Twenty-four-year-old Mattapoisett resident Gary Vaughn will be one of nine contestants vying for the attention and platonic affection of Brody Jenner, star of "The Hills" and Bruce Jenner's son, on the MTV reality show "Bromance," which will premiere Monday, December 29 at 9:00 pm.

According to the show description on MTV.com, the aptly-titled "Bromance" follows Jenner's pursuit for "an intense brotherly bond that makes two buddies become virtually inseparable." Nine guys have been yanked out of their boring lives and go from regular Joes to potential bros, vying for the chance of a lifetime to become best buds with Brody Jenner and live a life right out of the pages of Maxim magazine. Since it's virtually impossible to find a genuine friend in Hollywood, the contestants must compete in various challenges to prove they're the right man for Brody. They are put through the wringer to prove they are trustworthy, reliable and fun ... in other words, a true bro.

While battling for bromance, the contestants live in a frat house, and they never know which of Brody's famous friends and family members could be stopping by. The guys are sent on group "dream dates," like skydiving in Las Vegas, cruising the Pacific on a 50-foot yacht and hanging out with Playboy playmates. And, of course, there are plenty of girls to go around.

On his profile page for the show located at http://www.iamonmtv.com/bromance/GaryVaughn, the self-described outsider from New England who teaches dance to kids wrote: "I am a dancer, and yes I am straight! I know it's hard to believe, but believe it! I've been dancing for 22 years now, and will continue to do so for many years to come! I am also a teacher and choreographer ... and I am a very observant person. I'm easy to talk to and look for the best out of every situation. I love what I do and look for new experiences at every turn in the road. Basically, I'm a happy person who knows how to look at any situation from multiple angles."

A regular meeting of the Rochester Board of Selectmen was called to order on Monday, December 22 at 6:52 pm by Chairman Richard Nunes. Also present were Selectman Dan McGaffey, Selectman Bradford Morse, Town Administrator Richard LaCamera, and Administrative Assistant Veronica Lafreniere.

The board first approved the minutes of the December 8 meeting, then met briefly with Town Clerk Naida Parker to approve the borrowing of a $182,500 anticipation loan for the School Feasibility Study at a rate of 2.85 percent. This money will be used to conduct a feasibility design study for the Rochester Memorial School project as approved at the last Annual Town Meeting.

The board unanimously voted to approve the bond note as requested.

"We hope to send out Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for the project by the first week of February," Mr. LaCamera said.

While Ms. Parker was present, Chairman Nunes asked if she'd be willing to discuss the long-standing dog licensing issue, to which she replied by handing over a written memo from Police Chief Paul Magee. The memo was dated July 21, 2008 and requested a joint meeting of the Animal Control Officer, Town Clerk, Town Administrator, Board of Selectmen, Town Attorney and himself.

"He's indicated to me he needs a work session," Ms. Parker said. "It's going to take a couple of hours."

"I'd like to address this," Mr. LaCamera said. "Chief Magee has asked to meet with the board at our next meeting on January 5 to discuss dog licensing issues with or without the Town Clerk. This memo is dated July 21, 2008. We've been asking to meet with her for months now and she hasn't met with us. There are a number of by-laws that need reviewing. We do think the Town Clerk ought to participate in those discussions."

Mr. LaCamera said they need to make some decisions in a timely manner or otherwise risk going through what they did this past year with over 300 unlicensed dogs.

"The frustration with Chief Magee is we've been trying to resolve some of these issues," Mr. LaCamera said. "If the Town Clerk wants to participate in this discussion, that's fine. If not, we're going to proceed without her."

The board consented to meeting at some time during the day with Ms. Parker and Chief Magee, if necessary, to try and get this issue resolved.

Under the Town Administrator's report, Mr. LaCamera noted that tax bills were mailed on December 17 and they are due January 16, 2009. Those interested in getting the tax benefits within the current calendar year are encouraged to pay by December 31.

As for budget news, Mr. LaCamera said he expects the Governor's final budget to be released on January 29, 2009 and he hopes it won't also impact the current FY 2009 budget. There's already an anticipated 5 to 10 percent cut in local aid planned for FY 2010.

"What happens if state aid is cut 5 or 10 percent?" Chairman Nunes asked.

Mr. LaCamera said a reduction of 5 percent would mean a loss of about $100,000 from Rochester's budget, and a 10 percent cut would be $200,000.

"I think at this point it's a moving target and we'll have to wait until the end of January to decide where cuts need to be made," Mr. LaCamera said.

Mr. LaCamera also wanted to clarify the issue discussed at the last Tri-Town Selectmen's meeting to possibly regionalize the towns' dispatch system. Apparently after reading media reports of the meeting, some of the local public safety officials were concerned that decisions were being made without their input.

"We're not regionalizing the dispatch center at this point," he said. "We're just looking at the numbers to determine if it's feasible. We may also include other communities around us -- not just Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester. But it's just an idea at this stage."

"We're not making any decisions at this point," Selectman Morse agreed. "We're just looking at options."

Under correspondence, the board received a payment from SEMASS in the amount of $276,612 in lieu of taxes for November 2009, representing some 91,460 tons of refuse collected during that period.

The board also signed and approved the following Class II Used Car Dealer's Licenses: C&C Auto; Eben Bumpus; The Custom Shop; Vaughan Hill Motors; and the following Class III Motor Vehicle Junk Licenses: Murphy's Auto Salvage and High Street Auto and Truck.

The board also signed and renewed their agreement with the Town of Lakeville to use their animal shelter to board any animals picked up in Rochester, effective January 1, 2009.

The board noted their next regular Selectmen's meeting will be held on Monday, January 5, 2009 at 6:30 pm in the Rochester Town Hall.

There being no further matters to come before the board, they unanimously voted to adjourn for the evening at 7:20 pm.

By Kenneth J. Souza

Ninety-eight-year-old Chester "Chet" Rollins of Rochester seemed a bit overwhelmed by all the attention. As town dignitaries, members of the town's Council on Aging, and a gathering of local media crammed into the confines of his Pierce Street living room, he politely smiled for the cameras and obliged frequent requests to don the festive top hat he claimed was older than him.

"This hat is over 100 years old," Mr. Rollins said. "I was cleaning out another house and I found it under the eaves. It's going into a museum."

"Mr. Rollins is going to become the next recipient of the traditional Boston Post cane," announced COA Director Sharon Lally. "The Boston Post cane is given to the oldest resident in the town and the resident holds onto the cane and passes it on to the next person when necessary."

"The Boston Post newspaper a long time ago had given each town a cane to be given to the oldest resident in the town," added Selectmen Chairman Richard Nunes. "Lucky you, you're the oldest resident in Rochester. On behalf of the Town of Rochester we'd like to present you with this Boston Post cane and hopefully you'll hold onto it for a long, long time."

