Lucy P. (Rinaldo) Napoli

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Lucy P. (Rinaldo) Napoli, 88, died Sunday, June 11, 2017 surrounded by her loving family at her home in Marion after a long illness. She was the wife of Lt. Colonel Joseph F. Napoli, Sr. (US Army, Retired). They had been married for 62 years.

Born in Worcester, she was the daughter of the late Antonio and Maria (Trotto) Rinaldo. A communicant of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Worcester, she was a member of the church choir where she met her husband. A natural performer with a beautiful voice, she and two friends formed the Swingsters singing group and performed Andrews Sisters songs at the Plymouth theater and on local radio stations.

As a military wife of 23 years, Lucy created loving homes for her family throughout the US and Europe. She loved to travel and meet new people wherever they were and always volunteered for the Red Cross, the Church and in the children’s schools.

Upon retirement from the Army in 1976, the Napolis moved to Marion where Lucy continued her service to the community as a Eucharistic Minister, CCD teacher, St. Rita’s Womens group and many other organizations. A seamstress by trade, Lucy applied her talents towards designing and creating vestments and mitres for R.J. Toomey clerical apparel for 30 years and teaching home economics at Old Rochester Regional Jr. High School for 4 years. She found her true passion however at the New Bedford YMCA where she was a swim instructor for infants and children for 20 years.

She is survived by her husband, Joseph F., Sr.; her children, Dr. Peter J. Napoli (Debby) of College Station, TX, Angela M. Reid (Michael) of Nashville, TN, Colonel (Retired) Joseph F. Napoli, Jr. (Carolina) of Weston, FL, and Stephanie A. Perreault (Mark) of Southborough, MA; her sister, Louise Tarallo of Worcester and grandchildren: Brandon, Luke, Calvin, Marshall, Mary Lucy, Michael, Nicholas, Christina, Nicole and Mark.

Her funeral will be from the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, 2599 Cranberry Highway (Rt. 28), Wareham on Fri., June 16th at 9 am followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Anthony’s Church, 22 Barstow St., Mattapoisett at 10 am. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery, Marion. Visiting hours will be Thursday from 5 – 8 pm at the funeral home.

Donations in her memory may be made to Alzheimer’s Assoc. of MA, 309 Waverly Oaks Rd., Waltham, MA 02452. For directions and on-line guestbook visit: www.ccgfuneralhome.com

 

David Chaloner Durfee

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David Chaloner Durfee, age 72, of Mattapoisett, passed away Thursday, June 8, 2017 at Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River. He was the husband of the late Edna Elizabeth (George) Durfee.

Born in Fall River, the son of Ruth (Dearden) Durfee-Nolan of Fall River and the late Chaloner Durfee, he was a 1961 graduate of Dartmouth High School and attended Barrington College.

David was a United Sates Air Force Veteran, serving during the Vietnam War and was employed as a Printing Salesman until his retirement in 2007.

In addition to his mother, he is survived by two brothers, Brian Durfee of Berkley and Bruce Durfee and his wife Wendy of E. Freetown; a nephew Cory Chaloner Durfee and his fiancé Stephanie Hoyceanyls of Plainville, MA and Benjimin Rene Durfee of Greenfield, MA; a step daughter Robin Nelson of Pittsford, VT; a step son Fredrick Easton and his wife Peggy of MA; four step-grandchildren Benjamin Eaton, Tyler Nelson, Travis Nelson and Arianna Nelson and three step great-grandchildren, Hunter Nelson, Brynn Nelson and Nadia Easton.

Mr. Durfee was also the step-father of the late Christopher Eaton.

His Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, June 14, 2017 at 10am in the Waring-Sullivan Home at Fairlawn 180 Washington St., Fairhaven. Visiting hours Tuesday from 4 to 7pm. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery in Fairhaven.

