Douglas Homer Watson

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Douglas Homer Watson died at his home in Marion on October 28, 2025 after living valiantly with Parkinson’s disease for 16 years. His beloved wife, JoAnn was by his side.

            Doug was born in 1949 in Bryn Mawr, PA. to Anne Sweetser Watson and L. Hoyt Watson. He attended The Booth School, in Rosemont, PA and Friends Academy in North Dartmouth, MA. In 1967 he graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, NH and then attended Trinity College in Hartford, CT. To avoid being drafted during the Vietnam War he left college and enlisted in the US Coast Guard Reserves and served for 6 years.

            In the summer of 1969, Doug moved to Freeport, Maine where he helped build Collins Brook School, the Summerhill school founded by his brother, Jacob, and wife, Sharon. As the school grew, he continued to be involved in the construction of new buildings. He also worked for Cookies, a construction company founded by Rick Leslie, a friend and architect of the school buildings.

            In late summer 1973, having just completed his time with the Coast Guard, he threw away the wig under which he had hidden his long hippie hair, and headed across the country in a VW bug to join his sister Lea and friends on a commune in Boulder Creek, CA.

            During six years on the commune, Doug became an excellent guitar player, became interested in the emerging field of solar heating, and got his contractor’s license. For several years he worked in Santa Cruz building Bill Lee’s line of ultra light race boats. Then for a year he attended The International Boatbuilding Training College (IBTC) in Lowestoft, England, a renowned training center for traditional boatbuilding and joinery. This is where he found his calling for wood craftsmanship and made the decision to move back to Marion, the place where he felt his heart truly belonged.

            In 1991 Doug met JoAnn Jackson, a native of Marion. Three weeks later they decided to get married. In 1992 they were married on Ram Island. For 33 years he was JoAnn’s devoted husband, companion and protector, and held her in the highest regard. Both being excellent and avid sailors they spent summers cruising the New England coast on the family Block Island 40, Swamp Yankee, with her distinctive white spars and red hull. Doug and JoAnn were avid birders and travelled to Guatemala, Panama, Costa Rica. Honduras, Belize, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Ecuador, Peru, Bahamas, Argentina, Trinidad and Tobago, Bermuda, Antarctica, Galápagos, Spain, France, Iceland, and Ireland on birding expeditions, even in later years as Doug lived with the challenges of late stage Parkinson’s disease.

            From 1995-2013 Doug worked for Ballantine’s Boat Shop in Cataumet, MA as a ship wright and rigger. Doug was a skilled craftsman and fixer of anything that needed to be fixed on land or sea. His craftsmanship can be seen in two hand-restored houses where he and JoAnn lived on Pitcher Street and Oakdale Ave. in Marion, on the Altar in St. Gabriel’s Chapel, in many boats that sail Buzzard’s Bay and in the Herreshoff Museum in Bristol, RI.

            Doug loved Marion, where he spent every summer of his childhood. Marion was his favorite place in the world. For many years he crewed for his cousin, Bill Saltonstall in 110s, Shields, J22s, and the J30, Arbella. Bill says of Doug: “Whether cranking a winch or undoing a snarl of almost any kind, Doug was the go to person on our boat, and he took pleasure in solving each challenge”.

            Doug was a family man, beloved uncle to his nieces and nephews. He taught many of them how to ride bikes, drive cars and sail and drive boats. He was gentle, generous and determined, never giving up on anybody or anything.

            Doug is survived by his wife, JoAnn of Marion and Sarasota, Florida; his brother, Jacob Watson of Portland, Maine; his sister, Lea Watson, of Felton, CA; his sister Molly and her husband Rick Hawley of Ripton, Vermont. He was a loving brother and with JoAnn faithfully attended weekly sibling conference and video calls for over 15 years. He was also a loving companion to their dogs Molson, Jack and Reid with whom he had a mutual agreement to take care of each other. Doug is predeceased by his sister-in-law Kristine Watson, and his parents Anne and Hoyt Watson.

            Friends, colleagues and family dearly miss him.

            A celebration of Doug’s life will be held on Saturday, June 13, 2026, Doug and JoAnn’s 34th Wedding anniversary, at 10:30 am on Nye’s Wharf in Marion.

            Donations in Doug’s memory may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation and the Community Boating Center in New Bedford.

