Polar Plunge Warms Hearts

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“Celebratory, inclusive, and a little crazy.” These words, spoken by Tabor Academy junior Grace Ryan (Class of ‘19), aptly characterize last Sunday’s Polar Plunge at Silvershell Beach in Marion.

Proceeds from the annual plunge benefit the school’s Special Olympics Young Athletes Program, which pairs Tabor student volunteers with cognitively- and developmentally-delayed children to work on building fundamental skills.

The mood was festive as students from Tabor and Sandwich High School (fundraising rivals) showed up at Silvershell Beach – many in shorts and flip-flops – for their second annual dip.

After a few opening remarks and words of gratitude, it was go-time. Locking hands for moral support, participants raced into – and right back out of – water that was the same frigid 42 degrees as the air outside. Even Tim Cleary, dean of the freshman and sophomore class, took the plunge – fully clothed, hat and all.

The tally as of Monday was $8,000 raised from pledges, donations, and sales of “Freezin’ for a Reason” Polar Plunge sweatshirts at Sunday’s event. Almost $1,100 of that was raised by Tabor’s Annalisa Souza (Class of ‘18), who was last year’s top fundraiser as well.

It was over in a blur, literally, but the benefits will warm these students and young athletes for months.

By Deina Zartman

Rochester Council On Aging

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The Rochester Council on Aging announces the following upcoming meetings:

– Wednesday, January 24: Tax appointments will be held from 9:00 am – noon. Senator’s Office Hours are from noon to 2:00 pm.

– Friday, January 26: Bonjour! Conversational French I & II will meet from 9:30 – 11:30 am.

– Sunday, January 28: January day trip. Celebrate the New Year at the Chinese New Year Parade in Chinatown, Boston and lunch at the China Pearl Restaurant. We leave at 9:00 am and return at 4:00 pm. Lunch from the menu is your only cost.

Please be sure to sign up well in advance to ensure your seat on the van!

Call the Rochester Council on Aging at 508-763-8723 for more information regarding these events. If you need transportation, please call the Senior Center at least 24- 48 hours in advance. Thank you.

FORM Brunch Fundraiser

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The Friends of Old Rochester Music (F.O.R.M.) Brunch will take place on Sunday, January 28 from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm at The Inn on Shipyard Park. The brunch will include a full buffet menu and live music performed by ORR high school and junior high school students. All are welcome and tickets are available – $30 adult/$15 children – by contacting F.O.R.M. at orrform02739@gmail.com. All proceeds will benefit F.O.R.M. to provide direct financial support for the students in the ORRHS and ORRJHS music programs.

School Budget Increase Considered Modest

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So far, as the budget subcommittee gears up for fiscal year 2019, the Sippican School budget for next year is up just slightly above 2%, as discussed by the Marion School Committee during its January 10 meeting.

School Committee member Kate Houdelette, who is also a member of the budget subcommittee, introduced the 2.19% increase to the committee as “very minor.”

The budget includes the tuition for Bristol County Agricultural High School, for which previously only two students were budgeted to attend. This budget accommodates a third student from Marion who plans to attend Bristol Aggie next year.

Also included in the budget is a .2 position addition to a part-time physical education/health teacher, which would bring the position up to full-time and the total number of full-time physical education/health teachers up to two.

The budget also accommodates a .4 part-time integrated technology teacher position to advance their computer skills in alignment with the standardized testing that is now taken online.

“There are some standards that we have to meet that are already being created in Mattapoisett,” said Sippican School Principal Lyn Rivet.

Business Administrator Patrick Spencer announced the total budget sat currently at $6,058,000, which is up $121,000 from fiscal year 2018.

School Committee Chairman Christine Marcolini thanked Director of Student Services Michael Nelson for his role in reining in the Special Education budget by providing 99% of required services in-house as opposed to out of district.

“That should be a point of pride,” said Marcolini. “That’s great.”

Superintendent Doug White said circuit breaker funds – that is, funds from the Commonwealth that reimburse school districts for special education services in “severe cases of need,” as White put it – will be lower this year than last year.

“The percentage coming back to the district is lower than it has been in the past,” said White. “You should also be aware of that and concerned about that…”

White continued, “It all has to do with what’s happening in Washington [D.C.] and how they’re addressing education funding.”