"I don't know about that," Mr. Rollins said, accepting the honor. "But I thank you all very much."

As Mr. Nunes proposed a toast to Mr. Rollins' good health, the guest of honor enjoyed his drink of choice: a champagne flute filled with V8 juice.

"I've been here since 1924," Mr. Rollins said. "I worked most everywhere. Mostly for E.L. Bartholomew's cranberry bog. I worked there for 37 years. I built this house in 1939."

Seated next to his wife Marjorie, Mr. Rollins told Selectman Dan McGaffey and Selectman Brad Morse about how he doesn't follow the news as much as he used to due to his failing eyesight and hearing, but he still knows what's going on. He admitted he wasn't thrilled about the recent election of Barack Obama as president.

"I don't like it, but I want to get Bush out of there," Mr. Rollins said.

Mr. Rollins recalled earlier times in Rochester when farming was a way of life.

"I worked in the cranberry bogs from 7:00 to 10:00, then I'd do all the chores down below, milk the cows and everything," he said, noting he also worked for the Pierce Farm. "I'd be up here working until 4:00 in the morning sometimes."

"Chet ran the first chainsaw in the area with my father, cutting logs on Bartholomew's bogs," Selectman Morse said. "It was a two-man chainsaw and he ran it with my father."

"Then I bought a John Deere tractor from Boston -- the first one they ever sold," Mr. Rollins said. "I kept it for 40 years."

Mr. Rollins also kept honey bees at one time and had about 250 hives that he used to rent out to the local cranberry bogs for $2 each. These were used to make cranberry honey. "Now they're getting $60 a hive," he said.

Both Chet and Marjorie Rollins seemed amazed at how much time had gone by and how their hometown has changed over the years.

"It's built up quite a bit now," Mr. Rollins said. "I get lost in the town now."

"We're very, very happy for both of you," Selectman Nunes told both Chet and Marjorie. "And we wish you both long, happy and healthy lives."

"Thank you all very much," Mr. Rollins said. "I never expected this."

By Kenneth J. Souza

A little planning and preparation apparently goes a long way as the tri-towns of Mattapoisett, Marion and Rochester managed to survive the one-two punch of double snowstorms last weekend without any serious incidents.

While some area communities seemed to take a harder hit and the initial Friday night snowstorm claimed the life of an Acushnet man while attempting to cut up a fallen tree, there were no serious accidents or damages reported in the tri-towns over the weekend.

Mattapoisett Highway Surveyor Barry Denham said he had his work cut out for him to plow some 80 miles of town roads with his five-man full-time crew over the weekend.

"It was just a continual problem with too much snow and not enough people," Mr. Denham said. "We had a significant amount of trees down and we were trying to assist the Tree Warden with them. Most are still down, we just moved them off the road and now they're frozen in place until Mother Nature takes her course."

Mr. Denham said they had help from several part-time snow plow drivers over the weekend, but his full-time staff still racked up about 32 hours in overtime during the two storms.

"We had some good support from part-time guys, but they didn't know the town as well as the full-time staff does, so some of the streets we'll have to redo," Mr. Denham said. "Five guys can only go so far. The only thing that bothers me now is trying to keep the storm drains clear once all this stuff melts."

"We had a couple of little fender-benders, but nothing major," said Rochester Highway Surveyor Jeff Eldridge. "We had all the roads cleared Monday morning. There was a little bit of ice here and there, but overall the roads were clear."

While the heavy snow which accumulated quickly Friday night was responsible for many bent limbs and downed trees in other areas, Rochester's many trees seemed to be spared from a similar fate. "There were a few limbs down," Mr. Eldridge said. "I was concerned we'd have more after it froze (Sunday night), but the rain seemed to wash a lot of the snow off the trees."

Likewise, Marion Department of Public Works (DPW) Superintendent Rob Zora said his department didn't encounter any major problems during the back-to-back weekend snowstorms and they had the benefit of knowing the storms were coming and being well-prepared this time out.

"There really weren't any problems during the weekend," Mr. Zora said. "We did get one cracked windshield, but no other damage and nobody got hurt."

Mr. Zora said the Marion DPW was able to keep the town roads clear despite the excessive snowfall and freezing conditions and the only minor setback, as it was in Mattapoisett and Rochester, was picking up fallen branches and tree limbs that were brought down by the heavy snow.

"We had a lot of limbs down, but nothing that created much of a problem for us ... that's to be expected," Mr. Zora said. "We got away pretty lucky with this one."

By Kenneth J. Souza

This is a Christmas story. It is, as they say, based on a true story and unlike many stories that make that claim, every word of this story is the truth.

The past week has been rough at our home. Our little girl has had one of the more tenacious strains of the flu bug that is passing its way through the local school population. She is a preschooler and she is not always able to verbalize what is wrong, so there have been a lot of tears and many lost hours of sleep as she has been waking her mom and I at all hours of the night either because she has just been sick vomiting ... or was worried that she was about to be sick ... or because she just needed her momma or papa to hold her because she was tired and scared. The flu can be a tricky pest to deal with as a fever comes and goes and then returns just as you are about to exhale a sigh of relief. Those of you with children know this drill all too well. Nothing is worse than seeing your child suffer.

The doctor was helpful, but in the end we were told the best way to deal with the symptoms was by trying to limit the pain and the vomiting while letting the bug run its course. One day of this is bad. A week is excruciating. Our little girl was a trooper and she tried to laugh as much as possible so mom and dad would smile because when you are three a smile means that everything is going to be alright.

My wife and I traded calling out or going in late to work to accommodate one another's schedules and neither one of us slept all that well in the days that led up to Friday afternoon's snowstorm. Friday was my wife's turn to stay home and after taking our daughter to the pediatrician, she decided to go to the grocery store to get everything that we, and more importantly, our little girl needed in case we were snowbound for a day or so. She took the list of remedies and necessary items that the pediatrician had given her and began to step out the door with our girl on her shoulder when the little one got sick all over everything -- including her mom. Already stressed from worry and lack of sleep, my wife calmed her sick kid and changed the little girl's soiled Tinkerbell jammies, wiped herself off and turned once more to beat the oncoming weather.

The storm was due at about 1:00 pm and it was a few hours before then. The grocery store was pretty well packed as the memory of last December's storm and all of the problems that it wrought were at the forefront of everyone's thoughts. It seemed that no one wanted to be caught off guard this time around.

I was at work trying to get ahead while also catching up on the few hours that I had missed over the previous few days when the phone rang and my boss shouted down the hall from her office that the call was for me. It was my wife. I was expecting to hear another update about a soaring temperature of 104 degrees and the worries that go along with that kind of news, but instead she asked, "Can you talk right now, do you have a minute? The strangest thing just happened to me at the store."