SMEC Clarifies Finances

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            The Marion School Committee met on Thursday, October 30 for a brief meeting. Chair April Nye began the meeting by greeting, via Zoom, Superintendent of Schools Mike Nelson and Assistant to the Superintendent and the School Committee Melissa Wilcox.

            Superintendent Nelson invited Catherine Cooper, executive director of the Southeastern Massachusetts Educational Collaborative (SMEC), to speak regarding her proposed amendment to the SMEC Capital Reserve Account. The amendment would primarily be that of a language change, with Cooper saying, “The purpose of this amendment – is pretty much just clarification language, making it more clear.” Another change would be to increase the maximum potential balance in the account. She asserted this was not a request for more funds, but a grammatical clarification and increase of the stated maximum dollar amount. The current maximum is $500,000 with the increase pushing it to $2,000,000.

            “We do not have anywhere near that amount of money,” she added. SMEC is looking for state funding and would need the increased maximum to have a place to put the money, if awarded. The account was established in 2015 and was previously amended in 2019, with this being the second amendment.

            The committee unanimously approved the proposition, though SMEC still needs approval from other school committees it serves.

            Next, Doctor Leslie J. Sattler, associate professor at the School of Social Work at Bridgewater State University, presented her plan to conduct research examining the effectiveness of comfort dogs, namely being the Plymouth County Comfort Dogs Program dog Norman with his handler Marion Police Officer Jonathan Tracy. The superintendent spoke of his and the administration’s support for the program, though he said Sattler wasn’t available at the time of the meeting. Regardless, the research proposition was approved unanimously by the committee.

            Next, the committee approved various donations: $1,000 from the Ludes Family Foundation for Project Grow, from eight to 10 “Thankful Boxes” from the First Congressional Church of Rochester with food items for families during Thanksgiving, two to three Thanksgiving dinners for Sippican families from Girl Scout Troop 67041 of Marion, 18-20 holiday wish-list gifts for Sippican families from the Friends of Jack Foundation, and four books in memory of Leslye Ribeiro from Sue Bender and other retired teachers. All donations were accepted with a unanimous vote of approval and much thanks.

            The next meeting of the Marion School Committee is scheduled for Thursday, December 11, at Sippican Elementary School. The next Joint School Committee meeting will be held on Thursday, January 29, in the ORR Junior High School Media Room.

Marion School Committee

By Sam Bishop

The MAC Holiday Show

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The MAC Theater is once again featuring a holiday play by popular playwright Tom Dudzick and directed by returning director Jennifer Palmer.

            Andy has a sweet Catholic mother, a sour Catholic father and an intellectually disabled younger sibling named Mickey. When he brings his Jewish atheist fiancé to meet the folks on Christmas Eve, his worst fears about family blow-ups are realized. But when Mickey, whose entire vocabulary has been limited to “oh boy” and “wow,” suddenly spouts the word “Greetings.” the entire family’s belief system is turned upside down. For it seems an ancient, wise and witty spirit who is set upon healing the family’s wounds has borrowed Mickey’s body.

            The show’s cast includes Arturo Ferreiro, Bethany Lamoureux, Michele Letourneau, Tristan McCann and Frank Mitchell. The Stage Manager is Marisa Biever, Steve McManus is the Technical Director and the set construction is ably handled by Ron Biever.

            The show opens on December 5 and runs on December 6, 12, and 13 at 7:30 pm and on December 14 as a Sunday matinee.

            More information and tickets are available at marionartcenter.org/events/greetings.

Henry David Oberlander

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Henry David Oberlander of Norwood, MA passed away on November 5, 2025 at the age of 29 from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Beloved son of David and Beth Bruno Oberlander of Mansfield, MA, Henry is also survived by his brother Cal Oberlander of Queens, NY, his grandparents Ann Bruno of Mattapoisett, MA and Robert and Anita Oberlander of Rehoboth, MA, as well as many aunts, uncles, and cousins who adored him. He is preceded in death by his grandfather, William “Nonno” Bruno, with whom he shared a special bond. Some in the family suggested that Henry was a Nonno-in-training, largely due to his love of family gatherings, his big hugs, and his effortless smiles.

            Born on August 8, 1996, Henry grew up in Mansfield and was an active and adventurous kid. He became obsessed with skateboarding, perfecting a number of tricks. This passion morphed into a love of snowboarding on Friday evenings with friends at Wachusett Mountain.

