A Better World Begins at Plumb Library

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“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you,” Jane Goodall once said. “What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”

All summer long at the Plumb Library in Rochester, the staff will be laying out various ways for people to provoke a passive influence on the immediate environment – a peace that begins with the self, a positive vibe, if you will, that perhaps ripples gently out during various small acts of creativity and mindful calmness.

The national summer library program theme for 2017 is “Build a Better World,” and the Plumb Library has a number of kid and young adult and adult programs aimed at building a better world that starts with you, the library, the town, and out into the collective world around us and within us.

Recently, younger library patrons filled the grassy grounds outside the library with laughter, smiles, and joyful leaps into the air chasing after bubbles, because what better way is there to elicit the joy and excitement of a child than with gigantic bubbles reflecting the color spectrum of the sun on a hot summer’s day – and then pop! – cascading over faces and arms, drenching the little bodies and cooling off skin in the mid-day heat.

Then on Monday, July 24, Library Assistant Lisa Fuller et al. provided a number of implements of mass creation that only required one to enter through the library doors, take a seat, and engage in quiet creative contemplation.

Peace with Paper was just one of many drop-in activities offered to provide relaxing, meditative pursuits, this time through paper media – rolls of crisp paper for murals, mandala coloring books, origami paper for pensive, purposeful folds – just simple ways for folks to unwind in a space that is quiet and relaxing, says Fuller.

“Although, for me origami isn’t that relaxing,” chuckled Fuller. But she hoped that others would enjoy the centering act of coloring and drawing as a way to make momentary peace into a more lasting peace to share with the world.

Coming up at the Plumb Library are even more activities to ‘Build a Better World,’ including music and movement for kids with Ms. Nancy Sparklin on July 28, August 4, and 11. There is ‘Dog Craft’ with Greyhound Pets of America on Saturday, July 29, and patrons are encouraged to bring a donation for the Greyhound Pets of America shelter in Middleboro as part of the Build a Better World theme.

There are drop-in as well as registration-required events practically every day at the library, so visit the library website at www.plumblibrary.com and check out the calendar of events page.

By Jean Perry

Matthew Craig Sherman

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On Monday July 24th 2017, Matthew Craig Sherman, 39, departed this world for the next. Matthew was a much loved son, brother, and friend.

Matthew grew up in Rochester, MA and was an excellent student and talented athlete, going on to play football at UNH, where he studied groundwater hydrology.

He later pursued building as a vocation and was truly a craftsman, who tried to balance being a successful contractor with “being able to sleep at night”, as he often said. Selflessness and kindness were integral parts of who Matthew was; he was guided by a strong sense of what was right and an ever- deepening sensitivity and empathy for others. He quietly gave monthly to St. Jude’s and UNICEF, bought for several under-privileged families at Christmas through his church’s giving tree, and always over-tipped. His generosity showed itself at holidays and birthdays as well, displaying a child-like glee in giving his loved ones the perfect gift. He was a voracious reader, ardent animal lover, and overall renaissance man, whose interests and talents were widespread. Matt crafted furniture by hand, practiced yoga and jujitsu, and gave excellent advice. He was more introspective than most; spiritual and thoughtful. Matthew was part of a tight-knit family, who loved him deeply, and he in kind.

He leaves behind his parents, Craig and Christina Sherman of Wareham, his brother Adam Sherman of Wareham, his sister Ali Sherman Donovan of Rochester, and brother in-law Timothy Donovan of Rochester, as well as a large extended family, and many friends.

His Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 am on Wednesday, August 2, 2017 in St. Patrick’s Church, 82 High St., Wareham. Burial will follow at St. Patrick’s Cemetery.

Visiting hours are from 4 to 8 pm on Tuesday, August 1st at Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, 2599 Cranberry Hwy., Wareham.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Spondylitis Association of America, 16360 Roscoe Blvd #100 Van Nuys, CA 91406.

