Leading Shark Expert at Tabor

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Greg Skomal is the state’s leading shark expert, and has spearheaded efforts to tag and track great white sharks off of Cape Cod. Skomal, who has a Ph.D. from Boston University and teaches at the University of Massachusetts School for Marine Science and Technology in New Bedford, has studied sharks from the Arctic Circle to the Central Pacific and has been featured in numerous films and television programs.

Elizabeth Leary, manager of Tabor’s Marine Science lab, was first introduced to Skomal during her graduate studies in Woods Hole, where he was her teaching assistant. Since that time, Leary has followed his exciting research. Tabor will welcome Skomal to campus on May 16. He will share some of the exciting research that is currently being conducted to ensure the safety of the great white sharks that have been showing up more and more off the shores of Cape Cod.

The lecture is open to the public and will be held on May 16 at 6:30 pm at Hoyt Hall (Fireman Performing Arts Center), located on Front Street.

Knights of Columbus Awards

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Mattapoisett Damien Council No. 4190 Knights of Columbus recently awarded 10 $500 scholarships to deserving area students. Funds for the scholarships were raised from middle school dances held throughout the past school year, as well as other Council fundraising activities.

Directing the scholarship program was Grand Knight Al Silva and the Scholarship Committee including Chairman Jim Grady, Jim Alferes, Al Fidalgo, Jim Hubbard, Carl Junier, and Jason Mello.

Scholarships were awarded to the following students:

Mya E. Akins, Mattapoisett, Old Rochester Regional High School, attending New England College

Alexandra R. Borges, New Bedford, Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School, attending Quinnipiac University

Katherine R. Guillotte, New Bedford, New Bedford High School, attending Simmons College

Erin M. Hoberman, New Bedford, Fairhaven High School, attending Bristol Community College

Jesse D. Hodges, Mattapoisett, Old Rochester Regional High School, attending Bryant University

David G. Pepin, New Bedford, New Bedford High School, attending Bryant University

Alexandra B. Saccone, West Wareham, Old Rochester Regional High School, attending Boston University

Molly G. Silva, Fairhaven, Fairhaven High School, attending the University of Tampa

Danielle R. Trahan, Fairhaven, Fairhaven High School, attending Colby-Sawyer College

Katherine M. Wilbur, Mattapoisett, Old Rochester Regional High School, attending the University of South Carolina

Vocational Schools Team Up in Tri-Town

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Recently, some students at Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School have gotten to work, and the results should be something that they and other residents of Rochester should be proud of for a long time to come.

Led by their teachers, groups of juniors and seniors from the school have traveled each day (weather permitting) to Gifford Field in Rochester to construct the new Snack Shack, which will be utilized at Old Rochester Little League games. Stu Norton, who is the teacher for the House and Mill Carpentry group at Old Colony, said that they started construction in November, and that they are made up of students from his department and two others – Electrical and CAD – as well as students from the New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School’s Plumbing Department.

“It’s a win-win,” Norton said. “It saves the school money, and it saves the community the cost of building a building like this. And it’s real work.”

The new building, which includes a handicap-accessible bathroom, a trophy/bulletin board case, and a serving window, replaces an older structure that previously existed on the property. In the end, the building will have been constructed entirely by the students and their teachers.

“It’s good for the community,” said Brandon Sousa, who is part of the group of juniors with the House and Mill Carpentry group. The students in each department alternate weekly with the other group of seniors who also work on the project. The grades alternate between shop and academics, with juniors and seniors on opposite schedules, so every week, it’s a different crew on site, but Norton said that it has been good to see all of the different departments working together on the project.

“It’s just great that kids understand the value of that in the community,” Norton said.

Norton said that the Old Rochester Little League provided the funds for the new building with proceeds earned from the old snack shack. He added that the new shack is quite a bit larger than the old one was, and that they hope to have it completed by the end of the school year. During a recent visit, the carpentry group was adding shingles to the exterior of the shack, with more interior work remaining.

Norton said that “all aspects, from the windows and the doors to the wiring and the plumbing and the design,” were done by the students. “It’s better than building a fake wall and throwing it all away.” He added that he expects the concrete on the exterior to be poured in about two weeks.