            Henry was a member of Xaverian Brothers High School Class of 2015. After making the varsity wrestling team as a freshman but only recording one varsity win, Henry dedicated himself to improving his skills in the off season. He returned sophomore year and recorded forty wins. Henry went on to be named a captain, earn accolades including Division 1 South Sectional Champion, and place at State, All-State, and New England tournaments. At Xaverian, Henry also mentored underclassmen as a Spirit Hawk Leader. Perhaps his most significant mentoring was for his brother Cal, both socially and academically.

            Henry attended Bridgewater State University and graduated in 2020 with a Bachelor’s degree in psychology. While there, Henry captained the wrestling team and was a two-time NCAA Division III Academic All-American Scholar. After college, Henry became an avid practitioner of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and represented Connors Martial Arts Academy in Norwood. His physical strength was impressive to his teammates at Connors who also valued his work ethic, humor, and warmth. In past years, Henry was a volunteer coach for the Mansfield High School wrestling team and was excited to return this winter to Xaverian to coach as well.

            For five years, Henry worked as a laborer in Boston Local 560. This year, he attained a septic inspector license and pursued coursework to enable him to take on a role in his father’s engineering business. Henry had visions of growing the family company.

            Henry loved spending time with family and lifelong friends at the beach in Mattapoisett. He loved cooking, baking, and digging into meals that others had prepared; hot wings, charcuterie boards, pho, and steak tips were favorites, but he was adventurous and tried anything. Often, Henry was the one to pick the most exotic item on the menu.

            Henry was gifted with physical strength, but his soul was kind, gentle, and generous. He took his role as eldest Bruno cousin to heart. According to a young Henry, his brother’s and each successive cousin’s first word was “Henry.” Henry will be sorely missed and never forgotten; this Nonno-in training is leaving a formidable hole in the hearts of his loved ones.

            Relatives and friends are invited to attend visiting hours on Friday, November 14, 2025 from 3-7 pm at the Sherman & Jackson Funeral Home, 55 North Main Street, Mansfield. His funeral mass will be celebrated on Saturday, November 15, 2025 at 11 am in Saint Mary’s Church, 330 Pratt Street (Route 106) Mansfield. Burial will be private and at a later time.

            In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Xaverian Brothers High School in memory of Henry D. Oberlander. www.xbhs.com/gifts-in-memory

From Mattapoisett to Marbella

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Mattapoisett’s very own Julie Gallagher is in Marbella, Spain to compete in this year’s annual Ironman Pro Series 70.3 World Championship. Gallagher qualified for this strenuous, multi-faceted race last year and has been training since.

            She and her two daughters, Addie and Ansley, left our neck of the woods and headed to Spain on Monday night. The race itself is on Saturday, November 8, so here’s hoping there’s time for sightseeing as well as some last-minute preparations. For Marbella, the average temperature is around 64 degrees at the mouth of the Mediterranean. The family deservedly gets a warm reprieve from our cold, wet week.

            The race starts at 7:50 am CET, so 2:50 am our time! It starts with a 1.2-mile/1.9-kilometer swim around the town’s beach, Puerto Banús. Next, Gallagher will embark on the 56-mile/90.1-kilometer bike section heading north out of town towards the Andalusian highlands, or the Cordilleras Béticas. Elevation here is from sea level to about 1,750 feet. Circling back down to Marbella, for the last leg, the racers make two laps around town in a 13.1-mile/21.1-kilometer circuit, finally passing the finish line back at the beach after traveling 70.3 miles/113.1 kilometers through their own bodies’ strength and determination.

            “I’m definitely excited,” Julie told The Wanderer. We caught her a few hours before she and her daughters departed! In being asked if she was nervous, she brushed it off and replied “It’s going to be fun! I can’t wait.”

            Gallagher’s swim coach, Bodil Perkins, remarked that “her swimming and her dedication just amazes me!” Perkins coached Gallagher three times a week for the swimming section in the lead up to the race in Spain. She concluded, “She is an incredible inspiration and an amazing athlete.”

            On top of this race, Gallagher also recently qualified for the 2026 Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Nice, France. Another well-deserved Mediterranean getaway!

            Best of luck to Julie from The Wanderer and your friends in the Tri-Town. We’re rooting for you! ¡Pásalo bien!