Michael R. Horsley

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Michael R. Horsley, 62, of Mattapoisett passed away Monday, July 24, 2017 in St. Luke’s Hospital after a long, courageous battle with cancer. He was the husband of the late Linda Nunes.

Born in Fairhaven, son of Lillian (Fleurent) Horsley and the late Robert E. Horsley of Fairhaven he was a lifelong area resident.

Mike was a tuna fisherman but took pleasure in all types of shellfishing. He was also a skilled woodworker and enjoyed gardening.

In addition to his mother, he is survived by a loving and devoted son, Corey Horsley and his wife Alexis of Mattapoisett; a sister, Susan Morris and her husband Daniel; a brother, Steven Horsley and his wife Wendy all of Fairhaven; and several nieces and nephews.

His private services are under the care of Rock Funeral Home, 1285 Ashley Blvd. New Bedford. www.rock-funeralhome.com for online tribute.

 

Academic Achievements

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Celeste A. Popitz, of Marion and William W. Saltonstall Jr., of Marion were awarded Faculty Honors for the spring 2017 semester at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut. Faculty Honors are awarded to students with a semester GPA of at least 3.667 on four graded courses, with no individual grade below B- and no incomplete grades pending.

At the University of Rhode Island’s 131st Commencement on Saturday and Sunday, May 20-21, 2017, about 2,600 undergraduate and 650 graduate students became the University’s newest alumni.

The following students from the Tri-Town graduated from the University of Rhode Island:

– Camden G Tougas, of Marion, received a Bachelor of Arts, Marine Affairs

– Marisa Diane Paknis, of Marion, received a Bachelor of Arts, Sociology Cum Laude

– Tyler Scott Ayan, of Marion, received a Bachelor of Science, Plant Sciences Cum Laude

– Madison Kate-Marie Goguen, of Mattapoisett, received a Bachelor of Science, Health Studies

Students who received the honor summa cum laude graduated with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.7; students who received the honor of magna cum laude graduated with a GPA of at least 3.50; and students who received the honor of cum laude graduated with a GPA of at least 3.3.

Lauren Fereshetian of Marion has received her degree from Western Governors University. The university held its 33rd semi-annual commencement ceremony at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City on July 15 and celebrated the graduation of more than 10,000 graduates.

MCPHS University is pleased to announce that Elexus Afonso has been named to the spring 2017Dean’s List. Elexus Afonso is a native of Rochester and is pursuing a Doctor of Pharmacy. Elexus will graduate in 2022 from the Boston, Massachusetts campus.

Miss Massachusetts Scholarship Program

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The Miss Massachusetts Scholarship Program will be hosting a Miss America Send-off party for Mattapoisett resident, Jillian Zucco, on Friday, August 11 from 6:30 – 11:30 pm at the Century House in Acushnet.

Zucco, who was crowned Miss Massachusetts on July 1, will be heading to Atlantic City the last week of August to prepare for the four-day competition that will culminate in the live national telecast of Miss America on September 10 on ABC.

The send-off party will feature hot and cold hors d’oeuvres, cash bar, live entertainment, silent and Chinese auction, and dancing to Southcoast’s premier cover band, Johnny’s Basement.

Admission will be $25, paid in advance. RSVP to dancgym@aol.com or kzucco@comcast.net. Pay online at missmass.org. Proceeds will benefit the Miss America Program and the Children’s Miracle Network.

The Sippican Hotel During the Golden Age of Marion

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During the late 1800s and early 1900s, the Sippican Hotel was a cornerstone of what became known as the Golden Age of Marion, Massachusetts. At its peak, the Sippican Hotel represented the finest elegance and style in the time of high culture in Marion’s history. David K. Pierce, Vice President of the Sippican Historical Society, will give a lecture about the Sippican Hotel on Thursday, August 3 at the New Bedford Whaling Museum beginning at 7:00 pm. A reception precedes the lecture at 6:00 pm. This event is free and open to the public. Register by calling 508-997-0046 or go to www.whalingmuseum.org.

