Are you reminiscing about beautiful summer days on the water? Or, are you looking for a locally-inspired, locally-sourced gift? Look no further than the Elizabeth Taber Library! They are offering beautiful sailboat ornaments which are hand-blown. Each ornament measures 3” x 3.5”, is numbered and comes in a gift box. Stop by the library soon to purchase one for only $30. Supplies are limited.
In 1998, the Sippican Historical Society commissioned an architectural survey of Marion’s historic homes and buildings. The survey was funded half by the Sippican Historical Society and half by the Massachusetts Historical Commission. Due to the limits of funding, not all of the historic buildings were surveyed, but over 100 were cataloged and photographed. The results of the survey are in digital form on the Massachusetts Historical Commission’s website and in four binders in the Sippican Historical Society’s office (and at the Marion Town Clerk’s office).
Marion (Old Rochester) is one of the oldest towns in the United States, and the Sippican Historical Society maintains an extensive collection of documentation on its historic buildings. The Sippican Historical Society will feature one building a week so that the residents of Marion can understand more about its unique historical architecture.
This installment features 7 South Street. The homes on South Street have more ample lots and were built slightly later than those on Main Street. The clapboard house at 7 South Street was built in 1866 by Lemuel Kelley. Its style is a blend of Greek Revival and Italianate. The story is told that Lemuel Kelley hoped to marry Jane Luce, but she married a member of the Cobb family and lived across the street. Lemuel Kelley, therefore, never lived in this house. By 1879, W. Pomeroy owned this house. It was owned in the early 1900s by Miss C.A. Pomeroy.
Joan M. White 85, of Rochester passed away at her home Thursday, December 5, 2019.
She was the beloved wife of Desmond C. White.
Born in New Bedford, she was the daughter of the late Richard Pilling and the late Lena Mae (Davis) Pilling. Joan is survived by her children; Lynn Marie Carvalho and her husband John of Taunton and Arthur C. Larrivee II of Rochester. She is also survived by her 5 step children; Randall White, David White, Mathew White, Brenda Smith and Barbara White. Joan was predeceased by her brother; the late Steven Pilling. She also was the proud grandmother of her 3 grandchildren; Barbara Hannam, Dawn Langan and Jessica Larrivee. Her 2 great grandchildren; Collin Hannam and Brenna Hannam and her 8 step grandchildren.
Joan was a very dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, nurse and antique dealer. She was the proud owner of White’s Country Store in East Freetown.
She loved flowers, Antiques, her children and grandchildren, hummingbirds and Orchids.
Relatives and friends are invited to her visitation on Monday Dec. 9, 2019 from 5 pm to 7 pm to be held at South Coast Chapel Mortuary; 158 Middleboro Road (Rt 18) East Freetown, Ma. and to her Funeral service to be held on Tuesday Dec. 10, 2019 at 11 am with burial to follow in Tabor Cemetery, Acushnet, Ma.
In lieu of flowers donations in Joan’s memory can be made to St. Jude’s Childrens Hospital.
‘Twas the night before Christmas and all through the land, Town folks were gathering to hear the Tri-County Symphonic Band.
The Tri-County Symphonic Band, under the direction of Philip Sanborn, celebrates the festive holiday season with its annual Children’s Christmas Concert, on Sunday, December 8, 1:30 pm at the Sippican School, 16 Spring St. Marion MA, in the Multi-Purpose Room. The concert is a wonderful family experience designed for all ages and is free of charge.
The Tri-County Symphonic Band will perform seasonal favorites including “Holiday Emblem”, “Ding Dong! Merrily on High”, “Wassail”, “Frosty the Snowman”, “March of the Toys” and “Troika”.
A special part of this year’s concert will feature the Sippican School Concert Choir, under the direction of Patricia Richard performing an energetic arrangement called “Jingle All the Way”, a lovely setting of “Infant Holy” and a colorful rendition of “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.” The Concert Choir will also perform “The Christmas Song” with the Tri-County Symphonic Band.
The youngsters in the audience will enter a drawing with the winners playing the sleigh bells with the Tri-County Symphonic Band in Leroy Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride”.