 

The Great Community Picnic

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The Mattapoisett Land Trust and Mattapoisett Historical Society are joining forces once again to host The Great Community Picnic on Thursday, August 3 at 5:30 pm. The event will be at the same beautiful location (Munro Preserve) and we will provide exceptional music (Charlie Phllps, a singer/ songwriter from Brooklyn NY; Grace Morrison, a Wareham singer/songwriter who performed last year; and our “local hero” Dave Dunn & Friends). The Inn on Shipyard Park is donating passed appetizers. A “cash” bar serving beer, wine and local oysters will be available.

Table tickets will be available for purchase at the Mattapoisett Historical Society (5 Church Street, 508-758-2844) and at the Town Wharf General Store (13 Water Street, 508-758-4615). Tables are not officially reserved until payment is received and tickets in hand.

Prices for tables are: Table of 10 = $250, Table of 8 = $200, Table of 6 = $150, Table of 4 = $100. This year, we will also offer pre-event purchase of tickets for beer, wine and oysters, to cut down on time spent waiting in line at the event. Prices will be: Beer = $4, Wine = $5 and oysters $1 a piece, so buy plenty of $1 tickets!

Don’t delay! Tables will sell quickly. Purchase yours promptly if you want to attend.

Buzzards Bay Musicfest

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Buzzards Bay Musicfest returns for its 21st year with concerts July 12 to 16 at the Fireman Performing Arts Center at Tabor Academy, 235 Front Street in Marion. Nationally and internationally prominent musicians will perform orchestral and chamber music, with selections from Mozart, Wagner, Copland, Morricone, Handel, Beethoven, among others. Orchestral performances will be held Wednesday, July 12 at 8:00 pm and Sunday, July 16 at 2:00 pm. Chamber music performances will be held Thursday, July 13 and Saturday, July 15 at 8:00 pm. Jazz performance by the BBMF Swing Band, under the leadership of Phil Sanborn, will be held Friday, July 14 at 8:00 pm.

An Open Rehearsal for Children (with accompanying adult) will be held on Wednesday, July 12 at 2:30 pm. The rehearsal is a unique occasion for young or aspiring musicians to experience watching and listening as artists perform orchestral pieces in preparation for the acclaimed concert series. After the rehearsal, children will have the opportunity to chat with Guest Conductor Catherine Larsen-McGuire, Artistic Director Charles Stegeman, and the musicians. All performances are free and open to the public.

For more information, visit www.buzzardsbaymusicfest.com or email info@buzzardsbaymusicfest.com.

Bucks for Buck Chuck

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Ok, what’s Buck Chuck up to now? That shadow behind you, the strange movement behind the bushes or that bump in the dark of night, is probably not Buck Chuck, more than likely it’s just a burglar. Unlike a burglar, Buck Chuck, The Rochester Country Fair’s Mascot, has been spotted everywhere lately.

Buck Chuck has come up with a new idea to create a teen area at this year’s Rochester Country Fair. The main attraction will be a professional beach volleyball court, alongside cornhole tables, ladder toss and other activities. The new teen area, called Buck Chuck Beach, will be located at the west tree line by Gate D. The volleyball court will be centrally located next to a small hill that will make a natural grandstand for watching the games or just relaxing with friends.

One of our goals is to have a beach volleyball tournament between Old Colony and Old Rochester Regional High School on Saturday afternoon for both boys’ and girls’ teams. On Friday and Sunday, the court along with all the games will be open to first come, first up matches with some simple rules to give everyone access to the court.

Now it seems this rodent has come up with a great idea and now it’s time for Buck Chuck to come up with the “bucks” to fund the project and this is where he needs your help! The campaign to raise the money is called “Bucks for Buck Chuck” and is off and running with an excellent start.

The goal is to raise $4,000 to pay for the equipment and materials needed for the court and games, and we’re pleased to announce that thanks to our local business community and friends of Buck Chuck, we are already half way there! Buck Chuck has been very busy raising funds and planning for the upcoming events, but he still has much work to do.

