Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey

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Under cool, sunny skies the ceremonial, final “shutter” plank was laid into the hull of New Bedford’s very own historic, Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey. The event marked a major milestone in the complete rebuild of the Schooner that has been ongoing since the Spring of 2015. The vessel had been towed to Boothbay Harbor in Maine where her hull has been rebuilt to the highest standards by shipwrights, under the watchful eye of senior shipwright David Short and shipyard owner Andy Tyska. In attendance were a noteworthy crowd of dedicated Ernestina-Morrissey supporters who have worked with determination and vision to see this iconic ship sail again.

The celebration of the laying of the shutter or “whiskey” plank, is a traditional mariner’s benchmark. This plank is the last to be put into place to finish the construction of the ship’s hull. The Ernestina-Morrissey’s shutter plank was inscribed with names of financial donors to the Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey Association (SEMA)’s “Whiskey Plank Club”. The names included a diverse “crew” of supporters of the current rehabilitation project as well as donors’ family member names who sailed aboard her during all the eras of Ernestina-Morrissey’s history.

SEMA Board Member Mary Anne McQuillan was moved to tears, saying, “It is inspiring to see many names of the generations who have supported Ernestina-Morrissey, from the descendants of Gloucester fishermen and Arctic explorers, to generations of Cape Verdean-Americans and all the “crew” who have loved the vessel since1982.”

It was an emotional event enjoyed by all marked by the blessing of the plank with rum, whiskey, Cape Verdean grogue, and Buzzards Bay beer. They represent the vessel’s unique history as a Grand Banks fishing schooner, an Arctic explorer, a Cape Verdean trans-Atlantic packet, and most recently, a cultural and educational sail-training vessel and the Official Vessel of Massachusetts.

SEMA Board President Julius Britto and his wife Sandra, McQuillan and Fred Sterner, former Mate and Commissioner, SEMA Charter Board Member John Bullard, “Sails Over Ice and Seas” documentary videographer Cody Mitchell, Tyska and his skilled workers were all present.

Britto was beaming as he said, “The craftmanship and materials used in the revival of the Ernestina-Morrissey will make everyone associated with this project proud. Those who participate in her future cultural, educational, and sailing programs will receive a world class experience.”

Bullard added, “We celebrate this milestone in her journey to rebirth. To come this far in her restoration is a testament to SEMA, the City of New Bedford, and the highest levels of state government working together with a common goal. It is our shared anticipation of her future teaching the public about ocean science and maritime history that excites us most.”

The hull is complete, but SEMA still needs the public’s support to finish interior and deck work. Visit the organization’s website at www.ernestina.org to learn more about the shutter plank ceremony, the rebuild project, and the Ernestina-Morrissey’s amazing history. Please make a tax-deductible donation online today or mail to SEMA, PO BOX 2995, New Bedford, MA 02741.

Christmas Day Swim to Benefit Helping Hands and Hooves

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Please join us for a fun family tradition that helps those in need. Helping Hands and Hooves will host the 15th annual Christmas Day Swim at 11:00 am at the Mattapoisett Town Beach.

Each swimmer is asked to give a donation of $15 (payable on the day of the swim) and the first 75 swimmers will receive a festive long sleeve t-shirt. 100% of the proceeds will go to Helping Hands and Hooves – a non-profit (based in Mattapoisett) that is dedicated to providing therapeutic horseback riding lessons for adults with disabilities.

If you would like to learn more about Helping Hands and Hooves, go to our website at www.helpinghandsandhooves.org. If you have any questions, please call Debbi Dyson at 508-758-4717 or email info@helpinghandsandhooves.org.

Dolores E. (Woodford) Murphy

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Dolores E. (Woodford) Murphy, 86, of Marion died December 3, 2018 at Sacred Heart Home after a long illness.

She was the wife of the late Ronald F. Murphy.

Born in Quincy, daughter of the late Michael F. and Katherine (Campbell) Woodford and raised by her late aunt, Elizabeth Campbell, she lived in Marion most of her life.

She was a communicant of St. Rita’s Church in Marion.

Mrs. Murphy was a member of the Kittansett Club, Sippican Women’s Club and Beverly Yacht Club. She was an avid golfer and made Golfer’s Digest as most improved golfer at Kittansett Club. She enjoyed making pottery.

