Jones in Flight as ‘Peter Pan’

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            Emma Jones, who will play the title character Peter Pan in the Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School Drama Club’s production that begins Saturday night on the Rochester campus, has taken the act out of acting and put in into self-actualization.

            “I was not a very confident person as a kid, so when I started doing this it kind of gave me confidence in a sense, and on top of that it fueled my absolute love for Broadway and musical theater and all that. I kind of feel like it came hand in hand,” said Jones, who is playing a lead character for the first time.

            As the flying character, the 16-year-old sophomore from Rochester is not afraid to wing it.

            “It helped that I have a great co-lead (14-year-old freshman Megan Correia of Freetown plays Wendy Darling). We work really well off of each other,” said Jones, who admits to lingering opening-night jitters. “It’s still that feeling of pure anxiety beforehand. Last year we had a little bit of a fumble where I had a scene with one other person here and… he forgot his line completely so I just had to come up with something.”

            Jones performed in two shows in junior high school and one prior show at Old Colony. 

            The famous play by James Matthew Barrie (aka “The Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up” and “Peter and Wendy”) received a new take from director Megan Pierce in her second show as director at Old Colony. Last year she directed The Jungle Book.

            Pierce’s version of Peter Pan will follows the Darling children as they travel to Neverland, and learn to fly and engage in daring sword fights.

            Jonah Duke, a 15-year-old sophomore from Mattapoisett, plays John Napoleon Darling.

            “I’ve been villians – last year, I was the main villian. Back in eighth grade it was Snow White and I was Prince Charming. It’s a bit to manage, but you get by,” said Duke, who was part of Old Colony’s robotics team (he writes computer code).

            Duke does not know what career he will pursue, but he has an impressive start on some options.

            “Some of my dreams is electrical engineer and another big thing I’ve been thinking about is history teacher. I could see myself going into either of those,” said Duke, who enjoys the personalities involved. “You’re not putting you out there. It’s more getting into a role. It’s becoming something that I am not always… It’s a challenge and it’s fun to do. It’s interesting, I love it.”

            Duke’s father John Duke, a home farmer who used to be an electrician, helped staging the sets. “I always tell everybody my dad’s a worm farmer… he composts and then distributes to other farms,” said Jonah Duke.

            In addition to a literal family presence, Jones says the sense of family in the cast and production team extends beyond the theater.

            “Most of my friends are here so it’s one of those things where we’re close here, we’re close there, it doesn’t really matter,” said Jones. “And on top of that we do stuff throughout the summer like little parties and get-togethers.”

            Jones dreams of someday playing a part in Beetlejuice.

            “Anything in musical theater I would love to do,” she said.

            Alec Taylor, a 15-year-old sophomore from Rochester, plays Michael Darling, and the cast is rounded out by Faryn Leverone as Captain Hook, with supporting actors Noah Lapointe, Annabella Adams, Antonio Aguiar, Jacob Andrews, Rylie England, Owen Flynn, Isabella Lapointe, Kara Leblanc, Steven Morrison, Haley Pierce, Lucas Preston, and Lillian Tripp.

            Anna Kippenberger is the stage manager supported by an eclectic crew comprised of Chloe Weber on costume design, Mya Teixeira on set design, Malloy Logan choreographing fight scenes, and Alaysha Mendes as cast supervisor.

            Performances will be held Saturday, March 7, at 7:00 pm (doors open at 6:00) and Sunday, March 8, at 2:00 pm (doors open at 1:00). Tickets can be purchased at the door, $10 for general public and $5 for students.

Old Colony Drama Club

By Mick Colageo

Highs and Lows of Marion’s Commitment to School Budgets

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            The good news and bad news of Marion’s education budget came out during the February 26 joint session to review and discuss the draft budgets for Fiscal Year 2021 with the Board of Selectmen, the Finance Committee and Old Rochester Regional and Sippican School Committees at the Town House.

            Marion’s contribution of 82.5 percent for FY2021 is the most it can be.