If you or your business would like to help, please send your donation – large or small any amount is greatly appreciated – to: Town of Rochester Country Fair, P.O. Box 321, Rochester, MA 02770. Please write “Bucks for Buck Chuck” on the memo line to designate your funds for the teen area project.

Thank you and we will see you at the Rochester Country Fair this August 18-20 for some good family fun! Visit us on Facebook or on the web at www.rochesterma.com.

The Northern Saw-Whet Owl

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Sometimes known as the ‘Tom Thumb of the owl realm’ because it is tame enough to be picked up in one hand and is not much bigger than your thumb, the saw-whet owl, in size, is the smallest of so-called nocturnal raptors in New England.

Way down south, the owlet is barely bigger than the size of a sparrow. It might seem cute and friendly being carried around and such to affectionately be revered as the sympathetic characterization of a Tiny Tim, but that would be a stretch of imagination of any bird watching observation.

The round dish-shaped face for such a small creature serves to reflect the slightest sound into its very large ears, permitting it to pinpoint the squeak or rustle of an insect, bird, or bat, and dive down with soft perforated edges of wing feathers before the quarry even knows it is being hunted. The wide eyes also give it the characteristic expression of complete surprise and wonder when approached.

It has yellow framed eyes indicating it can hunt by daylight. By contrast, the orange eyes of owls indicate a preference for either dawn or dusk, and dark eyes signify nighttime navigation and predation.

Playing the parent role of a wise old owl, it mates for life, which may be as long as 15 years, staying together even during the non-breeding season.

The female is bigger than the male, as is often the case in birds, but both share the responsibility of feeding and raising young, even for an extended period like the somewhat larger screech owl, often seen as in my drawing in a group garden setting with a tree saw from which they get their name. It comes from their shrill rasping ‘che-witt’ call repeated one hundred times a minute and sounding like the repeated strokes of sharpening the teeth of a metal saw blade with a handheld honing stone.

The young are taught by example how to hunt, starting them off with daylight hours from dawn to dusk, and they also learn by example how to save and set aside excess food in a convenient setting, like saving money for a rainy day. However, the most remarkable acquired trait is not learning or acquiring fear of a humans. This is probably from not having the experience of evolutionary conditioned reflexes, living away from harm secluded in a thick remote shadowy conifer setting with no repeated exposure to harm.

This is also characteristic of the spruce grouse of Maine, being so tame that, like the isolated heath hen of Martha’s Vineyard, they were nicknamed as fool hens by indigenous natives.

If you venture out for bird watching during the dusk hours between sunset and sundown, in the mystical time of day that appeals to the diurnal and nocturnal, keep your eyes open for a tiny feathered profile on a fence railing or low hanging branch looking just as surprised as you might be lucky enough to witness. Then, writing and drawing this image will be rewarding for both of us, enough to be remembered.

By George B. Emmons

 

Employees Disclose Financial Interests with Town

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Two town employees submitted signed disclosures of financial interest with the Town on June 5, to make these financial interests known publically to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest.

Fire Chief Scott Weigel, who has been the fire chief for the Town of Rochester since 2009, also owns an auto repair shop that performs minor repairs on Town vehicles on an as-needed non-contractual basis.

Weigel has been providing vehicle repair services to the Town since 1997 before he was appointed as the fire chief, but he did join the fire department in 1976.

Town Counsel Blair Bailey said Weigel’s status as a “special employee” of the Town allows him to maintain his position while his business also benefits financially from the Town as long as Weigel’s supervisors, the Board of Selectmen, allow him to do so.

“An actual conflict would be direct financial benefit in violation of the law,” said Bailey during a follow-up interview. “For this, he is a ‘special employee’ and exempt from certain conflicts (with selectmen approval).”

The State Ethics Commission required Weigel to fill out and submit a form disclosing his business dealings with the Town.

