Elizabeth Taber Library Spring Children’s Programs

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Spring Story Time for children between the ages of 3 and 5 begins Monday, April 2 and runs through May 21, 2018. Children are invited to enjoy stories, finger-plays and crafts Monday mornings at 10:30 am.

Spring Tales for Twos, for children 24-35 months, begins Wednesday, April 4 and runs through May 30, 2018. Children must be 2 years old by April 1, 2018 to attend and must be accompanied by enthusiastic adult companions. The half-hour of stories, finger-plays and crafts takes place at 10:30 am on Wednesday mornings.

Spring Lapsit, for children birth through 23 months and their caregivers, begins Tuesday, April 3 and runs through May 29. Each Tuesday morning program begins at 10:30 am and includes a 20 minute “story time” followed by 20 minutes of socializing. One child per “lap” please.

Pre-registration is required for these programs; please sign up by stopping by the library, calling 508-748-1252, or by e-mailing Mrs. Grey, Children’s Librarian at rgrey@sailsinc.org.

Sippican Lands Trust’s The Long Walk

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Join the Sippican Lands Trust (SLT) for The Long Walk on Sunday, March 25 at 1:00 pm at SLT’s White Eagle property. Alan Harris, Sippican Lands Trust’s walk leader and board member, will showcase the various features of the White Eagle property at Aucoot Woods during this walk.

The walk will begin at our White Eagle property kiosk and will last approximately two hours. White Eagle is located off of Route 6 in Marion. Take Parlowtown Road across from the town cemetery and follow road until you reach the cul-de-sac. Bear left onto the dirt road and follow past the abandoned cranberry bog on your right. Parking is available directly past the bog and along the dirt roadside. The kiosk is a short walk beyond.

Aucoot Woods is comprised of multiple properties including the 248-acre White Eagle property that supports a rich diversity of habitats including upland pine, mixed hardwood forest, shrub and wooded swamp, and freshwater marsh.

The walk is free and no registration is required. If more than two inches of snow are on the ground, then the walk will be canceled. If the walk is canceled due to inclement weather, or more than two inches of snow on the ground, then information will be posted to SLT’s website and Facebook page. For directions or further information, visit sippicanlandstrust.org or call Sippican Lands Trust at 508-748-3080.

ORR Drama Finds the Golden Ticket

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Just in time for the first week of spring, the Old Rochester Regional High School Drama Club is presenting their production of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

Known to many due to its two movie adaptations, the musical follows the adventure of Charlie Bucket, one of five lucky children invited to tour the mysterious Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory. Full of jokes, laughs, and a few high-flying stunts, the musical is enjoyed by audiences of all ages.

“Willy Wonka is definitely one of our best shows because of the extravagant sets, and the whole cast worked so hard to provide a beautiful experience,” said Ryu Huynh-Aoyama, who plays Mr. Bucket.

“Students have all worked really hard in spite of the several snow days,” added senior Grace Stephens, who plays Veruca Salt. “This is the most talented and dedicated group of people I’ve ever worked with.”

As with every spring performance, Willy Wonka will be the last show for many of the members of the drama club, including the title character’s actor, Chris Savino. In fact, this show marks the beginning of the final seven weeks of school for the senior class, and although it is a fun play, emotions will be running high amongst some of the cast.

“This show has been very bittersweet for me. It’s my last show ever at ORR, but I also get to play Willy Wonka, so I am really excited,” Savino said. “I love this show because it is both creepy and fun, and even if you don’t understand how disturbing the storyline is, you will still leave the show with a smile on your face.”

Savino urged the community to come out for the production.

“I think people should come see this show because it is a classic,” Savino said. “When I sit backstage watching my fellow castmates perform, I always find myself laughing and I think it is a very feel-good show.”

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory stars senior Christopher Savino as Willy Wonka and Kate Marsden as Charlie Bucket. The musical also features Ryu Huynh-Aoyama, Bethany Cabral, Nicholas Claudio, Luke Couto, Lauren Gonsalves, Isaac Hartley, Katie Maclean, Grace Mastroianni, Elise Mello, Julia Melloni, Aidan Michaud, Chris Peretz, Jack Roussell, Michael Sivvianakis, Andrew Steele, and Grace Stephens.

The musical opens on Thursday, March 22, and runs through Saturday, March 24, beginning at 7:30 pm, with a Sunday matinee at 2:00 pm. The Thursday performance will be ASL interpreted. Tickets are $12 for students and seniors, and $15 for the general public. Tickets can be bought at the Marion General Store, Plumb Corner Market in Rochester, and Pen & Pendulum in Mattapoisett.