Marion, Massachusetts, once known as Sippican after the area’s original Native American inhabitants, rose in social and cultural prominence in the late 19th century as a destination resort community. The Golden Age of Marion began after the Civil War, when it evolved from a sleepy seaside village to a summer gathering place for artists, writers, actors, musicians, and other intellectual leaders and celebrities such as President Grover Cleveland, Henry James, and artist Charles Dana Gibson, among many others.

Pierce’s lecture, “The Sippican Hotel During the Golden Age of Marion,” is associated with a current exhibition at the Whaling Museum titled “Celebrating Sippican: Marion in the Golden Age.”

Verizon A Bad Neighbor Say Abutters

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It was hot outside on July 20 as the meeting of the Mattapoisett Zoning Board of Appeals came to order, and it didn’t take long for it to get hot in the conference room as well.

Coming before the board was John Dement, construction manager for Verizon, and Dan Ollila of Jones Architecture, Salem, MA seeking a special permit for equipment upgrades to property located at 32 Mechanic Street.

Ollila described the scope of modification planned by the utility company. He said that two old and noisy air conditioning units would be replaced with a newer unit that would also run more quietly. “We’ve done a sound study,” he explained, noting that the new unit would produce 38 decibels whereas the current unit produces 48. The new AC unit is planned for the top of the building with acoustical shielding, Ollila said. But neighbors were skeptical, to say the least, as long-simmering issues with their commercial neighbor were aired.

Alan Schubert, 31 North Street, asked why the new unit couldn’t go inside the building rather than being installed on its exterior. Dement explained that the new unit requires fresh air exchange. Schubert wondered why a different type of unit couldn’t be considered.

Pat Donoghue, 30 Mechanic Street, launched into a historical retrospective of problems that neighbors have had in the past when trying to gain cooperation from the utility when issues were brought to their attention. “We’ve had major problems with Verizon … I’ve had to vacate my master bedroom and move to the first floor … Verizon has acted in bad faith.” Continuing on, Donoghue said that the use of the building had changed since it was constructed in the 1950s, but that they had “flown under the radar” not seeking local board approvals. She said they were the thirteenth largest corporation in the U.S. with “tons of money” but had not spent “one dime” for the people in the neighborhood. She ended her comments by saying, “…these guys are snakes!”

Chairman Susan Akin told the neighbors that the board was only hearing the application before them that was specifically for the AC unit upgrade and not what had taken place since the 1950s.

Director of Inspectional Services Andy Bobola asked if Dement or Ollila had the sound study data with them. Ollila replied they had not brought it into the meeting because they didn’t think they would need it.

Robbin Peach, 29 Hammond Street, said that for twenty-five years Verizon had been unresponsive to neighborhood issues and asked what the grievance process was. “I’m concerned about what we don’t know,” she said. Peach said that numerous calls to Verizon to try and get relief from a bright light shining into her bedroom had failed to produce results and that landscaping of the bushes and lawn area owned by Verizon was poor at best.

Once again, the matter of whether or not the new AC unit could be placed indoors versus the proposed rooftop location was broached. Dement and Ollila said that Verizon engineers had deemed this type of unit necessary for the amount of heat produced by computerized switch gear.

Board member Paul Millott said, “We seem to be at an impasse.” He said one option for the applicant would be to withdraw the application without prejudice, go back to the drawing board, and return with options.

That suggestion received pushback from Dement who said, “We are on our property, have done a sound study, what part of the zoning bylaws are we not meeting?” He said he couldn’t speak to maintenance issues at the site but would “speak to people” in that department.

Several board members concurred that given the number of neighbors complaining about Verizon’s lack of consideration, their less-than-acceptable care of the landscaping, number of utility trucks, bright lights and other “obnoxious” nuisances, the current application needed to be re-engineered with options for possible indoor AC units to mitigate additional negative impact on the abutters.

Dement was asked if he wished to withdraw the application and return in August. Acquiescing to the suggestion that if the board voted at this hearing the special permit would be denied, Dement asked that it be tabled.