            The good news was prefaced by Town Administrator Jay McGrail, who took the floor from Board of Selectmen Chairman Randy Parker and informed the meeting that the town managed to maintain the requested growth rate.

            “The Finance Committee came to me and said they want to see growth at 2 percent, and that’s what we tried to do here. (ORR superintendent Doug White) listened to that, that’s what I passed on to Doug, and as far as the Sippican budget and the ORR budget, he came pretty close to that,” announced McGrail.

            When delving into the Sippican School budget, White explained that Chapter 70 (money that comes from the state into the Tri-Town area to support education in the local region and at Upper Cape Tech) gleans information from FY2018 and uses 2017 for income information. 

            The state also took into consideration residents’ property valuation and income and arrived at a contribution of 17.5 percent to the town’s public education. That leaves the town holding the bag for the other 82.5 percent.

            “They’re funding us at the minimum number they possibly can,” said White of the state.

            The Student Opportunity Act designed to bring additional education money into Marion will contribute no more than $30 per student, slightly up from the $25 the town had received per student (a 1.5 percent change).

            “Education in our three communities and in Marion has been supported through the taxpayers and the citizens of the community, and they’ve provided the support and education that we’ve been able to do,” said White. “And we’re thankful for that because I think we’re supported well as we’re moving forward.”

            Board of Selectmen Vice Chairman John Waterman asked for and received confirmation that the state’s formula to calculating aid is not subject to any influence from towns.

            “We’re not getting a lot of support,” said White.

            The budget was set on Oct. 1, 2019, then enrollment increased from 432 to 444 students in anticipated enrollment for the 2020-21 school year.

            Sippican has from 18-22 students per classroom, three rooms at each grade level, a preschool with 23 students as a whole (some of those students for two days a week). White indicated that the same number of teachers will keep class sizes in the 20-22 range.

            FinCom Chairman Peter Winters was not satisfied with the presentation because the format had income offsetting expenses before FinCom was able to see the numbers.

            “The budget is offset by the circuit-breakers. There is an operating budget and a circuit-breaker budget. Those are net,” said Lincoln Lynch, who assisted White in preparing the budget for presentation.

            “They don’t accurately reflect expenses,” said Winters. “We just got this tonight. How are we supposed to review this and figure out what the cost of something actually is?”

            Judy Mooney, Assistant Town Administrator, explained that the method is necessary in the effort to arrive at a budget, and thus the presentation with offsets.

            Waterman said that budget and analysis are two different disciplines, implying that analysis cannot force its way into the budget process without becoming counterproductive.

            ORR Assistant Superintendent Mike Nelson explained circuit-breakers as “relief for students that are high needs fitting a certain fiscal (profile)”.

            “So essentially the home district owns the first $45,000 of special-education services for a special-education student, and any cost above that foundation rate of $45,000, we put in for state reimbursement and typically we are reimbursed at a rate of 75 percent. Those funds then come back into the district and then we’re able to use them either for unexpected education costs such as a move-in or for budget offset because we have to use that reimbursement within a two-year window.”

            The ORR school committee is asking for social and emotional support that goes along with its strategic plan. A couple of years ago, ORR moved from a social worker to a behaviorist. Differences between the two include a social worker works with DCF, whereas a behaviorist would not. A social worker would also support families by making connections with the community for shelter and food. Another program ORR has is transitioning sports teams’ coaches to the union contract.

Marion Board of Selectmen Joint Session with FinCom, School Committees, Water and Sewer

By Mick Colageo

Mattapoisett Council on Aging

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Creative outlets and appreciation are happening in March at the Mattapoisett COA. Join the new painting class (for beginners to intermediate); learn about mixed media technique; color mixing and more with instructor, Bernie Klim, every Friday from 9:30 am to 11:00 am. Registration is requested. Cost for 60+ is free; under 60, there is a $5 cost that does not include materials. Call for details.

            Learn how to draw (for beginners or intermediates), and/or learn about other art styles at the Still Life Drawing class is every Tuesday from 6:00 to 7:30 pm. Cost for 60+ is free; under 60, there is a $5 cost. Supplies are not included and registration is required.  

