Lions International Peace Poster Contest

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Marion Sivil, a 6th grade student at Old Hammondtown School, has taken the first step to becoming an internationally recognized artist by winning a local competition sponsored by the Mattapoisett Lions Club. Marion’s poster is among more than 450,000 entries submitted worldwide in the annual Lions International Peace Poster Contest. Lions International is sponsoring the program to emphasize the importance of world peace to young people everywhere.

            The poster was selected by Lions Club member Helene Rose and school staff members for its originality, artistic merit, and portrayal of the contest theme, “Peace Without Limits.” Mattapoisett Lions Club President Rob Haley said he was impressed by the expression and creativity of the students at Old Hammondtown School. “It is obvious that these young people have strong ideas about what compassion means to them. I’m so proud that we were able to provide them with the opportunity to share their visions. Marion’s poster will advance through the district, multiple district, and international levels of competition if she is to be declared the international grand prize winner,” Haley said.

            One international grand prize winner and 23 merit award winners will be selected. The grand prize includes a cash award of $5,000, plus a trip for the winner and two family members to a special award ceremony. The 23 merit award winners will each receive a certificate and a cash award of $500. “Our club is cheering for Marion as her poster advances in the competition, and we hope that her vision will ultimately be shared with others around the world,” Haley said.

            Marion and numerous other students were honored for their participation by the Mattapoisett Lions Club on Friday, November 1 at Old Hammondtown School. Marion was awarded a $100 gift card. Second place recipient Will Kanaly was awarded a $50 gift card, and third place was awarded to Yonathan Coffey who received a $25 gift card. Honorable Mention was awarded to Jillian Bonnell who received a $15 gift card.

            Members of the Mattapoisett Lions Club wish to thank Ms. Wells, the wonderful educators at Old Hammondtown School and parents for their continued support of the Peace Poster contest project.

            View past international grand prize winners at www.lionsclubs.org. Lions International is the world’s largest service club organization with more than 1.4 million members in 210 countries and geographical areas around the world. Since 1917, Lions Clubs have aided the blind and visually impaired and made a strong commitment to community service and serving youth throughout the world.

Lonely? You are not Alone!

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Last year, the U.S. Surgeon General declared loneliness a major public health problem. While it was made worse by the pandemic, both before and after the pandemic loneliness was common and troublesome to many.

            A survey from Harvard’s School of Education found that 21% of U.S. adults described loneliness as a major problem; surprisingly, the age group that expressed the greatest problem (29%) were those 30-44, and adults over 65 had the lowest (10%) reported frequency.

            If you have children or grandchildren, remember that they can also suffer profoundly from loneliness.

            You do not have to be socially isolated to feel lonely; those with intact families and/or with many co-workers can feel lonely. Loneliness is a disconnection from others, even when they surround you. If you feel lonely in such a setting, you blame yourself though you should not.

            Our ubiquitous technology, which is supposed to help, often worsens the problem. Dealing with others through social media rather than in person does not create deep bonds.

            Those who spend too much time at work may end up spending less time with family and friends with resulting feelings of loneliness.

            Loneliness has been found to correlate strongly with both poor mental and physical health. We are social animals and do better in all spheres when we feel connected to others.

            If you feel lonely, there are many ways to lessen this feeling.

            Reach out to friends and family. Maintaining friendship requires work but need not be burdensome. A quick email with some news or a birthday or holiday card with some personal lines added takes little time and strengthens bonds. Pick up the phone!

            Volunteer. Helping others gives you a sense of community connection and may lead to new friendships with those alongside whom you are working.

            Join groups with whom you share interests. Alongside fellow photographers, quilters, singers, or stamp collectors you will create new bonds.

            There are many groups at churches, Councils on Aging, and community centers where you can meet new friends.

            Adopt a pet if you can deal with the time demands. The unconditional love of a dog is its own reward, and walking your dog is a great way to meet new people.

            Limit your use of social media. Taking longer breaks from Facebook and the like and interacting in the flesh will usually make you feel better.