By Nick Walecka

Later Class Start Under Discussion

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Old Rochester Regional High School Principal Michael Devoll and the ORR School Committee discussed a pilot program that would change the start of the school day from 7:30 am to 8:30 am for next year, with the Committee ultimately approving a motion to allow Devoll and his staff to continue to plan for it.

The main goal of the extra hour is to provide a common planning time for teachers, as well as to allow an early period for students to meet for things like clubs and organizations and to visit the library, computer labs, and the gymnasium. There would be 15 paraprofessionals assigned to supervise them, as well as a potential addition of an aide to help specifically during this period.

Currently, students and teachers are required to be at school at 7:20 am, and that will remain the same for teachers under the plan. Devoll stressed his wish that parents and school personnel keep in mind that this is a pilot program, and that it would need to prove itself worthwhile before it is made permanent.

“We want to advertise that this is a trial,” he said. “We need to show as a staff that this is valuable. This is a practice of very successful high schools.”

“If it’s not working – if we hear complaints from the parents – we’re going to give that information to [Devoll],” said Chair Joe Scott. “It’s something we need to consider.”

In other news, Kim Corazzini, who is ORR’s advisor for the AFS program, introduced the three intercultural students who spent the school year in the area. AFS (formerly American Field Service, but now just shortened to the acronym) helps students from all over the world find schools and homes in countries other than their native homelands.

The students are Alvaro Mansilla of Chile, Pearl Sawaspanich of Thailand, and Linda Rinaldo from Italy.

Rinaldo, who is expected to receive her diploma from ORR as well as her home school, said that the trio has enjoyed their time at ORR.

“We love it here,” Rinaldo said. “I love all the extra school activities, and I made a lot of friends.”

Corazzini said that all three of the students would be capable of passing the MCAS, but that not all of them fall into the official category of being seniors and didn’t need to take them.

Sawaspanich said that the weather here was one of the main differences from her home in Thailand, but that overall, the trip was a learning experience.

“This is one of my dreams come true,” she said. “I’m glad to be here. Everything is very different where I come from. Everywhere in Thailand is eighty to one hundred degrees.”

Alvaro, who played soccer and lacrosse at ORR, also spoke of how friendly everyone at ORR was in his time there.

“It’s been a great experience for me, too,” he said. “I made a lot of friends. Everyone here is really nice.”

Scott also added that they are also looking for host families for next year’s students.

The Committee also announced that two of its members, Dr. Mike Pellegrino and Thomas J. Shire Jr., were stepping down from the Committee, and that Derek Medeiros, recently elected, would join it.

By Nick Walecka

ORR Farmers Market

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The ORR Farmers Market opens June 4 and will run Tuesdays, 3:00 pm-7:00 pm, through Oct. 15 at Old Rochester Regional Junior High School, 135 Marion Rd. Local produce, live plants, cheeses, meats, seafood, breads, soaps, artisan crafts, and more will be available.

Girls’ Tennis Streak Snapped

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In Old Rochester Regional school history, there is no team that can match the dominance of the girls’ tennis program. Coached by Bob Hohne, the girls have won 9 consecutive SCC championships, and they had not lost a regular season match since 2006. That makes 111 straight victories without a single loss. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, and the girls’ streak was snapped when they lost 4-1 to Apponequet High School last Wednesday.

A tennis team has seven players. There are three singles players, and two doubles teams. If you win your match, you get one point toward the final score of the match. Senior all-star Abby Offringa was the only Bulldog to win her match. She easily won over Apponequet’s top player, April Locke, going 6-0, 6-1. Number two singles player, sophomore Julia Nojeim, played a hard game, but eventually lost in three hard-fought sets. Senior Casey Garstang, third singles player, won her first set 6-3, but would lose the next two 2-6, 2-6 to give Apponequet the third singles win as well.

The doubles matches were just as hard fought. Freshman Morgan Middleton and partner Jillian Reichert won their first set 6-4, but then lost the next two 1-6, 1-6. Junior Haley Dickerson and senior Kristin Nascimento also played well, but lost in two sets with a 6-7 decision in each of them.

