The Nemasket Group

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The Nemasket Group is proud to announce its 40th Anniversary Celebration and Grand Reopening Ceremony, to be held on Tuesday, November 4 from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm at its main location: 107 Fairhaven Road, Mattapoisett.

            For four decades, The Nemasket Group has been a cornerstone of support and advocacy for individuals with disabilities and their families throughout the Greater New Bedford area and beyond. This milestone event will honor the organization’s rich history and unveil exciting new developments, including the renovated day services site and a brand-new community space designed to foster inclusion, engagement, and growth.

            Highlights of the event include:

            Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at 2:30 pm, guided tours of the newly renovated space, a special “History of The Nemasket Group” exhibit, and the official launch of our new 3-Year Strategic Plan, outlining a bold and inclusive vision for the future.

            Executive Director Jenny Duval shared her enthusiasm:

            “This celebration is not just about looking back—it’s about moving forward. We’re thrilled to unveil a space that reflects our values and our commitment to person-centered supports. Our new strategic plan will guide us in expanding opportunities, deepening community connections, and continuing to elevate the voices of those we serve.”

            The Nemasket Group invites community members, partners, families, and friends to join in this celebration of legacy, progress, and possibility.

Church Mouse Thrift Shop First Anniversary

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Rev. Jude Thaddeus Osunkwo, pastor of St. Isidore parish, is happy to announce this anniversary with a special thank-you to the many people who have so generously supported us this past year including our patrons and donors and our dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers who strive to make this budget friendly shopping experience a delight.

            You are invited to join us to celebrate during the month of November on Saturdays from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Be sure and stop by often to view our Thanksgiving and Christmas offerings. Gift Certificates will be available for your shopping needs. Cash only please.

Come and find your treasures in our year-round Christmas shop, clothing shop with many high-end men’s and women’s designer labels. Our children’s clothing section, books and toys, kitchen wares and pet section complete our offerings.

            Donations of your new and gently used fall and winter clothing are welcome during shop hours. We accept small household and kitchen items, books, games and children’s items.

            We do not accept electronics, broken items, torn or stained clothes or large furniture items.

            Follow us on Facebook. We accept Cash Only. Hours: Saturdays from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm year-round. Location: 282 Vaughan Hill Rd. Rochester, MA 02770

Teen Advisory Board Pizza Party at the Mattapoisett Library

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he Mattapoisett Library invites students in grades 9-12 to join us for a Teen Advisory Board Pizza Party on Tuesday, November 4, at 6:00 pm. This event promises delicious pizza and the opportunity to have a powerful impact on your community.

            Our Teen Advisory Board (TAB) plays a key role in shaping the library’s programs, services, and resources to meet the needs and interests of young adults. In short, TAB is where student voices shape what happens here – from events and book recommendations to summer reading and more. This pizza party is an excellent opportunity to join a vibrant group, share your ideas, and make a positive impact on your community. The meeting is more than just food and fun – it’s your chance to take part in exciting library projects and build lifelong friendships with others who share your love for learning and community service.

            Teen Advisory Board members can also earn: volunteer hours for their service, valuable work experience, and recommendation letters, if they serve an appropriate amount of time. Mark your calendars and bring your ideas. No registration is required. If you have any questions, contact Amanda Lawrence at alawrence@sailsinc.org or by calling the library.

Light Duty Night for Select Board

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            The Mattapoisett Select Board met on October 28 in regular session. However, with a light agenda before them, they sailed through the meeting.

            The board discussed the changes to the position of Animal Control Officer that will now come under the leadership of the Police Department. It was explained that changes at the state level precipitated a move to have animal control duties aligned with the Police Department. The board said that interviewing for a new 40-hour position may include the services of an outside agency.

            The board also discussed the upcoming Old Colony Regional Technical High School presentations that will showcase the schools plans for a new school built on the existing site and funded through local towns who are in partnership with the school and the Massachusetts School Building Authority. There will be a ballot question on this matter in Mattapoisett on November 18.

            “November 18 between the hours of 12:00 pm and 8:00 pm our Old Colony member communities will be asked to vote on the proposed construction of a new Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School.”

            There are several dates and locations for the presentations. They are November 2, 11:00 am at Old Colony, November 5 at 6:40 pm at the Machacam Club in Mattapoisett, and November 6 at 6:00 pm in the Carver Police Station. Visit www.oldcolonybuildingproject.com for more details.

            It was announced that Veterans Day observances will take place on November 11 at 10:45 am in Center School.