            Play with clay during the pottery/clay building class every other Thursday (March 12 and 26), from 9:30 to 11:00 am. Your work will be fired in a kiln and returned to be painted and fired again for a polished look. Instruction and guidance will be provided by professional artist Barbara Greenspan. Registration is requested. This class is offered every other week perpetually.  The cost is $8 and it includes all materials.

            How did Impressionist painters, such as Monet, Renoir, Degas, and others inspire the art world and inspire artists with their new techniques? Find out on Tuesday, March 17 at 12:30 pm as art historian, Jill Sanford teaches Art History: Famous Impressions. There is no cost but registration is required: 508-758-4110.

            Pieces of fabric, scissors, glue, and an open mind are what you will find at the Fabric Art Workshop on Friday, March 20 at 1:00 pm. Lauren Langevin leads this free session (with all materials provided). Registration is requested.

            Music is in the air during the Lunch and Sing-a-long with pianist and singer, Steve Richardson. Sit and enjoy, or join him at the guest mic for entertaining fun on Thursday, March 26 at 12:30 pm.  The cost is $3 for lunch and registration is required.

            On Monday, March 9, get pampered with a free manicure (for men and women), by sophomore cosmetology students from Old Colony. Appointments run every half hour from 10:00 to 11:30 am. Registration is required.  

            Enjoy the Lunch and Learn with Lauren Langevin’s “Healthy Eating for One” session on Tuesday, March 10 at 12:00 pm. There is no cost for but registration is required: 508-758-4110.

            Do you have old coins, stamps and/or postcards that you don’t know what to do with?  Come by on Fridays, March 6 and 20 at 10:00 am to meet people with some knowledge during the sessions of Collections Appreciation: Coins, Stamps, and Postcards.

            To learn more and to register for any programs, contact the Mattapoisett COA, 17 Barstow St., Mattapoisett, via telephone at 508-758-4110 or e-mail: coadirector@mattapoisett.net. 

For more information about all programs and services, please find the newsletter online at www.ourseniorcenter.com/find/mattapoisett-council-on-aging and on Facebook at Mattapoisett Council on Aging.

Celebrating Louisa May Alcott at the Mattapoisett Library

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We’re celebrating Women’s History Month with a special look at Louisa May Alcott and her groundbreaking book, Little Women. Join us for one of these events on Thursdays at 3:30 pm or come to all. Registration is required. Recommended for children ages 6 to 14.

            March 12: Meet Louisa May Alcott – Miss Chris will come dressed as the famous author and answer questions about Louisa’s life. Crafts and snacks included.

            March 19: Day in the Life During 1860 – Come and find out more about what it was like to live in 1860. We will play games, make toys and enjoy some snacks.

            March 26: Traditional Tea Time – Join us for a lovely teatime setting with light refreshments and “tea”. Come dressed in your “Sunday best”.

            Ongoing storytimes continue on Tuesdays at 10:30 am for all children with “Storytots”, on Thursdays with “Mother Goose on the Loose” at 10:30 am followed by our baby meet-up group at 11:00 am and on Fridays at 10:30 am with “Songs and Stories with Miss Chris”. No registration required.

            We also have our Fiber Fun Group for children 8 and up to learn knitting and crochet on March 6 and 20 at 3:30 pm and our Quahog Reading Award Program for children grades 3 to 6 through April.

            In addition “Read to Breton”, our library dog comes every other Tuesday afternoon at 3:15 pm; Chess Lessons with Coach Jim on Wednesday nights from 5:00 to 7:00 pm and Sunday afternoons, 1:00 to 3:00 pm and our monthly Kids Yoga Class on Thursday, March 5at 1:30 pm.  All of these programs require registration, so please contact the library to sign up. 

            All programs are free and open to the public. If special accommodations are needed, please contact the library at 508-758-4171 for assistance. For more information on upcoming children’s programs, please visit our website at www.mattapoisettlibrary.org/childrens.