ORR Update

By Jo Caynon

 

New Town House Shut Out from Warrant

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Marion’s two-member Board of Selectmen has jettisoned the article for the new town house construction design from the Annual Town Meeting Warrant, deciding on March 20 that the Town Meeting warrant will feature only one option for voters – the $7.8 million Article 14 to renovate the existing town house.

“Stop right there,” said Selectman Norm Hills when Article 15 came up during the board’s review of the draft warrant. Reading a prepared statement, Hills criticized the subcommittee’s associated cost estimate of a $5.1 million Mill Road town administrative building option, saying that the plan lacks detail and would result in a higher price tag in the end. Hills said the subcommittee did not factor in a $300,000 sewer upgrade cost and another $200,000 Hills claimed it would cost to digitalize town records as per the plan’s storage concept.

According to Hills, the original Town House Building Committee in its three years of work has produced a town house renovation design that is refined and better detailed with a more accurate cost estimate, saying, “I have more confidence in the renovation cost estimate than I do in the new construction cost estimate.”

“It’s logical that the center of government remain in the village,” said Hills, citing the “village style” prioritized in the Master Plan. “It is not logical to destroy the fabric of the village by abandoning one of the key architectural buildings.”

Hills continued in defense of a town house renovation, and when Hills said, “…Old is not useless,” that’s when the new construction subcommittee co-chairman Rob Lane shook his head ‘no.’

“Remember,” said Hills, “the least costly option often is not the most cost-effective one in the long run.”

Board of Selectmen Chairman Jody Dickerson agreed with Hills, saying, “This [building] has been the fabric of our community for many, many years – the heart of local government.”

Dickerson said he had received numerous calls, emails, and comments asking that the town government continue to reside at the town house.

“I think it would destroy the Town of Marion,” said Dickerson, if the town house was moved to the senior/community center site.

Dickerson then said that only the town house renovation article would be on the warrant, and residents could argue over it on the Town Meeting floor if they must.

At that, Lane left the town house.

The selectmen also had the question pertaining to a Proposition 2½ exemption for funding a new town house construction removed from the ballot for the May Annual Town Election. The question for a Proposition 2½ exemption for a town house renovation remains.

After the meeting, candidate for Board of Selectmen John Waterman approached Hills and Dickerson, telling them to expect pushback from supporters of the new construction. Before leaving, Waterman told the press, “The voters should have both on the ballot. For those two guys to pull it off the warrant is the ultimate in arrogance to think that it’s their decision and not the voters’ decision.”

To the other residents in the room, he said, “Those guys think they know what’s best. They don’t know what’s best.”

Resident Joe McDonough submitted a letter dated March 6 to the selectmen, saying he heard the board would be making this move.

“Town Meeting has voted funds for each of the two alternatives being considered,” wrote McDonough. “How could you consider not respecting these votes?” He asserted, “The results of each taxpayer-funded alternative must be placed on the Town Meeting warrant.”

Leslie Dole in her letter to the selectmen dated March 10 wrote, “The selectmen have the responsibility to present both of these choices on the upcoming Town [Meeting] warrant. It is imperative that all 3,800 active voters have the opportunity to vote on this very important subject, not just the 2.5 percent that attended the March 1st meeting.”

David Pierce, a member of the Energy Management Committee and other town entities, in his March 6 letter urged the board to list the board’s preference – the renovation option – first on the warrant, followed by the new construction option. “If the first choice is turned down, then we face the next choice on the agenda. This saves having to wait for a special town meeting down the road. I see that we have nothing to lose by this plan, and a great deal to be gained.”

The selectmen have closed the Annual Town Meeting Warrant with the omission of the new town house construction article, bringing the total number of articles down from 45 to 44.

In other matters, Dawson said the new heating system at the Town House should be operational by the end of the day on Wednesday, March 21. As of the meeting, the wiring had been completed in the basement, the boiler installed, and all the wiring throughout completed that day. The temporary exterior heating system will be removed on Thursday – “…And the saga ends,” said Dawson, who thanked Town House employees for their patience (and suffering).

The board tabled the appointment of Amy Tamagini to the Registrar of Voters to confirm that Tamagini lives in Marion. The address she stated on her correspondence does not match with residency records at Town House. Dawson said a member of the Registrar of Voters must be a resident. However, the selectmen approved the Marion Water Committee chairman’s request that the board allow retired DPW superintendent Rob Zora to remain on the committee until his term expires on June 30. Zora is no longer a Marion resident, but the Water Committee chairman requested that Zora remain on the committee because of his “expertise.”

The board also appointed interim DPW superintendent Jon Henry to the Water Committee as a voting member.