            The Mattapoisett Police annual Halloween costume contest will begin with a parade from Center School stepping off on October 31 at 6:00 pm to Shipyard Park with contest to follow at 6:45 pm.

            A public hearing was held with Eversource to discuss the need and plans for the installation of a new pole on Mattapoisett Neck Road to provide better service to the area. All were in agreement that the pole was needed.

            Action items included acceptance of the resignation of Tyler Hathaway from the Conservation Commission. The board also appointed Ella McIntire to the Conservation Commission. Patrica Cooper was appointed to the Cultural Council.

            Town Administrator Mike Lorenco said that an unclaimed money list is available on the town’s website. He said overpayments were likely the majority of the sums waiting to be claimed.

            Lorenco also announced that the Department of Transportation will hold a public meeting on December 24 on the 25-percent design of the TIP project for Mattapoisett village street upgrades and repair. A draft of the proposed design is available on the town’s website.

            Last but not least, water flushing will be performed between November 3 and November 21. Check the town’s website for details regarding your neighborhood.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Select Board is scheduled for Thursday, October 30 at 6:00 pm in the Mattapoisett Fire Station.

Mattapoisett Select Board

By Marilou Newell

Fall’s Orange Icon

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            When a colleague requested donations of pinecones and acorns to support his wife’s crafts, I got busy outside collecting pinecones. These sticky wonders are among my favorite ornaments made by nature. Still, fall would not be complete without – acorns, complete with their little beanies; kaleidoscopic Indian corn; smooth, shiny chestnuts so cool to the touch; and pungent haystacks… and the one that tops all for festive fall curiosities: the pumpkin.

            As I rode my bike around the village this past weekend, I noticed that they prevail. All of a sudden, they are everywhere, coloring the town orange, scattered like rogue soccer balls, or like some strange mutation invasion.

            I liken them to nature’s clowns – turned into playthings to be gawked at either for their size, shape or the art into which people turn them. I got mine the other day, feeling like a Halloween without a proper pumpkin is like an autumn without the crunch of leaves. As I left Rochester’s Cervelli’s stand (where every conceivable size and shape of pumpkin awaits), I watched as families were positioning their kiddies in front of a gigantic gory Halloween display replete with pumpkins. Ahh, fond memories flash through my mind of that excitement of the approach of Halloween.

            In keeping with tradition this week, I will carve my purchase into a grinning jack-o-lantern – bumps and all. And yes, of course I’ll roast the seeds!

            If you are a New Englander, there is something poetic about these squat orange squashes against the backdrop of fall foliage. They add vitality to the festivities that we celebrate – even if it’s just handing out candy to trick-or-treaters. In some cases, they feed the imagination. At age 4 our son Ian had a standard knock-knock joke that must have sprouted from seeing these sentinels. When we’d ask, “Who’s there?” he’d answer “Pumpkinhead,” and laugh hysterically.

            For my British-bred husband, the total Halloween experience was hollowing out a turnip – they didn’t have pumpkins! They would carve a face and put a stub of candle inside and carry it around the streets. No trick or treat (back then)… the first time he knew how that worked he saw it on the television show The Addams Family. The practice did eventually catch on in the U.K. and now it’s much about the candy and dressing up. I will have to ask my sister-in-law if Brits dress up their pets as many do here.

            Fabulous legends surround the origin of the jack-o’-lantern. Some say that the flickering flame placed inside represents mischievous spirits or tricksters or creatures of ancient lore. And if a candle flame flickers on Halloween night, it’s being touched by ghosts. The practice of carving scary faces began as a way to frighten the spirits away. Of course, such fantasies diminish with the daylight.

            One of the amazing things about pumpkins is their diversity – shape, size and color are all factors in the selection process. Perfectionists will advise you to examine the roundness, the way it sits and the stem’s viability. Hue is important, as is the absence of dents. I personally like a pumpkin with oddities – green veins and a little tilt give a jack-o’-lantern a more lifelike disposition. If you watch a child choose one, there is seemingly no science involved. They bond, and it’s a done deal.

            We don’t always carve our pumpkins right away – but use them to decorate our lamppost beside a stand of corn stalks. In prior years to please my kids, I would fashion a scare crow as part of the scene. Sometimes it would be disconcerting as it looked human. Now I keep it simple, wrapping the decor around the orange globe – a metaphor for seasonal magic (think Cinderella) and a bit of hobgoblin fun.