Survivors include her sons, Michael Murphy and his wife Jacqueline of Wareham and James Murphy and his wife Susan of Wareham; a brother, Daniel Woodford of Weymouth; 10 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

She was the sister of the late Michael Woodford, Dorothy McCrae, Beatrice Johnson, Shirley Brow, John Woodford, Virginia McNeal and Mary Frazier.

Her Funeral will be held on Friday at 9 am from the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Route 6, Mattapoisett, followed by her Funeral Mass at St. Rita’s Church at 10 am. Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Thursday from 5-8 pm. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

John R. “Jack” McGill

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John R. “Jack” McGill 76, of Venice Florida, passed away Monday, November 26, 2018.

Jack was born September 23, 1942, in Dover, Massachusetts to the late William Roger McGill of Dover and Jean Whetton McGill of Needham MA. Jack graduated from Needham High School, Needham MA in 1961. He received a B.S in Finance with honors from American International College in Springfield, MA. Jack spent over 20 years of his business career in Executive Sales and Marketing in the Dietary Management Health Care industry.

He was passionately active in community affairs throughout his life. Jack’s community spirit started as a young man of 16 where he was a volunteer Dispatcher for Dover’s Police Department. Over the span of 25 years his avocation was serving as a Volunteer Firefighter. A member of the Masonic Lodge of Dover he was also a member of the Mattapoisett MA Lions Club, served on the Mattapoisett Board of Appeals for over 20 years and volunteered at the Mattapoisett Senior center, where he and his beloved wife Chris lived for over 25 years, before retiring to Venice Fl. While living in Venice, he volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, Venice Area Beautification Inc, Venice Wildlife Refuge and was past Director for Meals on Wheels. Jack was also a member of the Venice Moose Lodge.

Jack leaves behind his loving wife Chris of 39 years, his true soul mate; his sister Susan McGill, daughter Sarah Campbell and son-in-law Ed Campbell, Grandchildren, Jenna, Madison and Samantha. Sister-in-law Gale Brady and husband Patrick. Jack was preceded in death by Daughter, Laura Rafuse.

A remembrance reception will be held at Farley Funeral Home on Thursday, Dec. 13th from 6 to 8 PM. A private Burial will take place on Dec. 14th at Venice Memorial Gardens. In Lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Meals on Wheels, Venice Fl., Mooseheart Child City & School, Inc. Mooseheart, Il 60539. Farley Funeral Home in Venice, Florida is handling the arrangements. A message of condolence may be sent by visiting www.farleyfuneralhome.com.

Michael J. Knight

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Michael J. Knight, 33, of Mattapoisett died December 1, 2018 unexpectedly at Beth Israel Hospital.

Born in Wareham, son of Peter F. and Diane R. (McGadden) Knight, he lived in Mattapoisett most of his life.

He was employed by several local concrete companies for many years and was a member of Laborer’s International Union Local 610.

Mike was a humorous person who will be missed by many.

Survivors include his parents; his children, Nora Knight and Jacob Knight and their mother, Brittany MacLean, all of Somerset; a brother, Robert Knight and his wife Kristen of Groton, MA; a sister, Cheryl Phillips and her husband Michael of Wareham; 2 nieces, Natalie Knight and Isla Phillips; a nephew, Liam Phillips; several aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

His Funeral Service will be held on Thursday at 10 am in Mattapoisett Congregational Church. Visiting hours Wednesday from 4-8 pm in the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Route 6, Mattapoisett. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Michael’s children’s fund at https://www.gofundme.com/michael-knight For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

ConCom, Developer Ready for Wetlands Solution

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“I’m not interested” isn’t the direction that those present for the proposed Village at Plumb Corner age-restricted housing development were hoping for at the November 20 Rochester Conservation Commission meeting, but that’s what Chairman Mike Conway told one attorney and engineer as the continued public hearing was again opened.

Conway wasn’t interested in anything that didn’t directly pertain to the Notice of Intent, which didn’t include an explanation from the property owner’s attorney Peter Paul. In fact, Conway wasn’t interested in discussing the NOI at all unless abutters were re-notified beforehand.

“This has been continued for six times,” said Conway. “For us to talk about the merits of the [NOI] today,” you need to notify abutters all over again, he told them. All Conway wanted to talk about that night was the illicit discharge of stormwater into the wetlands behind the property, and that wasn’t until later in the agenda.

In the meantime, John Churchill on behalf of REpurpose Properties continued the hearing until January 22 and agreed to notify the abutters.

