OC Softball and Another Shot at State Tournament

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Last year, Old Colony softball ran into a force against the seventh-seeded East Bridgewater and fell 13-1. But East Bridgewater has now moved up to Division 2 for this year’s MIAA State Tournament.

            And Old Colony (12-6) has learned from the experience. Additionally, while the Cougars await the seeding announcement on June 5, head coach Brandon Mendez is putting in some research so he and his players have an idea of what to expect heading into the postseason.

            “We’re a little bit above the middle of the pack of Division 3,” Mendez said. “So we’re hoping for a home game. There are certain Division 3 teams that are loaded. There are some teams at the top that are going to be very hard to beat. In the middle of the pack, there are some teams that are very comparable to us.”

            The long layoff is another thing the Cougars have to deal with. They have the State Vocational Tournament in between their last regular season game – a 5-1 win over Southeastern – but even then there’s still the potential for a week without game play. The softball seeding won’t come out until Tuesday, which likely means Old Colony’s first game will be on Thursday.

            This is all a result of the early season inclement weather, and Old Colony is one of the few softball programs locally to have everything all wrapped up. So Mendez is doing what he can to ensure his players get some simulated work in addition to the standard practices.

            “You couldn’t predict the weather,” Mendez said. “With the state tournament moving the games back … we got lucky, our field is great and we got all our games in on time. We got lucky because I know there are teams out there scrambling to get three or four games in this week. Which is something our athletic director (Matt Trahan) and myself were adamant about playing whenever we could so we didn’t run into that.

            “I have a couple calls out, depending on where things lie the rest of this week, early next week, we may match up with someone to get a good co-practice and scrimmage in,” continued Mendez.

            This has given the Cougars a chance to ease back in their starting pitcher, Emily Littles, who missed a week, which included two games, due to illness.

            “We kind of went slow with her,” Mendez said. “We did have her bat last game, even though she’s normally our No. 3 hitter. So we have taken it slow.”

            Littles returned to the mound on Thursday against Southeastern and went the distance, allowing only one run on three hits, while striking out five in the win, No. 11 for her on the year. Littles has also been a force at the plate, hitting .528 out of the third spot in the order for Old Colony. She’s also scored 14 runs and knocked in 13.

            She only trailed Hannah L’Heureuxin average (.554) by season’s end. L’Heureux led the team with eight doubles and five triples. She was also third in RBI (21) to Mikayla Murray(22) and Te-Lynn Layton(24), and second in runs scored (28) to Kat Kirby(29). Kirby also led the Cougars with three home runs. She also hit .452.

            “They’re excited,” Mendez said about his players. “We kind of talked about it at practice tail end of last week and on Memorial Day. Kind of talked about how it’s a different season, but that we’re still out here to have fun, work hard and put our best effort out there. We actually had a great practice the other day, so it’s very encouraging.”

Old Rochester

Meg Hugheshad herself a day at the MIAA East Division 4 track and field championship, winning the 400 meter dash (5.28), winning the 4×400 meter relay with Rachel Fantoni, Lea Bourgeoisand Caroline Murphy(4:07.19), and finishing second in the 1-mile run (5:18.38).

The 4×800 meter relay team – Emma Carroll, Madisen Martin, Samantha Balland Sydney Green– also won at the championship with a 10:03.16 time.

Old Rochester girls’ track and field finished fourth overall at the tournament with 59 points.

On the boys’ side of the meet, Harry Smithfinished third in the 110-meter hurdles (15.37 second)). He was also a part of the second place 4×100 meter relay unit (44.14 seconds), which also included Matt Brogioli, Anthony Childsand Will Garcia.

Old Rochester boys’ track and field finished tied for seventh overall at the tournament with 27 points.

High School Sports Update

By Nick Friar

Sunday Stroll in Marion

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Get outside and take a Sunday Stroll with the Buzzards Bay Coalition and Southcoast Health at the White Eagle Parcel of Aucoot Woods (52 Old Indian Trail, Marion), on June 3at 10:00 am. During this leisurely one-hour walk through the woods, you’ll get some fresh air and exercise while learning how to maintain a healthy, active lifestyle.