            Have a single older friend or neighbor? Call them!

            Finally, remember that feeling lonely is not something to feel ashamed of and that there are many people out there who would love to connect.

            Edward Hoffer MD is Associate Professor of Medicine, part-time, at Harvard.

What Does The Doctor Say?

By Dr. Edward Hoffer

From the Files of the Rochester Historical Society

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I’ve referenced Abraham Holmes many times due to the valuable memoirs that he left to us. However, I realized as I prepared for the SAR event on October 26, I had never really thought much about his participation in the events up to and during the Revolutionary War.

            According to Mary Hall Leonard’s book on Rochester’s history, Abraham not only took part in the march of young men from Rochester to Barnstable in 1774, but it was his zeal for liberty that “did much to arouse the revolutionary spirit of Rochester.”

            It was he who was sent to discover the results of April 19, 1775, and he wrote that he returned, “as gay as a lark” at the great news that “the struggle for independence had begun.”

            In 1775, Holmes wanted to enlist, but his parents were extremely opposed to his accepting a small office in the army. In 1778, he did enter the army for three months as a recruit. He was soon appointed as the Company’s only “sergeant.” His company was sent to Roxbury until their service time expired on July 2.

            The following September, there was an incursion into New Bedford and Fairhaven by the British forces. Holmes, again in the army, was there on the night of September 8 when, in his words, a ” brush” occurred. According to his memoirs, “a cannon ball struck the ground about six inches from his foot.” Later, in the same year, he was chosen to be the lieutenant of the company.

            However, an unexplained misunderstanding (we’ll never know what it was) took place in the regiment and none of the militia officers from Rochester would accept their commissions. After this, he returned home to a different kind of service as a selectman for the town of Rochester from 1782-1792.

By Connie Eshbach

Upcoming Events at the Elizabeth Taber Library

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ETL Spice Pantry is back for November. Pick up recipes and spices to make Black Pepper Steak Fajitas and Carrot and Parsnip Bisque and check out our extensive collection of cookbooks for all your upcoming holiday get togethers.

            Baby/Toddler Time is Moving to Mondays at 10:30 am. This is a program for babies ages 0 to 24 months and their caregivers.

            Kids ages 2 to 5 can join us for Messy Mornings Thursdays at 10:30 am. This program will focus on messy play and process art projects. Aprons are provided, but we recommend wearing clothes that can get dirty.

            Kids in grades 1 to 4 are invited to register for one or both of our November Role Playing Game sessions. Shadows will be on Friday, November 8 from 3:00 pm 4:00 pm and Honey Heist will be on Tuesday, November 26 from 3:00 pm 4:00 pm. Register by calling the Elizabeth Taber Library at 508-748-1252 or emailing etlibrary@sailsinc.org. Capacity is limited.

            Find fun Young Adult activities for students ages 9 and up every Thursday after school from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

            The Library will be closed November 11 for Veteran’s Day. The Library will close at 12:00 pm on Wednesday November 27, and be closed Thursday and Friday, November 28 and November 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

Academic Achievements

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WOC1 Alexander J. Buckley graduated from the Massachusetts Army National Guard Warrant Officer Candidate School. Alex grew up in Mattapoisett and joined Troop 53 Boy Scouts as a Tiger Cub. Over the years with many activities and accomplishments gained, Alex went on to become an Eagle Scout. He attended Old Colony Vocational School where he studied the automotive trade. After graduation, Alex joined the Massachusetts Army National Guard in December of 2013. WOC1 Buckley is currently the Maintenance Shop Inspector at Joint Base Cape Cod.

Board of Selectmen Postpone Special Town Meeting

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Rochester’s Board of Selectmen on Monday approved postponing the Special Town Meeting originally scheduled for January 6 to January 27.

            Town Administrator Cameron Durant said the change to the later date was an easy decision for the board to make after noting the articles for the meeting need more preparation time. He said the public needs the proper notification period before the Planning Board holds its public hearings on the proposed warrant articles, and the Bylaw Review Committee requires more time to craft its own proposals.

