Friends of the Mattapoisett Library

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The Friends of the Mattapoisett Library’s recent Annual Jewelry and Accessory sale was a tremendous success thanks to the community’s support and generosity.

            Thank you to all who donated items, volunteered their time, and made purchases at this year’s jewelry sale; the 2nd Silent Auction was particularly successful. 100% of the sale proceeds will support library programs for children, teens, and adults, including the purchase of museum, zoo, and park passes.

            In preparation for next December’s sale, the Friends will continue to accept new and gently used donations of jewelry and fashion accessories such as scarves, gloves, purses, hats, sunglasses, wallets, and keychains throughout the upcoming year. Please drop off your donations at the Mattapoisett Library circulation desk. Everyone’s generosity supports the library.

            Again, thank you. We hope to see you in January at our next Used Book Sale on Saturday, January 10, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. For more information, please visit us at 7 Barstow Street or call the library at 508-758-4171.

Five ORRHS Students Recognized by National Merit Scholarship Program

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Superintendent Michael S. Nelson and Principal Michael Devoll are proud to announce that five Old Rochester Regional High School seniors have been named Commended Students in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program.

            The seniors – Caroline Achilles, Jacob Iappini, Ella Milhench, Hannah Thorell and Linden White – will each receive a Letter of Commendation from Principal Devoll and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC).

            About 34,000 students nationwide are recognized as Commended Students each year for strong performance on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). These students placed among the top 50,000 scorers who entered the 2026 program.

            “These five seniors earned this outstanding recognition through hard work and a commitment to their studies,” said Principal Devoll. “We see their efforts inside and outside of the classroom every day, and we are proud to celebrate this recognition with them.”

            Director of Guidance Christina M. Costello Cioffi said the students’ achievements speak to both individual effort and a supportive school community.

            “It’s inspiring to watch students earn achievements like this,” Cioffi said. “Each of these seniors have strong work ethic and put in real effort, and we are excited to see them recognized for their dedication and determination.”

            Superintendent Nelson congratulated the seniors on being named Commended Students.

            “Caroline, Jacob, Ella, Hannah and Linden set high standards for themselves,” Superintendent Nelson said. “Their work and the encouragement and support they receive both at home and in school make achievements like this possible. We are incredibly proud of them.”

            A spokesperson for NMSC said Commended Students “have demonstrated outstanding potential for academic success” and described them as a “valuable national resource” whose accomplishments help strengthen academic excellence across the country.

Cottage Bylaw Ready for Hearing

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Over many months of vigorous discussion regarding a new bylaw that may add a new type of housing unit in Mattapoisett, the Mattapoisett Planning Board is ready to debut the Cottage Bylaw.

            As previously noted by the board, the purpose of the new bylaw is to allow condensed spacing for residential construction. Board members believe this housing option will give the town more flexibility in offering housing that meets the needs of a changing population – senior citizens looking to downsize and young families seeking to live in the community but unable to bear the high cost of housing. While the new bylaw is not addressing the issue of affordability, the major stumbling block facing young families, the board believes it will help none-the-less.

            On December 5 the board meeting took up the bylaw language in a final push to get it before the public in advance of the spring town meeting.

            Presently, the bylaw allows the cottage structures to be up to 1,500 square-feet, with a main floor of 900 square feet. Other dimensional requirements are one cottage per lot, a maximum height of 25 feet, front setbacks 25 feet, side setback of 10 feet, and rear setbacks of 15 feet. Each living unit will have two parking spaces, and 200 square-feet of open space.

            The draft language also notes there will be 12-feet between units, and no detached accessory buildings except shared community structures.

            Other notable language in the proposed new bylaw states a reduction in structural size will lessen visual impact versus conventional residences, with an intent to foster the creation of intimate communities that revolve around communal spaces, creating pedestrian friendly neighborhoods.

            One drawback brought up during the meeting was the possibility of property owners charging more for buildable land given that the new bylaw would allow ten housing units per acre. They concurred that was a possibility.

            The board is planning a public meeting on February 2 to vet the new bylaw. The venue is to-be-announced.

            In other business, coming before the board on this night was Steven Cabral for property located at 182 North Street. The property owner is Dennis Mahoney and Sons, Inc. The subdivision and is for the creation of a family compound. It was learned that the entrance and exit to the property will be located at the cul-da-sac at the end of Shady Oak Drive.

            Representing the applicant of this subdivision was David Davignon of Schneider Davignon and Leone. He described the development as a family compound consisting of four, four bed single-family dwellings with septic systems, and private water supplies. Davignon clarified that entrance and exit to the subdivision will be located at the end of Shady Oak Drive and not off North Street.

            Drainage systems while described as “country drainage” will be further defined when the applicant begins full vetting presenting engineered drawings, comments from the fire department and from Natural Heritage, and the Board of Health. The application was continued.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board is scheduled for Monday, January 5.

Mattapoisett Planning Board

By Marilou Newell

Lower Than Desired; Higher Than State-Average

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            The Marion School Committee met on Thursday, December 11 and went over MCAS (Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System) scores, which have improved slightly over previous years but are still above the state average in mathematics, science and English Language Arts (ELA).

            Superintendent Michael Nelson explained that MCAS testing is at an interesting crossroad since the 2024 state ballot that removed the testing as a graduation requirement. School Committee Member Nichole Daniel noted the district’s decline and how it is concerning for both officials and parents.

            Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Sharlene Fedorowicz and Sippican Elementary Principal Lynn Dessert attributed some of the decline to new programming at both Sippican Elementary and the entire Tri-Town district, which also encompasses Mattapoisett and Rochester.

            Both said that the data helped educators analyze the strengths and weaknesses and curtail education toward strengthening the weaknesses such as small-group instruction opportunities and using scheduled flex time to target problem areas.

            Overall, students in grades 4 through 8 improved slightly in the past year in ELA but not in math. In grade 10, math scores were stagnant but showed a slight decrease in ELA. Still, the district outperformed the state in math, ELA, and science.

            Fedorowicz said that in grade 3 through 6, Marion students outperformed the state average by 2-percent in ELA; 5-percent in math; and 11-percent in science.

            Fedorowicz noted that in ELA, more students scored in the exceeded expectations category than in previous years.

            Dessert noted that students in ELA in the older elementary grades made significant strides toward analyzing texts using evidence and understanding the purpose of a text.

            However, students need more support with evidence-based writing.

            In math, by grade 6, students demonstrated strong, deeper reasoning skills but needed more hands-on activities to deepen pre-algebra skill, Dessert said. She noted that by Grade 6, students were expressing a strong grasp of Earth science, astronomy and engineering but needed to strengthen their science vocabulary and writing about the sciences.

            “Our next steps are to strengthen explicit standard-aligned instruction and increase student discourse and make sure students are talking (about academic content),” she told the School Committee.

            In other business, Nelson said he is preparing two budgets for Fiscal Year 2027 – one with level service numbers and another with additional needs beyond the level service request from town finance officials. He said budget deliberations will center around mathematics, technology and enrollment issues.

            The next meeting of the Marion School committee is scheduled for Thursday, February 26, 2026.

Marion School Committee

By Jeffrey D. Wagner

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.