Later, after the rest of the agenda was done, Brian Wallace gave an overview of the four current options for stormwater control and how each one would impact the existing wetlands. With an outstanding incomplete Order of Conditions from the 1990s still hanging over the project, it seemed as though the developer could do nothing that both the commission and the Planning Board would approve of. Nonetheless, one of the options – at least a possible hybrid of two of them – appealed to the commission.

Currently there is no treatment of the stormwater runoff from Plumb Corner Mall before it flows into the wetlands, and both the developer and his engineers are hoping that an option to filtrate the stormwater that now passes into the wetlands would be acceptable to the commission instead of diverting it, a concern the commission also had as a decrease in water flow would likely impact the wetlands to some unknown degree.

Although the wetlands appear to be ground-fed, they have grown in size since the Plumb Corner Mall project. The pipe that fed the untreated stormwater was only discovered recently, said Conservation Agent Laurell Farinon, and the original order for the plan was never completed.

Churchill repeated often that it was his preference to mirror what was happening now, and offered to file a new NOI in order to get the project moving forward again. Only this time, he said, “We will be able control how much water – treated water – gets put into that [wetlands]. … We have the ability and controls in place to be able to do that.”

The discussion included other options that include catch basins and diverting the stormwater into a field and simply allowing it to infiltrate into the ground, but all the group really needed that night was direction from the commission.

“Are we on the right page?” Churchill asked. “Because we’ve been spinning our wheels for five months – not because of your board, but because we’ve been spinning our wheels on how to come up with a solution that became our client’s [problem].”

According to Farinon, the wetlands support vernal pool species, observed during a springtime visit to the site. Clearly, maintaining this wetland is a priority for the commission.

As Churchill emphasized, he prefers to eliminate the pollutants from the discharge and make it clean before it hits the wetlands. Farinon acknowledged that the group was at a critical stage in the planning process and really needed the commission to provide the direction the group asked for moving forward.

“My opinion on this is, design the storage you need to meet the current flows to that wetland,” said commission member Daniel Gagne. “Get the same amount of water, clean – provide scour protection. That is, I think, a reasonable solution.”

“That’s on board with what the consultant with the Planning Board would want,” said Churchill.

“We don’t want a design that’s going to cut [the wetlands] off and turn it into something else, or impair its capacity to continue to serve as a vernal pool,” said Farinon.

Town Planner Steve Starrett spoke in defense of REpurpose et al., saying, “These gentlemen are actually spending a lot of time and effort on this project. … We’re looking for direction. We have to make a decision [relative to] what the Conservation really wants to do.”

Conway told Churchill to file a new NOI in the end, and the commission agreed to seek advice from town counsel on how to handle the existing OOC as the commission moves forward with the applicant.

In other matters, at Farinon’s recommendation, the commission approved the Notice of Intent for Joseph Longo of CorGo LLC, to build a single-family house, driveway, septic system, and drinking water well at 91 Sarah Sherman Road, within the 100-foot buffer zone of the wetlands, and a portion of the work within the 200-foot Outer Riparian Zone of Sherman Brook. The commission added the special condition that a pre-construction meeting be held prior to commencement of work.

Also during the meeting, Conway gave engineer Bob Rogers some flak for an outstanding 21-year-old incomplete Order of Conditions after a Certificate of Compliance was requested by applicant Decas Real Estate Trust for 15 Cranberry Highway for two commercial buildings, parking, drainage, and utilities. Some of the specs from the original plan deviated in some ways as reported by engineering consultant Bill Madden. Rogers said it wasn’t like he was there to just “let us off the hook” so the property owner could move ahead with selling the property; rather, he continued, “I just wanted to put all our cards on the table.” The hearing was continued until December 18.

The commission approved a request for a Certificate of Compliance for Waterman Realty Trust for 802 Walnut Plain Road for single-family house, driveway, and grading.

At the request of applicant Steve Long from Borrego Solar Systems, the public hearing for an Abbreviated Notice of Resource Area Delineation at 75 Vaughan Hill Road was continued until December 4.

The next meeting of the Rochester Conservation Commission is scheduled for December 4 at 7:00 pm at the Rochester Town Hall.

Rochester Conservation Commission

By Jean Perry

Gifts of Elizabeth Taber, Marion’s Benefactress

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Elizabeth Sprague Pitcher spent the first thirty three years of her life in Marion village growing up, teaching children to read and write, and to be responsible citizens. In 1824 she married Stephen Taber, a clock maker in Acushnet, and they moved to New Bedford where they wisely invested their money in whaling ships, mill stocks, and railroad bonds. Their three children all died in infancy, and Stephen passed away in 1862, leaving the widow Elizabeth yearning to return to Marion to enrich the lives of its citizens.