Participants can take in the rich diversity of the 248-acre White Eagle Parcel, including upland pine, mixed hardwood forest, shrub and wooded swamp, and freshwater marsh habitats.

Sunday Strolls are a monthly series of free mid-morning walks, led by a Buzzards Bay Coalition environmental educator and health professionals from Southcoast Health. The next Sunday Stroll will take place on July 8 at the CoveWalk in New Bedford.

To RSVP for this walk, visit http://www.savebuzzardsbay.org/events/sunday-stroll-white-eagle-jun-03-2018/ or contact the Buzzards Bay Coalition at 508-999-6363 ext. 219.

This walk is part of Discover Buzzards Bay, a resource to find unique and exciting ways to explore the outdoors, get some exercise, and connect with nature. Use Discover Buzzards Bay to get outside and discover woods, wetlands and waterways from Fall River to Falmouth. To learn more, visit savebuzzardsbay.org/discover.

Mattapoisett Congregational Church Scholarship

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Candace “Lee” Heald, a member of the Memorials & Celebrations Committee of the Mattapoisett Congregational Church, had the pleasure of introducing this year’s scholarship recipients, Megan Field and Freemin Bauer, during worship on Sunday, May 6, 2018. Both Freemin and Megan are graduating seniors from Old Rochester Regional High School and members of the Church, which made the announcement especially exciting.

Freemin Bauer, son of Michael & Jodi Bauer of Mattapoisett, has been described as “motivated, tenacious and, above all, kind and respectful.” Freemin earned his Eagle, the Boy Scouts highest honor, last spring by fixing-up Fairhaven’s dog shelter. In order to accomplish the project, he needed to raise money, so he initiated the “Mattapoisett Dog Walk-a-thon.” Freemin has been active in many public service/volunteer projects including the shellfish propagation project for the town of Mattapoisett, set-up and clean-up at the Woman’s Club Taste of the Town, Lion’s Club Sunday breakfasts, Earth Day, and Harbor Days. Freemin will attend Bristol Community College in the fall.

Megan Field, daughter of Bob & Kim Field also of Mattapoisett, is the recipient of the Dagmar Coquillette Memorial Scholarship. In her essay, Megan wrote about the life-changing mission trip she took, along with 20 other volunteers from MCC, to the Appalachian Mountains in Georgia. They traveled into the mountains and brought food, books, games and laughter to Guatemalan immigrants who did not have much except the clothes on their backs and a roof over their heads. Megan wants to use technology as a way to help improve the lives of others, about which she is passionate. Megan is an all-star athlete on the ORR swim team, serving as captain in her junior and senior years. She has volunteered at “Gifts to Give” for three years and “Mercy Meals and More” for two years. Megan will attend the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

The service was followed by a brief reception for family and friends of the scholarship winners with cake and punch in Reynard Hall.

SHS Welcomes Leslie Piper, Archivist

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The Sippican Historical Society has appointed Leslie Thayer Piper as its Archivist under its Community Preservation Committee grant. Piper recently earned an M.S. in Library and Information Science with a concentration in Archives Management at Simmons College. She will be responsible for organizing and cataloguing the Society’s collection of documents and artifacts, as well as uploading the information onto the Society’s database for public use. She is also currently the Archivist for the estate of John Winthrop Sears and has worked in the archives/special collections of the Josten Performing Arts Library at Smith College, the Trustees of Reservations, and the Concord Free Public Library.

In addition to her archival skills, Piper is an accomplished musician, and serves as the Director of Music and Organist for St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church in Marion. She is also the Founder and Artistic Director Emerita of the SouthCoast Children’s Chorus.

Paul Francis Devine

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Paul Francis Devine, 75, of Mattapoisett, MA, and Englewood, FL, and formerly of Norwood, MA, passed away peacefully, with loving family by his side, on May 28, 2018 at St. Luke’s Hospital following a courageous battle with cancer.

He was the son of the late Patrick J. and Loretta (Coakley) Devine. He was the beloved husband of Charlene (Tobin) Devine, loving father of daughters, Elizabeth and Kimberly Devine of Dennis, MA, and Lauren and her husband, Darren Rillovick of Lowell, and devoted brother of Robert and his late wife Margie (Corcoran) of Stoughton, Jack and his wife Maureen of West Roxbury, Peter and his wife Cindy of Walpole. Paul is also survived by five grandchildren, John, Sara and Aidan Choukri, and Abigail and Michael Rillovick and many nephews and nieces.

