Grace E. (Madeiros) Cobb

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Grace E. (Madeiros) Cobb, 88, of Marion died March 7, 2019 unexpectedly at home.

            Born in New Bedford, daughter of the late George and Valeria (Glica) Madeiros, she lived in Marion most of her life.

            She was a teacher at Center School in Mattapoisett for many years until her retirement.

            Survivors include her daughter; her grandchildren, Taryn Cobb and Lee Anthony Cobb.

            She was the mother of the late Gary Cobb and Lee Cobb.

            Her private arrangements are with the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Rt. 6, Mattapoisett. For online guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Rheta T. Tuttle

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Rheta T. Tuttle passed away on March 12, 2019 after a brief period of declining health due to a fall.

            She was the wife of the late Kenneth W Tuttle, the daughter of the late Thomas F and Sarah (Stevens) Markey, and the sister of the late Thomas F Markey. She was born in North Dighton and grew up and attended school in Taunton MA. She graduated from Bridgewater State College, class of 1943 and later pursued post-graduate studies and professional development at Boston University. Her 40-year career in Education began with teaching English and Latin in Mattapoisett, MA, followed by a few years teaching English at Beverly High School. After her marriage she returned to Center School in Mattapoisett where she spent the remainder of her career in Elementary Ed. She often joked that because she skipped Third Grade in her own schooling, she was fated to spend her professional life teaching it.

            She was a communicant of St. Anthony’s Church in Mattapoisett. She was a member of the Alpha Lambda chapter of Kappa Delta Gamma International Society of Women Educators. She was a member of the Mattapoisett Women’s Club and several other local organizations. She was a longtime volunteer for FISH.

            In retirement she enjoyed travelling and took up bridge with a passion. She was an avid reader and crossword solver.

            She is survived by her beloved son Richard K Tuttle of Mattapoisett. She was grateful for her bridge friends and the kindness of her neighbors The Cattley family and friend Ann Marklin.

            Her Funeral will be held on Monday at 9 am from the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Route 6, Mattapoisett, followed by her Funeral Mass at St. Anthony’s Church, Mattapoisett at 10 am. Burial will follow in Cushing Cemetery. Visiting hours are omitted. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the Mattapoisett Historical Society or the Fairhaven Community Visiting Nurse, 62 Center St, Fairhaven, MA 02719 For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Upcoming Marion Art Center Classes

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The MAC is offering a second date for its one-day workshop, Expressive Landscape Painting with Acrylics, with instructor John Irwin. The workshop is scheduled for Saturday, March 23, 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm in the MAC studio. Students must supply their own brushes and acrylic paints: red, yellow, blue, white, and black. The instructor will provide canvases for painting. Cost is $30 for MAC members, $35 for non-members.

            The MAC Dance Academy now offers Baby & Me for ages 2 and under, in addition to dance for children ages 2-6, Baby & Me is 30 minutes of music, movement, exploratory dance, and fun for children 2 and under. Adults attend class as models and participate in the class fully. Each week we will explore basic tap skills, ballet, and/or tumbling. Ballet and tap shoes are optional for dancers who want to make “noise,” and younger children can explore tummy time or crawl along with the music. This is a free-form class where the babies will be the guides. Baby wearing welcome! Cost for eight classes is $115 for MAC members, $125 for non-members. MAC Dance Academy begins Monday, March 25.

            Register online for workshops and classes at www.marionartcenter.org/classes/.

One Book, Tri-Town Program Sing-Along

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Join your friends and neighbors on Sunday, March 17, from 2:00 – 3:00 pm at the Mattapoisett Free Public Library, 7 Barstow Street, Mattapoisett ,for a sing-along of the folk songs of the 1930s. We will be singing songs collected by the WPA musicians or written by Woody Guthrie and other folk composers of the Depression Era. Lyric sheets will be provided, and light refreshments will be served. Musical accompaniment will be provided by local musicians. This program is part of the “One Book, Tri-Town” series of events, and is supported by the Rochester Cultural Council and the Friends of Plumb Library.