Elizabeth Tabor’s generosity to Marion included six buildings as well as parks, trees, cemeteries, and endowment monies for the maintenance of her new creations. Hence, she was often called “Marion’s Fairy Godmother.” What were these gifts?

Her first generosity was the Elizabeth Taber Library in I872. Included with the gift was a $15,000 endowment, a $4,000 life insurance policy, and a gift of her own furniture. In addition, she also gave a $6,000 legacy for the proposed Natural History Museum above the library.

The second building that Elizabeth Taber gave in 1876 was the Tabor Academy Academic Building. In the thirties, the town of Marion made a trade of buildings with Tabor Academy and this building became the Marion Town Hall.

In 1876, Union Hall was the third building that Elizabeth Taber built. It was for the ladies of the Congregational Church for their sewing groups and social occasions. Union Hall was located on South Street where the Fellowship Hall of St. Gabriel’s now stands.

Taber Hall was the fourth building given by Mrs. Taber in 1880 to house the principal of Tabor Academy, Mr. Clark Howland. She resided in an apartment on the second floor until her death in 1888 at the age of 97. It was originally located where Sippican School is today, and was later moved to its present location on Cottage Street.

Elizabeth Taber built the stone Congregational Chapel in 1885 because she did not think it proper for children to have Sunday school in the basement of the church. She hired William Gibbons Preston, a noted Boston architect, who summered in Marion, to design the chapel. Among other activities, it houses the church’s Penny Pincher’s Exchange today.

Her sixth and final gift to Marion was the Music Hall, built in 1890-91, two years after Elizabeth Taber died. It was also designed by William Gibbons Preston. It fulfilled her desire to “put some snap into Marion,” to provide a hall for musical and theatrical performances to enhance the cultural life in her beloved town.

A life-sized bronze statue of Elizabeth Taber has been commissioned to be placed on the corner of Bicentennial Park across from the Town Hall. The Board of Selectmen has heartily endorsed this project, which will be completed some time prior to summer, 2020.

To learn more about Elizabeth Taber, please visit www.sippicanhistoricalsociety.org

Machacam Club Meeting

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The Machacam Club will hold its’ December meeting on Wednesday, December 5. The meeting will be held at the 3 Depot Street Legion Hall. Social time begins at 5:30 pm with dinner beginning at 6:00 pm. The full soup to nuts roast pork dinner meal has been planned and will be prepared by Chef Colby. Efforts are underway to secure a speaker for our meeting. We promise a filling and delicious meal and an entertaining meeting.

Callers – please report your lists by noon on Monday, December 3 to 508-758-1326 or cwmccullough@comcast.net.

Globe’s Shaughnessy Blasts a Home Run

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On Saturday, November 24, as people near and far digested yet another turkey sandwich, the Mattapoisett Public Library hosted a Purrington Lecture Series event featuring the well-known Boston Globesports columnist, Dan Shaughnessy.

Shaughnessy was introduced by his sister, Anne Martin, a longtime Mattapoisett resident, whose remembrances of her brother included his passion for baseball.

“Dan would make up his own rules and teams,” said Martin, as he played solo in the backyard. She credits that passion and an overall interest in all things sports for helping him find his voice, one that he has used to inform and entertain his readers since 1981. Martin said with pride that Shaughnessy had received the J.G. Taylor Spink Award by the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2016, then invited him to the lectern to rousing applause.

Shaughnessy’s sense of humor was on full display as he explained how the following hour would unfold – no PowerPoint presentation, no canned lecture. Instead it was an extemporaneous, witty, clever slide through New England sports followed by questions from the full house audience.

Shaughnessy began by saying that this time of the year was especially important and stressful for school age kids trying out for a place on winter sports teams. He noted his own efforts at securing a varsity position in the shadow of his sister, nodding in Anne’s direction, who was the better athlete.

His editor had suggested he write a piece of fiction for the growing young adult audience, which inspired him to ponder one that featured a young girl who hid away at Fenway Park and lived for a season in a luxury box.

“It is the ultimate way to watch a game,” said Shaughnessy. “There’s food, beverages, and a private bathroom!”

Alas, his book idea never scaled the Green Monster, but he has written six well-received books, including one with former Red Sox Manager Terry Francona that became a best seller, Francona: The Red Sox Years.