Finally, Some Good News

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            This week in Revolutionary War history, let’s check up on what was going on 250 years ago in and around the colonial Province of Massachusetts Bay. Never uneventful, last week, delegates from the Continental Congress met George Washington at his headquarters in Cambridge with discussions mostly centered on the General’s plans to make it through the winter. Washington also received information from his troops regarding their desire to continue service into the next year in order to make further conscription preparations. Cambridge also received updates from Benedict Arnold and Philip Schuyler on their offensive campaign into Quebec, which is showing its first signs of disaster.

            On October 29, 1775, Washington receives a note from his cousin and the manager of his estate/plantation, Mount Vernon, Lund Washington. Lund is about five years younger than George and has served as steward of the tract of land on the Potomac since the war’s onset. He initially writes of some unfurling behavior by the General’s wife, Martha Washington. Lund says she often departs with him being unsure of her exact whereabouts. He adds, “she has often declared she would go to the camp (Cambridge) if you would admit her.”

            He gets into the real message he wants to convey. He seeks counsel. Lund is unsure how to ensure the safety of the property in the case of a British assault, looting, or capture. The property was about 8,000 acres just off the Potomac River in northern Virginia. He recommends fortifications, and a series of walls and batteries to stop the British from disembarking. It is difficult terrain to build on, but Lund is evidently fearful of the highly vulnerable position of the property. Washington’s reply was lost to time, but such fortifications were never erected.

            On October 30, John Hancock writes with urgency and stress. “I confess I have great anxieties upon the subject,” referring to the eminent possible retiring of up to half of Washington’s officers at the end of the year. He hopes increased pay, better contract terms, and “a regard to their country” will retain some servicemen. Though the threat of a severely diminished army is a serious one.

            That same day, Governor Jonathan Trumbull of Connecticut writes from Lebanon (the city), ironically also fearing the fragile defensive position near the sea, similar to Lund’s fears the day prior. Trumbull also suggests batteries, this time floating ones in the Long Island Sound. He fears New London is a prime target of the British. He is seeking recommendations from “skilled engineers.”

            Josiah Quincy of Braintree writes Washington on October 31 (they don’t celebrate Halloween quite yet – sorry) with a potential strategic opportunity to get a leg up in Boston. When the delegates from the Continental Congress have come north last week, Quincy met with some of his friends, including Benjamin Franklin, and discussed the cruel “vengeance of a tyrannical government.” He and his friends have devised a “scheme.” In great detail, he outlines a plan to block the sea routes and starve British-held Boston of its maritime connections, thus isolating the garrison and making it an easy recapture. In speaking with Franklin, John Adams, and others, Quincy explains many possible methods for blocking the city. Including the construction of forts near the two channels into the city, the sinking of ships in said channels, or even the creation of “machines” to lay chains or barriers. “I doubt not, your Excellency will readily agree with me, that these are become objects of much greater importance, since the destruction of Falmouth (Portland, ME) demonstrates, the malicious resolution of our barbarously civilized enemies, to destroy all the rest of our maritime towns, if they can.” He then invites Washington to have a view of the harbor with him, to better formulate plans.

            Washington sends a response a few days later. The army has no supplies, and such a plan isn’t near possible at the moment.

            On November 1, Washington’s General Orders again instruct officers to manage their finances. They are not to order coats if they do not have the essential shirts and shoes first. That same day, Washington received a letter from the recently displaced Bostonian merchant Gillam Tailer: “I beg leave to represent to you that I am a young person from Boston, where I have left my all. I have been brought up in the mercantile way but by reason of the unhappy situation of affairs am now out of employ, should esteem it a great favor if your Excellency would bestow some employ on me, that I may be of some little service to my Country, for which shall ever retain a grateful sense & am your Excellency’s most obedient humble servant.” Many share a similar set of circumstances, and Tailer would become an ensign in the 2nd Continental Infantry about a month later.

            Finally in a lucky victory against the supply shortage, on November 3, merchant John Brown of Providence informs Washington “a small quantity of powder” has just arrived from Suriname. Though little, it highlights a spark of hope and assistance from unlikely allies across the Commonwealth. On November 5, Washington also gets some more good news. This time, from Canada. Major General Philip Schuyler states Fort Chambly has been captured. The fort lies only a few miles east of Montreal. A great victory that Schuyler and Major General Richard Montgomery seek to capitalize on, pushing for Montreal and then Quebec City.