The concert will conclude with a “Christmas Sing-a-long” featuring the Sippican School Concert Choir and special guests, followed by a volunteer community band called the “Cottage Street Jam Band”, under the direction of Hannah Moore, leading a march from the Sippican School to Island Wharf to greet Santa as he arrives via “water sleigh”.
As the band rounds the corner and jolly Santa’s is in sight, He wishes peace to all and to all a good night.
Join the Buzzards Bay Coalition to look out for the Geminid meteor shower, sometimes called the “king” of meteor showers, at The Bogs (138 Acushnet Rd., Mattapoisett) on Friday, December 13 from 8:00 to 10:00 pm.
Far away from the city lights, the 500-acre Mattapoisett River Reserve offers visitors a dark, expansive sky to view this exciting astronomical event.
To RSVP for this free event, visit www.savebuzzardsbay.org/events/geminid-meteor-shower-viewing-dec-13-2019/ or contact the Buzzards Bay Coalition at (508) 999-6363 ext. 219.
This event is dependent on weather and cloud cover. Please check the event page and Facebook the morning of the program for any cancellations.
Dress warmly in multiple layers and bring a flashlight and a chair. Some warm beverages and snacks will be provided. Please remember that public properties are typically open from dawn until dusk – we’ve gotten special permission to host this event at night.
This walk is part of Discover Buzzards Bay, a resource to find unique and exciting ways to explore the outdoors, get some exercise and connect with nature. Use Discover Buzzards Bay to get outside and discover woods, wetlands, and waterways from Fall River to Falmouth. To learn more, visit savebuzzardsbay.org/discover.
Eugenia “Jeannie” (Pina) Oliver Hines, also known as the “Matriarch of the Oliver Family”, age 91, of New Bedford, passed away on Tuesday, December 3, 2019 at St. Luke’s Hospital. She was the beloved wife of Charles “Chuck” A. Hines and former wife of the late John Oliver.
Eugenia was born in Plymouth, MA to the late Antone and Anna Pina. She lived in Rochester, MA for many years where she raised her children, later moving to New Bedford where she had lived for many years until her passing.
Eugenia was loved by many and will be missed dearly. She was a feisty 91 year old who had a heart of gold and a love of flowers and plants. She loved her family get-togethers and bingo. She especially loved dressing up and wore high heels while doing housework. Eugenia had been a school teacher at the Gomes Elementary School for many years.
She is survived by her husband, Chuck; her sisters, Clara, Ginger, Pat and brother, Joseph; her children, Reenie, Roslyn, Duane (Ray), Debra, Edward and Vicki; as well as many grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Eugenia was the mother of the late Linda, John (Buddy), Robert, Roberta, Frank, Richard and Angel. She was also the sister of the late Toni, Mimi, Edward, Louis, John, Anthony and Daniel.
A special mention of her granddaughter, Amanda.
Eugenia’s celebration of life will be held on Sunday January 26, 2020 from 2:00 – 6:00 pm. at Centro Luzo Club 34 Beetle St. New Bedford, Ma 02745. Her burial of cremains will take place on Saturday February 1, 2020 at St Patricks Cemetery Wareham, Ma at 10:00 am.
Arrangements are placed in the care of Perry Funeral Home 111 Dartmouth St. New Bedford, MA 02740. Please see our website: www.perryfuneral.com for condolences.
Rochester Troop 31 delivered food donations they have been collecting all month to Shepherd’s Pantry in Acushnet for Thanksgiving. November was Scouting for Food Month and Troop 31 Scouts and Leaders take this type of community service very seriously. This year they will be extending Scouting for Food to December as well! The Troop has been providing many years of annual support to local organizations such as the Rochester Lions Club, helping them pack holiday meal bags for tri-town seniors and families in need each November and December.
This year they decided to make an even greater impact in their intentions to help people with their efforts, by collecting food donations for the Shepherd’s Pantry located at the Long Plain United Methodist Church in Acushnet for Thanksgiving and Christmas, extending scouting for food month through December. An effort spearheaded by David Andrews, Troop Chaplain, leader, and scout father to Eagle Scout, Jacob Andrews, who are both dedicated members to both their scout troop and church congregation.