I said, "Sure, go ahead," and she began her story.

"I was just at the store and I was getting everything we needed and I guess I looked pretty stressed out and hectic and I was concentrating on my list when this woman comes up to me and asked if my little girl was sick," she said. "She was drinking one of those Pedialyte drinks and I guess that the lady noticed. I told her she was sick and the woman said that she had something for me. She started to reach into her purse and asked if I believed in God. I thought here it comes, like she was going to pull out a religious pamphlet or something. I told her I did believe in God and as I did she put her hand in mind and said 'God Bless you, Merry Christmas.'"

My wife is not one to get teary-eyed, but I could hear a little bit of a lump in her throat as she continued, "I looked down and there was a fifty-dollar bill in my hand. I wanted to stop her and tell her I couldn't accept it, but she was gone."

After a minute or so my wife collected herself and thought about the gesture. A calm washed over her. She said that it was the Spirit of Christmas and told our daughter, "Honey, that was an angel. She was a Christmas angel from Heaven."

After completing her shopping the two of them got in line. My wife, as most people do, only half noticed the woman in front of her. The woman had a Red Sox cap on and as she began to turn and saw who it was behind her, she recognized the little girl and the tired mom. "Here dear, you get in front of me," she said. "You go first." My wife recognized her as the woman who gave her the money and she said, "I can't take this ma'am. Here." Before she could get the words out, the woman responded, "No, you keep it. I want you to have it. Oh, look, the next check out is open. I'll go over there. You have a Merry Christmas. God bless you." She moved over a lane, checked her items and was gone.

"I don't know honey. There was just something about her. It made me feel that everything was going to be okay," the voice on the other end of the phone told me. Our girl struggled with fever for the next two days, but the bug finally left us on Sunday.

I stayed home with our girl on Saturday night to give the tired mom a break. She went to a girlfriend's house for a game of shanghai, her favorite card game, and she told her friends the tale she told me. A few of them chimed in with tales of their own. One said, "I got to the counter at Dunkin' Donuts and the man ahead of me told the cashier to put my order on his bill." Each little story related some small gesture of kindness that someone had given in the spirit of the holidays.

So, whoever you are, my wife Laurie, my little girl Simone and I would all like to say thank you to our Christmas Angel. I am sure that you know your gift was worth far more than fifty dollars to us. We'll pass the gift along, it is far too valuable for us to hoard. Thank you, Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!

By Robert Chiarito

Many teachers at the high school jumped into the holiday spirit by conducting festive schedule plans for the last two days before vacation. In Mr. Everett's philosophy class, students partook in a game of charades based upon the elements of society, while a psychological analysis of the Grinch was done in Mrs. McKeon's honors psychology.

Mrs. Ribeiro's ninth grade English classes participated in a more long-term activity for the holidays. Their assignment was to create holiday children books for the kids who attend pre-school at ORR. The books were to be made appropriate for kids, ages 4 to 8. Each class was broken into groups of about two to four members. A holiday theme was to be chosen and a scripted story line was to be written by each group. The books were at least eight pages long, with 30 to 50 sentences in total.

Once the stories were checked for any grammatical errors, they were to be typed up and printed in order to look more professional. The ninth graders then mounted their dialogues onto child proof materials and drew colorful illustrations on each page. To make the stories more personalized, the high school students used the real names of those children in the pre-school. By doing so, the children were able to feel as if they were actually a part of the plot.

Some interesting titles included, "A Candy Cane Adventure," "The Elf that Didn't Come Back to the Shelf," and "The North Pole Race." Mrs. Ribeiro's honors English class, naturally, had a more difficult requirement than her A-level classes. They were told to incorporate themes and symbols found inside The Odyssey, which is one of the main pieces that their course focuses upon. On the Monday and Tuesday before vacation, the classes met with the pre-school children and read their holiday books out loud to them.

All seniors looking to attend college next year should have their applications sent, either through mail, email or through the common application program, and their school forms filled out and completed with their guidance counselors. A good majority of colleges and universities have an application deadline of January 1, meaning that there will be no time after school break to get those folders out. Students should also make sure they remember to send their official SAT scores from collegeboard.com. Although your guidance counselor does mail each school a copy of your scores, many colleges require them to be sent this way as well. For students who are in need of some financial aid, there are scholarship packets that can be picked up in guidance. These packets are filled with potential scholarships for which students can apply.

Got ORR news that you would like to announce? Feel free to get in touch with me so that I can get it published in The Wanderer. I am a junior at ORR and have just begun writing the school report this academic year. I am always looking for news relating to Old Rochester Regional High School and would be more than happy to include your personal items. If you are attending or working in the school, you can catch me in Mrs. Mozaz's homeroom each morning, otherwise you can send the information addressed to Olivia Mello at news@wanderer.com. Thank you and Happy Holidays!

By Olivia Mello

To the Editor:

The Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen wishes to take this opportunity to thank the following individuals, businesses, and town departments, who so kindly donated their time, effort, and patronage in making our "Third Annual Village Stroll" and "Holiday In the Park" a huge success.

Again, heartfelt thanks go out to "Chase Canopy" and their fabulous crew for another fine job with all the tents and equipment. We want to thank Danny and Andy Chase of Chase Canopy who once again supplied and donated to the town the tents, chairs, tables, heaters, thermos containers, and extension cords, etc. Without your continued generosity we would not be able to carry on this great yearly tradition. We truly thank you for your business and continued support in allowing us to keep growing.

A sincere thank you to Jen Rusinoski (who we missed not being there) but made sure and saw to it that we had an area designated again for the children to enjoy craft and ornament making under the tent. Also, thank you to Joann Price, her daughter Jeanine, and Colleen Calise for volunteering your time helping the children create such fun ornaments. Great job girls ... You're all on again next year ... so mark your calendar!

A thank you to Julia Monaghan of Monaghan Printing of Fairhaven for her generous donation of printing our village stroll flyers. They were just striking and better than ever and certainly enjoyed by all who were lucky enough to get one ... Thank you, Julia. And without our stroll flyer designers, Paula Butterfield and Danny White, there wouldn't have been any. They both spent endless hours getting it right ... and the end result certainly showed it! Hats off to you both.

The Stroll had their first annual Petting Zoo provided by Monika Schuler of Spring Meadow Farm of Mattapoisett. The children simply loved it, and we thank you Monika for making it possible for all to enjoy. We hope to see Spring Meadow Farm there again next year!

We thank "The Mattapoisett Boy Scouts" and their leaders for selling those great poinsettias and wreaths ... Another big seller! A fine job done by all of you.

