Marion celebrated Veterans Day 2025 in high style despite frigid conditions. At Old Landing Veterans Park, Front Street, with snowflakes starting to fall, Town Administrator and retired Navy Commander Geoffrey Gorman introduced an invocation from Rev. Eric Osterday of the First Congregational Church of Marion, then the “Pledge of Allegiance” led by Marion Girl Scouts, then the “National Anthem” performed by the Sippican School Band led by Music Teacher Hannah Moore.

            The snowflakes had stopped by the time Select Board Chair Randy Parker introduced Planning Board member, former Select Board member and retired Army Colonel Jon Henry, whose words as guest speaker marked a highlight of the ceremony.

            Henry, whose time in the army featured tours in Germany, Korea, and Vietnam in the Engineering Battalion, pointed to the recent experience that revealed the appreciative attitude Americans have toward veterans today. He said he took an Honor Flight, which flies veterans to Washington, D.C. at no cost to visit their respective service memorials, with 135 fellow veterans including a Rhode Island veteran who was 106 years old.

            Early in the morning at T.F. Green Airport in Rhode Island when the group met for their flight to D.C., “There were 1,000 people sending us on our way,” he said. “And if I had any doubts about how the veterans look in the eyes of the public they were resolved at that moment, because it was really sensational.”

            At the time of the flight back, Henry said, the welcome wasn’t as sensational, but it was good. “There must have been hundreds of people if not 1,000,” he said. “We got the same kind of reception we got when we were sent off. Every time you do something like that you have more friends than when you started out. I was proud to be a member of that.”

            Then came reflections on his career that included graduating from Taber Academy and designing the stage for Bob Hope’s USO show in Vietnam. “Not bad for a jucket from Marion,” he said.

            “One thing I learned is to love every level of the people I worked with from patrol officers all the way up to platoon engineering group,” he concluded. “I felt a fatherly affection for them all.”

            After his talk, the ceremony ended with “President Day Parade” from the Sippican School Band, who, Moore said, has performed for the ceremony for decades. Then came a benediction from Rev. Osterday and finally the band’s rendition of “Grand Old Flag.”

            As if the skies knew it was over, snowflakes re-appeared only as attendees were exiting the park.

Marion Veterans Day

By Michael J. DeCicco

            The Wanderer recently had the privilege of interviewing two women whose determination is astounding. You see, these friends are running hard to help others. Kristen Wingate and Jen Pease, Mattapoisett residents, are runners who have taken their joy of movement to the next level, running to raise money that will help Multiple Sclerosis research.

            We caught up with these amazing women in between their busy schedules that includes being mothers with young children.

            Wingate said, “Jen and I met through our daughters becoming best friends at daycare. We had both always been into running. After I had completed the 2021 Boston Marathon as a charity runner for the Joe Andruzzi Foundation, Jen decided, after having her fourth child, that she wanted to also run the Boston Marathon.” Jen is also facing her own challenges as due to MS.

They would run the Boston Marathon for the Joe Andruzzi team. They raised $20,000 in 2023. That began their marathon running journey. They would go on to run the 2024 Chicago Marathon and the 2024 New York City marathon. They also plan on running the Boston Marathon in April 2026.

            Jen told us,” Kristen and I will both be running the Boston Marathon in April. She is running with her company, Brewster Ambulance, since they are a vendor for the race. I am running for the first time as an adaptive athlete since MS falls under ATAXIA, which is one of the impairment categories recognized by the Boston Athletic Association.”

            In discussing her diagnosis Jen said, “I have experienced numbness in my hands. My hands were fully numb from December of 2024 until August of 2025. My neurologist believes the numbness was caused by a new lesion on my spine, and since the spinal cord is so tightly packed, there was no room for my body to create a way around the scar formed there. Usually after the three-month mark, you kind of give up on your body figuring it out, but after nine months my feeling finally came back. Exciting times in my world.”

            The runners answered a number of questions, offering insight into their busy lives and what keeps them pushing on. We asked what inspired them to travel in their quest to bring attention to MS.

            “We set a goal in 2023 to run all six world marathon majors,” Kristen said. When Jen was diagnosed, their focus firmly became planted for MS fundraising. Jen added, “Once I was diagnosed with MS in December of 2024, we knew we found our driving cause.” They both applied to run the Berlin Marathon and raised money for MS charities from Jen’s hospital room. “From there we knew we were on this journey together,” Jen emphasized. “MS is a great cause to raise money for because the research being done and new disease modifying treatments being discovered have a significant impact on individuals living with MS.”