This Week in Revolutionary History
By Sam Bishop

Turning a New Leaf

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The leaves they do fall from the east to the west,

To rake all of them is surely a test.

From the north to the south then they do come,

Pushing my patience and leaving me numb.

Each day I do rake them, and the reason is why:

If I put down my rake, they’d be ten feet high.

There’s a sigh of relief when I think they’re all gone,

But then I see Mr. Oak with all his clothes on.

What say you, Mr. Oak, other leaves are all down,

Must I climb high in your branches and rake them all down?

What is your answer, slow Mr. Oak,

Is my presence before you only a joke?

You stand there so tall, strong and so steady.

Do you laugh at me saying, “I’ll shed when I’m ready.”

But then through the wind I heard his reply,

“Don’t be angry with me and here is the reason why.”

God has ordained this way it should be.

I just follow His instruction like any good tree.”

So, I’ll sit on my lawn chair and patiently wait

And question no more why Mr. Oak is so late.

By George Smith, Rochester

The views expressed in the “Letters to the Editor” column are not necessarily those of The Wanderer, its staff or advertisers. The Wanderer will gladly accept any and all correspondence relating to timely and pertinent issues in the great Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester area, provided they include the author’s name, address and phone number for verification. We cannot publish anonymous, unsigned or unconfirmed submissions. The Wanderer reserves the right to edit, condense and otherwise alter submissions for purposes of clarity and/or spacing considerations. The Wanderer may choose to not run letters that thank businesses, and The Wanderer has the right to edit letters to omit business names. The Wanderer also reserves the right to deny publication of any submitted correspondence. All letters must be typed and submitted directly to: news@wanderer.com.

Mattapoisett Library Children’s Department

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The Children’s Department has some dinosaurs on the loose. All month long, we will be running a Dino-vember Scavenger Hunt. See if you can find all 12 dinosaurs and win a small prize. We will also be having a Dino-vember Storytime on Saturday, November 15, at 10:30 am. Wear your best dino clothes and costumes and enjoy some dinosaur stories, songs, and a craft.

            Speaking of Storytime, our set of Fall Family Storytimes and Fall Baby Storytimes, on Thursdays and Fridays at 10:30 am, will be wrapping up on November 21, but stay tuned for some special Winter Storytimes soon.

            Every Saturday afternoon in November, we will be hosting our Creative Storytelling Workshop from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Then join our creative storytelling workshop to learn. We will learn about different parts of a story and all the tips and tricks to unleash your creativity. Registration is encouraged but not required. Recommended for ages 8-12, all kinds of writing styles welcome.

            On Saturday, November 8, from 10:30 am to Noon, we have a Cider & Cozy Crafts Day outside on the library lawn (if it’s raining, we will be inside.). Enjoy some warm cider, origami, paper crafts, rock/shell painting, and more. No registration necessary, just come on down and enjoy.

            Graphic Novel Book Club continues this month with Meanwhile by Jason Shiga, which is a choose-your-own-adventure book. The book club will be meeting on Friday, November 14, at 3:30 pm – registration is required, and we have extra copies of the book available to check out.

            On Thursday, November 20, from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm, we will be running a Beaded Corn Craft. Get in the Thanksgiving spirit with a fun fall craft. No registration required, recommended for ages 4 and up due to the size of the beads.

            Lastly, this one’s for the parents and teachers – on Saturday, November 22 at 10:30 am, Dr. Marty Epstein will be running a workshop on the best ways to teach counting and math to young children by showing attendees the best teaching tools, methods, and children’s books. We are excited for this fantastic opportunity to run a program for adults this time around.

            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.

Hello from Plumb Library

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The Library will have some special guest visitors this month for both kids and adults and we hope you’ll join us.

            Up first, we are hosting two special Friday Family Storytimes. “Feelings are Friends” with Morgan Browning, grad student. 10:30 am to 11:30 am Friday, November 14, story and craft activity ; “Red Nose Reader” with Rickrack the Clown. 10:30 am to 11:30 am Friday November 21, kindness through literacy. These sessions are geared toward kids ages 4-8 years. Families must register online as space is limited. More information and registration are posted to our online Events Calendar at www.plumblibrary.com.