Thank you Jodi Bauer of "The Mattapoisett Clipper" for providing canteens of hot chocolate. There was not a drop left to be had ... including Santa!

We want to thank the Mattapoisett Women's Club for the "Holiday Village Decorating" encompassing the 18th and 19th century" to enhance our event. Hats off to you ladies for all the hard work! Thank you to Sandy Herring, Ellen Flynn, Bette Roberts, Marilyn Flood, Pat McCarthy, Linda Clifford, Ellen Schneider and Betty Parker and Eileen Marcum for supplying our establishments with the Village Stroll Event flyers ... They got the message out to the public and it worked! Also, thank you to the rest of the members of the Women's Club as well for all your delicious baked goods. Just yummy!

Thank you to The Mattapoisett Historical Society and Carriage House for opening their doors to the public for all to enjoy an afternoon of Mattapoisett's history. Again thank you, Bette Roberts and her staff.

We want to thank Linda Burke, our Mattapoisett children's librarian for volunteering a few hours of her own time to sit and have Story Time with our children of Mattapoisett on this very special day.

We would also like to thank the "Friends of the Elderly" for participating in selling various fundraising items and dine out books under the tent.

A round of applause to our sound man, Rick LeBlanc, for keeping the music going ... Another great job - You're booked again for next year!

Thank you to Paul Sardinha and Helen Blake of the Old Rochester Regional Drama Club for participation for the first time in this big event.

A Big Thank You to Stan Ellis for doing all the running around seeing to it that we had a music program! Thank you for never letting us down.

And another "Hats Off" Performance provided by "The Showstoppers"!

We want to thank Ken Pacheco of Village Signs for providing us with plenty of signage acknowledging all of our businesses who so kindly donated to this event, and thanks Ken for keeping the event running by announcing all the activities that were taking place.

And speaking of trees, a sincere thank you to Jimmy Nunes of Mattapoisett for so kindly donating this year's tree to the park for our annual tree lighting. It was enjoyed by all especially the children who helped decorate it.

Thank you to Wally Rusinoski for being our electrical man on hand.

A thank you to Diane Perry's Art Class Students at Center School, and the Tri-Town Girl Scouts and their family members for helping with our great tree ornaments, without them our tree would be extremely bare. Great job done by all the children and a big thank you to Sheila, you are always so helpful!

Julie Craig of Seahorse Farms for those great pony rides. The children thoroughly enjoyed them. Also, thank you to the Mattapoisett Land Trust for the use of their land to hold this event.

Mattapoisett Women's Firefighters Auxiliary for their delicious cookies and for their participation in collecting recipes for their cookbook.

Thank you to the Mattapoisett Lions Club for collecting canned goods and unwrapped gifts for families in need. As always, thanks Lance.

Thank you Jocelyn DaLuz, Carol Simmons, and Sandy King of Water Street Realtors for providing the children with gingerbread men cookies and a beverage. The kids really enjoyed it ... you gals are on again next year!

The taping of the "Holiday Village Stroll" was provided by the town's very own camera man, Danny White. Thank you G. Daniel for getting that camera rolling once again and for having your twin daughters, Danielle and Ashley White to return again this year to so kindly donate their time to be "Rudolph the Reindeer" and "Frosty the Snowman." You both get "atta girls!" Also, thank you to the Grinch, Karen McChesney, and Sparky the Fire Dog.

Speaking of taping .... thank you to The Wanderer. You did a great job of taping the events. The video of the park was most enjoyable and the pictures were terrific!

And without our food servers there would not be a food tent. Thank you to all: Jocelyn Lombard, Melaine Medeiros, Dave Medeiros, Debbie Silva, Mrs. Rego and Jackie Angelo. Great job again, ladies ... we would be lost without you.

All our food was donated by the following town patrons: Shipyard Galley - finger sandwiches, Nick's Pizza - Pizzas, Kinsale Inn - Shepherd's pie and cider on their porch; How On Earth-Mulled Cider; Artisan Kitchen from Rochester-brownies; Mattapoisett Chowder House and Tavern - Chowder; Seaport Village Ice Cream and Coffee Shop - Hot Coffee; The Nest Diner - chocolates; Turk's Seafood - fresh shrimp; Uncle Jon's Coffee Shop-Hot Cider; Gail Goodies - Brownies and various baked squares; Paninos - wraps and finger sandwiches - and Joyce Lombard and Deb Silva for those home-baked cookies. Caryn Hodges - Homemade Fudge and Chocolate Lollipops and Mattapoisett Clipper - Hot Cocoa. There wasn't a drop of food or drink left!

To Our Highway Personnel: A great big thank you to Barry Denham and his Highway crew. Without them, we wouldn't have a tree lighting. They do all the outside work getting it ready for this big celebration, and believe me, it takes days of hard labor getting this together. You guys get the gold star especially with putting up with all the orders from the office on the left!

Without our great Fire Department staff, Chief Scott and Deputy Fire Chief Andy Murray, we would be walking. Thank you for our yearly fire engine ride! All of Santa's friends enjoyed their yearly ride. A thank you to our fire engine drivers -- no one lost their costumes!

Thank you to Santa Claus for arriving and visiting with our children of Mattapoisett. Get well wishes to Mrs. Claus, who was too sick to make the trip. The children missed you and send you their best. Santa wants to thank his elf, Perry Angelo and Cindi Bobola for helping Santa pass out all those delicious candy canes.

Well, I finally have made my goal! Thanks to all our supporters, our town residents, our Board of Selectmen and our Town Administrator. Again thank you everyone for making my dream come true ... And hopefully I haven't forgotten anyone. If I have, it certainly wasn't intentional, so please accept this as my thank you to you.

Hope to see you all again next year!

Sincerely,

Melody Pacheco, Assistant to the Town Administrator

Mattapoisett

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 greater 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 also reserves the right to deny publication of any submitted correspondence.

The Wanderer is pleased to announce its first-ever Community Giving Guide, to be published in an upcoming edition. If your nonprofit organization needs an angel this winter, submit your wish list to us. Please include your organization's name, purpose, address, telephone number, contact person, email address and website. Then list the items you need, such as old computers, desk chairs, canned food, volunteer help, financial contributions, and the like. Please limit your list to a few priority donations. Once we've received a few of these wish lists, The Wanderer will publish them in a guide to community giving in an upcoming issue. Please e-mail your information to office@wanderer.com, or mail it to: The Wanderer Community Giving Guide, P.O. Box 102, Mattapoisett, MA 02739.

The Machacam Club will hold its January meeting on January 7, 2009 at the American Legion Hall, 3 Depot Street in Mattapoisett. Social time is 5:30 pm, with dinner service at 6:00 pm.

