, Scandinavia, Alaska, and the Galapagos Islands. She also enjoyed train travel across the United States and Canada.

            Prior to moving closer to her son and daughter-in-law in August of 2013, she was an active member of the Westminster Unitarian Church in East Greenwich, RI. She was proud of the fact that her maternal grandparents were Unitarian Ministers traveling and preaching where needed.

            Survivors include her son William “Nick” Nicholson, Jr. and his wife Gail (Bauer) Nicholson of Mattapoisett, a grandson, Daniel Gill of Providence RI, a sister-in-law Judith Cochrane of Fitchburg, and many nieces and nephews that she held close in her heart. She was predeceased by her brother Dr. Paul Cochrane of Fitchburg, MA.

            Her family would like to thank the staff of Alden Court Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Fairhaven MA for the compassionate care they gave to Barbara during the 2 years that she resided there and also to the SouthCoast VNA Hospice team who treated her with loving care and helped to maintain her dignity. Each and every one of you are angels on earth and the family will never forget you.

            At this time, the family will plan a celebration of Barbara’s life at a later date. Arrangements are with the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals in Mattapoisett MA.

            Barbara was known by staff and residents at Alden Court for her smile and positive attitude. In her memory, please spread kindness and be the reason someone smiles.