Bailey said Weigel performs only minor repairs to police and Highway Department vehicles at a good rate, and for projects well under the bidding requirement threshold.

Treasurer Cynthia Mello also submitted a disclosure of financial interest since the Town maintains $750,000 in an account with a bank that currently employs Mello’s husband as a vice president. She has been submitting this disclosure since 2009.

“As long as it’s legit, it’s legit,” said Selectman Greenwood Hartley, who requested a confirmation in writing of Mello’s correspondence with State Ethics.

The selectmen held off on accepting the disclosure until Mello submits written proof that she consulted with the State Ethics Commission, along with her disclosure form, but selectmen expect to accept the disclosure at a later date.

In other matters, the board appointed Meghan Birnie as a part-time police officer. Birnie, a Mansfield resident, received the top score on the recent entrance exam and has completed all the requirements of the hiring process.

The next meeting of the Rochester Board of Selectmen is scheduled for June 12 at 6:30 pm at the Rochester Town Hall.

Rochester Board of Selectmen

By Jean Perry

 

William J. Flanagan

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William J. Flanagan, 78 of Rochester died June 10, 2017 peacefully at home after a brief illness.

He was the husband of the late Jeanne L. (DeVirgilio) Flanagan.

Born in Boston, the son of the late Thomas and Madeline (Brack) Flanagan, he lived in Plainville, MA for many years before retiring to Rochester.

Mr. Flanagan was a communicant of St. Rose of Lima Church.

He was formerly employed as a letter carrier at the Newtonville Post Office for 39 years until his retirement.

Mr. Flanagan was an avid Boston sports fan and he enjoyed walking.

He served in the U.S. Navy.

Survivors include his 3 sons, William Flanagan, Jr. and his wife Ann Marie of Douglas, MA, Paul Flanagan and his wife Meredith of Plymouth and Tim Flanagan and his wife Kate of Goleta, CA; 2 daughters, Patty Flanagan and her husband Brian Pear of East Haddam, CT and Donna Flanagan Baca and her husband Steve Baca of Mira Loma, CA; a sister, Barbara Spellman and her husband Herbert of Kingston, MA; 10 grandchildren, Brian Flanagan, Sean Flanagan, Lauren Flanagan, Olivia Pear, Ava Pear, Caleb Flanagan, Arianna Flanagan, Erin Flanagan, Nicholas Baca and Caitlin Prario; his dear friend, Susan Todd of Rochester; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was the brother of the late M. Virginia Lane, Thomas W. Flanagan, Jr. and Warren F. Flanagan.

His Funeral will be held on Friday at 10 AM from the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Route 6, Mattapoisett, followed by his Funeral Mass at St. Rose of Lima Church, 282 Vaughan Hill Rd., Rochester at 11 AM. Visiting hours will be on Thursday from 4-8 PM. Burial will follow in St. Anthony’s Cemetery Cemetery. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

School Choice Program

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The Old Rochester Regional School District is accepting applications for the school choice program for the 2017-2018 school year. The school currently has 10 slots in Grade 8, four slots in Grade 9 and other slots in Grades 10-12. The program will be managed in accordance with Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education regulations governing School Choice.

Please visit our website at www.oldrochester.org for more information and also the school choice application. The next lottery is scheduled for July 5 at 9:00 am. All applications are due June 30, 2017.

Inquiries regarding the Old Rochester Regional School District School Choice openings should be directed to:

Kevin Brogioli, Principal at ORR Junior High School, 508-758-4928

Michael Devoll, Principal at ORR High School, 508-758-3745

Diana Russo, Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent, 508-758-2772 ext. 1956

Mattapoisett Town Beach Opening Party

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Mattapoisett Recreation will be hosting the annual Mattapoisett Town Beach Opening Party on Saturday, June 24 from 12:00 – 2:00 pm. Join us for a fun afternoon with games and crafts followed by an Ice Cream Sundae Party provided by Oxford Creamery. Rain date is Sunday, June 25.