The speaker this month is Dick Langhoff, one of the club members. Dick will speak to the club on the Berlin Air Lift Historical Foundation. He will cover its origin, mission and current activities. This commonly forgotten massive relief effort will surely bring to mind the heroic and humane mission of those who served in the air lift. Dick's presentation should be one of this year's best!

Callers are asked to bear in mind the importance of call list accuracy. Please report your lists no later than 9:00 pm on January 5 by calling 508-758-9311. Last minute changes can be made by members by calling the same number no later than 9:00 pm on January 5.

The Elks of Wareham Lodge Number 1548 sponsors the Elks Student of the Month and Student of the Year Awards for students enrolled in local area high schools. The criteria used in nominating a student includes a student who excels in scholarship, citizenship, performing arts, fine arts, hobbies, athletics, church, school, club and community service, industry and farming.

Congratulations to junior Sarah Kassabian of Old Rochester Regional High School for being selected by the ORR faculty and staff for the month of November.

Due to inclement weather, the Motown Christmas Cabaret featuring Tiny and Ralph Tavares with Voices in Time has been rescheduled to Sunday, January 4, 2009 at 6:00 pm at the Mattapoisett Knights of Columbus Hall. Tickets can be purchased by calling Sharon Jensen at 508-494-5383. Seating is limited and no tickets will be available at the door. For more information about the group, please visit www.voicesintime.weebly.com.

Brothers Tiny and Ralph will be joining the members of the Rochester-based Voices in Time on stage for a special holiday performance at the Knights of Columbus Hall on Route 6 in Mattapoisett beginning at 6:00 pm. Also joining them will be the Key Note Singers from the Dartmouth Council on Aging.

Dubbed a "Motown Christmas Cabaret," the show will include a variety of Christmas music performed "Motown style" along with some other non-holiday hits, including one or two Tavares classics.

Christmas tree pick-up in the Town of Marion is scheduled for the week of January 12 through January 16, 2009. Christmas trees should be placed curbside by 7:00 am on the day of your regularly scheduled rubbish pick-up. Trees are also accepted at the Transfer Station on Benson Brook Road. Please be sure trees are free of all ornaments and tinsel. If you have any questions, please contact the Marion DPW office at 508-748-3540, extension 101.

Air Force Airman Derek M. Ventura has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

During the six weeks of training, the airman studied the Air Force mission, organization, core values, and military customs and courtesies; performed drill and ceremony marches, and received physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training exercises, and special training in human relations.

In addition, airmen who complete basic training earn credits toward an associate in applied science degree relating through the Community College of the Air Force.

Ventura is the son of Frank Ventura of Snipatuit Road, Rochester, MA, and Lisa Ventura of Bay Street, Taunton, MA.

The airman is a 2008 graduate of Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School in Rochester.

This year the ORR High School Student Council has tried to make a difference locally as well as globally. Their first outreach began during Homecoming where the entire proceeds of the Powder Puff Football game and their current Candy Cane Grams will be donated to the My Sister's Keeper Charity, a women-led humanitarian action group. During a two decade long civil war being fought in Sudan, 90 percent of women are illiterate and only 20 percent of children in school are girls. The Council wanted to help by supporting the Kunyuk School for Girls in Akon. With the effort of the Council they will be able to supply 50 girls with books, paper, uniforms, and writing utensils for the entire school year. This organization was co-founded by Liz Walker, anchorwoman for Boston-based Channel 4 News.

Ms. Walker recently visited with ORR students and discussed My Sister's Keeper along with how everyone is connected around the world and that a little help brings tremendous results.

The Mattapoisett Council on Aging (COA) is seeking a driver to work weekdays starting at 5:30 am for approximately 20 hours per week with less hours over school vacations. Some opportunity for additional hours, if desired. Please contact Vanessa M.F. WIlliams with questions 508-758-4110 or send resume to the Mattapoisett COA, P.O. Box 528, Mattapoisett MA 02739.

After opening presents on Christmas day, why not come out and support a great cause by taking a quick dip in the ocean? Helping Hands and Hooves will host the ninth annual Christmas Swim at 11:00 am at the Mattapoisett Town Beach.

Each swimmer is asked to give a minimum donation of $10 (payable the day of the swim) and the first 75 swimmers will receive a festive long sleeve T-shirt. One-hundred percent of the proceeds will go to Helping Hands and Hooves -- a non-profit organization based in Mattapoisett that is dedicated to providing therapeutic riding lessons for adults with disabilities.

Why not have friends and families sponsor you? You can print out a sponsor sheet on their website at www.helpinghandsandhooves.org. If you have any questions, please call Debbi Dyson at 508-758-4717.

The Rochester Police Department in conjunction with Law Enforcement Dimensions has scheduled an Entrance Exam for the Rochester Police Department on January 24, 2009.

The Rochester Police Department employs 10 full-time officers and five part-time officers serving a population of approximately 5,400 residents. The department will be holding an entrance exam to fill both full- and part-time openings expected in the coming months.

Because of the small size of the department, officers handle many of their own cases from start to finish. This allows officers the opportunity to participate in investigations, write and serve warrants, and make arrests as a result of their own work.

Rochester police officers also have the opportunity to participate on a number of the departments specialized units such as bike patrol and ATV patrol as well as being able to join specialized units such as the dive team, rapid response team, and search and rescue team attached to the Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (SEMLEC).

Details and eligibility requirements are provided on the Law Enforcement Dimensions website: www.ledimensions.com/rochester. If there is a specific question that has not been addressed there, submit an email to info@ledimensions.com. Any calls made directly to the police department or Law Enforcement Dimensions, may disqualify you from being hired.

Perhaps you know someone who is thinking of getting involved in law enforcement. This is a great opportunity for them to participate in the entry level testing process and possibly earn a career in law enforcement.

If you or anyone you know would like further information on this upcoming exam, please visit www.ledimensions.com/rochester. All registrations must be done online.

The Rochester Police Department will partner with the Massachusetts State Police and hundreds of other local police departments to conduct extra traffic enforcement focused on arresting impaired drivers as part of a Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest mobilization now through January 4, 2009. State and local police will conduct sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols throughout the mobilization. The Executive Office of Public Safety and Security has provided $700,000 in federal grant funding for this initiative for both enforcement and a public education campaign.

In an effort to keep Massachusetts roadways safer during this upcoming holiday season, the Rochester Police Department offers these six travel tips:

* Drive sober and well-rested;

* Obey speed limits and allow extra time for unexpected traffic and weather conditions;

* If celebration plans involve alcoholic beverages, designate a sober driver before heading out or plan to use public transportation, take a taxi (program a cab company's phone number into your cell), or sleep over at the event location;

* Never accept a ride with an impaired driver;

* Report impaired drivers by dialing 911;

* Make sure everyone is properly buckled up -- it's the best defense against a drunk, speeding or aggressive driver.