“It’s amazing to see how much of a difference you can really make in peoples lives by providing food to those who have fallen on hard times,” said Mr. Andrews. who has been a long-time volunteer at Shepherd’s Pantry.
After collecting food throughout the month of November in a drop-box at the Plumb Memorial Library, scouts and leaders delivered the generous donations to Shepherd’s Pantry where they were greeted by Darryl Gifford, Long Plain United Methodist Church Board of Directors Representative.
The Scouts were given a tour of the Pantry and learned that anyone in need is welcomed to stop by on Saturdays from 9:00 am to 11:00 am to receive food. They are currently in great need of diapers and baby food, as well as, non-perishable food donations. Volunteer help during this time is also always sincerely welcomed.
Troop 31 will continue to collect food donations through Christmas time to continue their support the far-reaching efforts of Shepherd’s Pantry, serving families from all over the area.
These have certainly been trying times for the Rochester Country Fair, a 20-years-long tradition to which its success rests solely on the right atmospheric conditions to draw the big crowds to the all-outdoor event. After this year’s country fair was cut short due to the Eastern Equine Encephalitis threat and a curfew restricting events on town land to daylight hours, the country fair took a major financial hit this year.
On December 2 during the meeting of the Rochester Board of Selectmen, Kelly Morgado of the RCF Board of Directors learned that the country fair is facing another financial hit now that the RCF has recently changed its status from a town entity to a non-profit 501(c)(3), making it ineligible to receive funding from the annual $10,000 donation SEMASS gives to the town to help pay for town/community projects.
The RCF had historically received $5,000 of the $10,000 in SEMASS funds each year, but in 2019 was already reduced to $4,000.
The RCF is no longer eligible for town funding due to the “anti-aid amendment” to the Massachusetts Constitution, which prohibits public funds or property from being given to private organizations or charities.
The Town of Rochester recently used the anti-aid amendment as its reason for not funding a Town Meeting article submitted by another non-profit non-government organization (NGO).
Morgado said that when the conversation first arose in September about the RCF separating from the town to form its own NGO, she was concerned about whether the fair could still receive the donation money it had relied upon for years.
“The town can’t give money to a non-profit,” said Town Administrator Suzanne Szyndlar.
“Now, I think the fair falls into the [same] category as the Friends of the Library, the Boy Scouts… Those are all 501(c)(3)s,” said Selectman Greenwood “Woody” Hartley, “and we don’t give money to them. So, we either give it to everybody… We need to think about it.”
According to Morgado, she was told that it would not be a problem receiving the funds during a September RCF “wrap-up” meeting with the Board of Selectmen, she claimed.
None of the selectmen recalled ever having a conversation about SEMASS donation money with Morgado during a prior meeting.
Without the funding, Morgado said as she got up to leave, “That’ll be interesting…”
Earlier, Morgado requested to use the fairgrounds for 10 days to hold 10 fundraisers throughout the months leading up to the country fair, which will be held this year for two days only: August 8-9 during daylight hours only.
The state expects another summer of elevated EEE risk.
“The past three years have been pretty disastrous for the fair,” said Morgado in her request for approval of the 10 fundraiser days.
The selectmen approved the use of the fairgrounds for the two country fair days only, and held off on approving the 10 fundraiser days.
Hartley asked Morgado if she had asked the Pine Street neighbors if they would mind the 10 fundraiser events, which would include one or two hot modified tractor pulls in addition to the usual antique tractor pulls. She said that she did send a letter to the surrounding neighbors to inform them.
“Positive feedback (from neighbors) will make it easier for us to say yes,” said Hartley.
Also during the meeting, Mark Wellington, a member of the local 501(c)(3) Rochester Affordable Housing, Inc. appeared with a summary of six town-owned properties that would be appropriate as a site for an affordable housing development for seniors, and asked the board to transfer a piece of town property over to the non-profit for that specific use.
Ironically, one such piece of land is the town-owned Pine Street fairgrounds, the site of the annual Rochester Country Fair.
“We’re turning the material over to you gentlemen and we’re hoping that you can help us,” said Wellington. “In order for us to really get going, we need a piece of land.