            “The yellow pumpkins lying beneath them, turning up their fair round bellies to the sun, and giving ample prospects of the most luxurious of pies.” – Washington Irving, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

The Coastal Gardener

By Laura McLean

Rochester Historical Museum Hours

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The Rochester Historical Society Museum at 355 County Rd. will be open from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm on Sundays throughout the Fall, so that interested people can view our exhibit: “The Tools and Industries That Made Rochester”. We also have fresh cranberries for sale and are always happy to open by appointment. It’s a good idea to double check with Sue 508-295-8908 or Connie 617-750-2818 to make sure we have docents available.

Marion Art Center

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The Marion Art Center announces a call for entries for its final exhibition of the 2025 season, Small Works + Holiday Shop. This annual juried/invitational show features original works of art, all under fourteen inches, plus a curated selection of handmade goods including jewelry, textiles, ceramics, woodworks, gifts, and more. Any artist who has previously shown at Arts in the Park, or any other juried MAC exhibition (this excludes members’ shows) is invited to participate and does not need to apply or be approved by the exhibitions committee.

            Artists are invited to submit up to four pieces for this juried/invitational exhibit, the final show of the season. Works should be no larger than 14″ in any direction, including frame. Both 2D and 3D works will be accepted. All works must be ready to install (framed, wired, etc.) and available for sale. The show runs November 22 through December 19, with an opening reception scheduled on Saturday, November 22 from 3:00 pm to 5:00pm. Shop for yourself or find the perfect gifts for others. All pieces may be removed from the galleries upon purchase for this cash and carry show.

            To apply to the Small Works show, use the form at marionartcenter.org/on-exhibit to submit images. All new applications are due by November 10th. For more information, visit marionartcenter.org/events, call the MAC at 508-748-1266 or email info@marionartcenter.org with “Small Works” in the subject line.

            After School Creativity with “The Maker Club” – The Marion Art Center announces new sessions of our Art In The Afternoon “The Maker Club” geared for ages 6-12. In this hands-on art club, kids have access to a wide variety of arts and crafts materials, tools, and textures each week. From paint and paper to recycled bits, fabric, wire, and more—every session is an invitation to explore, invent, and make something uniquely their own. With creative prompts to spark ideas and a supportive instructor to help guide their process, students are free to experiment, tinker, and express themselves in a relaxed, imaginative environment. Whether they’re building, drawing, gluing, or sculpting, Maker Club is all about the joy of creating without pressure – where the process matters more than the final product. Perfect for curious minds who love to explore and make art in their own way.

            “The Maker Club” meets on Fridays from November 7 through December 19. There are two options – an hour class or a one- and one-half hour class. The longer option allows another half hour for creation and exploration and bit more time for guardians to arrive for pick up.

            For member families the 1-hour option is $145, and the 1.5-hour option is $215 for the six classes. For non-member families, the 1-hour option is $175, and the 1.5-hour option is $255 for the six classes. More information and registration is available at marionartcenter.org/art-lab

Condo Plan Encroaches Eversource Easement

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            Plans for a 48-unit condominium development still might be tweaked a bit based on peer reviews from Field Engineering and other town sources, according to the developers’ presentation at the October 22 Marion Conservation Commission meeting in the town Police Station conference room.

            Toll Brothers Inc. representatives Mark Bamburak and Jeff Heidelberg said that Field Engineering, which represents both the Conservation Commission and the Planning Board, said part of the property at 78 Wareham Road encroaches upon an easement from the utility company Eversource.

            Heidelberg said the developers are proposing a retaining wall and might relocate one unit unless Eversource agrees to a deal to waive that easement for the development.

            Heidelberg also said Field Engineering asked for wider access areas so backhoes can access the water detention basins. Field Engineering also asked that the developers widen an existing grass trail, and TBI is “amenable” to that request.

            Bamburak said that the state Division of Fisheries & Wildlife determined there would be little or no impact to the nearby aquatic habitat.

            Some commissioners asked if there would be any changes to the project before final deliberations from the ConCom and other town boards.

            Heidelberg said that there might be some minor alterations and that TBI was not expecting a decision at the October 22 meeting.

            “There might be a change, but it likely would be minor in detail at this point,” Heidelberg said. “The intent was to keep you in the loop.”

            Commissioners continued the public hearing to November 5 to further discuss the project.

            In other Conservation Commission news, Town Planner Doug Guey-Lee said an oil spill was reported by a homeowner receiving a delivery of heating oil. Guey-Lee said the homeowner was seeking to dig 10 feet around the property to find the oil and remediate it.