Additionally, those hosting holiday celebrations are urged to consider having ample non-alcoholic drinks available, do not serve alcohol to anyone under age 21, and prevent impaired guests from getting behind the wheel. More information is available at www.mass.gov/highwaysafety.</p>

On average each week 300 people are arrested for impaired driving in Massachusetts. A first-time conviction for drunk driving in Massachusetts can cost more than $7,800, plus the significant expenses involved with insurance surcharges and attorney services.

The Joseph H. Plumb Memorial Library in Rochester announces the following activities for December:

The Cafe Parlez Book Group will meet on Monday, December 29 at 6:30 pm to talk about The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. This is the simple story about an Andalusian boy named Santiago who travels from Spain to Egypt in search of treasure. Books are available at the library.

The Sit-n-Stitch craft group meets every Monday at 6:30. All are welcome to bring any knitting, crocheting, or other crafts, get a cup of tea, and enjoy the company of other crafters.

For more information about these and other programs, please call 508-763-8600 or e-mail info@plumblibrary.com.

The Mattapoisett Tree Committee has been busy selecting and planting trees in town. Nine trees were planted which include the Beach House, Old Hammondtown School, and several scenic streets. They are always seeking new sites and donations for our spring tree planting.

They would like to thank the Bates family for their generous donation of a Princeton American Elm tree at the Beach House and Mr. and Ms. Peter Burlinson's donation of a lovely street tree in town. They appreciate NStar's efforts in donating and planting trees to replace those removed due to disease or proximity to electric lines. Thank you to Tom May of NStar and Paul Sellars, an Arborist with NStar. They appreciate and wish to thank all those who have donated trees or funds to the Tree Committee of Mattapoisett.

Nancy Souza, Deborah Smiley, Sandy Hering along with Roland Cote, the Tree Warden, have spent many hours preparing an application for Tree City USA. Upon recognition, many fine things will happen for the town. Being a Tree City USA offers a certain prestige and prominence for homeowners and businesses. In the spring, Arbor Day will be recognized as a tribute to the town's dedication to our tree canopy. According to Tree City USA, which is supported by the USDA Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Program, "Tree City USA program provides direction, assistance and national recognition to our community by supporting the framework for a sustainable urban forest."

Last year, the fifth graders at Old Hammondtown School created and displayed posters for Arbor Day which conveyed the importance of trees and wise environmental stewardship. Visit their website at www.trees-for-mattapoisett.org to view these posters and learn more about our committee.

Planting and caring for trees helps increase energy savings, clean the air and water and beautify the entire community and state.

The Tree Committee in Mattapoisett continues to be committed to the beautification of their hometown. Please consider planting a tree next spring or summer either at your home or town property. The Tree Committee appreciates donations to plant and preserve town trees. For further information, please contact Sandy Herring at 508-758-3008 or Elaine Botelho at 508-758-4909.

The Loft School of Marion Inc. is now enrolling for September 2009-2010. They are accepting applications for the three-day preschool class which is held on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and for the two-day preschool program which is Tuesdays and Thursdays. They have also added a new program on Mondays and Wednesdays for children who will turn 3 by November 15 and are potty trained. All classes are cooperative programs where parents share the first school experience with their child working in the classroom on a rotating basis. The Parent Information/Open House will be held on Thursday evening, January 29 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. For more information about any of the programs, please call Toni Cincotta at 508-748-1243.

The Mattapoisett Social and Wellness Center, the location of the Mattapoisett Council on Aging is located at the Center School in Mattapoisett. Enter at the main entrance; parking is located across the street near the church carriage shed or in the school lot. The Center is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.

Please be reminded that with the Mattapoisett Council on Aging, as with all Councils on Aging, any and all are welcome to participate in activities or utilize services. The Mattapoisett Council on Aging works regularly with a vibrant group of individuals who are always willing to welcome a new face. Please call them at 508-758-4110 if you are interested in receiving our bimonthly newsletter or, if you wish to learn more about our services.

Weekly Schedule

* Thursday, December 25: Center Closed - Merry Christmas!;

* Friday, December 26: 8:30 Shaws;

* Monday, January 5: 8:00 Water Aerobics; 9:00 SHINE; 10:00 Garden Club; 12:00 Fitness with Karen; 12:30 Fairhaven Marts; 1:00 Scrabble;

* Tuesday, January 6: 8:30 Stop and Shop; 8:30 Yoga with Tricia; 9:00 Weight Training; 9:30 Public Health Nurse; 10:30 Tedeschi's;

* Wednesday, January 7: 8:00 Water Aerobics; 12:00 Fitness with Karen; 12:45 Lunch with students; 1:30 Bingo;

* Thursday, January 8: 9:30 Public Health Nurse; 9:30 Bridge; 12:00 Lunch at Christo's;

* Friday, January 9: 8:30 Shaws; 9:00 Weight Training Video; 10:00 Assistance for Caregivers Talk; 10:30 Post Office/Library.

Upcoming Events

* Zeiterion Theatre: Discounted tickets available NOW for the new season at the Z.

* Boston Symphony Orchestra Open Rehearsals: All concerts are Thursday mornings at 10:30.

* Lunch at Christo's in Brockton Thursday, January 8.

* Support for Caregivers, Friday January 9 at 10:00 am.

* Free Legal Consultation, Monday January 12 from 9:00 to 10:00 am.

* Food Art, Tuesday, January 13 at 1:00 pm.

* Shopping Day at South Shore Plaza, Braintree, Thursday, January 15.

* Mary Kay, January 20 from 9:30 am - 11:30 am.

* Mamma Mia! Movie, Tuesday January 20 at 12:30 pm.

* Audrey's Restaurant, Thursday, January 22.

* Mystery Lunch, Thursday, January 29.

* Eating Healthy on a Budget, Friday, January 30 at 10:00 am.

* Atlantic City, New Jersey: March 23-25, 2009.

* Providence Bruins Hockey: We are looking for interested parties to join the COA on Sundays, January 4, 11 and 18 for afternoon home games.

The Millicent Library in Fairhaven will be hosting a new monthly Monday Movie Night series running from January to June. The theme of this series will be "Comedy Tonight."

"After the War Movies series, I figured it was time for something lighter," said Rob Gonsalves, who organizes Movie Night. "We'll be showing comedies from the 1940s to the 1990s. I tried to select films that people haven't seen a million times before."

The series kicks off on January 5 with Preston Sturges' Sullivan's Travels (1941), "a satire about a movie director, played by Joel McCrea, who longs to make a socially relevant drama, but eventually learns that comedies are a more valuable contribution to society."