Paul worked for Polaroid Corp. in Waltham and New Bedford, retiring after 37 years of service. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends, especially holidays, fishing, hunting, and the beaches of Englewood.

A memorial donation may be made to Myelofibrosis @ MPN Research Foundation at www.mpnresearchfoundation.org.

Services will be held at a later date. Arrangements are by the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Mattapoisett. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

 

The Neighborhood Fox

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Frequent reports of red foxes in urban neighborhoods as well as inner cities are examples of a trend of wildlife living in comfortable contact with human beings. It is happening everywhere as a growing wildlife frontier moves back in to reclaim habitat previously over-populated by people. There are rough edges along the way because subsequent intentional feeding of wild creatures can be detrimental to the independence of their survival instincts.

The wily red fox is the largest and most widespread of all foxes and is perhaps the most unlikely to fit this picture of coexistence. However, they have adapted to hanging out around here to catch rabbits, rodents, and odd bits of garbage they can scrounge. I have even seen them on back porches waiting for a free handout from a wildlife-friendly neighbor, as in my illustration.

As a member of the order of the species Canis, which includes the smaller gray fox also native to our area, the fox seems more cat-like than dog in many ways. Males are sometimes called ‘dogs’ while the females are referred to as ‘vixens,’ and the offspring identified as ‘kits’ instead of pups.

When stalking their prey like a feline, they may crouch along the ground and, using cat-like claws on their feet for gripping, they have a habit of perhaps climbing up a leaning tree for an elevated lookout of the surroundings. Their long, slender, powerful legs are for running at speeds of up to 30 miles per hour or standing on their hind legs before leaping in an arc and pouncing on an unsuspecting rodent.

The long, bushy tail is often referred to as a ‘brush’ carried behind like a rudder on a ship to maintain balance and direction of movement. The white tip of the tail was explained in Native American mythology as a gift from the Great Spirit to drag behind it in the snow to erase tell-tale tracks from would-be predators. In French mythology, the fox was crowned with the clever royal title of ‘Reynard’ for being able to outwit any and all worldly challenges thrown his way.

Family life begins with mating in winter as the male scent glands activate in a skunk-like odor quite noticeable when one passes by your house on a damp night.

There are usually four or five kits in a spring litter in a subterranean den, which could be an expansion of an abandoned woodchuck hole as I have once witnessed. There, a vixen with kits in a spring litter made their home under the foundation of a friend’s toolshed. The animated antics and exploits like a three-ring circus provided daily entertainment out their kitchen window.

But then one night the mother was hit and killed by a car in front of their house on Sconticut Neck Road in Fairhaven. In the true spirit of wildlife support, my friend called Fairhaven Animal Control and they came to gather up the orphans to take them somewhere for further care.

But several kits that were not seen were left behind, and when noticed, they were fed and watered daily by my friend and his family. Both survive to this very day and grew up as familiar wildlife characters of the neighborhood, and their families can be heard calling at night. It comes through loud and clear as a sharp rasping bark, not without a nostalgic tenor of meaningful family communication. Perhaps it is a comforting tribute to the human role in transition in one small frontier of intelligent environmental awareness and co-existence.

By George B. Emmons

A Final Farewell to the Senior Class of 2018

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It’s time to say goodbye to the senior class of 2018! As they approach their final week of high school, seniors begin to reflect upon lessons they have learned and experiences they have had during their time at Old Rochester, and think about the plans they have made for their futures.

            For some students, the last couple of weeks are about letting loose and having fun, with events like the senior picnic and the senior breakfast. For others, the final weeks are filled with studying for AP exams and finals along with the festivities.

            “Honestly, this last week isn’t great because my last two days are AP tests, so it’s just been lots of cramming until now,” said senior Jo Caynon. Caynon is attending Rutgers University where she will major in biology.

            For Caynon, “The most difficult part of senior year is staying motivated once you start to hear back from colleges in the fall…. It took a lot to keep going after that.” Looking back, she said, “It’s senior year, so [you] have fun but keep doing your schoolwork, regardless.”