In other matters, the committee accepted a donation of $30,000 from an anonymous donor.

“On behalf of all the children at Sippican, we say ‘Thank you,’” said Marcolini.

The next meeting of the Marion School Committee is scheduled for February 28 at 6:30 pm at Sippican School.

Marion School Committee

By Jean Perry

 

OC Basketball Picks Up Speed

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Although they didn’t start off booming as initially anticipated, the Old Colony Cougars boys’ basketball team has caught its stride in the 2017-2018 season, sitting at 6-3 and 1-0 in the Mayflower Small Vocational Division after winning 75-25 over Norfolk Aggie.

            The team’s 1-2 start in the early going was responded with a 5-1 tear. And while most teams go through some level of a rough patch during the course of a season, a high bar was set for these Jake Jason-led Cougars, which they now are meeting much more easily.

            “I’ve been asked a lot about the ‘slow start,’” Old Colony coach Matt Trahan said. “The ball bounces a certain way sometimes. We’ve been in every game. Lost to Diman by two. The Case game was a fantastic game; I wish we had more gas in the tank in the fourth quarter. The other one was by a close margin, as well.”

Trahan continued, “(We) try to stay upbeat, try to stay positive. I think we’re gelling. And in those two games, minus the Case game, we could easily be 8-1.”

            Growing pains are to be expected with important pieces from the previous year’s team graduating and roles changing across the board. Seems like that’s all the Cougars went through in the early going. All they needed was a little time to mesh.

            “I just feel like they’re gelling,” Trahan said. “You’re starting to see the extra pass. We’re not forcing the issue. It’s more fluid than earlier in the season when we’d play a little tight. I think we’ve got confidence in ourselves, and they’re really playing good right now.”

            The development of the team’s identity has given the chance for players to take on greater roles. While Jason continues to not only lead his team in scoring (23.6 points per game), he’s also one of the area’s most prolific scorers, remaining the team’s constant.

            Then if you look at the win over Norfolk Aggie, Jeff Betchold scored 11, and Hunter Soares and Ben Maurer both had 10. Although that wasn’t one of Zach Soucy’s best scoring nights, scoring five, he’s been the team’s second best scorer this season, regularly finishing in the double-digits.

“Zach (Soucy) is playing some real inspired basketball,” Trahan said. “He’s been playing great. Defensively, he usually picks up their best player, but he’s also scoring as well. Jeff Betchold has been in the double digits. And he’s just kind of that dirty dog inside. He’s not looking for the ball, but he’s looking to rebound – and he’ll get his points off that rebound.”

There’s a lot of season left, with all games being ‘must-win’ if Old Colony plans to win the conference. There are two opponents that this team has circled on the calendar though – South Shore and Upper Cape.

“There’s so much emphasis on those games because the league kind of rides on them,” Trahan said. “I think the other coaches would agree that any one of our gyms to play in is a tough venue. When you go to Upper Cape, it’s going to be a physical battle and whatnot. South Shore is an older gym. And then ours, when you get the crowd involved, it’s kind of electric in there. So every venue is a little different, but I think everybody struggles.

“And the coaches prepare. We all know each other; we all know what’s going to happen. Your kids just have to rise to the occasion.”

The girls’ basketball also continues to have success, improving to 7-1 (1-0 Mayflower Small) after winning 43-29 over Norfolk Aggie. Abby Cioper led the Cougars with 18 in the win.

Old Rochester Regional

Bob Hohne recorded his 600th career win as head coach of Old Rochester girls’ basketball after the Bulldogs beat Fairhaven 44-24. Hohne became the ninth basketball coach – both boys and girls – to win 600 or more games.

Cassidy Yeomans led the Bulldogs in their seventh win of the year with 13 points, while Meg Horan was right with her, scoring 12.

Win 601 for Hohne came against Nauset, who’d yet to be beaten this season until Old Rochester took control with a 48-45 win. Yeomans was even more electric in this one, scoring 23. Horan remained consistent as the team’s second leading scorer, finishing with 12 points.