            The final approval vote included the motion that the special town meeting also be extended to January 28 if the meeting needs more time to vote on its articles or if there is an inclement weather delay.

            The board then approved referring the articles proposed for the meeting to the Planning Board for public hearings. One such article revises the town’s battery energy storage system regulations. Durant said this bylaw was approved at a previous town meeting, but the town needs to tweak its language, adding protection of water resource areas.

            Another article revised was the Solar Screening bylaw. “It will create standards for blocking the view of solar arrays from residential and natural resource areas,” Durant said.

            The articles being proposed by the Bylaw Review Committee that the board referred to the Planning Board Monday regard new regulations for accessory dwelling units and short-term rentals and tweaking the regulations for use variances. Durant said the state has passed a law allowing accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on residential properties by right. “We need to get ahead of this issue,” he said. The new town-imposed regulations and restrictions, he said, would limit the number of ADU units in town. Registration and review by the Building Commissioner will be required, “creating revenue opportunities for the town,” he said. Abutters will also have to be notified when such a rental plan is being proposed.

            In other action, the board signed a $23,736.57 change order for the Cranberry Highway Overlay District Infrastructure Improvements project, for the construction of curbing and sidewalk along the district.

            In response to the fact plans are in the works to replace it with a totally-new playground, the board declared the current Gifford Park playground equipment as surplus so it can be torn down and auctioned off. Acting Chairman Adam Murphy and fellow Selectman Paul Ciaburri agreed that the Highway Department shall dismantle the old equipment and store the pieces in the Highway Barn. Then, the pieces will be auctioned through a sealed bid process, to begin on November 18 and extend to December 2 when the bids will be opened.

            The board accepted SEMASS donation fund requests, specifically $800 for Snipatuit water monitoring equipment and $8,000 for town hall monument brick work. Durant noted Town Planner Nancy Durfee has been using SRPEDD-loaned equipment for water monitoring and the agency now wants that equipment back.

            Durant reported that meeting packets and agendas will now be available the day of said meeting on the town website. He also noted there is now a Photo Contest on the website urging residents to send in photos for it.

            The select board did not set a new meeting date before adjourning to hold an executive session.

Rochester Board of Selectmen

by Michael J. DeCicco

Waiting Until Next Year

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The Red Sox collapsed on the diamond. Wait until next year.

            The Patriots don’t look so hot. Wait until next year.

            I missed Halloween! How did I miss it. I guess I’ll have to wait until next year.

            How did I miss Halloween? It just came and went, disappeared like a ghost in the night. I guess I have been so engrossed in current events or wondering when we will change the clocks back (missed that too), or if I’ll get to see the Northern Lights someday (missed that too). I just completely forgot about the holiday. How is that even possible? Maybe it skipped my mind because it is not even an official holiday.

            Surely there were giant skeletons in people’s front lawns. I didn’t notice a single one. How could I have not noticed the jack-o-lanterns on neighbors’ front steps? I did!

            No kids came to the door to trick-or-treat, probably because we live on a dark, isolated street. They must all have been marching in the town’s annual Halloween parade. My dad used to bang the big base drum to lead the parade when I was a kid. How on Earth could I not remember Halloween was in October?

            The only time I recall wearing a costume was in 1957 during the town’s centennial parade. Dad and I dressed as hobo-clowns tossing lollypops to kids from the back of a Model T Ford truck. Oh well. I guess I’ll just have to wait until next year to don my ghost sheet with the holes poked in it for eyes, ask my bride to wear her witch hat, and play spooky music.

            Truth be told, I have never been a big fan of Halloween. When we moved into our first house, we bought a couple of small bags of candy expecting to get 15 or 20 kids. Boy were we surprised! We got over 300 little gremlins knocking at our door. Ghosts and goblins, monsters, superheroes, and high school kids with no costumes at all. Parents drove their kids into our neighborhood from other nearby towns. Of course, we ran out of candy. I think we gave out grapes or Ritz crackers or something. I forget.

