Rochester Council On Aging

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The Rochester Council on Aging announces the following upcoming meetings:

– Legal appointments: Thursday, January 4 from 3:00 – 4:00 pm

– Conversational French I & II: Fridays, January 5, 12, 19, and 26 from 9:30 – 11:30 am

– The Pampered Chef: Monday, January 8; Demo at 11:30 am and lunch at noon

– Happy Hookers: Tuesday, January 9 at 10:00 am

– FRIENDS Meeting: Wednesday, January 10 at 10:00 am

– Blood Pressure Clinic: Wednesday, January 10 at 10:30am

The Board of Directors has implemented the following rule beginning in January 2018: Regarding Day Trips: Per the COA Board, a new policy for day trips will be implemented as of January 2018. Anyone registering for a day trip offered by the Senior Center will be required to pay a $5 non-refundable donation at the time of registration in order to ensure a seat on the van, as well as defraying transportation operating costs of the van. This is for day trips only, not for medical appointments. We thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Academic Achievements

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Anneliese Schipper of Mattapoisett from the Class of 2021 was named to the fall 2017 Honors List at Pomfret School. To achieve this level of distinction, Anneliese earned a grade point average of at least 3.330 and received no grade lower than a B-.

Patricia Ann (Provancher) Considine

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Patricia Ann (Provancher) Considine, 80, passed away on Monday January 1, 2018 at St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford after a brief illness. Born in Troy, New York, and raised in Hemstreet Park, New York, she was the eldest daughter of the late Edwin and Catherine (Welch) Provancher.

She was married to David Francis Considine and the mother of six sons to whom she devoted all of her love and attention. Family, and particularly her children, were of paramount importance in her life. She was actively involved for many years in the Parent Teacher Association at Friends Academy, where all six of her sons attended school. An avid gardener throughout her life, she enjoyed spending time outdoors particularly with her beloved English springer spaniel, Max. Formerly longtime residents of New Bedford, she and her husband had recently moved to Mattapoisett, MA.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her sons: Mark and his wife Lori, of Brattleboro, VT, Michael and his wife Suzanne, of Washington, DC; Francis and his wife Traci, of Los Angeles, CA; Jonathan and his wife Marybeth, of Boston, MA; and Matthew and his husband Alex Monreal, of Boston, MA. She was the mother of the late Timothy Considine. She is also survived by her grandsons, Alexander and Michael, and her granddaughter Grace. Additional survivors include: her sister Linda Cefferillo of Hemstreet Park, NY; her brother Alfred of Whitesboro, NY; her brother Richard of Mechanicville, NY; and her brother Gregory of Tampa, FL. She was the sister of the late Michael, Bruce, Ronald, and Gary Provancher.

Her Funeral Mass will be held at St. Anthony’s Church in Mattapoisett at 10 AM on Tuesday, January 9, 2018. Visiting hours are omitted. For online condolence book, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

The family wishes to extend its thanks to all the staff at St. Luke’s Hospital who worked tirelessly to make her final days so comfortable.

 

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Marcella (Denzer) Nelson

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Marcella (Denzer) Nelson, 68, of Rochester died December 31, 2017 at Tobey Hospital from complications of ALS surrounded by her family. A private family service will be held. Remembrances may be made to Compassionate Care ALS, P.O. Box 1052 West Falmouth, MA 02574 or www.ccals.org.

Born in New York City, the daughter of the late Margaret (Kirby) Denzer, Marcella was raised in Norwood. She recently moved to Rochester after living in Mattapoisett for many years. Marcella was a graduate of Smith College and had an accomplished career at Balfour Co., Faxon Co., & Instron Corp., where she held Senior Management positions as Vice President and Director of Human Resources. She later had her own successful consulting business as a Career Coach.

She is survived by her husband, Manny Del Lima; 2 brothers: Walter Denzer and his wife Betsy Curtin of Grafton, NH and Michael Denzer and his wife Judy of Westminster, MA; her sister, Katherine (Denzer) Reddoch and her husband James of Medford, MA; 7 Denzer nieces and nephews: Matthew, Hannah, Bridget, Margaret, Owen and his wife Christine, Kaitlyn, Laura, and Caren O’Connell; and extended family in New Jersey. Arrangements are with the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Route 6, Mattapoisett. For online guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

The Gift Of Giving Year-round

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On December 29 as many people hunkered down grateful for a warm home, plentiful plates of food and enjoying the lull between Christmas and New Year’s Day, others were working hard to provide basic shelter and a hot cup of coffee to the growing number of homeless and disenfranchised people in the greater New Bedford area.