High School Sports Update

By Nick Friar

 

Sippican School Kindergarten Parent Orientation

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A Parent Orientation Meeting for parents of all children eligible to enter Kindergarten has been scheduled on Tuesday, February 6, from 6:00 – 7:00 pm in the community room of Sippican School. All parents of children eligible to attend Kindergarten are asked to attend this special informational meeting. Any child born before September 1, 2013, and is a Marion resident is eligible for enrollment in Kindergarten for the 2018-2019 school year. At this meeting, our Kindergarten staff will present our Kindergarten program, curriculum, and discuss our Kindergarten Orientation Program. We will also share other information regarding your child’s transition to Sippican School. In addition, school Registration Packets will be available for you to take home to complete.

Registration packets can be dropped off in the Sippican School office during the following times: Tuesday, February 27, 2018 from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, and Thursday, March 1, 2018 from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm. In order to have the registration process proceed in a timely manner, we are asking parents to bring completed registration packets and necessary documentation with them. If you are unable to attend on February 6, you can pick up Registration Packets during these times.

If you have a child who was born before August 31, 2013, and is eligible to enter Kindergarten but will not attend, please call the office at Sippican School (508-748-0100), to notify us of your decision. This will enable us to keep an accurate count of the number of students who will be entering Kindergarten.

We look forward to seeing you on February 6 and welcoming you to the Sippican School community.

Food: the Language of Love

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With heaping helpings of downtime this winter, I’ve watched gallons of cooking shows on TV.

The week between Christmas and New Year’s Day I consumed considerable portions of Julia Child’s earliest segments, lapping up her stovetop spillage with relish.

When Christopher Kimble desserted – I mean deserted – PBS’s Cook’s Country Kitchen to travel the world in search of something much more than a good baked mac-n-cheese using Vermont cheddar exclusively, I followed him over to Milk Street. Alas, I find his new group of chefs a bit too prickly pear for this gal. Simmering prunes into a reduction thinned with whiskey to make a cake glaze, for instance, seems like a waste of good booze. Staying with Kimble a bit longer, I do like his radio collaboration with Sara Moulton – she can put together plain cooking with a flame-broiled flare that families would actually eat.

But backing up a little to give you the flavor and texture of my culinary evolution, it all really began when I married Paul and found in him a taste-tester whose palate was not easily offended, except possibly by hot chilies.

The original stove that came with the home we’ve nested in for the past 28 years was a real treat to use. There were only two burners, flanked by a long large grill, and the oven below. How I ever managed to cook party-sized portions of anything with only two burners is a point of pride for me, and an annual story at the Thanksgiving table. As the years have rolled by, there have been updates and improvements aplenty both in large and small appliance acquisitions.

However, the biggest change came early on when my then-new-husband needed to modify his diet and/or take medication to control cholesterol. Armed with Dr. Ornish’s groundbreaking rules for diet and exercise to aid in controlling cholesterol, we became eager participants.

First forsaking fats, then moving on to carbohydrates, increasing water intake, decreasing salt, adding steamed vegetables, and then beginning an exercise program – we became lean, mean, middle-aged machines.

We had purchased bicycles as wedding gifts to one another and soon found ourselves pedaling throughout the Tri-Town, and it was nothing to jump on our bikes and head to Onset for an afternoon adventure. Granola bars and water sufficed as fuel. The pounds fell off with ease over the months as we jogged and pedaled along North Street.

At home in the kitchen after shopping at Whole Foods in Providence, I’d cook up barley or brown rice over which I’d serve fresh steamed broccoli with baby carrots and a side of shredded cabbage. Beano became our new friend.

I would often ride my bike from North Street to the New Bedford Industrial Park where I worked at the time, taking that monster hill on Perry Hill Road in Acushnet as if I were training for the Olympics. I have to confess that I’d never felt better, never had more energy or more reverently believed in “La Dolce Vita.”

Then one evening as I prepared our meal, my husband said that he’d be taking medication to get his climbing cholesterol under control because the diet changes weren’t enough, given his family’s history. So, “thanks,” he told me, but then asked if I could add in a little meat soon.

It wasn’t till months later that it occurred to me that he had never fully committed to the diet in the first place. At the firehouse where he worked, spending four days out of six, platters of hamburgers, trays of lasagna, baskets of donuts, dishes of fried linguiça and cacoila, layers of cakes, piles of French meat pies, homemade gufong, you name it – the firefighters (including my husband) ate it in portions befitting those whose lives may end when the next bell rings. Of course he’d be taking pills for the rest of his life – temptations were too numerous. Nonetheless, I scolded his return to red meat and refused to cook it at home.