            The town planner said the leak was caught early, so officials believe that the leak is not deep within the ground or far from the home. However, the Conservation Commission granted an Emergency Order to dig and remediate around the home.

            Also at the meeting, commissioners deliberated over some local items, taking no issue with the proposals.

            Jerry Frates, of Converse Road, proposed constructing a lap pool but said plans revealed that his initial drawing would encroach upon sewer piping. Commissioners agreed to allow Frates to relocate the lap pool closer to a neighboring property.

            Millie and Paul Seeberg, of 13 Edgewater Lane, received permission from the Conservation Commission to eradicate phragmites through environmentally friendly chemicals.

            Commissioners also issued a certificate of compliance to the Dexter Beach Improvement Association.

            The next meeting of the Marion Conservation Commission will be held on Wednesday, November 5, at 7:00 pm in the Marion Police Department.

Marion Conservation Commission

By Jeffrey D. Wagner

Two Garages Approved

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            Rochester’s Zoning Board of Appeals on October 23 approved two garages that will be placed technically in their front yards.

            The board granted two variances to allow the construction of a detached garage greater than the permitted 1,000-square feet in the front yard of 45 Williams Way after property owner William Flaherty explained his current attached garage is “maxed out.” He needs the larger garage for his hobbies, equipment, and vehicles. He elaborated he has no other place on his property to place the garage. Moving to the left or the right of his home would place it near his septic tank or his neighbor’s property lines. Placing the garage further back on the lot would encroach on his well area. “It will be stick built. It will look good from the road,” he promised.

            Member Richard Cutler admitted Flaherty doesn’t have a big property but has a big setback. Board member Davis Sullivan noted that from a certain point of view the new garage is further back. The board granted the variances with the standard conditions of no residential use or human habitation, no animal habitation, and no commercial use.

            With the same conditions, the board then approved a variance to allow a proposed three-bay garage greater than 1,000 square feet in the front yard at 447 Neck Road. Property owners Chris and Molly Fournier said right now they don’t have a garage at all. They need this garage for their cars and other storage. The garage will have a second floor that will also be built for storage but additionally as a deck for a view of the water. They noted they have a non-conforming house built circa 1952, and they have no room in their back yard. “This seems like the only place to put it,” Molly Fournier said.

            The board agreed with the Fourniers’ arguments as it voted for its approval. Cutler noted that the lot was subdivided before there were town bylaws “The self-imposed hardship doesn’t count here in my mind,” he said. “There’s no other place to move it,” member Davis Sullivan added.

            In other business, the board welcomed new ZBA Associate Member Keith Riquinha.

            The next meeting of the Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals will be Thursday, November 13 at 7:00 pm at Town Hall, 1 Constitution Way.

Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals

By Michael J. DeCicco

Upcoming Events at the Elizabeth Taber Library

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Join the library Thursday, October 30 starting at 6pm for a Halloween costume Karaoke party.

            Our Tuesday morning Family Storytime is back on Tuesday, November 4. Kids ages 0-5 and their caregivers can join Miss Macy for stories, songs, rhymes, and movement activities designed to foster early literacy skills.

            Afternoon Activities also return on Tuesday, November 4. Kids grades K-6 are invited to participate in a different activity every week between 3:00 pm and 4:00 pm. Our November activities include creating art with bleeding tissue paper, a Lego zip line challenge, and designing your own board game.

            Wednesday, November 5 is the full moon. Kids ages 3+ and their grownups can join us to celebrate the Beaver Moon at our full moon party from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Learn how beaver tails work, watch a beaver cam, and create a beaver puppet.

            November 4 at 6:30 pm, discover the Wildlife of Costa Rica’s Cloud Rainforests with Joy Marzolf. Costa Rica’s cloud forests, often misty and rainy, are a haven for the resplendent quetzal and fiery-throated hummingbird. In this lush environment, birds are active by day while bats feed on flowers at night, learn more at this free program. Registration requested.

            The Cozy Cup Book Club is meeting on November 12 at 11:00 am to discuss this months read “Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers” by Jesse Q. Sutanto. As always there is free tea and coffee. Copies are available at the circulation desk in the Library. Registration requested.

            Ongoing in November- Spice Pantry free recipes and spice packets available all month long.

            For more information on the Elizabeth Taber Library visit us at www.ElizabethTaberLibrary.org or email the library at ETLibrary@sailsinc.org. 8 Spring Street Marion, MA 02738. 508-748-1252.