            When our kids came along, we went all out. The missus made beautiful, elaborate costumes: Robin Hood, Snow White, a pirate, a princess. Once, our neighbor threw a costume party on Halloween. I went as Annette Funicello, the Mouseketeer. That was a scary sight!

            When I was a high school teacher, all the faculty including the administrators would dress up in costume. One year I was a demented doctor; electric wig, white coat, stethoscope and all, marching around the halls with our classroom skeleton shouting “make way, a former student passing through.” Another year, I was a British judge with a powdered wig and black robe. The principal thought I was a graduating student. (He was Kermit the Frog. Think about that for a minute). One colleague even came to school dressed as me. That was spooky!

            Just like the Red Sox and Patriots, I guess I’ll have to wait until next year.

            Hope I don’t miss Christmas.

            Mattapoisett resident Dick Morgado is an artist and happily retired writer. His newspaper columns appeared for many years in daily newspapers around Boston.

Thoughts on…

By Dick Morgado

Beth F. (Foresman) Hodges

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Beth F. (Foresman) Hodges, 83, of Mattapoisett died November 6, 2024 peacefully at home.

She was the wife of the late Peter B. Hodges.

Born in Boston, daughter of the late Philip Billings Foresman and Lois (Norton) Foresman, she lived in Mattapoisett most of her life.

She was formerly employed as a registered nurse and was a graduate of Beverly Hospital School of Nursing.

Beth enjoyed cooking, watching sports with Peter, entertaining at home and taking photos of sunsets down in Longboat Key.

Survivors include her daughter, Caryn Hodges Coulombe and her husband Michael; a son, David Hodges and his significant other Robin Perry; 4 grandchildren, Jessie Hodges, Hannah Hodges, Collin Hodges and Bryan Coulombe.

She was the sister of the late Charles N. Foresman.

Arrangements are with the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home For Funerals, 50 County Rd., Mattapoisett. For online guestbook go to www.saundersdwyer.com.

William’s Fund

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This is an appeal to the community on behalf of our students. My name is Sheilah Sullivan. I’ve lived in Marion for over 30 years, raised my two kids here, and had the remarkable privilege of teaching at Old Rochester Regional High School for 25 years.

            Teachers, counselors, and school staff often have a unique perspective into the lives of our young people. It’s not uncommon for us to develop insights into the unmet needs outside of the school day that impact our students’ abilities to thrive inside the school building.

            In 2010, my family and I established William’s Fund, Inc. We are a small 501(c)(3) non-profit established for the sole purpose of providing emergency financial assistance for students and families at ORRHS and ORRJHS. Confidential referrals for assistance are made by the school social workers. The district does not benefit financially in any way.

            William’s Fund provides assistance for things like: oil deliveries and utility bills, gift cards for groceries and clothing, bedding and supplies for emergency camping or short-term housing, and other hardships that arise unexpectedly and impact a student’s well-being.

            Last year alone, we distributed almost $30,000 in emergency assistance.

            To-date, we’ve been able to rely on word of mouth for support from individual community members like you. But at this time, our fund is nearly depleted, and we are turning to the wider community for help.

            Will you consider making a tax-deductible donation to help our students have the resources they need to thrive in school? A letter with necessary information for tax-deductible donations is provided. We are 100% volunteer-run. That means 100% of your donation goes directly to students and their families.

            To make a secure online donation, visit www.orrwilliamsfund.org

To make a donation via check, please make it out to William’s Fund, Inc. and mail to ℅ Sheilah Sullivan 39 Lewis Street, Marion, MA 02738

            Thank you so much for your help supporting the young people we care so deeply about. And a big thank you to the teachers and staff at ORR/ORRJHS for their work.

Marion Republican Town Committee

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The Marion Republican Town Committee will conduct its next monthly meeting on Monday, November 11 at 7:00 pm at the Marion Music Hall, 164 Front Street, Marion. The public and new members welcome. We look forward to seeing you.