            We learned that the pair have run many road races including: Mother’s Day 5K, the Fourth of July road race, The Lions Club Triathlon, the New Bedford half Marathon, the USA Women’s Half Marathon , Mattapoisett Mother’s Day 5K, Mattapoisett Fourth of July Road Race, Mattapoisett Triathlon, the New Bedford Half Marathon, USA Women’s Half Marathon in Key West, The Falmouth Road Race, DNRT Trail Run in Dartmouth, Frosty Runner 10.5 Mile Road Race in Rochester, Boston Marathon, Bank of America Chicago Marathon, TCS New York City Marathon, BMW Berlin Marathon, and the Colt State Park Half Marathon in Bristol, Rhode Island. They are also planning to participate in the Tokyo Marathon in 2027 for team MS-UK.

            Regarding the issues raised by MS, Pease shared, “The biggest effect I notice personally is that my legs go numb when I overheat, specifically after running. I will be fine for my entire run, but the second I stop running the heat takes over, my legs go numb, and I am unable to stand on my own. Luckily, Kristen is the best running partner of all time and will catch me at the end of our runs and hold on to my arm until my legs regain feeling a minute or so later.”

            “Being a mother with MS means facing every day with as much positivity as possible,” Pease said. “When it comes to being a mom, I haven’t given up anything. I will fight through fatigue to be present for my children and try not to show any effects of my disability, so they aren’t worried about me.”

            Now Pease and Wingate are bringing their enthusiasm to a race in Mattapoisett on December 6 at 9:00 am, called “The Santa Stampede.”

            We asked Pease how that came about. “Honestly, my eight-year-old daughter was the driving force in this race coming together. She saw the positive impact the Mother’s Day 5K has had on local postpartum moms and she wanted to do something good for people living with MS.”

            Jen said, “Multiple Sclerosis is not a one-size-fits-all disease. Every day feels different, and it’s a learning curve to realize when your body just feels a little off, and when you are experiencing a flare that may need medical attention. I never want people to be scared to ask me questions about it. I’m really open and willing to educate people about what I have learned so far on this journey. Living with an invisible chronic disease can be frustrating at times and can feel lonely in dealing with these symptoms, so it’s nice to know there are people who care and who support me even when they can’t outright see I am struggling.”

            We asked Jen what she would say to someone newly diagnosed. “My biggest piece of advice would be to stay positive. Multiple Sclerosis treatment has come such a long way over the past few decades that it is no longer a grim diagnosis leading to life in a wheelchair. Trust your body, speak up for yourself when something feels wrong, find the right treatment plan and team for you, and continue to live your life. I opted for a daily medication as my treatment, but there are so many options people can select that fit their life. My diagnosis inspired me to never stop moving and to use the MS community as a platform to have a positive impact in this world.”

            The Santa Stampede will be held on Saturday, December 6 at 9:00 am. For more information, you can visit runsignup.com.

By Marilou Newell

            The 2025 Veterans Day event held annually in Mattapoisett featured a special guest speaker. Connie Eshbach is well-known for her commanding knowledge of local history, more specifically the history of the tri-towns once collectively known as Rochester.

            In recognition of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, Eshbach briefly explored the
Tri-Town’s impact on events leading up to that war.

            Eshbach began, “I’m going to talk about Rochester and by that, I mean old Rochester that included Marion and Mattapoisett.” She said Rochester played a significant role in the history of the three towns and the Revolution.

            Esbach said a statement made by the principal orator in 1879 at the 100th anniversary celebration of Rochester noted that the region had sent more men to fight in the Revolutionary War than any other community of its size. It wasn’t a partisan statement she noted and pointed to history for clues.

            In 1768, the Boston Committee was working against Great Britian and for independence. Esbach stated The committee called for a Convention at Faneuil (at the time it was not called Faneuil Hall but simply Faneuil) to pass resolutions against the taxes being imposed by the King of England. They wanted area towns to send delegates. She said as a whole Plymouth county was apathetic to all messages being sent out by the committee. James Warren told Samuel Adams (and Eshbach quoted), “Plymouth county towns could not be raised except by a power that would wake the dead.”

            “Rochester was the exception,” Eshbach reported.  In April 1774 a large group of Rochester men marched through Wareham picking up others along the way as they headed towards the Barnstable County Courthouse in an effort to prevent the court from going into session and to force the judges to sign pro-patriot pledges.

            On April 19,1775, the Battle of Lexington took place. Rumors reached Rochester. Many believed them to be unbelievable. Thus 12-year-old Abraham Holmes was dispatched to Middleboro to gather information. Eshbach noted that he did so on foot. He brought back the confirmation that the war had begun.

            Three Rochester militia companies headed to Roxbury at the behest of Lexington. Eshbach concluded, “Put all this together and you can see why so many Rochester men would have enlisted.”