The next meeting of the Marion Board of Selectmen is scheduled for April 3 at 7:00 pm at the Marion Town House.

Marion Board of Selectmen

By Jean Perry

Calvin Everett Ross

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Calvin Everett Ross, 87, of Mattapoisett passed away Sunday March 18, 2018.  He and his wife Dorothy A. (Spear) Ross met in junior high school and were married for 68 years.

Born in Dedham, the son of the late Ernest L. and Irene (Scannell) Ross, he grew up in Hyde Park and lived in Quincy and Braintree before moving to Mattapoisett 25 years ago. He was a graduate of Hyde Park High School and Northeastern University.
Mr. Ross was the President of Carbalon, Inc. in Sterling, MA, a division of High Voltage Engineering, until his retirement.

Throughout his life Mr. Ross believed in giving back and service to others. Mr. Ross was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Wollaston in Quincy and the First Congregational Church of Braintree where he taught Sunday School and ran the Youth Fellowship, and the Mattapoisett Congregational Church where he served as a deacon.  He had been a volunteer for the Mattapoisett Council on Aging and a driver for F.I.S.H, the Mattapoisett Friends in Service Helping Medical Transportation Services.  He was a Boy Scout leader for many years in Quincy and Braintree.

He was an avid golfer and tennis player, and loved working on his home and garden. Over the years, he and his wife enjoyed traveling throughout the world, visiting China, Egypt, and Scotland.

He is survived by his wife, Dorothy; four sons, David Calvin Ross and his wife Emily of Quincy, Donald Mark Ross and his wife Ellen of Mattapoisett, Richard Edwin Ross and his wife Kim of Mission Viejo, CA, and Bradford Ernest Ross and his wife Lisa of Mansfield; seven grandchildren, Melissa Ross, Kristin Ross, Alise Ross, Thomas Ross, Julianne Ross, Krista Rodrigues, and Nathaniel Fucile; two great-granddaughters, Mikayla and Kaelynn; and nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sisters, Phyllis Peterson and Jeanne Wilkins.

Visitation will be held on Friday March 23, 2018, from 5-8 p.m. at the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Route 6, Mattapoisett.

Relatives and friends are invited to a Memorial Service on Saturday March 24, 2018, at 2:30 p.m. at the Mattapoisett Congregational Church, 27 Church St., Mattapoisett.  For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association.

Susan A. McGowan

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Susan A. McGowan of Mattapoisett passed away peacefully Friday March 16, 2018 at St. Luke’s Hospital. She endured her illness privately and bravely. Born in New Bedford to Charles J. and Anna (Smith) McGowan, Susan graduated from Holy Family High School in New Bedford and Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island, where she graduated with a B.S. in Nursing.

Predeceased by her parents and her brother Paul E. McGowan, Susan leaves behind two sons, Brian Scott McGowan and Christopher John Bible McGowan, both of Mattapoisett, and a beautiful granddaughter, Kaydence. In addition, Susan leaves her siblings, Anne Boucher of Chelmsford, Charles J. McGowan of Mattapoisett and Venice, FL, Robert J. McGowan of Mattapoisett and Venice, FL, and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, and several sailboats.

Susan’s nursing career included work at the Brockton VA and St. Luke’s Hospital. She was a Psychiatric Nursing Instructor in the St. Luke’s School of Nursing; she was also a staff nurse in their Emergency Department and other medical units.

Susan loved Mattapoisett, especially Pico Beach, where she spent summers as a child. She was an avid, skilled, and accomplished sailor, having raced sailboats in the region for about 70 years. She was active in area regattas, a long time member of the Mattapoisett Yacht Club, and a stickler for the rules of racing.

Also a gifted craft artist, Susan made both Nantucket and Mattapoisett baskets; she crafted needlepoint, created amazing quilts, hand-sewed humorous and elaborate dolls, and refinished furniture.

Blessed with the gift of faith, Susan was deeply involved in her parish, St. Anthony’s Church in Mattapoisett, where she was a Eucharistic minister and active in the Cursillo movement.

Quirky, witty, unpretentious, and unconventional, Susan will be deeply missed by those fortunate enough to know her well. Generous with her time and expertise, Susan was always willing to help a person in need.

Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday March 24, 2018 at 9 am at St. Anthony’s Church, followed by burial in St. Anthony’s Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Friday March 23, 2018 from 4-7 pm at the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Route 6, Mattapoisett. Those who wish to donate in her memory may do so to Saint Anthony’s Church of Mattapoisett or Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

 

The Peregrine Falcon: a Coastal Wanderer

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This species of falcon follows the coastal shoreline of both North and South America, and the name ‘peregrine’ actually means ‘wanderer.’