I gave up the calorically deprived lifestyle we had embraced.

I learned to make piecrust for the occasional treat and brought pork, chicken, and fish into the mix, much to his delight. Our meals still heavily featured vegetables and whole grains, but returning to the fold came butter, olive oil, and mayo. Oh, and let us not forget, ice cream.

He stopped jogging and biking after a while, but I kept that up until more recently as I recover from overuse injuries. Amen.

Today as senior citizens, with a half-teaspoon of caution we eat pretty much whatever we want. Our constitutions dictate quantity and spice levels, and dinners are served no later than 5:00 pm.

And while I still look at the Sunday papers’ food sections for inspiration, there is really no way to take the Frenchman away from his béchamel sauce or vice versa.

Yet every now and then I sneak in something like five spice roasted tofu lettuce wraps with pickled vegetables and peanut sauce, just to make sure he’s still paying attention to me.

This Mattapoisett Life

By Marilou Newell

 

Leon Love

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Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. – 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

These words reflect Leon Love, our honored partner, friend, father, grandfather, and trusted colleague. Our hearts ache as we mourn his loss. He died at home in Rochester, Massachusetts, on January 20, 2018, surrounded by his loving family.

Leon will be remembered for his gentle and firm nature; his ability to forgive and “let bygones by bygones”; his long, tireless career as an educator; his devotion to his family; and his faith in God.

Leon was born March 1, 1938, in East Liverpool, Ohio, to William and Christine Love. Leon was one of nine siblings, some of whom have preceded him in death: Baby Sister Frances, Tony, Infant Brother Mike, Greg (and partner Marquenta), William Jr., Robert (and wife Sylvia), Terry (and wife Kris), and Rosemary Wynn (and husband Bernard).

He married Iris, his devoted and loving wife of 23 years, on Christmas Eve, surrounded by warm candlelight and colorful poinsettias in an intimate ceremony that showed their devotion to one another. They provided for each other and served as one another’s emotional supports. They had many traveling adventures and enjoyed several trips to Florida and Hawaii. They especially enjoyed exploring the rugged coastline and beauty of Alaska by train and cruise ship. Leon most recently visited Kauai’s Hanalei Bay with family in August, including five of his young grandchildren.

Leon received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Cincinnati and his Masters and Specialist degrees in Education Administration from Xavier University. He played defensive lineman on the University of Cincinnati football team and was later signed with the Washington Redskins. He served in the Army as a Military Policeman. In addition to his physical strength, he used his quiet strength to support his “team” throughout his entire life, serving as a counselor and mediator for family, friends, and co-workers.

Leon was a well-known and respected principal in the Dayton Public Schools, where he spent over 40 years working primarily as an administrator at Colonel White High School and Dunbar High School. He was also the Dean of Men at Central State University for several years. He was a formidable figure walking through those school hallways and he touched many students’ lives. He set high standards for students and staff, but was consistent, firm, and always supportive. He thought of himself as a father-figure for many of the students he worked with. He had a lifelong commitment to young people, aiming to help them develop into self-sufficient, responsible adults leading meaningful lives.

After retirement from the Dayton Public Schools, he and Iris moved in 2003 to Massachusetts in order to help with raising a newborn grandson. Leon was called again to serve as part-time school administrator for Sippican Elementary School in Marion, MA, where he helped to develop the school’s plans for emergency scenarios.

Leon loved his six children. Jeff Love and Craig Love, who have preceded him in death; Mike Love of Dayton, OH; Elizabeth Richardson (and husband Tom) of Mattapoisett, MA; Lee Tibbetts of Chicago, IL; and Sarah Bernier (and husband Allen) of Rochester, MA. He touched the lives of each of his grandchildren: Jessica Love, Rontae Love, Josiah Freeman; Max, Summer, and Daicey Richardson; Kai, Iris and Baby-on-its-way Bernier.