Two other hearings produced issuance of special permits: one for the conversion of a commercial structure into a one-bedroom residence located at 91 Fairhaven Road by David Gerber, Fairhaven, and the other to Jonathan Rosperich, 4 Oliver’s Lane, for the construction of a deck that would encroach on a paper road.

The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Zoning Board of Appeals will be held on August 17 at 6:00 pm in the town hall conference room if hearings are scheduled.

By Marilou Newell

 

Edwin Thomas “Ted” Harrison

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Edwin Thomas “Ted” Harrison, 87, of Marion, formerly of Plymouth, and originally of Roehampton, London, UK passed away on Tuesday July 25, 2017.

Born in 1930 in the UK, Ted served in the RAF in the late 1940’s. He immigrated to the US in 1968.

Ted enjoyed organic gardening and photography in his younger years. A mechanical draftsman by trade, he also mastered and taught computer aided design. He was happiest when teaching young adults, at ITT Technical Institute in Boston (in the early 1970’s); and later as an instructor to inmates in the Georgia and Massachusetts State Prison Systems. He enjoyed deeply contemplating the meaning of life, Buddhism, and the teachings of Jesus.

Ted was the caring husband to Diane, loving father to Nicola “Nicky” Moulton of Tallahassee, FL and Sarah Harrison Smongeski and her husband Joseph G. of Shrewsbury, MA, and grandfather to Jeremy Moulton of Havana, FL and his wife Rachael and daughter Lillian; Adam Moulton of West Palm Beach, FL and his wife Marri, and his son Khani Moulton of Tallahassee; and Edward Joseph “Teddy” Smongeski of Cambridge, MA and his partner Mary Rocheleau.

He is also survived by his brother Stanley of Hertfordshire, UK and his wife Margaret; and sisters Marian Rickard-Worth of New Zealand; and Eileen Philipoo of Cyprus; numerous nieces and nephews; and his beloved cats Lucy and Malcolm.

He was predeceased by his sister Mary Saiche of Surrey, UK and brother Robert Harrison of Roehampton, London, UK.

His Memorial Service will be held at the Chapel of St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church, 124 Front St., Marion, MA on Thursday, August 3, 2017 at 11 am. No flowers please. Donations, if desired, to Visiting Nurse Association of Cape Cod Hospice, 255 Independence Drive, Hyannis, MA 02601. Arrangements are by the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Mattapoisett. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Old Rochester Farmers’ Market

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Old Rochester Farmers’ Market is held every Tuesday from 3:00 – 6:00 pm at Old Rochester Regional Junior High School. There is live entertainment, and every week from 4:00 – 5:00 pm your children can enjoy a mix of interactive book read-a-louds and activities, best for ages 2 and up, but all families are welcome free of charge, presented by Plumb Memorial Library of Rochester.

Elizabeth Taber Library Hosts Bridge Benefit

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The Elizabeth Taber Library’s Bridge Benefit Committee cordially invites you to participate in a duplicate bridge game with Director Alan Hudson on Friday, August 4 at the Marion Music Hall. The committee, which consists of C.C. Dyer, Kathy Feeney, Andy Kotsatos, Susan Mead, Libby O’Neill, Kathy Reed and Meg Steinberg, has been working diligently to organize this exciting event for the community.

The entry fee is $35. Space is limited, so make a reservation today by sending your check to the Elizabeth Taber Library. Doors will open at 1:30 pm, and tournament play will begin at 2:00 pm. There will be light refreshments offered and tournament prizes.

We also have spectacular raffle prizes including gift cards from Atlantic Bistro, Harriet’s Catering and Gourmet Shop, How on Earth Restaurant and Market, Kate’s Simple Eats, Spirits Liquor Shop, and Turks Restaurant.

Please come support your local library with this enjoyable event. If you cannot attend our fundraiser, but would like to donate or purchase raffle tickets in advance, you may do so at the library. All proceeds raised will be used to enhance the programs and services offered by the Elizabeth Taber Library. For more information, please call the Library at 508-748-1252.