            Secondly, we’re pleased to welcome back travel author Matt Davis. He will be presenting his talk “Do Not Take Selfies with the Fluffy Cows. Visiting America’s National Parks” from 12:00 pm noon to 1:30 pm Saturday November 22. Matt will take questions after the program and will have books for sale and signing. This talk is for adults 18+ and registration is required, as space is limited. This program will be held in our Downstair Program Room, which is accessible via a lift. Please sign up on our Events Calendar at www.plumblibrary.com.

            Upcoming Meetings: Board of Library Trustees 6:30 pm Monday, November 10; Friends of the Library 6:00 pm Thursday, November 13.

            Ongoing Events: Knitting Group 6:00 pm every Monday; COA Bookclub 1:00 pm Tuesday November 18; Writers Group 6:30 pm Thursday, November 20; Books & Babble Book club 6:30 pm Monday, November 24.

            November Holiday Schedule: Closed all day Tuesday, November 11 for Veterans Day; Closing at 12:00 pm noon Wednesday, November 26 for carpet cleaning; Closed all day Thursday and Friday November 27-28 for Thanksgiving.

            More information and links for registration can be found on our Events Calendar on our website www.plumblibrary.com. Want to stay up-to-date on monthly Library happenings? Ask to be added to our Newsletter email list, or check out our Events Calendar, Facebook, and Instagram pages.

            Library hours: Monday/Thursday 1:00 pm to 8:00 pm; Tuesday/Wednesday 10:00 am to 6:00 pm; Friday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm; Saturday 10:00 am to 2:00 pm; closed Sundays and Holidays. Contact us: call 508-763-8600 or email at info@plumblibrary.com during regular hours.

Thoughts on… Medicine, Mansions and the Moon

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I am not a doctor, and I don’t play one on television. I don’t write a medical column either, I leave that to the good Dr. Hoffer whom you can find elsewhere in this journal. But I do know a lot of doctors. Between the missus and me, we’ve had nearly a dozen. Six of them are mine alone!

            In addition to our primary care doctor, I have a urologist, a gastroenterologist, an oncologist, an audiologist, and an ophthalmologist. I saw a cardiologist, but it turned out my heart works fine. I once visited a pulmonologist. My lungs were good, too. Then there are the anesthesiologists who made me forget the many surgeries I’ve had. I expect any day now I will have to see a rheumatologist for my arthritis.

            She has a gynecologist, has seen a dermatologist recently and a nephrologist. (That’s a kidney doctor. Everything was okay.) No doubt one day we’ll both have to see a gerontologist. I call them all our “gist club.” Those don’t include our dentists, hygienists, our optometrists, the many phlebotomists who draw gallons of blood over the course of a year, assorted physician assistants and nurse practitioners. Some people have suggested I ought to see a psychiatrist, but I ignore them.

            I probably should see a podiatrist… my feet hurt, and maybe an allergist because I am allergic to shellfish. Naw, I have enough doctors. If you are like me, the stress of just thinking about going to a doctor raises your blood pressure sky high.

            I’m thinking about taking some time off from doctors’ appointments. Maybe go on a long vacation. If you’d like to join me, I may have discovered the ideal place. Mars!

            A group in Mongolia (yes, that Mongolia) called MARS-V, is planning to offer a Mars Retreat for tourists in the Gobi Desert. They say that “nowhere else in the world mimics climate and geography” of Mars than the Gobi. The landscape is red and pretty desolate. The temperatures range from minus-40 degrees Fahrenheit to 113 degrees. Sounds pretty hospitable, doesn’t it.

            The whole package, including three months of training, physical dexterity and mental tests, costs a mere $6,000. (A lot less than the $28,000,000 it would cost to go to the real Mars). All this to stay three months in a “habitat” of tiny “pods” in a space suit. For your dining pleasure freeze dried, dehydrated Mongolian delicacies like dumplings and mutton stew will be served.

            It might be better to consider some place closer. There is a mansion available in Newport. It’s for sale for $28,000,000. Mmmm. (Odd that it is listed for the same price as a trip to Mars.) Maybe I could just rent it. It has 60 rooms, 29 bedrooms, 18 bathrooms, 11 stone fireplaces. The place is big enough that my doctors will never find me. And, it has a grand, gilded-age ballroom.

            I hear a grand, gilded ballroom is the “in thing” these days.

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

By Dick Morgado