ConCom Explores Ways to Restructure Fees

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            Once upon a time, the conservation agent in Mattapoisett was part of the Building Department, assisting property owners with site visits for wetlands flagging, finding the best locations for septic systems, interfacing with state agencies, and encouraging best practices for remediation. That bit of history came to light as the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission on March 11 discussed methods and means for financially supporting the work they do on behalf of the Town and the Wetlands Protection Act.

            Chairman Mike King said that he had received an email from the Board of Selectmen requesting that the commission review its rate schedule, but King says fees imposed by the commission are restricted by state statutes.

            “Absent a local bylaw, we are limited to current state fees,” King reported. He also said that any business needs to know what their income is – their revenue stream – before they could weight that against expenses. “We’d like to know what our income is,” he said.

            According to King, the Lakeville office of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection told him that some regulations have been established for towns that want to purchase lands for open space purposes, primarily for agricultural use. He said that was not the case for Mattapoisett.

            King said that he has been and would continue to study the matter of fees, income, and expenses with the town’s accountant.

            “I want to get a report on revenue for 2017 and 2018, and what was expensed from those revenues,” King said.

            Conservation Agent Elizabeth Leidhold said that, presently, the Notice of Intent filing fee is $25, which goes into the commission’s General Fund, and that the commission had $775 in that fund at the end of fiscal year 2018. Another Conservation Department account had $5,600 in fees at the end of FY18, and today holds $62,000.

            “I was considered part of the inspectional services,” Leidhold said of her many duties. She thought that, perhaps, under that heading, additional fees might be charged that otherwise could not be collected by the Conservation Department.

            King thought that might be worth pursuing, but added, “We are just starting this conversation.”

He again stated that, because the Town does not have its own wetlands bylaws beyond the state’s Wetlands Protection Act, the commission could not establish its own fee schedule.

            Adding to that thought, he said, “I’m opposed to a (local) wetlands protection bylaw…. It forces appeals through the court … but we need to figure out a way to stay sustainable.” Apparently, he said, the current fees are not enough to cover the costs associated with running the department – salaries, especially.

            “I don’t see a way that we can charge enough to make our department cost-effective,” he told the commission.

            Leidhold said she would continue discussions with the Building Department and town counsel.

            In other matters, Leidhold reported that the DEP has upheld the commission’s original enforcement order issued to Daniel and Lisa Craig, 4 Seabreeze Lane, to restore a significant area within the wetlands buffer zone and no-touch zone that was converted into a conventional lawn.

            Also upheld was the commission’s decision and order of conditions for the construction of a paved roadway at Foster Street.

            Earlier in the evening, the commission delivered a Negative Determination of Applicability to James and Diane Fortin-Curtin, 5 Riverside Drive, for the removal and replacement of a 30-foot aboveground pool.

            Also receiving a Negative Determination was an RDA filing by Vincent and Shelly Mondo, 11 Waterman Street, for the installation of a prefabricated 12-foot by 20-foot shed.

            The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Conservation Commission is scheduled for March 25 at 6:30 pm in the Town Hall conference room.

Mattapoisett Conservation Commission

By Marilou Newell

ORR Girls Basketball Falls Short in South Semis

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Old Rochester Regional girls basketball’s postseason run came to an end in the Division 2 South semifinals, as the No. 6 Bulldogs struggled to get the offense going against second-seeded Hingham, losing 52-36 at Taunton High School.

            After falling behind 15-12 in the opening quarter, ORR saw the deficit grow by four points at halftime with Hingham taking a 26-19 lead. Things didn’t get better in the third quarter for the Bulldogs, with the Habormen outscoring them 12-5 in the third. The Bulldogs offense did bounce back in the fourth quarter, producing 12 points, but that wasn’t enough with Hingham responding with 14 to secure the 16-point win.

            Mary Butlerled ORR with 11 points, finishing as the lone Bulldogs player in double figures. Meg Horanwas second in scoring for ORR, scoring six points, whilesAshley Soareschipped in four.