“Right now we don’t have anything to start with,” continued Wellington. “We’re really hoping that you folks can help us out.”
The board took the matter under advisement to bring up again during its January 20 meeting.
During a follow-up after the meeting, Szyndlar explained to The Wanderer how the anti-aid amendment that applies to the RCF does not apply to Rochester Affordable Housing, Inc.’s request for town property.
According to Szyndlar, the town is working with town counsel to carve out a legal avenue to accommodate the land request, such as a land auction with a restriction that the land must be used for affordable senior housing.
Also during the meeting, the board recognized Firefighter/Paramedic Jessica Vinjerud and Firefighter/EMT Andrew Weigel for each receiving a Norman Knight Award for Excellence in Community Service at the 30th Annual Firefighter of the Year Awards in Worcester on November 26 presented by Governor Charlie Baker.
Chief Weigel said he nominated the two because of their work in coordinating the New England Brotherhood Ride.
“That was quite an honor,” said Firefighter Weigel, “and it’s great to be part of this little town.”
In other business, the board voted to set the January 1, 2020 beach sticker price at $20 – free for citizens over age 70, and the transfer station sticker was set at $40; $30 for over age 70.
The board renewed the annual alcohol, Class II, Class III, Range, and Automatic Amusement licenses in Rochester.
Christina White was appointed to the Agricultural Commission, bringing the total number of members to four – a quorum, which now allows the commission to officially begin meeting.
The next meeting of the Rochester Board of Selectmen is scheduled for December 16 at 6:00 pm at the Rochester Town Hall.
Rochester Board of Selectmen
By Jean Perry
Steph DeFerie’s Emmalina Scrooge, directed by Jennifer Palmer, opens on the MAC Stage on Friday, December 6 at 7:30 pm. There will be five performances: December 6, 7, 13, 14, and 15. All Friday and Saturday shows will begin at 7:30 pm, while the Sunday matinee will begin at 2:00 pm. The cast includes: Lily Ambrosi, Genevieve Arone, Jade Beauregard, Jack Boesen, Leah Bonia, Lee Bonia, Lily Bonia, Holden Campbell, Alane Carbone, Edie Dupre, Molly Dupre, Jackson Gillman, Suzie Kokkins, Thomas O’Shaughnessy, Zoe Pateakos, Angela Pedulli, and Christian Pedulli. Crew includes Andrea Cantin, Steve McManus, and Frank Mitchell.
Why is young Emmy Scrooge such a… well… scrooge? Perhaps a visit from Charles Dickens and two ghostly sisters can persuade her to have a change of heart. But when even the spirit of her thrice-great-grandfather gives up on her, things don’t look promising… Sure to become your new holiday favorite!
Tickets are on sale now and are $18 for MAC members, $20 for nonmember, and just $12 for children 12 and under. Purchase tickets online at marionartcenter.org/events/emmalina-scrooge
Holiday Stroll – The Marion Art Center will give away free hand-dipped chocolate pretzels during the Marion Holiday Stroll again this year, on Sunday, December 8 from 3:00 to 6:00 pm. The make-your-own-chocolate-dripped-pretzel stations will be set up in front of the Marion Art Center, located at the corner of Main and Pleasant Streets. The MAC will provide pretzels, chocolate, and toppings – all are welcome!
Celebrate the Holidays with the Elizabeth Taber Library.
Winter Mini Book Sale: Friday and Saturday, December 6 and 7, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Find books, ornaments, and more, just in time for the holidays! Gift wrapping will be available for purchased items for an additional donation of $2. Proceeds will benefit the Elizabeth Taber Library.
Harry Potter Drop-in Crafts: Wednesday, December 11, all day. Come to the library to create Harry Potter themed ornaments. All ages are welcome!
Holiday Cookie Swap: Thursday, December 19 from 5:30 to 7:00 pm. Bring cookies (two dozen recommended) and a recipe to share to create a delicious grab bag of holiday treats. Sign up at the library.
New Year’s Eve Children’s Countdown Party: Tuesday, December 31 from 11:30 am to 12:00 pm (noon). For all the little ones who can’t make it to midnight; countdown the new year in style in our children’s department. Refreshments will be served. Sign up at the library.