Leon was so very proud of his grandchildren. The 14 years that he lived in Massachusetts were devoted to them – supporting them, encouraging them, and challenging them to be the best they can be. And they loved him unabashedly in return, climbing into his warm, strong arms for comfort and listening to his stories. He helped his oldest grandson learn to drive the John Deere mower around the yard. He spent hundreds of hours with one (or more) grandchildren on his lap reading to them. He held them up and pointed out the moon and the stars.

He was a member of the Community Baptist Church in Marion, MA, for the past 14 years, serving as a Trustee for almost all of those years. He lived by example. And so too have we learned from Leon – how to lead with dignity, patience, humility, and respect for all. The world is a better place because of Leon Love.

He was a member of the Community Baptist Church in Marion, MA, for the past 14 years, serving as a Trustee for almost all of those years. He lived by example. And so too have we learned from Leon – how to lead with dignity, patience, humility, and respect for all. The world is a better place because of Leon Love.

Please consider contributions in Leon’s memory to a local Boys and Girls Club of America (bgca.org) chapter in your area.

Arrangements are with the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home For Funerals, 50 County Rd. (Rt. 6), Mattapoisett. For online guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

 

Academic Achievements

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Hannah Nadeau of Rochester has been named to Husson University’s President’s List for the fall 2017 semester. Nadeau is a first-year student who is currently enrolled in Husson’s Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Studies/Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program.

Students who make the President’s List must carry at least 12 graded credit hours during the semester and earn a grade point average of between 3.80 to 4.0 during the period.

Curry College is proud to announce that the following area students were named to the Dean’s List for the fall 2017 semester:

– Julie Blezard of Mattapoisett

– Victoria Caton of Mattapoisett

– Meghan Desrochers of Rochester

– Hannah Ribeiro of Mattapoisett

To qualify for the Dean’s List, students must earn a 3.30 GPA, have no incompletes, and have no grade lower than a “C” for the semester.

Bethany Spangler of Mattapoisett has been named to Southern New Hampshire University’s fall 2017 President’s List. Eligibility for the President’s List requires that a student accumulate an academic grade point average (GPA) of 3.7-4.0 and earn 12 credits for the semester.

Morgan Dasilva of Rochester was named to the Dean’s List at University of Connecticut for the fall 2017 semester.

The following students have been named to the fall 2017 Dean’s List at Stonehill College:

– Rachael Chandler, Class of 2018, from Marion and a graduate of Old Rochester Regional High School

– Lauren Ovian, Class of 2020, from Rochester and a graduate of Old Rochester Regional High School

– Sarah Rogers, Class of 2019, from Rochester and a graduate of Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School

To qualify for the Dean’s List, students must have a semester grade point average of 3.50 or better and must have completed successfully all courses for which they were registered.

Ernest W. Weber

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Ernest W. Weber, 94, of Marion, died Jan. 18, 2018 two days short of his 95th birthday. He was the husband of the late Bernadette D. (Donoghue) Weber and the son of the late Ernest L. and Anastasia (Healey) Weber.

He was born and raised in Roslindale. He and his wife Betty raised their family in Westwood and Marion. He was an active and passionate member of the Sippican Lands Association in Marion.

Mr. Weber was a WWII Coast Guard Veteran serving aboard the USS Howard D. Crow (DE-252). Following his discharge, Mr. Weber attended and graduated from Northeastern University.

Mr. Weber owned and operated Gaston Electrical Company and was a proud member of IBEW Local 103 for 72 years. He also enjoyed many years as a General Contractor.

He traveled extensively and went on over 20 cruises with Holland America. He spent his leisure hours at home working on a multitude of projects.

Survivors include his son, William E. Weber, and his wife Susanne of Marion; a daughter, Jean Weber Connelly, and her husband Michael of Weymouth; his sisters, Helen Reid and Ruth Donovan; 2 brothers, Robert Weber and David Weber; his grandchildren, William Weber, Jr., Cheryl Redmond, Michael Weber, Kathleen Connelly, Ryan Connelly; 12 great grandchildren.

Visiting hours are from 9:00 am to 10:30 am on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018 at the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, 2599 Cranberry Hwy., Wareham, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am in St. Rita’s Church, 113 Front St., Marion. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Marion.

Donations may be made to the Destroyer Escort Sailors Association, P.O. Box 488 Henderson Harbor, NY 13651.