You are cordially invited to join us for a “White Christmas” Ladies Christmas Tea at First Congregational Church of Rochester, 11 Constitution Way, Rochester, on December 7 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Come and celebrate Jesus, the Light of the World. Please RSVP by December 1 (text or call) to Marcia at 508-264-2217.
The Rochester Land Trust is holding its Annual Meeting this year at George’s Pony Pasture, directly across the street from the Church Homestead at 139 Mattapoisett Road in Rochester, on Saturday November 16 at 11:00 am. We will enjoy hot apple cider and apple cider doughnuts as we gather in the newly renovated old foundation garden. Members will elect a new slate of officers and three new board members. Board members will update everyone on what we’ve been up to. Please park along the road or at the Church’s Field parking area to the south. This event will be held rain or shine (we have a tent if necessary). All are welcome.
After the meeting, we will cross the street and take a walk to the river at Church’s Field across our newly reconstructed bog boards. Please join us!
The Mattapoisett Woman’s Club invites potential new members and interested local residents to its November 21 monthly meeting which will feature speakers from the Mattapoisett Land Trust. Kristen McCormack, VP of the Land, will begin the program with an overview of the Land Trust’s 50 years of persevering land for the enjoyment of all. This will be followed by the Education Committee Co-Chairs of the Land Trust, Mary Cabral and Wendy Copps, explaining the programs that they are able to offer our public schools to enhance the learning experiences for many students and the free Story Walk programs that they set up on Land Trust Properties. The public is welcome to attend this program which will begin at 12:45 pm at the Mattapoisett Congregational Church in Reynard Hall.
The Mattapoisett Woman’s Club is a civic, social, educational, and philanthropic organization. Membership is always open to local women who are interested in the objectives and mission of the organization. For more information or questions please contact info@mattapoisettwomansclub.org.
TheNovember 12 meeting of the Mattapoisett Select Board included a joint meeting with the town’s Disabilities Commission. The board also met with the Institute for Human Centered Design. The town had received a grant to conduct a self-evaluation on matters related to ADA compliance. The town’s Disabilities Commission reorganized and is now entrusted with the task of identifying a wide variety of ADA issues and offering advice on steps to improve accessibility and inclusion for all.
The IHCD was represented by Project Managers David West and Meghan Dufresne who gave a PowerPoint presentation that fully explored the evaluation process and conclusions. The town’s designated responsible employee is Mike Lorenco, Town Administrator. In this role, Lorenco handles grievance procedures from employees, a main criterion towards ensuring the town is complying with state requirements. The report noted that the town has taken initial steps toward ADA compliance, reasonable accommodation, and effective communication.
Playgrounds, beaches, and popular public spaces such as Ned’s Point were evaluated by IHCD for ADA compliance. They found that ramps leading to restrooms at Ned’s Point were out of compliance. On the plus side, the town offers a submersible wheelchair at Town Beach on Water Street.
The report touched on strategies that would ensure access to recreational areas and programs. It pointed out that Town Hall stair railings were noncompliant, exposed plumbing could be a hazard, service counters were too high, and there was a lack of an access aisle at handicap parking slot in front of Town Hall. Other areas of concern were lack of accessible route at town beach playground and Shipyard Park gazebo. DDC Chairman Chuck McIntyre suggested that children be included when considering adaptations to playgrounds and also suggested playground equipment that accommodated wheelchairs.
Select Board member Jordan Collyer asked the commission members to develop a list of items, changes, and adaptations that could then be prioritized. Cost estimates would also be needed for presentation to Town Meeting.
The next meeting of the DDC will be scheduled for December.
In other matters before the board on this night, the resignation of Jennifer Wong as the town’s representative to the South Coast Bikeway Alliance and the appointment of Pam Haznar to the same. The board also voted during a public hearing with Eversource to grant the installation of a utility conduit at 7 Foster Street.
The appointment of Tyler Hathaway as an alternate on the Conservation Commission was also taken up by the board.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Select Board is scheduled for November 26.
Mattapoisett Select Board
By Marilou Newell
The Rochester historical Museum at 355 County Rd. will be open on Sunday, November 17 and Sunday November 24 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Both the exhibit and shop will be open.
Superintendent Michael S. Nelson and Principal Michael Devoll are pleased to share that the Old Rochester Regional High School Drama Club will perform “Noises Off” later this month.
Performances will occur at 7:00 pm from Thursday, November 21 to Saturday, November 23, and at 2:00 pm on Sunday, November 24.
Tickets will be available for purchase at the door or at the Marion General Store, Isabelle’s in Mattapoisett, or Friends’ Marketplace at Plumb Corner in Rochester. They are $12 for students and senior citizens and $15 for general admission.
Old Rochester Regional High School (ORRHS) is currently a latex-free building. Due to issues with latex elastics, audience members are asked to refrain from bringing flower bouquets into the building.
“Noises Off” is Director Brayden Fanti’s debut show at ORRHS and the sixth show for Assistant Director Sarah Whinnem. This is the first year they’ve worked together with the ORRHS Drama Club.