Some were braving the cold temperatures to give what only humans can give to one another: blood. And still others were standing behind tables in the Knights of Columbus Hall to share programs as diverse as aiding veterans to joining the local women’s club.

Yet, for one person, how you wish to spend your time, talents and financial resources is not the point. The point is sharing. Period.

Miss Massachusetts and Mattapoisett native Jillian Zucco has dedicated her young life to prompting volunteerism. The December event titled “Make A Difference Expo” was her brainchild to bring together nonprofit and/or volunteer organizations and give them a platform to not only share the work they are doing, but to also possibly add volunteers to their ranks.

When asked how the expo was going Zucco replied, “Really well.” As the girl trio B.L.C. sang what Zucco dubbed “uplifting” tunes adding an air of conviviality to the event, Zucco’s dark eyes sparkled. “It’s been crazy busy,” she said of the holiday season, her professional work as a cardiac care nurse, responsibilities and personal appearance commitments as Miss Massachusetts, and as a prime-mover in the Showstoppers entertainment organization. The group had completed some 30 shows during the season and would be performing later in the afternoon.

But Zucco’s enthusiastic drive to help others – to bring together help where a need may exist – was the impetus for the Expo.

Outside in the parking lot, the constant hum from the motors supplying electric service to the Boston Children’s Hospital mobile blood van was a reassuring sound that the precious gift of blood can’t be taken for granted. Blood and blood products are in constant demand at all hospitals. Zucco said that by 2:30 pm, only an hour and a half into the Expo, 30 donors had come forward.

Inside the hall positioned around the room, one could find any number of ways to help.

From Mattapoisett were representatives from the Mattapoisett Land Trust, Mattapoisett Historical Society Museum, and Mattapoisett Women’s Club.

From New Bedford were volunteers from Sister Rose House that has been an institution for over 30 years serving as a homeless shelter as well as providing clothing and meals.

When asked what the organization needed, volunteer Becky Brosnan replied, “Socks, T-shirts, gloves, toiletries, food.” She explained that the organization functioned as an “over-flow” shelter to approximately 35 people, especially important given the record-setting cold temperatures. “When the temperatures are freezing or above, some won’t come inside even if a bed is available,” Brosnan said. But the last week had seen all available beds in the city of New Bedford “taken.” She said that Sister Rose House serves as a shelter to approximately 600 people each year.

Another organization that works directly with those whose personal needs are greatest and an organization that Zucco has been working with for years was also at the Expo: Gifts To Give. Described as “…a philanthropy factory powered by children and managed by adult volunteers…” GTG has been serving the southcoast of Massachusetts and parts of Rhode Island for approximately 10 years. The charity has been collecting gently used clothing, household items, books and toys, but leading up to the Christmas season, it is always especially eager to receive new items to present to deserving families.

Also represented at the Expo were: Hospice Services of Massachusetts whose volunteers provide end-of-life care and comfort; Mission 22 that brings veterans together with a variety of services; Medical Reserve Corps that is a program sponsored by the Office of the Surgeon General in partnership with the USA Freedom Corps and Department of Homeland Security; and last, but not least, Southcoast Young Marines that promotes mental, moral and physical development with an eye towards character building, leadership, and a drug-free lifestyle.

If you were unable to attend Zucco’s Make A Difference Expo but are interested in any of the groups or organizations named above, each has a website where more information may be obtained.

By Marilou Newell

January Programs at Plumb Library

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The COA Book Group will discuss The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency on Tuesday, January 16 at 10:15 am at the Rochester COA, Dexter Lane. Books are available at the Library. Working in Gaborone, Botswana, sleuth Precious Ramotswe investigates several local mysteries, including a search for a missing boy and the case of the clinic doctor with different personalities for different days of the week.

“Just the Facts,” the Nonfiction Book Group will discuss Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything on Thursday, January 18 at 6:30 pm at the Library. Books are available at the circulation desk or downloadable from Overdrive. Freakonomics takes an unconventional look at how the economy really works, from cheating and crime to sports and child-rearing, offering a very different view on what really matters and what really drives the economy.

Café Parlez will discuss The Baker’s Secret on Thursday, January 25 at 6:30 pm at the Library. Books are available at the circulation desk or downloadable from Overdrive. A baker’s apprentice in Normandy endures shame and anger as her kind mentor is targeted and arrested for his Jewish heritage, a violation that compels the young woman to engage in discreet resistance activities, baking contraband loaves of bread for the hungry using surplus ingredients taken from occupying forces.