            The most difficult part of being a senior, Katie Maclean said, “[is] just knowing that everything is finally coming to a close. It’s really weird to think that I won’t be returning here and that I’m going to be entering the next chapter of my life.”

            Maclean is going to Marimet College to possibly major in criminology and criminal justice, and hopefully go on to either Harvard Law or Pennsylvania Law.

            ORR Principal Michael Devoll said this was a “great senior class” that has been an asset in many arenas, calling them, “successful in class, on stage, in the community, and on the athletic field.”

            “A very strong group of seniors with a great personality,” Devoll said, “and I’m going to miss them tremendously.”

            Devoll’s favorite memory with the senior class of 2018 was unveiling the brand new Bulldog mascot privately to the seniors, and then publicly at the Pep Rally.

            Among other aspects, many seniors enjoy the atmosphere created by the students and staff. Christian Hotte said, “This school has an excellent community and some spectacular staff going for it.”

            Hotte will be majoring in game design.

            On Friday, May 18, about halfway through the school day, the speakers began playing “The Final Countdown,” initiating the seniors’ final moments as ORR seniors made their final dash through the hallways and into the next phase of their lives.

            As they leave the hallways of ORR, the interviewed seniors had some final advice to the students of ORR:

            “Start college applications and essays as soon as they open up on August 1,” said Caynon.

            Maclean advised future seniors: “Enjoy it. Don’t wish it was over, because then it’s going to be over in the blink of an eye and you’re going to wish you had more time.”

            “Enjoy the teachers and enjoy your classmates,” continued Maclean. “Don’t be mean to each other. Be kind, be grateful, and just enjoy every single moment of it.”

            On a practical note, Christian Hotte told future seniors, “It’s never too early to get a job.”

            Devoll has some advice for the new graduates as well. He says, “Take risks, take chances. Don’t be afraid to try something new, don’t be afraid to sail.” Devoll hopes that the seniors look back fondly on their time at ORR, and he wants them to know they are always welcome back.

            “We always want to hear how they are doing and celebrate their successes with them,” said Devoll, adding with a smile, “It’s a quick four years, but we hope they consider themselves lifelong Bulldogs.”

 

ORR Update

By Grace Mastroianni

New Solar Project Establishing Wetlands Lines

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The next in a growing line of solar projects to enter Rochester is in the initial stages of development with the delineation of the 9,950-foot wetlands border at 0 Walnut Plain Road.

The Rochester Conservation Commission on May 15 reviewed a section of that line as part of the Abbreviated Notice of Resource Area delineation filing, but much of that line remains uninspected. The terrain features thick vegetation and briars and is not easily accessible, according to wetlands scientist Nicole Hayes of Goddard Consulting on behalf of developer Pedro Rodriguez of Solar MA Project Management, LLC of New Milford, Connecticut.

Hayes described how she determined the wetlands line through the identification of at least 50% wetland indicator species present, which are key indicators of a wetlands border. But the fact that Conservation Agent Laurell Farinon has not walked the entire wetlands line pertaining to the actual project area is a dilemma for the commission, Hayes acknowledged before pointing out that the areas still outstanding are outside the scope of the project.

“I feel it would be difficult for us to confirm the wetland of a parcel with a large gap in it like that,” said commission member Daniel Gagne.

“I have a major level of discomfort about it,” Farinon stated.

Farinon has been working with Hayes to develop the plan the commission viewed that night, but the incomplete areas still need work.

“People change, commissions change, time goes by and all of a sudden someone picks up this plan five years, ten years later and it’s like, whoa, it doesn’t show wetlands on it,” said Farinon. Hayes is correct that the unconfirmed line is outside the project area, Farinon said, “But that’s kind of an obscure thing.… We really want it to be as clear as possible on the plan.”

Commission members Laurene Gerrior and Chris Gerrior recused themselves from the discussion.

The hearing was continued until June 19 to allow Farinon time to further work with Hayes to establish the wetlands line.

In other business, the commission accepted a conservation restriction for the 83 acres the town will acquire from the Estabrook family in June. The land will be for public recreational use, which will be effectuated with the assistance of the Buzzards Bay Coalition.