Open Table

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Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day a little early at Open Table on Friday, March 13 in Reynard Hall at the Mattapoisett Congregational Church. The menu is a surprise, but it will be something delicious for the Lenten season. There is no charge for the meal, although donations are gratefully accepted. At Open Table, it is all about the food, fun, and fellowship. Doors open at 4:30 pm and the meal will be served at 5:00 pm. This is a community event and everyone is welcome.

Marion Watershed

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To the Editor;

            Sippican Harbor, Aucoot Cove, and the Wewantic River in Marion are not improving in health. More and more nitrogen is finding its way into our waters. When nitrogen pollutes the water, our waters become cloudy and murky and algae begin to grow. Algae growth leads to the loss of eelgrass and less oxygen in the water. The result is our fish and shellfish begin to disappear. As I talk with people in Marion, I consistently hear how important clean water is to our joy of living in a beautiful community. They want to know, how can they help?

            Every homeowner can help by limiting the amount of your sewerage and fertilizer that finds its way to our coves, harbors and rivers. 

            Solving the fertilizer problem is simple: don’t use any until you or your landscaper have had your soil tested and know what specific improvement is needed. Don’t let your hired landscaper use a one size fits all solution. Have them test your soil before they add any fertilizer. If you do choose to use fertilizer, use an organic slow-release fertilizer.

            The largest single source of nitrogen pollution to our coastal waters is residential septic systems. Most residents feel good when they upgrade their old septic systems to a Title V approved system. Unfortunately, the new Title V system continues to pollute our water. Title V rules were written to prevent bacteria contamination of drinking water, but they do little to protect our coastal waters from nitrogen pollution. In Marion, as in other waterfront communities, the majority of the nitrogen from our septic systems is making its way to our beloved coastal waters. 

            To reduce pollution, the Marion Board of Health is considering a regulation for new septic systems and failed systems identified at the time of sale. The regulation would require these systems to install an approved denitrification septic system that decreases the nitrogen by at least 50% over a Title V system. With this minor change, we will stop hundreds of pounds of new nitrogen from entering our waters every year.  Wareham and Tisbury have already adopted this regulation to reduce future pollution.  

            If this regulation had been in effect in 2018, it would have prevented approximately 300 pounds of nitrogen from entering our waters in that year alone.

            While the new regulation will initially apply only to new construction and failed systems at the time of transfer, we encourage current residents to have their septic systems inspected and, if their system is not performing, to consider upgrading to one of these denitrification systems.

            The Board of Health will hold a workshop on Saturday, March 21, 9-11 AM in the conference room at Town Hall in Marion led by George Heufelder, manager of the Massachusetts Alternative Septic System Test Center in Barnstable County for any residents interested in learning about denitrification systems. A public hearing will be held on the proposed regulation by the Board of Health at their meeting on April 21, 2020. Questions? Call the Marion Board of Health at 508-748-3530

            Dot Brown, Marion

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 great 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 may choose to not run letters that thank businesses, and The Wanderer has the right to edit letters to omit business names. The Wanderer also reserves the right to deny publication of any submitted correspondence.

ORR Adresses Student Travel

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ORR Superintendent, Douglas R. White, issued this notification with regard to a group of students asked to stay home after travel in Italy to comply with guidelines issued by the CDC surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak.

Dear Old Rochester families,

This letter is to inform you that a group of students and staff from Old Rochester Regional High School have been asked to stay home for the remainder of this week after recently traveling to Italy. The group of 15 students and three staff members have been asked to stay home Thursday, March 5 and Friday, March 6 in light of a recent update to traveling guidelines by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

The CDC is now advising travelers returning to the United States from any country with a Level 3 Travel Health Notice, which includes China, Iran, Italy and South Korea, to stay home for 14 days from their departure from that region and practice social distancing. This guideline retroactively includes the group of Old Rochester students and teachers. The students returned from Italy on Sunday, Feb. 23. As they had traveled to the southern part of Italy, which was not part of the CDC travel restrictions at the time, the students and staff were able to return to school immediately after the trip. The Old Rochester group will reach the mark of 14 days of departure from Italy on Sunday, March 8. No one from the group is currently believed to be presenting symptoms of the virus, and provided they remain asymptomatic through Sunday, they will be able to return to school on Monday. 