Plumb Library Knitters and Crocheters meets every Monday at 6:30 pm. All skill levels are welcome, and chocolate is always served.

Children of all ages are invited to Read to Amos the greyhound. Amos and his handler Ms. Holly are a certified team for Therapy Dogs International. They are also part of a Children Reading to Dogs program called “Tail-Waggin’ Tutors.” Amos, an 8-year-old greyhound, is a good listener, and children can make a five-minute appointment to read to him. Reading aloud to a dog is a great way for a child to become a more confident reader. Dogs are non-judgmental and don’t care if the child makes a mistake in reading.

Registration can be done through the Plumb Library’s Event Calendar and is required for this program. Space is limited. Once you attend, you are officially a member of the Amos Book Club. Dates for January are January 20 & 27.

Plumb Library is located at 17 Constitution Way, Rochester. For more information on these and other programs, call the library at 508-763-8600 or email info@plumblibrary.com.

Christmas in Mattapoisett

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To the Editor:

I would like to thank the people responsible for the Christmas lights on Ned’s Point Lighthouse. When my family arrives for the Christmas holidays, we always enjoy our walk to the lighthouse. The lights make it very special for my grandchildren. The lights and the hat on Salty the Seahorse are one of the many reasons Mattapoisett is so special.

Sincerely,

Jean West

 

 

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.

Donald Nelson Molander

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Donald Nelson Molander, 92, passed away on December 18, 2017 at Augsburg Lutheran Home and Village in Baltimore, MD. Ethelyn (Smith), his devoted wife of 67 years, survives him.

Born in Brockton, MA on July 18, 1925, Donald was the son of John and Olga (Nelson) Molander of North Easton, MA. He was a graduate of Oliver Ames High School, class of 1943. He attended Tufts College in Medford, MA, and enlisted in the U.S. Navy and a became a pilot.

On June 10, 1950, Donald and Ethelyn were married. Donald completed his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Tufts College, graduating the day after they were wed. He worked for the U.S. Navy as a civil engineer and was a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy Reserve. He was named the First Naval District “Engineer of the Year” in 1965. He later became a construction project manager in the private sector, and then a resident engineer at the Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC, retiring in 1990.

 

He and Ethelyn began raising their five children in North Easton, MA. The family spent summers at their “camp” at Bates Pond Shores in Carver, MA. Later, the Molander family moved to Carol Stream, IL, and then to Millersville, MD, where Donald and Ethelyn lived for thirty years. In 2007, they became residents of Augsburg Lutheran Home and Village in Baltimore, MD.

 

Donald loved his family; his daughter the late Donalyn Spada and her husband James, of New Milford, CT, his son John “Moe Molander” and his wife Carol of Marion, MA, his daughter Laurie Faklis and her husband Nicholas of Palos Park, IL, his son William and his wife Lori of Medina, OH and his daughter Mia Karen Burch and her husband Greg of New Milford, CT. He was proud of his seventeen grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Always active in the Lutheran church, Donald was a member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in North Easton, MA, St. Andrew Lutheran Church in West Chicago, IL, and Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Millersville, MD. After retirement, he enjoyed volunteering at church events, reading, traveling around the country with his wife, and painting in acrylic and watercolor.

 

A memorial service to honor Donald will be held at 2pm on Sunday, March 18, 2018 in the Worship and Community Life Center at Augsburg Lutheran Home and Village, 6811 Campfield Road, Baltimore, MD 21207. His final resting place will be at the Veterans Cemetery in Crownsville, MD.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Donald’s memory can be made to Augsburg Lutheran Home and Village, 6811 Campfield Road, Baltimore, MD 21207.

ORR Tech Program is ‘Flying High’

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When it comes to the evolution of technology and engineering at Old Rochester Regional, the sky’s the limit. Literally.

And the school district and ORR School Committee couldn’t be happier – after all, the ingenuity of some of the engineering students and their teacher has already won the high school $25,000 in prize money that will go towards engineering and technology education at the school.

Back in September, technology teacher MJ Linane’s engineering students expressed an interest in drone technology and developing a drone tech program at the high school.

“I was looking for various sources of funding because, the surprising thing is – or isn’t – [drones] are not cheap,” said Linane.

Linane and his students came up with a proposal to submit to a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, math) competition called the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Contest, a national competition that challenges students to creatively use STEAM skills to address real-world issues and inspire change in their local communities.