After nesting on edges of rocky cliffs and edges of high buildings, as in my illustration of Mattapoisett Harbor (some credit goes to Chris Mellow for aid in the Mattapoisett Harbor scene), the peregrine falcon takes wing to wander and earn its reputation as one of the most widely distributed species of the raptor travelers all over the world.

To Buzzards Bay bird watchers, it is a spectacular high-flying aerial performer, diving down to catch waterfowl – such as the bufflehead ducks in my previous article – along mud flats at the water’s edge.

The name ‘falcon’ is derived from the Latin translation terminology of ‘falco,’ describing the flight profile of sweptback wings. The wings are held back from the body in flight, a position known as a ‘swoop,’ to attain recorded diving speeds of over 200 miles per hour.

As in the axiom “speed kills,” prey is slain from a jolting sudden blow of the elongated main talon held close to the peregrine’s body. It has a sudden impact like the clenched fist of a prizefighter.

This falcon also has an elongated razor-sharp extension of the upper beak, which is classified as a ‘tomial tooth’ for fitting around the neck of a victim to sever the head. This feature is thought to be an evolutionary leftover feature dating back to prehistoric ancestry of birds from reptiles.

Like all avian raptors, a falcon has extraordinary perception of sight and awareness of prey. It soars on thermals high overhead to attain height to pause like a hovercraft for a broad vantage point of wide observation and prey recognition. The black feathers that cover its head act like the mantle of a hood for protection against the glint of the sun.

The depth of color of this falcon is a good barometer of adaptability to locality of its habitat. The darkness around the eyes also facilitates visibility in ultraviolet light, a perception ability not shared with most other mortals.

The historic practice of falconry goes back at least a thousand years to the medieval art of training raptors to hunt in cooperation with humans. They often rode on horseback to keep up with the fast-moving aerial chase. Even today, falconers favor the peregrine as a symbol of prowess and proficiency. It has earned the reputation of foremost scepter of authority in his aerial kingdom. However, as a domestic homemaker, it is quite different.

This all takes shape with domestic displays of courtship, like its high circling flight by the male, with spectacular dives and chases by both sexes. Then it is said they mate for life. They do not build nests, but often merely scrape out a shallow surface on the edge of a rooftop to lay three or four brownish eggs for white, buff-colored chicks to hatch in a month.

Soon after the young leave the nest after they become fledglings, adults feel free to resume their own wandering ways. Travel distance and direction is drawn by the availability of food, particularly pigeons in urban areas, and shorebirds like loons, geese, gulls, and small mammals.

Peregrines have spread to no less than six continents all over the Earthy planet, particularly here since the ban of pesticides. I would, in conclusion for you as a bird watcher, present a mythological image of the falcon, not unlike a phoenix, soaring up of the ashes of wilderness desecration on wings of environmental awareness and appreciation.

By George B. Emmons

OC Grad Faces ‘Major’ School/Sports Challenge

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Making the transition from high school to college sports is enough of a challenge in itself. Student athletes go from being the oldest and best athletes in their high school conference to once again being the youngest and least experienced. Add on the adjustment to college life, plus the difficulty in class work, and they don’t exactly need any help in making freshman year more demanding.

Unfortunately for Wyatt Major from Mattapoisett, his freshman year has been a bit more difficult than that of the average freshman baseball player. As the 2017 Mayflower Athletic Conference Small Vocational Division Player of the Year for Old Colony, Major elected to continue his play on the diamond with Massachusetts Maritime Academy where he could also major in Marine Transportation.

One slight problem with that: Major has to be out at sea for 52 days, which overlaps with the time he’s preparing for the season. In fact, he had to show up late for the Florida trip with several other teammates who also study Marine Transportation.

“I’ve had a lot more playing time than I thought I’d get,” Major said. “I didn’t really have much time to train, other than weight-lifting in the gym on the ship. So I didn’t throw much or anything. Once I got into Florida we kicked it into high gear.”

Major started his throwing program as early as December during high school, working at various indoor baseball facilities throughout the area. This year he had to settle for throwing long toss whenever the ship went into port.

Not exactly an ideal switch.

That’s delayed Major’s first appearance on the mound, though as he expressed, he’s working towards that. And he’ll have to find out a formula that works for him because this will be a reoccurring experience for the remainder of his college career.

Hitting – that’s a slightly different story. While he still has to get his timing down and adjust to collegiate pitching, Major was able to get his shot in the batters box while playing first base in four games, starting two.