The district does not believe there is any cause for concern for students or staff. According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH), the risk to residents of contracting the virus remains low. DPH recommends that schools continue education about good hygiene. The precautions to help prevent colds and the flu can help protect against COVID-19. Students, staff, and volunteers are reminded to:

• Practice good hand hygiene. Wash your hands often and thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Use Alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available.

• When coughing and sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue. You can also cough or sneeze into your sleeve. Throw used tissues in the trash and immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

• Avoid sharing drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, dishes, towels or other items. Wash these items thoroughly with soap and water after use.

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick whenever possible.

• Practice other good health habits: Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work or school, especially when someone is ill. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food. 

In addition, school facilities staff is vigilantly sanitizing the district’s educational spaces as is standard practice during cold and flu season. 
School officials are in regular communication with state and local departments of public health and safety officials regarding COVID-19, and the district is following all recommended guidelines to ensure the safety of students and staff.

Continuously updated information on COVID-19 can be accessed on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website and the new MA DPH website which also offers printable handouts in multiple languages:  
CDC:  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.htm
DPH:  www.mass.gov/2019coronavirus

The district will continue to update the community as advised by local and state departments of public health. If you have any questions or concerns, I encourage you to contact the district at 508-758-2772.
Sincerely,

Superintendent Douglas R. White, Jr. and Principal Michael Devoll

Edna M. (Coates) LeBlanc

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Edna M. (Coates) LeBlanc, 80 of Mattapoisett died March 3, 2020 at St. Luke’s Hospital.

            Born in New Bedford, daughter of the late Carlton and Mary Jane (Hilton) Coates, she grew up in New Bedford and moved to Mattapoisett in 1972.

            She was a graduate of New Bedford Vocational High School, class of 1956.

            Mrs. LeBlanc was formerly employed by AT&T and retired from Fresenius Medical Care in December 2010.

            She attended the Mattapoisett Congregational Church.

            Mrs. LeBlanc is survived by four sons, Barry LeBlanc and his wife Kim of Fairhaven, Gary LeBlanc, Glenn LeBlanc and Craig LeBlanc, all of Mattapoisett; a daughter, Paula Franco and her husband Luis of Acushnet; a daughter-in-law, Cary LeBlanc of Mattapoisett; five grandchildren, Tara LeBlanc, Alec Franco and his wife Shelby, Dawson Franco, Kara and Zach LeBlanc; a great-granddaughter, Alaina Franco; and one nephew, Rob Burbank.

            She was the sister of the late Martha Burbank and Carl “Lefty” Coates and sister-in-law of the late Robert Burbank.

Her Graveside Service will be held on Sunday March 15th at 1 PM at Cushing Cemetery. Visiting hours are omitted. Arrangements are with the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Mattapoisett. In lieu of flowers, donations in Edna’s memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105. For online guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Patricia A. Harriman

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Patricia A. Harriman, 70, of Marion, died Sunday, March 1, 2020 at Tobey Hospital in Wareham after a brief illness.  She was the wife of the late Nelson Franklin Harriman, III.

            Born in Wareham, Mrs. Harriman graduated from Old Rochester Regional High School in 1967 and received her bachelor’s degree from Southeastern Massachusetts Technical Institute, now UMass Dartmouth in 1971. She was a teacher for 47 years and taught 7thand 8th grade English at Old Rochester Regional Junior High School for 40 years.  She retired in 2018.

            Affectionately known as “Mother H” or “Mother Harriman” to her students, she taught multiple generations of families in the tri-town school district. She loved gardening, sewing and making teddy bears, many of which adorned her classroom. If a student was having a difficult time, they were known to stop by her room to borrow a teddy bear.