“This is a great partnership and this is going to be a fantastic addition to the Land Trust holdings and the town’s available public access properties,” said Allen Decker, director of land protection for the Buzzards Bay Coalition.

Also during the meeting, Mike Spieldenner received a Certificate of Compliance for the paving of 650 linear feet of existing roadway and a drainage swale for water runoff in the 100-foot buffer zone at 1 Happy Tails Lane, owned by Charlotte and James Spieldenner.

The next meeting of the Rochester Conservation Commission is scheduled for June 5at 7:00 pm at the Rochester Town Hall.

Rochester Conservation Commission

By Jean Perry

 

Marion Natural History Museum’s Summer Program

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The Marion Natural History Museum’s Summer Program is one of the most well-known and well regarded in the Southcoast area. The programs are designed to be small groups, and registration is limited to 15 children per session.

Coastal Explorations 2018.These half-day programs involve hands-on exploration, experiments, crafts and journaling while being outdoors. We will be exploring our rocky inter-tidal shoreline, salt marshes, estuaries as well as freshwater riverbanks, forest, swamps, ponds and bogs. Daily we will take trips to look for the birds, amphibians, fish and invertebrates that make these areas so special. Each week includes different activities, so sign up for one week or both! Space is limited so make sure to register early for this summer program. Perfect for girls and boys entering Grades 3-6. This program runs from 9:00 am – 12:00 noon, Monday – Friday. Session Dates: Session 1: July 9-13; Session 2: July 16-20; $125/participant/session.

New Wednesday Afternoon Programs.For four Wednesdays during the summer we will be meeting at the Museum from 1:00 – 2:30 pm to learn about different topics. Perfect for children entering Grades 2-6. Program size is limited to 15 participants; $10/each for members, $12/each for non-members

July 11: Exploring our micro-world with the museum’s new digital/video microscope.

July 18: Travel the world with the museum’s new HTC Vive virtual reality set. Using our new virtual reality set and Google Earth, we will allow the students to be immersed into a street level view of various locations.

July 25: Trip to Bird Island with Marion Harbormaster. Bird Island provides a unique nesting habitat for a variety of shorebirds, including the endangered Roseate Tern.

August 1: Display design. How would you like to work with others to design a new display for the museum? Using some of the museum’s artifacts, and the students’ own artistic creativity, we will create a new display for the museum.

To register for any of these programs, please go to www.marionmuseum.org.

Kathleen (Kate) Moriarty Ackerman

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Kathleen (Kate) Moriarty Ackerman passed away peacefully on May 26, 2018 at her home in Marion. Born in Nantucket on June 22, 1930, Kate was the daughter of Alan Moriarty and Kathleen Cronin Moriarty. After a childhood spent on Nantucket and in New Bedford, Kate went to college at Rivier University in Nashua, NH. She received her B.A. from Rivier in 1952 and her M.A. from Rivier in 1960.

Kate was an educator her entire career, starting as an elementary and high school teacher. She then pursued doctoral studies at Purdue University during which she conducted research at various archives in Northern Ireland. In 1972 she received a Ph.D. in Communication from Purdue with a dissertation titled “The Irish Parliament and George William Russell on Censorship, 1928-1929: A Study of the Contraction and Amplification of an Issue.”

Kate then accepted a position as a Professor of Speech at Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH. After many years in New Hampshire, she moved to Marion and continued teaching, both at Bridgewater State University and at Cape Cod Community College. She also ran summer workshops for many years for The New England Association of City and Town Clerks.

Kate is a recipient of the Sister Madeleine of Jesus Award, Rivier University’s highest alumni honor. She enjoyed reading and writing poetry, traveling in Ireland, and spending time with her family. Her husband, John Ackerman, passed away in 1998.

Kate is survived by her stepdaughter Mary Jane Ackerman of East Wareham, her sister Mary Worden of Mattapoisett, her brother Chris Moriarty of Fort Myers, FL, and by eight nieces and nephews, twenty great-nieces and great-nephews, and one great-great-niece. She also leaves her good friend Bruce Chall of Marion.

A private service will be held for the family. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to The Standard-Times Neediest Families Fund. Arrangements are by the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Route 6, Mattapoisett. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.