Fresh from reporting on the Red Sox World Series win, Shaughnessy said the 11 championship titles Boston teams have earned in this century kind of made up for the 86 years that preceded, although, he pointed out, “The Celtics used to win every year.”

“I’ve been to eleven Duck Boat parades. … If you’re a sports writer and live in this century, people are eating it up,” Shaughnessy said. “You are being well read.”

Joking about that 18-inning, coma-inducing third game of the 2018 World Series, Shaughnessy asked for a show of hands from those who survived the seven-hour and 20-minute game. About five hands valiantly were raised. Shaughnessy joked that the folks out on the west coast were commenting on the lateness of the hour, but he knew that the folks back in Boston were staring down a clock that read 3:00 am.

When asked which Red Sox team was better – the 2004 or 2018 – Shaughnessy didn’t hesitate.

“[It was] 2004,” he replied. “There were five starters all in their prime.” He added that he holds John Henry in very high regard. “Especially since he now owns theGlobe,” a comment that elicited a hearty round of laughter.

Of Manny Ramirez, Shaughnessy called him a beautiful hitter whose hitting philosophy was, “I see the ball: I hit the ball.” More laughter.

Back to the 2018 Red Sox win, when asked his thoughts about Alex Cora not receiving Manager of the Year, he said, “Alex took the team from first place to first place … with the most expensive team in the league.”

And what about that mystery man in the NFL, Ernie Adams, and his intriguing behind-the-scenes coaching of the coach – Belichick that is –Shaughnessy replied, “He makes big decisions, a genius, a very unusual guy: he wouldn’t talk to me.” He said that no one in the game seems to know what Adams does, but that “he’s responsible for a lot.”

As for the NBA in terms of the game now being one of 3-point shots exclusively, he said, “It’s a different game now. We are baying at the moon. This is the way it’s going to go.” He said that this type of scoring strategy saved wear and tear on the players, albeit not the game most grew up with.

When asked how he gained access to players and management, Shaughnessy said it’s hard to do, but added, “If you’ve been around long enough …” Shaughnessy smiled. He said that he didn’t have any inside sources, and that he wrote what he knew. “It’s established we are not friends.” He continued, “Pedro hated me, but now we’re pretty good.” Shaughnessy’s fully engaged audience chuckled along with him.

As the hour grew to a close, Shaughnessy was asked if sports and players are too heavily emphasized.

“Hey, movie stars are compensated. … This is a country with a lot of leisure time.” He said he wished that the people teaching our children were as handsomely paid, but that’s life in 20th century sports.

After the talk, all were invited to attend a reception on the first floor where refreshments and more sports-talk, along with laughter, were enjoyed.

By Marilou Newell

Tables of Content Dinners a Rousing Success

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Over fifty Tri-Town area residents recently gathered for the Elizabeth Taber Library’s Tables of Content fundraiser. An elegant dinner and lively book discussion were featured at each of the six dinner tables. The event was held on two separate evenings in November, hosted in private homes by library board members and supporters. The event was sponsored by Kinlin Grover Real Estate.

Participants chose the book they wanted to read and a convenient date. Not knowing the identity of their hosts or other guests added to the anticipatory intrigue and then to the excitement of arriving at their dinner destination and discovering who else was coming to dinner.

In late September, the library posted the list of books: Exit West, Educated, Love and Ruin, Killers of the Flower Moon, and For Whom the Bell Tolls. Selected by the dinner host committee, they covered a range of interests from current best sellers and historical fiction to biography and a classic. Most popular among the books was Educated, for which two dinner tables were filled. Lively discussions of the book selection were a major contributor to each dinner’s success.

Comments on the event ranged from “This was the best fundraiser I’ve ever attended” to “It was stellar in all respects – congenial company, delicious food, entertaining conversation, and a stimulating discussion.” One guest even made the decision to sign up for a second dinner because she so enjoyed herself on the first evening.

All funds raised will go to the library’s programming and technology efforts. The Board continues to supplement the Town’s library budget which covers only “bricks and mortar” expenses: building maintenance and operation, salaries, and basic supplies. The additional 30% of the library’s annual budget is funded by individual and corporate Supporters, the annual summer Book Sale, and other fundraising events such as Tables of Content.

Based on so many positive responses, the Library Board hopes to make this fundraiser an annual event. If you would like to host a dinner or work on the Tables of Content committee to promote the next event, please contact Connie Pierce at cpierce@taboracademy.org or 508-748-2372.