Marion Natural History Museum April Vacation Week

on

The Marion Natural History Museum will be open Wednesday from 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm during April vacation. On Wednesday, April 17,come to the museum for play, puzzles, coloring, and visiting our exhibits. We have loads of legos for creative play and lots of floor room to play on. Additionally, the museum has a newly donated dollhouse available for gentle play time and many of displays to explore. The Museum’s new Virtual Reality set will be available (by appointment only please) from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm. To schedule a time, please contact the museum director at info@marionmuseum.org. Come in and check out our new VR programs! Won’t you join us for a free, fun, and creative time at the Museum!

TerraCorps Selects SLT as Service Project Recipient

on

TerraCorps, an AmeriCorps national service organization focused on connecting communities to the land, selected Sippican Lands Trust (SLT) as its Service Project recipient this spring. They do this by supporting up to 36 service members annually who spend 11-months serving local nonprofits focused on land access and conservation. Throughout the year, the TerraCorps team comes together to complete large-scale service projects that benefit different communities in Massachusetts like Marion.

            TerraCorps plans to bring 30-35 AmeriCorps members on Friday, April 12 to tackle several land stewardship projects at some of Sippican Lands Trust’s properties in Marion. TerraCorps members will spend most of the day pruning trails, clearing brush, and helping with office tasks.

            Mathew MacDonald, Community Engagement Coordinator for TerraCorps, said that “he hopes the efforts of TerraCorps will bring joy to folks in Marion, as they celebrate the season ahead in the woods and marshes that they call home. As always and as a TerraCorps member, it’s great to be part of a team and to help an organization that cares deeply about protecting and improving land for others.”

            Sippican Lands Trust’s Executive Director, Jim Bride, praised TerraCorps for their dedication and service to land conservation work around the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Bride stated that “he is grateful for this extraordinary act of service from TerraCorps members to help advance land stewardship work at some of Sippican Lands Trust’s properties in Marion.”

Recreational Marijuana

on

To the Editor:

            As I turn back the pages of my diary to early January 2019 – when Article “26” Recreational Marijuana Establishment By-Law became official. – Great News – Beware – Beware there is news of a By-Law change. Slow Down. A close watch needs to take place. We need to know who, what, when, where, and why!!! 

            Mattapoisett is home to many good people. Mattapoisett is a very special place. She needs to be protected at all costs.

            Respectfully,

George Randall, Mattapoisett

Meet the New Police Chief

on

            Robert Small, Rochester’s newly appointed Police Chief, will be the speaker at the April 17Speakers Night at the Rochester Historical Society at 7:00 pm at the museum located at 355 County Road. Chief Small has been on the police force for thirty years and will be speaking on the changes during that time period and about the future of the department. Any and all are welcome. There is no charge. Come early and browse through the museum. Refreshments will follow.

Build That Boat

on

            The second annual Boat Building Seminar took place under clear skies on Saturday, April 4, a perfect spring day in the lot next to the Rochester Fire Department. Art Benner, chairman of the Boat Race Committee, greeted each visitor and got them started with registration, a map of the Mattapoisett River course, race rules, and boat-building tips.

            “The race was founded in 1934 by Jim Hartley,” Benner recounted. “I got involved with the boat-building when I was a kid in 4H. … There is no charge to enter the race, so the raffles really help. Even road races have registration fees … but we’ve been doing it this way all along.”

            Many visitors were quietly purchasing $5 raffle tickets – sometimes one ticket, sometimes 20. The sunlit array of boats, paddles, great info, and the nearby RMS playground drew people to visit the Rochester Fire Station to learn more.

            The race is legendary in the Tri-Town, and a point of pride for Rochester, with close ties to the Rochester Fire & Rescue Department. Among the boats on display was a well-worn craft from 1978, which was much wider and more flexible than the ones built in more recent years. Paddles have also changed and carbon fiber paddles are now favored for being extremely strong and lightweight. Two different types of these paddles were on display to be raffled.

            “These paddles are the best. I made these and I make several different kinds which are similar,” said Rochester Firefighter Bill Watling, III, as he held his son David while his daughter, Katelyn, hugged his leg.

            Long-time participants like Gary Stopka of Rochester spent years paddling with their kids, and then handed the paddles off when their teens were eager to pair off and set their own records.

            “Yes, they’ll be back this year to defend their record,” said Stopka of his daughter Caitlin who is from Rochester, and her race partner, Emma Knox of Mattapoisett. Both are college freshmen and living in different states.

            There is always a great party at the finish with food and beverage concessions provided by the RFD. Proceeds benefit Rochester Fire & Rescue.

            Important dates for this year’s race include the following: Registration dates are Friday, May 10, and Friday, May 17, 6:30 pm at the Rochester Senior Center. Starting position drawing is Friday, May 17, 8:00 pm at the Rochester Senior Center. Ham and Bean Supper is Saturday, May 25, 5:00 pm at the Rochester Senior Center. Race date is Memorial Day, Monday, May 27, 8:30 am. The Awards Ceremony is Monday, May 27, 7:30 pm at Rochester Memorial School.

Submitted by Erin Bednarczyk

Sweet Meeting for Planning Board

on

Rochester Planning Board member Mike Murphy stepped up his game on April 9, clearly exceeding the expectations of the board with a sugar-shocking supply of candy straight out of a grown boy’s dreams.

            Murphy, the apparent candy man to the board, is depended upon every meeting to deliver an assortment of the favorite candies enjoyed by members predominantly seated on the west end of the conference room table. This week, Murphy slid two plastic tubs of various colored and mixed candies across the conference table like it was a Candy Land game board and Murphy was challenging them to a game.