His first plate appearance was anti-climactic to say the least, getting drilled by a pitch. He would go on to get a hit in his first game, along with his first RBI, getting a few milestones out of the way quickly. But Major admits he still has a bit to learn about Division III college pitchers.

“The biggest challenge that I’ve faced has been that pitchers have been able to throw the backdoor breaking ball where they want,” Major said. “That’s been the toughest thing for me. The pitchers make a lot less mistakes and throw inside on me. So I’ve really had to cover the plate more than I had in high school or AAU.”

Major and the Buccaneers are off to a 2-4 start and had their first two home games of the year postponed this week due to the inclement weather. They plan to travel to Worcester Polytechnic Institute for a doubleheader on Saturday and host Dean College in a doubleheader on Sunday.

Old Rochester Regional

Old Rochester boys’ ice hockey was knocked out in the first round of the MIAA Division 2 State Tournament by No. 13 Taunton, 4-2. Ranked fourth in the south, Old Rochester finishes the season 15-4-3. Tayber Labonte finished the season with 53 points (currently ranked 12th in the state) off 25 goals and 28 assists. Ryan Raphael finished the year with 37 points on 17 goals and 20 assists.

Tabor Academy

Tabor Academy graduate Molly Little has scored seven goals in her first six games playing women’s lacrosse for the University of Denver this season. She’s scored in five of her six starts, scoring two goals twice, including the first game of the season when the Pioneers upset No. 23 Stanford 12-9. Denver is now ranked No. 27 nationally, previously as high as No. 24, after a 4-2 start to the season and will take on No. 25 Temple, UConn and No. 11 Colorado in the next three games.

Lydia Caputi and the rest of the Bowdoin women’s basketball team are playing in the NCAA Division III Women’s basketball Final Four against Wartburg Friday at 8:30 pm. Caputi has played in 29 of the Polar Bears’ 30 games, making 27 starts. She’s averaging 5.6 points per game, with her season-high (12) coming against UMass Dartmouth on November 30. She’s averaging 5.5 points and five rebounds per game in the tournament. The Tabor Academy graduate also had four assists in the third round win over Scranton and had two steals in the quarter finals win over Tufts. The Polar Bears are 28-2 on the season.

High School Sports

By Nick Friar

 

Rochester Land Trust Annual Meeting

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The Rochester Land Trust will hold its annual meeting on March 29 at 6:30 pm in the First Congregational Church Fellowship Hall. Returning to tradition, it will be a potluck followed by a short business meeting and informational program.

This year’s featured speaker will be Blake Dinius. Blake is the Entomologist Educator for the Plymouth County Extension Service speaking about Lyme disease. This relatively new position is a very important one, considering the high frequency of ticks and tick-borne diseases in Rochester and surrounding towns.

So mark the date, go through your recipes, and join us for an evening of food, information and fellowship with folks interested in preserving Rochester’s rural character. All Rochester and area residents are welcome; you do not have to be an RLT member to attend. But perhaps after meeting us, you might find our platform and plans for our properties align with yours.

See you on March 29 at 6:30 pm with your delicious offering.

Mattapoisett Lions Club Needs Your Help

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This is a call for business and community donations to the Mattapoisett Lions Club for use as prizes in the Club’s Grand Raffle at this year’s Harbor Days being held in Shipyard Park on Saturday, July 21 and Sunday, July 22.

The Grand Raffle is a key component of the Club’s Harbor Days fundraising event, which permits your Lions Club to serve our community in countless ways.

The Grand Raffle is time to Think Big. Drool-worthy tickets to a Red Sox game, weekend getaway at your Bed & Breakfast, Hotel or Inn, pair of kayaks, boat, motorcycle, car, white water rafting trip, or a spa weekend. What could you offer?

Yes, we can provide a 501(c)(3) acknowledgment for your donation, but it goes well beyond that: We will be proud to highlight your philanthropy and community support in our media releases, event advertising, and personal appearances throughout this and surrounding communities as we promote the Grand Raffle and sell tickets for it, not just in July but this spring.

So get on board. Don’t let those tickets or trips wilt away on the shelf. Call us and we’ll put them to great use … the community will be thankful … you’ll be happy and many will benefit. Just to let you know, We Serve proudly as volunteers and 100% of everything donated to us and 100% of everything realized from our events goes back to our community: scholarships; eye research; diabetes education; state-of-the-art no charge eye screenings at local high schools; aid to feed and clothe our needy; senior dinners; egg hunts; community cleanups; family fun festivals; and so much more.

There is no time to waste. We want to hit the ground running by the end of March. Contact King Lion Amy S. Mello at 508-758-4888 or via e-mail at mattlionsclub@gmail.com today. Thank you for your support.