The principal cast for the ORRHS Drama Club’s production of “Noises Off” includes: Calder Eaton (12th grade) as Lloyd, Charlotte Cook (11th grade) as Dotty, Ava LaPointe (9th grade) as Garry, Tenley Lane (10th grade) as Brooke, Tessa Ripley (10th grade) as Poppy, Maddie Detrani (11th grade) as Frederick Amanda Tomasso (11th grade) as Belinda, Raegan Correia (11th grade) as Tim, and Grace Victoria (9th grade) as Selsdon
Shawn Elliott will design the lighting for the show, and John Farrell will design the sound. Volunteers Mike Eaton, Eric Osterday, and Erin Bednarczyk led set construction.
“Noises Off” is a theatrical farce by English playwright Michael Frayn. First published in 1982, the play is a behind-the-scenes look at a chaotic stage production populated with frenetic and unstable actors, a volatile director, and an overworked and overly emotional stage crew. Interspersed throughout the typical narrative structure of the piece are scenes from the play-within-a-play the group is performing: a tacky comedy called “Nothing On.”
This play is appropriate for all ages but may be more enjoyable for ages 11 and older.
“This will be the first production under the leadership of Brayden Fanti, and we are very excited by the energy within our Drama Club,” Principal Devoll said. “Our students have been working very hard on the show, and we are proud of their efforts.”
“We are thrilled to invite the public to our Drama Club’s upcoming production of ‘Noises Off,'” Superintendent Nelson said. “Our talented students have worked incredibly hard to bring this unique, fast-paced comedy to life, and these performances offer a fun night out with family and friends.”
Get your November Take and Make Crafts available starting November 15, while supplies last. Adult Cross Stitch Kits are recommended for Ages 12 and up. Each kit includes instructions, pattern, colored floss, two needles, and a hoop with cross stitch fabric attached.
Story Times Monday and Tuesday starting at 10:30 am, Messy Mornings for kids ages 2 to 5, Thursdays at 10:30 am.
Participate in International Games Month activities all month long:
Design your own Board Game Monday, November 18 from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
Drop in to play a life-sized version of the children’s classic board game Candy Land, Saturday, November 23 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Kids in grades 1 to 4 are invited to register for the kid’s role-playing game Honey Heist on Tuesday, November 26 from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Register by calling the Elizabeth Taber Library at 508-748-1252 or emailing etlibrary@sailsinc.org. Capacity is limited.
The Library will close at 12:00 pm on Wednesday November 27, and will be closed Thursday and Friday, November 28 and 29 in celebration of Thanksgiving.
For more information on the Elizabeth Taber Library visit us at www.ElizabethTaberLibrary.org or call us at 508-748-1252
Donna Battistelli-Berry, 69, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, November 7, 2024, at St. Luke’s Hospital with her son Kyler Berry, at her side and her companion Lionel Lee Lawson. Donna was a loving and devoted mom to her sons, Alex and Kyler.
Born in Maine, the daughter of Shirley (Vincent) and Joseph Leo Battistelli. She was the oldest sister of Linda Camara and Brenda Budlong (Tim), all of Mattapoisett. She was also the mother of the late Alex Berry. Donna also is survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Donna was the Owner and founder of ExecMaids, the first team concept cleaning service, which she managed with her late husband Nicholas D. Berry.
Donna was also a real estate agent and had other successful business ventures as she was a very outgoing personality.
Donna enjoyed traveling, Cape Cod, going to many beaches, but especially spending time with her beloved sons Alex and Kyler Berry, both of Mattapoisett, Ma. She also enjoyed many good times with her family up north in their chalet located in North Conway, New Hampshire.
Friends are invited to share memories with Donna’s family on November 21st, 2024 from 4-8 pm at the Reservation Golf Club, 10 Reservation, Mattapoisett. Burial will be private. For online condolences, please visit www. saundersdwyer.com
Coastline Elderly Services is asking adults aged 60 and older and their caregivers to complete a needs assessment survey to help the agency and state elder services identify and support the current needs of aging populations.
Surveys have been mailed to a selection of older adults living within Coastline’s service area. An online version is also available on Coastline’s website at www.coastlinenb.org and printed versions can be obtained at local councils on aging.
Surveys are conducted every three years to better understand the needs of older adults and to develop plans to meet those needs. Every voice counts. If you are an older adult in this age group, please share your concerns in this approximately 10-minute survey.
Survey results are also used to develop an Area Plan on Aging. The purpose of this document is to ensure that Coastline is able to develop approaches that may help to alleviate the concerns identified in the needs data.
The latest survey, conducted in 2021 as the pandemic isolated many people, identified digital skills as its top need including assistance using email, the internet, apps, and digital technology. Other highly ranked needs included programs to help people stay active and well, and funding assistance for home repairs.
For more information on the current survey process, visit www.coastlinenb.org/needs-assessment-2024/ Coastline serves the communities of New Bedford, Acushnet, Cuttyhunk, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Marion, Mattapoisett, and Rochester.
Trustees of the Mattapoisett Christian Church will host their annual ecumenical service on November 24 at 3:00 pm. The service will be held at the historic Mattapoisett Christian Church (Mattapoisett Museum), 5 Church Street, Mattapoisett. Rev. Michael Frady of The Mattapoisett Congregational Church will lead the worship service with Father Marek Chmurski of St. Anthony’s Church and a representative from the Mattapoisett Friends Meeting participating. The music will be provided by members of the choirs of both St. Anthony’s Roman Catholic Church, directed by Music Director, Karen DeVoe and The Mattapoisett Congregational Church, directed by Organist and Music Director, Michelle Gordon. The public is invited, and we hope to see you there.