            Eshbach, whose historical research brings vividly to life soldiers whose graves dot the landscape in the Tri-Town, told the assembled that one solider stands out, one Nathan Haskell.

            Haskell enlisted in the Continental Army and rose to the rank of major. He stayed with the Army as the fighting moved to other areas such as New York and New Jersey. He would become an aid to General Washington. Eshbach said, “If you go to the Capitol in Washington there is a large painting of the surrender of British General Burgoyne on the dome.”

            Eshbach’s parting comment was to thank all veterans then and now.

Mattapoisett Veterans Day

By Marilou Newell

            The Marion Select Board passed on a chance to procure solar panels right now for the newly constructed Department of Public Works building but gave the green to a new tradition – a holiday buoy tree to raise money for a local food pantry.

            These were two items discussed at length at the November 4 Select Board meeting at the police station conference room.

            Members of the Energy Management Committee told the Select Board that if the town were to place solar panels on a portion of the roof, it would power the entire DPW’s electricity costs and could generate revenue for other town electric costs. They said if they were to do it before a June deadline, the town would be eligible for a 30-percent federal tax credit, decreasing the upfront costs from $90,000 to $67,000.

            EMC member Jennifer Francis said the federal tax credit is expected to end in June. She said even without the tax credit, it would only take the town a little over six years to pay off the initial costs. Without the credit, it would take around five years, Francis said.

            Select Board Chair Randy Parker said that it is not a possibility to pay for that in the middle of the budget cycle and without Town Meeting approval.

            Though Parker said he is not against the idea, he said there were risks involved, including maintenance such as snow removal.

            EMC members and other officials said that there is little to no maintenance and snow removal is not necessary. Citing her own home, she said that the panels produce energy with snow on them and there is no leakage or other issues on many of the arrays on residential homes.

            Select Board members John Hoagland and Norman Hills spoke in favor of it, saying it would help the town financially.

            “We all know the cost of electricity is going up and it is not going to change. We know the sun is going to be there and it’s not going to change,” Hoagland said, adding it would be a legacy for town officials to approve this project, saving money for future generations.

            Hoagland agreed with Parker that paying for the upfront costs in the middle of a budget season is not a possibility. Town Administrator Geoffrey Gorman also agreed that the timing was not right.

            The Select Board recommended that the EMC go before the Capital Improvement Planning Committee and get it approved to be on the May Town Meeting warrant.

            Francis also told the Select Board that the town has made over $1.1 million through its ownership in wind turbines. She asked the town to start a revolving fund and use that money to improve energy efficiency in town buildings, as well as other energy saving initiatives.

            Parker said because that request was not on the agenda the board could not entertain any vote on it.

            Francis said she and the EMC will report to the next Select Board meeting on November 18 for that request.

            Tabor Academy students Morgan Karvonen, Taylor Karvonen, and Deming Dwyer received approval for a new tradition – a wooden tree with 300 buoy ornaments on them. The three high school juniors said they have started a non-profit and have raised $5,000, which will go to a food pantry in Wareham.

            The tree, which will be lit, will be near the town Music Hall and to the left of its civil war monument.

            Taylor Karvonen told the Select Board that the location is in the center of town and is close to an electric supply outlet.

            Chris Karvonen, the father of Morgan and Taylor, said it will be approximately 10 feet high with a five-foot base. He said it will be built so it can be easily taken apart and put up. Morgan and Taylor Karvonen, as well as Dwyer, said they have been selling pre-painted buoys and plain ones so townsfolk can decorate the tree. The non-profit group has sold $400 worth of painted ornament buoys and $275 in plain ones. The group has also relied on local businesses for support and hope to have the tree up by Thanksgiving.

            The Select Board approved the project.

            The Select Board also met with the Board of Assessors and agreed to keep the town at a single tax rate because 94 percent of tax revenue is residential.

            Assessors said that the Department of Revenue has approved that rate.

            The Select Board members also met at length with members of the Old Rochester Cable Television representatives.

            ORCTV representatives said that with cable revenue cut in half in recent years, ORCTV has had to work with fewer staff and work harder to maintain community programming, which include government meetings for Marion, Mattapoisett, and Rochester, as well as school-based programming. So far, there is no plan to cut programming, but ORCTV representatives said they are hoping a legislative bill on the table will help generate revenue for local access cable across the state.

            In other news, Gorman reported that the new DPW building is almost complete and will be move-in ready by the end of the month.

            The next meeting of the Marion Select Board will be Tuesday, November 18 at 6:00 pm in the Marion Police Department.

Marion Select Board

By Jeffrey D. Wagner