            Meanwhile, representatives for the Site Plan Review and Groundwater Protection District Special Permit request for Attorney Patricia McArdle on behalf of Sofia Darras presented the board with two plan change proposals. The first was the elimination of a swale left of the lot at 565 Rounseville Road, Plumb Corner, with that being replaced with two catch basins. The second was the removal of a section of pipe at the stormwater discharge into the wetlands and the introduction of some riprap and concrete there to improve the conditions.

            The representatives said that their client would next prepare a draft Approval Not Required as a result of the plan changes and subsequently complete a land conveyance to swap equal amounts of land between the abutting properties affected by the project, including the proposed 22-duplex age-restricted residential development slated for next door.

            Easements will also be granted for septic and infiltration and construction.

            The hearing was continued, however, because McArdle wanted further time to communicate with Darras over the latest plan proposal.

            In other matters, the board granted an Approval Not Required request for Muriel and Joseph Dvorski, 349 High Street. The board members to the west of the table didn’t comment much as they chewed and then rolled their tongues around and between their teeth and gums, hands clasped as if quietly waiting for an appropriate amount of time to pass before reaching for another candy.

            Planning Board member to the east, John DeMaggio, gave in to the urge to get up and reach long for a flawless candy grab 48 minutes into the meeting. After, as he looked west, his face expressed an obvious regret over not having grabbed a bigger handful.

            The next Planning Board meeting will feature the public hearing for the Smart Growth Overlay District Zoning Bylaw slated for the Annual Town Meeting Warrant. Johnson said he hopes for a good turnout of residents who still have questions “in order to make a proper and good decisions on the night of Town Meeting.”

            The next meeting of the Rochester Planning Board is scheduled for April 23 at 7:00 pm at the Rochester Senior Center.

Rochester Planning Board

By Jean Perry

Mattapoisett Congregational Church Hosts Lenten Study

on

Mattapoisett Congregational Church, UCC, wraps up its Monday evening study series with a showing of the original 1973 film, Jesus Christ, Superstar, at 6:30 pm on April 15.

            Not only is the music terrific, the film is an excellent cinematic interpretation of scripture, showing the emotional and theological nuances of the final earthly days of Jesus.

            Casual dinner is provided. For planning purposes only, please call the church office at 508-758-2671. The film is part of the church’s Lenten Series, “Sacrament, Social Justice, Scripture, & the Silver Screen.” All events are held in the church’s basement media room at 6:30 pm. Please park in the church’s Barstow Street lot and enter through the Barstow St. door.

Science@Work Lecture on Underwater Forensics

on

The last speaker in the Science@Work series at Tabor Academy this year is Rhonda Moniz, an underwater forensics specialist, filmmaker, journalist, and ROV pilot/supervisor.

            Moniz is also a diving safety officer, and specializes in the use of marine technology in underwater search and recovery, and aquatic crime scene investigation. She has also worked over the past twenty years, as a lead science diver and diving instructor. Moniz is the founder and Director of Operations for Underwater Investigative Group, a company specializing in underwater forensics, and marine technology. She has been involved in a number of expeditions around the globe including several as the first female ROV pilot for Dr. Robert Ballard, who found the Titanic and discovered the presence of hydrothermal vents. During those expeditions, they discovered countless ancient shipwrecks, some that predated the time of Christ, at depths exceeding 10,000 feet. 

            Moniz is Chairman of the Board for the New England chapter of the Marine Technology Society as well as President of the Marine Oceanographic Technology Network. She is a published author and has acted as a subject matter expert for a number of television productions including a new series on Oxygen Channel. Her work as a dive leader, explorer, filmmaker, and journalist has taken her around the world.

            Participate in an engaging evening as Rhonda Moniz shares information and photos from her underwater explorations. Her lecture is free and open to the public on April 15at 6:30 pm at Tabor Academy in the Lyndon South Auditorium at 242 Front Street, Marion.

Broadway Tunes Concert

on

Tap your feet to lively songs from a variety of Broadway Musicals. The Occasion Singers, under the direction of Cassandra Morgan, bring their unique talents and harmonies to concert goers during this special concert. 

            Songs from favorite Broadway musicals such as Gypsy, Phantom of the Opera, Wicked, Cabaret, Wizard of Oz, Sound of Music, The Wiz, Anything Goes, West Side Story, and so many more will fill the afternoon with music, laughter and song!

            The concert will be held on Sunday, May 5at 2:00 pm at The First Congregational Church of Marion Community Center, 144 Front Street (rear of parking lot). Profits from the concert go to support the programs and missions of The First Congregational Church of Marion. 

            With cabaret seating, concert goers may bring their own appetizers, picnic lunch, and beverages. “Adult” beverages are allowed, if drinking responsibly. Light snacks are also included in the ticket price of $25.00 per person. 

            Advance tickets may be purchased by credit card through the church website at: marionfirstchurch.org and clicking on the Broadway Tunes Concert link. If you have questions or need any more information, call the church office at 508-748-1053 (Tuesday from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm and Wednesday – Friday from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm). 

            Purchase your tickets early because this will be the concert of the spring season! If not sold out, tickets will be available at the door by credit card, check, or cash. 

            Come to the Broadway Tunes Concert on Sunday, May 5 at 2:00 pm on the second floor of The First Congregational Church Community Center, 144 Front Street, Marion. No wheelchair access. This building is located at the rear of the Marion General Store parking lot. See you there.

Academic Achievements

on

Hannah Guard of Marion, Massachusetts, was recently initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society. Guard is pursuing degrees in Biochemistry and Psychology at University of Massachusetts.

            Lillian McIntire of Mattapoisett, Elise Parker of Mattapoisett, and Emily Josephson, Rochester were named to the 2018 fall semester dean’s list at Simmons Universityin Boston. To qualify for dean’s list status, undergraduate students must obtain a grade point average of 3.5 or higher, based on 12 or more credit hours of work in classes using the letter grade system.