            ORR loses one player, Soares, to graduation with the season-ending.

            While the rest of ORR prepares for the spring season, class of 2017 graduate Will Hopkinshas already appeared in five games for Suffolk University baseball. The sophomore leads the team with a .474 batting average (9 for 19), seven runs, and three stolen bases. Of his nine hits, two have gone for extra bases – one being a double, the other a triple. Hopkins has also knocked in three runs.

            After a Wednesday matchup against the Rochester Institute of Technology, the Rochester native and the Rams (3-3) continue their Florida trip on Thursday with a doubleheader against Juniata, followed by a Friday doubleheader against Fitchburg State.

Old Colony

            With softball set to start soon, Old Colony will have three important bats returning for 2019, after graduating Mikayla Murrayand Emily Littles.

            Hannah L’Heureuxhad herself a big 2018, leading Old Colony in hits (37), slugging percentage (.756), doubles (9 and triples (5). She was also tied for first in batting average (.500) with Littles. L’Heureux also scored 30 times for the Cougars and knocked in her teammates 23 times, too.

            Kat Kirbydid not mess around atop the Cougars’ order in her sophomore campaign, leading the team with three home runs while finishing second in doubles (7), triples (2), and slugging percentage (.732), trailing only L’Heureux in each category.

            Te-Lynn Laytonhelps round things out for Old Colony’s big three. The catcher led the team with 25 RBI, hitting .426 in the process. She also scored 29 times, had three doubles, and a triple.

            The biggest challenge for the Cougars will be filling Little’s shoes at pitcher. Kirby was the only other player to pitch for Old Colony in 2018.

            Old Colony 2017 graduate Wyatt Majormade his first appearance of 2019 on the mound for Mass Maritime Academy. The left-hander tossed 2 2/3 innings for Mass Maritime against Lebanon Valley, giving up one run on two hits and three walks. He also struck out five batters, posting a 16.88 strikeout per nine innings rate.

            He and the Buccaneers host Wentworth on Tuesday, then welcome Johnson and Wales for a doubleheader on Saturday.

Tabor Academy

            Tabor Academy girls hockey was knocked out in the first round of the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council tournament by Phillips Andover Academy, 4-2.

            Clare O’Learyscored an unassisted goal for the Seawolves in the second period to tie the game at 1-1. Phillips Andover then built its lead to 3-1 until Tabor made it 3-2 in the third period when Julia Shaunessyscored during a 6-on-4 advantage. Unfortunately, the Seawolves could not score again, while Phillips Andover tallied one more goal on an open net opportunity.

            Tabor ended its dominant season with a 20-2-3 record.

High School Sports Update

By Nick Friar

4th Annual Tour De Crème

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The Mattapoisett Land Trust and Friends of the Mattapoisett Bike Path are hosting their fourth annual Tour de Crème fundraiser this spring on Sunday, May 19.

            The Tour de Crème features scenic bicycle tours of some of the area’s favorite ice cream spots. This family-friendly event is for cyclists of all levels with distances of 11, 19, 25 and 50 miles.

            The tours start and end in Mattapoisett – rain or shine – with stops at one to five creameries. As in previous years, there will be a post-ride party by the harbor with hot food, cold beverages, live music, and, for those who can’t get enough, more ice cream.

            This year, participants are asked to make a minimum $10 donation in addition to the entrance fee. Proceeds will go to extending the Mattapoisett bike path to Marion and building better trails on the land trust’s preserves.

            If ice cream and cycling is not for you, you can still have fun helping with the event. Volunteers are needed for a few hours at the start and finish, fixing flats, taking pictures, and at the creameries.

            Registration opens on March 15. Space is limited and the tours are expected to sell out again this year. Visit www.tourdecreme.org for complete details, route maps, volunteer signup, and registration details.