The girls’ loss does not signify the end of an era, however. Once loss in 7 seasons is nothing to be ashamed of, and they are still in the running for the SCC title, as they play Apponequet later in the season, this time on their home courts. At that point, the girls will have more experience and hope to defeat the Lakers to attain their 10th consecutive title.

By Michael Kassabian

Car Wash to Support Class of 2015

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On Saturday, May 11, the sophomore class (Class of 2015) will be holding a car wash at the Mattapoisett Fire Station. The car wash is a fundraiser for the  class. It will take place from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.

According to Mrs. Morrell and Mr. Rogers, the advisors to the Class of 2015, each sophomore student will receive two tickets in their homerooms that they are encouraged to sell. Each ticket is $5. Students are also encouraged to sell more tickets if possible. Car owners attending the car wash are required to have a ticket, and tickets will be available on the day of the car wash. All are encouraged to attend.

The goal of the car wash is to raise money specifically for the Class of 2015’s Junior Semi-Formal and Senior Prom. Class advisors Morrell and Rogers have announced intentions for all future fundraisers for the class treasury to go toward the two events in the upcoming years. The advisors hope to give the class lower ticket fees for the two events than in years past. The lowering of ticket costs has becomes the class’s collective goal.

There will be two prizes awarded after the car wash. The first prize goes to the homeroom that collectively sells the most tickets. The prize will be a free breakfast for that homeroom. Another prize will go out to the individual that sells the most tickets. The individual prize has yet to be announced.

By Jessica Correia

A Working Vacation in Trinidad

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Eighteen Old Rochester Regional High School students and one Tabor Academy student, along with their fathers, spent April vacation working at an orphanage on the island of Trinidad. The students ranged from freshmen to seniors.

Trinidad Tobago is the official name of the country and consists of two southern Caribbean islands. They are located off the coast of Venezuela and south of Grenada.

“It was a very eye-opening experience,” said Ben Mattson, who went with his father, Wayne. “The kids were very excited to have us visit. They were so grateful and we could see what a big deal our work was to them. It was amazing to see how much we accomplished in such a short time.”

The group provided labor, materials, and good spirits to help paint the sleeping areas for the 35 children who live at the Christ Child Convalescence Home. The orphans range in age from five months to 14 years old.

The girls’ sleeping area was painted pink, and the boys’ area blue. The group also replaced the drop ceiling tiles, which were falling down and in disrepair. Cubbyholes were built for each child to store clothing and toiletries in the male and female changing areas.

The trip was organized by Erik Dyson of Mattapoisett. Dyson and his wife, Deb, worked for Habitat for Humanity in El Salvador and Costa Rica for three years managing housing projects.

“Groups from high schools, colleges, and churches would come down and help us, Dyson said, “and we were grateful for it.”

Dyson works for an international company and oversees the Caribbean and Latin America region.

“Our company donated a computer lab to the orphanage, and I met Anunciata, who runs the place,” he said. “She told me that she had so many projects and ideas, but no money. I asked if she would host us if we brought a group to help and it all fell into place.”

Hosting means that the orphanage would supply the group with daily lunch, water, and a place to sleep.

The group was formed by friends telling friends and neighbors about it. Some in the group knew each other, but others were strangers.

“We didn’t all know each other before the trip,” said Jane Kassabian, who went with her father, Jay, and brother, Michael (an ORR student who reports on sports for The Wanderer). The trio, from Mattapoisett, had never experienced a different culture. “The kids spoke English, with a strong accent, and we played with them when they returned from school,” Kassabian said.

“It was cool having a father, daughter, and son trip. I shared a tiny, crowded room, with bunks on top of bunks, but it was really great,” she said. Another benefit to giving back is that it brought the families as well as the students closer to one another. “We knew each other from school but now we are friends, definitely,” Kassabian said.

After the project was completed, the group visited a hummingbird sanctuary, where 14 different varieties of the bird live. Another trip included a visit to a beach, at night, where the group saw leatherback turtles, which were eight feet long and weighed up to 1,000 pounds.