The February 2 movie is Jacques Tati's M. Hulot's Holiday (1953), which "follows the adventures of a lovable French dimwit, Monsieur Hulot (played by Tati himself) as he spends the mandatory August vacation at a beach resort."

March 2 will bring Stanley Donen's Bedazzled (1967), "written by and starring Peter Cook and Dudley Moore, retelling the Faust legend in the Swinging London of the 1960s." The film is not rated, but is probably the equivalent of a PG.

The April 6 offering is Michael Ritchie's Smile (1975), "a satirical comedy-drama focusing on small-town America and its peculiarities, preoccupations, and hypocrisies. The plot revolves around the contestants and people involved with California's Young American Miss Pageant held in Santa Rosa, California." This film is rated PG.

The May 4 comedy is Albert Brooks' Lost in America (1985). "Brooks stars alongside Julie Hagerty as David and Linda Howard, yuppies who are fed up with their lifestyle. They decide to take their savings and head out to see the country in a Winnebago, a recreational vehicle. The plan goes awry when Linda loses everything playing roulette at a casino in Las Vegas." The movie is rated R for language.

Finally, June 1 brings Joel and Ethan Coen's The Hudsucker Proxy (1994), "the story of Norville Barnes (Tim Robbins), a naive business graduate who is installed as president of a manufacturing company as part

of a stock scam." The movie is rated PG.

All films begin at 7:00 pm and are free to the public. The films are shown in the Millicent Library Auditorium, accessible through the Walnut Street entrance. Check the library's website for changes or cancellations (www.millicentlibrary.org).

New Bedford Mayor Scott W. Lang recently joined with New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL) team owners Robin Wadsworth and Rita Hubner at the End Zone sports pub to officially announce the New Bedford Bay Sox team will make the City of New Bedford its new home. Formerly known as the Torrington Twisters, the New Bedford Bay Sox signed a three-season lease with the city for the non-exclusive use of Paul Walsh Field earlier this week. The New Bedford Bay Sox is one of twelve teams affiliated with the NECBL, one of the premiere collegiate baseball leagues in the country. NECBL players are heavily scouted by Major League Baseball teams.

Team owners Robin Wadsworth and Rita Hubner say it was the community's passion for baseball and the reception they received from city officials that made them realize New Bedford was the best place to locate their championship team.

"New Bedford has a sense of pride, community and passion that clearly shines through; their enthusiasm is second to none," Wadsworth said. "It quickly became a virtual no brainer, the minute we engaged with Mayor Lang, Matt Morrissey and other community leaders."

Mayor Lang said, "This team will be a flagship for New Bedford throughout the New England region and will bring increased visitors to our city, which will in turn help drive the tourism and creative sectors of our local economy. In addition, these young collegiate student athletes will serve as role models for the youth of our city, both from an academic standpoint as well as from an athletic standpoint. I know that the people of New Bedford as well as those who live in the communities in this region will support the Bay Sox in an enthusiastic way. I have tremendous confidence that this initiative in addition to the many other projects that are ongoing throughout our city will have a positive effect on the citizens of New Bedford during these challenging economic times."

Founded in 1993, the NECBL began under the leadership of George Foster, former Cincinnati Reds and New York Mets All-Star and Major League home run leader, and league founder Emmy Award-winning television producer/director Joseph Consentino. Play started in 1994 and today the NECBL has become a strong twelve team league that plays in all six New England states and recruits players attending U.S colleges from New England, the other forty-four states and foreign countries.

The NECBL begins its summer season in early June and plays an eight-week, 42-game-per-team schedule, making 21 of the New Bedford Bay Sox's regular season games home games. The New Bedford Bay Sox opening day is scheduled for June 4 at 6:30 pm against the Holyoke Blue Sox at Paul Walsh Field in New Bedford.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) today announced this week that some flu activity has begun to be seen across the state, indicating that flu season has begun. The announcement coincides with National Influenza Vaccination Week, which begins on December 8, and underscores the importance of getting vaccinated against the flu to keep healthy throughout the fall and winter months.

DPH has received a total of 60 reports of positive influenza laboratory tests from across the state so far this flu season. Last year at this time, there were 100 reports of influenza. Seasonal flu is beginning to be seen across the United States as well -- a total of 23 states had reported some level of influenza activity as of the week ending November 29.

State health officials estimate that every year an average of 2,600 Massachusetts residents are hospitalized due to complications from the flu, resulting in up to 800 deaths. It is not too late to get a flu shot even in December or January because flu season doesn't usually peak until February or March.

"Many of these hospitalizations and deaths are preventable, and prevention begins with getting the flu vaccine," said DPH Commissioner John Auerbach.

"The good news is that there is more influenza vaccine available this year than ever before in Massachusetts, and there is still time to get vaccinated," added Auerbach. "In Massachusetts, over 2.6 million doses of influenza vaccine have been distributed, including 808,000 doses of state-supplied vaccine."

Influenza vaccine is recommended for everyone who wants to avoid getting the flu, or from spreading the flu to others. The vaccine is especially important for those who are at higher risk for complications from the flu, including:

* Children six months to 18 years old;

* Everyone 50 years of age and older;

* Pregnant women; and

* Children and adults with chronic medical conditions, such as heart or lung disease, asthma, diabetes, or immune systems weakened by disease, such as HIV infection, or chemotherapy.

In addition to getting vaccinated, people can help protect themselves and others from the flu and other respiratory diseases by washing their hands often, covering the nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, and staying home from work and school when they are sick.

For information about where to get flu vaccine, call your health care provider, your local health department, visit the Massachusetts Flu Clinic website at http://flu.masspro.org/ or call toll-free 866-627-7968 for a list of flu clinics near you.

This year, a historic U.S. election, a catastrophic financial crisis, and China's Olympic dreams dominated headlines, but some of the biggest stories never made the front page. From the Afghanistan "surge" that is already begun, to global warming issues, and a looming global food supply shortage. Listed below are some of big stories for round-table discussion at Great Decisions -- a discussion series for the discerning thinker who desires to learn more about:

* Global food supply;

* U.S. and rising powers;

* The Arctic Age;

* Energy and the Global Economy;

* Afghanistan and Pakistan; and

* Universal Human Rights and more.

The group is open to everyone. Great Decisions kicks off the robust round table series on January 28, 2009 at 1:30 pm in the meeting room at the Mattapoisett Congregational Church, 27 Church Street. Be an informed citizen on vital world issues -- express your valued opinion. Come participate in the nonpartisan "Great Decisions" round-table series by contacting Lois Murray at 508-758-4949 today.

Everyone is invited to Christmas Vacation Drop-In Days at the Elizabeth Taber Library in Marion. Children of all ages are welcome to join in the fun!