SLT Leading St. Patrick’s Day Walk

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Dress in green and spread a little luck of the Irish as the Sippican Lands Trust leads a St. Patrick’s Day walk at its Peirson Woods property on Sunday, March 17, at 1:00 pm. A prize will be awarded to the most festive outfit celebrating St. Patrick’s Day!

            The walk will begin at the Peirson Woods kiosk just off Point Road and will last about one hour. Part of the walk will showcase a viewing platform overlooking Blankenship Cove, which is part of Sippican Harbor. On a clear day, Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and the northern Elizabeth Islands can be seen from the viewing platform at Peirson Woods.

            The 30-acre property features a wide range of habitat from marshes to woodlands supporting herons, winter buffleheads, and the protected diamondback terrapin.

            Parking for Peirson Woods is located just off Point Road about 1.4 miles south of the intersection of Route 6 (Wareham Road) and Point Road in Marion. Parking is very limited so please be careful when parking your vehicle along Point Road.

            The walk is free, and no registration is required. If the walk is canceled due to inclement weather, the information will be posted to SLT’s website and Facebook page. For directions or further information, visit www.sippicanlandstrust.org, or call Sippican Lands Trust at 508-748-3080.

Tabor Academy Students Hit the Road

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Tabor students were released for Spring Break on Thursday, March 7, and many of them were off to adventures near and far.

            Four groups of students are heading abroad – three are on cultural exchanges, while one is on a research trip. The cultural exchanges include a group in Beijing, China, and another in Copenhagen, Denmark, to visit Tabor’s partner schools there for homestays and class visits. The third group is engaging in a drama exchange with a boarding school in England where the students will stay at the school while sharing their show with the students, as well as a few other schools in the U.K. They will spend some time in London before heading home.

            Tabor’s marine science student research group is off with hopes to reconstruct an area of coral reef in San Salvador, Bahamas. The team of faculty and students will be expanding on the school’s 16-year research project on coral reefs in the Caribbean. This year they will be using their proven research methods to evaluate coral communities, and then will do some genetic testing to find gene-resistant species to a common disease that is killing off Elkhorn and Staghorn coral in the Caribbean. The students will take fragments from the healthy coral to build coral fragment trees, which they will leave to grow underwater. Next year when they return, the students hope to secure the more mature coral to the seabed and rebuild a new healthy reef community. This is a brand new and exciting project for Tabor marine science.

            More marine science research will be taking place in Woods Hole, where Tabor students are participating in a High School Discovery Course with Marine Biological Laboratory. MBL scientists are the teachers, exposing the students to their research, equipment, and research methods. This is an incredible opportunity in one of the world’s best research facilities.

            Finally, the girls’ and boys’ lacrosse, golf, and crew teams, as well as the boys’ baseball team, will be heading south for some training time, taking advantage of the warm weather and access to other high school and college teams for some great competition. With New England pretty snowed in, these trips offer a nice bonding opportunity, as well as good preparation in both skill development and conditioning for the spring sports season, which opens when the students return on March 27.

Mattapoisett Woman’s Club Offers Scholarships

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The Mattapoisett Woman’s Club is pleased to offer two $2,500 scholarship awards to Mattapoisett residents who are high school seniors graduating in June 2019.

            In addition there will be a $1,000 scholarship granted to a Mattapoisett resident reentering the academic world after graduation and is in pursuit of a post-secondary degree.

            For high school seniors, the scholarship application will be available in the guidance offices at the local high schools or preparatory schools. Deadline for returning the completed application is April 30– no one will be considered after this date.

            The following schools will be participating: Old Rochester Regional High School, Bishop Stang High School, Old Colony Vocational Tech High School, Tabor Academy, and Bristol County Agricultural High School

            If you have any further questions you may contact the Mattapoisett Woman’s Club at P.O. Box 1444, Mattapoisett, MA, 02739.

            The Mattapoisett Woman’s Club is a philanthropic organization that plans and executes fundraising events to help generate the revenue for these scholarships and other charitable donations. In offering these scholarships, the club supports educational leadership and helps to support the community that partners with the club in its fundraising efforts.