“Everybody got along, we worked as a team, and we have great memories of our school vacation week,” Dyson said.

By Joan Hartnett-Barry

Lightning Strikes Home in Mattapoisett

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A brief yet violent storm moved through the area this afternoon creating large puddles and damaging at least one home. Just after 4pm the Mattapoisett Fire Department was called to Bridal Path for a home that was struck. The homeowners reported they also smelt smoke in the house. After the initial investigation the Fire Department reported that a tree in the yard had been struck and the charge had traveled into the home though a water line but there was no fire found. The building inspector and electrical inspector were also called to the scene to check the safety of the home.

The US Weather Service is forecasting unsettled weather with possible intermittent rain and thunder showers for the next few days for our area.

Plumb Library News

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Local author Ed Lodi will give a talk about his latest book The Women of King Philip’s War on May 9 at 6:30 pm at the Plumb Library, 17 Constitution Way, Rochester. Though often overlooked by historians, women played major roles in the war. Included are three squaw-sachems: Awashongs, Weetamoo, and Quaiapen, who rose up with Philip against the settlers. Also included is the fascinating tale of Mary Rowlandson, the Englishwoman taken captive in a raid against the village of Lancaster, whose extraordinary narrative of her captivity became America’s first bestselling book. There are other women in the book whose names have been lost to history, but whose exploits have become the stuff of legends. Lodi rounds out his talk with accounts of what daily life was for women in the settlements; the “stealth and stratagems” used by Indian women acting as spies; and the restrictive laws and how some Englishwomen defied them. There will be a question and answer period. Copies of the book will be sold and can be signed by the author. The talk is free and sponsored by the Friends of Plumb Library. Call us at 508-763-8600 for more information.

On May 23 at 6:30 pm, financial advisor Bill Geasey will be giving a talk on “Plan, Save, and Pay for College … without Going Crazy or Broke!” This program is suitable for parents of children ages 4-14. Mr. Geasey will cover: How to make a college game plan now; the key to college affordability is within your child; how will you avoid the highly counterproductive effect of college debt; what is financial aid, and will it work for you? This workshop is for you if you have young kids and/or early teenagers; you take the need for higher education seriously; you are concerned about future costs and possible debt; plan to contribute to the cost of your child’s higher education; hope your child gets the very best education, but want to know how. Please make a point of attending this informative and timely workshop. Call the library at 508-763-8600 for more information or to register.

The Mad Scientists of “Mad Science” will amaze the children as they “dig” into the layers of the Earth to see its make-up. They will also investigate how scientists evaluate what they find. The presentation really pops when they see what happens when what’s inside the Earth tries to get out. This presentation rocks! This program will take place on May 31 at 4:30 pm at the Rochester Congregational Church, 11 Constitution Way, and is suitable for children ages 5 and up. This program is funded by the Friends of Plumb Library.

Café Parlez’ selection for May is The Age of Miracles, by Karen Thompson Walker. On a seemingly ordinary Saturday, Julia and her family awake to discover, along with the rest of the world, that the earth’s rotation has started to slow. Days and nights grown longer, gravity is affected, and the environment is beginning to suffer. As she struggles to navigate this shifting landscape, Julia is also coping with the ordinary stresses of everyday life. As she adjusts to the new normal, the slowing inexorably continues. This compelling debut novel will have the reader thinking about how they would cope in this situation. We will be discussing this book on May 30 at 6:30 pm. Books are available at the desk, or bring your own copy.

Just the Facts, the nonfiction book discussion group, will be reading Lost in Shangri-La: A True Story of Survival, Adventure, and the Most Incredible Rescue Mission of World War II, by Michael Zuckoff. In 1945, 24 American servicemen and women boarded a plane to see “Shangri-La”, a beautiful valley deep within Dutch New Guinea. But when the plane crashed, only three pulled through to fight for survival. Drawn from interviews, Army documents, photos, diaries, and original film footage, this is the first time this true-life adventure has been told. We will be discussing this book on May 16 at 6:30 pm. Copies are available at the desk.