KG around the cape summer 2021 - Flipbook - Page 108
A ROU N D TH E SOUTH COA ST
Arts
Nearby, Marion, Mattapoisett, and New Bedford have lively art
scenes. Marion Art Center has art exhibits, theater productions,
and music concerts, as well as creative workshops, classes, and
clubs. New Bedford has the New Bedford Art Museum, New
Bedford Performing Arts Center, and a number of studios and
galleries.
Culture
Farming is important in Rochester. In 2012, Rochester adopted a
right-to-farm bylaw which, according to the town, “encourages
the pursuit of agriculture, promotes agriculture-based economic
opportunities, and protects farmlands within the town of
Rochester by allowing agricultural uses and related activities.”
Education
Rochester is part of the Old Rochester school district, which
includes Marion and Mattaposiett. Students in kindergarten
through grade six attend Rochester Memorial School. Seventh
and eighth grade students attend Old Rochester Regional Junior
High and grades nine through twelve enroll at Old Rochester
Regional High School. High School students can also attend
Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School in North
Rochester.
Geography
Rochester is 36.4 square miles and 33.9 of that is land. The two
and a half square miles of water include a variety of kettleponds
as well as the Mattapoisett and Sippican rivers. Popular ponds in
town are Mary’s Pond, Leonard’s Pond, and Quittica’s Pond. The
landscape is defined by open land, forests, cranberry bogs, and
farms, such as Cervelli Farm, which has a farmstand, and East
Over Farms, which has been a family farm since 1910.
East Over Reservation is a 40-acre property operated by the town of
Rochester and the Trustees of Reservations. There are two miles of
granite stone walls that trace the landscape and walking paths with
opportunities to spot blue-winged warbler, Eastern towhee, and cottontail
rabbit. Adjacent to the reservation is East Over Farm, which has been
owned and operated by the Hiller family for over a century.
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