Visit the Children's Room on Monday and Tuesday, December 29 and 30, where there will be crafts and activities available to celebrate the holidays.

Winter 2009: Everyday during the winter has drop-in activities in the Children's Room at the Elizabeth Taber Library. Children of all ages are invited.

Tales for Twos, an eight-week series of storytimes for children between the ages of 24 months and 39 months, runs from January 7 through February 25, 2009. The half-hour program of stories, fingerplays and crafts will be offered on Wednesday mornings at 10:30 am. Children must be two years old by January 1, 2009 to attend and must be accompanied by enthusiastic adult companions. Pre-registration is required by calling or stopping by the library, or e-mailing Rosemary Grey at rgrey@sailsinc.org.

Winter Story Time for children between the ages of three and five begins January 8 and runs through February 26, 2009. Children are invited to enjoy stories, fingerplays and crafts on Thursday mornings at 10:30 am. Pre-registration is required. Sign up by calling or stopping by the library, or e-mailing Rosemary Grey at rgrey@sailsinc.org.

Winter Lap-sit Story Time for ages 0-23 months begins on Monday mornings at 10:30 am starting January 5. Pre-registration is required. If you are interested, please call or stop by the library or e-mail Rosemary Grey at rgrey@sailsinc.org.

It is never too soon to share the wonderful world of literature with children.

The Elizabeth Taber Library is located at 8 Spring Street in Marion. The phone number is 508-748-1252. More program information can be found on the library's website at www.sailsinc.org/marion.</p>

The following winter hours for the Mattapoisett Transfer Station are now in effect: Thursday and Friday, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm; and Saturday, from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm. If you have any questions, please call the Mattapoisett Board of Health at 508-758-4100, extension 8.

Do you have some library books long overdue? Are you worried about returning them to the library because you think you have a huge fine to pay? The Plumb Memorial Library in Rochester has the solution for you.

December is "Food for Fines Month" at the library. Bring in non-perishable food items and deposit them in their "Food for Fines" basket and they will waive all fines. All food items will be donated to Damien's Pantry. This does not apply to any lost or missing items. For more information, please call the library at 508-763-8600 or e-mail info@plumblibrary.com.

Ye Olde Breakfast Shoppe - Start your morning off by joining us for Breakfast any Monday through Friday morning, at the Rochester Senior Center, from 7:00 to 9:00 am for a varied selection of breakfast items, and friendship! This new Program is made possible by a joint effort of the Friends of the Senior Center and the Rochester Lions Club. Dedicated volunteers are working hard each morning to bring this service to the community. Why not come by and support their efforts ... all for a good cause. Prices are very reasonable, and you get a bottomless cup of coffee! Your choice of eggs, toast, muffins, pancakes, French Toast, and/or omelets. Anyone is welcome to stop on by.

New Year's Party - Join the Rochester COA to welcome in the New Year on Wednesday, December 31 from 1:30 to 3:00 pm at the Rochester Senior Center. Hot hors d'oeuvres and non-alcoholic bubbly will be on hand, as well as entertainment, and noisemakers to ring in 2009 in a grand way! Everyone is welcome to attend and there is no charge!

December Trips

* Sunday, December 28 - The North Pole Express Steam Train Ride in Essex, CT: Musical Performance Onboard; Cost $25; 1:00-9:00; Lunch before the train ride.

* Monday, December 29 - Shopping at Super Walmart in Raynham; Lunch nearby; 8:30 am to 3:00 pm.

* Wednesday, December 31 - Market Basket grocery shopping, 8:30 am to 1:00 pm.

Upcoming Events

* Square Dancing Class: Join us on Monday nights from 6:30 to 8:00 pm for a Square Dancing class. It's a fitness program that will fit your budget. Donation of $4 per class, paid directly to the instructor. All levels of expertise are welcome. The instructor is Paul Letourneau. Many may remember Paul from his years of teaching at the Rochester Grange. Come to just watch or dance. All ages and anyone is welcome!

* Volunteers needed: The Rochester COA needs a few strong volunteers who would be available on a Monday or Thursday afternoon, around 3:30 pm, to help take down tables and move chairs in preparation for the evening dance classes. If you have a half hour to spare on either or both of these days and would like to help out, please let them know! They'd be so grateful.

The COA is also looking for a few good cutters with extra time to cut up coupons from the newspapers and advertisements. The suggestion was made recently to start a coupon file to have on hand in the lobby for those who could make use of the coupon discounts, particularly during these tough financial times! They need cutters, a person to file the coupons and make sure they are current and ads/newspapers to cut up. Lots of hands would make light work of this effort.

Coupons are also needed. Do you have store coupons you're not using? Please bring them in to the Senior Center to be clipped and filed ! Donating store coupons is a great way to help seniors save on their grocery bills. Seniors are welcome to take as many coupons as they can use from our new coupon file. Check back often.

* Stepping and Stretching: Join the Rochester COA on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 1:00 to 2:00 pm, for a fun-filled hour of easy exercise bending and stretching and building up your strength and improving your balance! Most exercises are done from the comfort of your chair! This program is designed to improve physical conditioning, decrease risk of falling and improve health, memory, mood, balance, bone density, flexibility and endurance. You go at your own pace. This program is made possible through a grant from Coastline Elderly Services, Inc. Donations are appreciated.

* Moving With the Oldies: This upbeat exercise class offers a low impact, moderate level cardio workout, followed by a dose of muscle toning and stretching to some of your favorite oldie tunes. Instructor Clare Hartford offers classes on Wednesday and Friday and the time is 9:00 to 10:00 am. Donation $4 per person.

* Bingo: Feeling Lucky? Why not try your luck at the Rochester COA's weekly Bingo game at the Senior Center? The crowd is building. It is held on Wednesdays from 12:30 to 3:30 pm with refreshment break. They play by the Senior Citizen Recreational Bingo Massachusetts laws. Cost is 50 cents per card with no card limit and 25 cents a game. All money collected will be given in prizes that afternoon. Anyone is welcome to come!

* Large Print Library Books: The Plumb Library has brought a large print collection of library books at the Senior Center. Anyone who would like to sign out one of these books is welcome to do so. If you want to read a book, please sign it out in the book and sign in when you return it.

* Wii Games at the Senior Center: Join the Rochester COA on Thursday afternoons for a game of Wii Sports. They have all the equipment and will show you how to use it. You can play in teams or play by yourself. Enjoy billiards, bowling, baseball, tennis, basketball or golf. Wii sports games offer low-impact exercise with a full range of motion that's similar to tai-chi or chair aerobics.

* Soup and Sandwich Returns: Now that cooler weather is here, the Soup and Sandwich Luncheon returns to the Senior Ce