            As a teenager Mrs. Harriman was Beach Director and a lifeguard at Silvershell Beach in Marion. She loved the beach and could be regularly found there with her children and her little red wagon.

            She is survived by her daughter, Heather M. Cotton and her husband Derek of Mendon; her son, Heath Z. Harriman of Marion; her brothers, Joseph P. Zora, Jr. and his wife Jane of Marion, and Robert C. Zora of Wareham; her sister, Becky A. Zora of Mattapoisett; and her two grandchildren, Aidan and Hannah Cotton both of Mendon.

            A graveside service will be held at Evergreen Cemetery, Converse Rd., Marion on Sunday, March 8th at 12pm. A celebration of life reception will be immediately following at The Marion Music Hall, 164 Front St., Marion.

            In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Southcoast Hospitals Group (for Tobey Hospital in memo field), Southcoast Philanthropy, c/o St. Luke’s Hospital, 101 Page St., New Bedford, MA 02740.  To leave a message of condolence, visit: www.ccgfuneralhome.com

Rochester Green Grant Monies Helping

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            With just over $1-million in energy upgrades identified throughout Rochester’s municipal buildings, Facilities Manager Andrew Daniel said, “We’re getting the biggest band for our buck.”

            Daniel told the Rochester Board of Selectmen on March 2 that the $135,960 grant received from the Massachusetts Green Communities Program has been utilized to improve various municipal buildings in ways that provide energy cost savings.

            After identifying a massive list of potential energy improvements and prioritizing those improvements, Daniel said the town would be saving approximately $30,000 in energy expenditures. Seemingly small changes will equate to big improvements, he indicated.

            Daniel pointed to LED lighting upgrades at the Council on Aging, Highway Department, Town Hall, and Police Department which will bring $20,000 in savings, he said. Other improvements include weather stripping at Rochester Memorial, pipe wrapping for HVAC systems and insulation to building(s). Other upgrades include automatic controllers, smart light switches, thermostats and heat pumps, he said.

            “These are good savings on the budget,” Daniel stated, then added, “Now it’s implementation time… we feel good about this.” He also indicated that a small unused portion of the grant will be earmarked for additional consulting fees for Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD) without whose assistance, he said, would have made the project much more difficult. Daniel also said that additional grant applications would be considered.

            In other business the selectmen voted in agreement with the Conservation Commission and the Planning Board in exercising the town’s Right-Of-First-Refusal for property identified as Map 43A Lots 34, 66, and 68, passing on the option to buy.

            The selectmen also voted to accept FEMA flood-plain mapping changes and have those changes reflected in the town’s bylaw with the Planning Board implementing the updated mapping details. The annual town meeting warrant will have an article asking voters to approve the mapping updates. The FEMA mapping changes have resulted in some property owners getting relief from the necessity of having to purchase flood insurance, Selectman Greenwood Hartley noted.

            Conservation Agent Laurell Farinon stated that FEMA mapping changes would be adopted by the agency and published on July 22, 2022, but that the town needed to change corresponding bylaw language in advance of that date.

            The board also discussed with Town Administrator Suzanne Szyndlar upcoming road race permitting. Hartley expressed concern that some roads were simply “dangerous” for such activities. He asked that at the next safety meeting the topic of where to allow these recreational activities to take place be reviewed. 

            On the issue of the expanding COVID-19 outbreak, Szyndlar said all public health officials, schools, and first responders had been meeting and monitoring all available information. She said that table-top exercises had been taking place to ensure planning was adequate, including meetings with Old Colony Regional Technical Vocational High School, the town’s dispensing center, in the event of area-wide emergencies. “We are all in this together,” Szyndlar said.

            The selectmen took no action on this night regarding affordable-housing planning. Instead they asked that it be put on the agenda for their next meeting when the full board would be in attendance.

            The next meeting of the Rochester Board of Selectmen is scheduled for March 16 at 6:00 pm in the town house meeting room.

Rochester Board of Selectmen

By Marilou Newell