Linane said Superintendent Doug White made Linane aware of the opportunity, and Linane and his students went for it.

The contest encourages students to explore the use of technology to address or solve a community-based issue. One essential characteristic of the Tri-Town, especially in Rochester, is the presence of cranberry growing and its significant economic impact on the region. And with the students’ interest in exploring drone technology, Linane saw the perfect marriage between technology and tradition. The students submitted their proposal and waited to hear back.

In November, they learned that they had been chosen as one of 255 in 3,000 proposals submitted across the country and were one of the five state semi-finalists. In addition to advancing, each of those 255 teachers won a Chromebook for their classroom.

It was time to get to work on their project and bring it to the next level – coming up with an action plan, due December 13. The students waited and, again, “We did hear back,” said Linane. “And sure enough, it was accepted. And with that comes $25,000 in technology that’ll go to the high school.”

ORR High School had done it – it became the state finalist for the nationwide contest.

The next step of the competition is for the 52 national finalists to develop a video of their project in action and develop a prototype for their drone, using a video kit provided by Samsung to produce their video.

“We’re using drones to monitor bogs,” said Linane, stating that this was particularly relevant due the impact of climate change-induced seasonal drought that has affected the cranberry industry. With the use of drones, farmers can implement targeted watering around selective areas of the bogs that are detected as being particularly dry.

“I thought it was fascinating,” Linane said. “It was cool.” The students designed and assembled and piloted drones and worked with local cranberry growers to teach them how to utilize the technology for the benefit of their crops, “developing a very nice relationship with our students [and the community].”

Linane said UMass Dartmouth and the Cape Cod Cranberry Grower’s Association have contacted him with interest in partnering with the ORR teacher and his students.

“It’s been really great, a really great experience,” said Linane. “The students are the most excited.”

The students have until February 15 to submit their videos. Out of the 52 schools submitting videos, ten schools will be chosen to compete in the national finals where seven schools will be chosen to win a $50,000 technology package and three will win the top prize of $150,000. Another social media contest based on online votes will determine an additional winner of another technology package valued at $20,000.

“It’s very exciting, very awesome,” said Linane.

The students reached out to not only large-scale local cranberry growers like Makepeace, but also to neighbors and relatives in the community who are cranberry growers.

“It’s an important industry,” Linane said, especially given the impact climate change has had on it. Linane cited a recent state-sponsored study on the matter and finding ways to revitalize the agricultural industry. “So,” added Linane, “very cool.”

By Jean Perry

 

Straus Responds to Marion’s Route 6 Concerns

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For some time now, the Town of Marion has actively sought the State’s attention regarding ongoing Route 6 traffic and pedestrian safety concerns, which this month resulted in State Representative Bill Straus calling on the Massachusetts Department of Transportation administrator to personally meet him on Marion’s roadways.

“As a result of safety and maintenance issues which have been directly addressed to me by Town residents over the last several months, I asked Jonathan Gulliver, the MassDOT Administrator, to come to Marion and meet with me,” Straus wrote in a recent letter to the Board of Selectmen. “I wanted him to get a first-hand look at some of the Route 6 problems which currently exist.”

As a result of that visit, Gulliver’s staff will be reviewing specific Route 6 areas of most concern in the year 2018.

First, the intersections of Spring Street and Converse Road will be studies to ascertain whether the existing traffic patterns provide optimum safety for vehicle crossings and entrance to traffic flow.

Also slated for review are the paved sidewalks on the south side of Route 6 and whether the unpaved adjacent sidewalks to the south side of Route 6 near Tabor Academy are within the state layout and could be paved.

General sidewalk maintenance and upkeep of existing sidewalk areas along Route 6 will also be reviewed, with the state looking at early steps to remove vegetation overgrowth and other possible maintenance projects for 2018 to improve pedestrian accessibility.

Furthermore, MassDOT will assess East Marion traffic speed where the effectiveness of the temporary electronic speed signage has been helpful.

“This has been a persistent concern,” said Straus, “…I therefore asked that MassDOT consider that this type of electronic signage be permanently installed.”

“I will continue to update the Board and the community as I hear of the progress of these steps,” Straus assured the Town.

Selectmen responded with enthusiasm, with Selectman Steve Gonsalves furthering the conversation, commenting on possible signage displaying penalty fees for not stopping for pedestrians at certain busy Route 6 crosswalks.

“I’m glad to see some progress,” said Gonsalves, “because it’s been a sore spot and a fear in my gut for years of living there for twenty-one years, [so] thank God there’s some progress.”

By Jean Perry