Old Colony Class of 2017

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The following students graduated from Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School on Sunday, June 4:

From Mattapoisett: Luke Alfonse, Jared Gammell, Cody Leonardo, Leann Lomba, Wyatt Major, *Amanda Masse, *Jack Murphy, Nathaniel Nicolosi, Orion Silva, *Bethany Spangler

From Rochester: *Corbin Blanchard, Amanda Clark, Nicolas Conde, Matthew Cordeiro, *Noah Dexter, Isaac El Khoury, *Kelsey Fillip, *Kendra Fillip, *Elizabeth Jerome (Honor Graduate), Samantha Monast, Isaac Morris, Andrew Nataly, Owen Reed, Joseph Schneider, *Ryan Vieira

*Denotes National Honor Society

It’s The Last Supper

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Open Table’s last supper for the season is this Friday, June 9, at the Mattapoisett Congregational Church and everyone is welcome! Doors open at 4:30 pm and supper is served at 5:00 pm. As always, dinner will be delicious and nutritious plus there is a little something extra coming your way! Invite a friend or neighbor to join you for food, fun and fellowship! There is no charge for the meal, although donations are gratefully accepted.

Thank You

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To the Editor:

The Walter family would like to express great thanks to the Mattapoisett Fire-Rescue and Police Departments for their assistance on March 30 when Robert Walter passed away. Their efforts were above and beyond and really helped our family get through a “tough” day. We would especially like to praise officer Anthony Days of the Mattapoisett Police Department for all he did to assist Bob’s wife Pat and the rest of the family on that day. He showed us all how lucky the residents of Mattapoisett are to have such a professional, caring and highly involved person on the force! Thank you so much, Anthony, for all you do. We also think that he is a heck of an artist!

On a related note, the Walter family will be holding a memorial gathering for all who knew Bob at their home at 31 Water Street on Saturday, June 17 at 1:00 pm rain or shine. Please join us for an oyster, a cold beverage and some fond memories of Bob.

Our very best,

The Walter Family

 

The views expressed in the “Letters to the Editor” column are not necessarily those of The Wanderer, its staff or advertisers. The Wanderer will gladly accept any and all correspondence relating to timely and pertinent issues in the great Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester area, provided they include the author’s name, address and phone number for verification. We cannot publish anonymous, unsigned or unconfirmed submissions. The Wanderer reserves the right to edit, condense and otherwise alter submissions for purposes of clarity and/or spacing considerations. The Wanderer may choose to not run letters that thank businesses, and The Wanderer has the right to edit letters to omit business names. The Wanderer also reserves the right to deny publication of any submitted correspondence.

Rochester Boat Race an Enduring Tradition

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Just about the only thing in the Tri-Town on Memorial Day that is almost as equally exciting as paddling a handmade canoe down the Mattapoisett River in the Rochester Memorial Day Boat Race is watching it – even when it’s raining.

Either way, what would a boat race be without water? Like in past years with no rain and very little rain leading up to the race, all you got was a two-person relay up the dry 14-mile riverbed, running with a canoe toward the finish line. Hardly as exciting as the years when racers are paddling their heads off, giving it all they’ve got as they hit the rapids at the old Church family sawmill trying to avoid the rocks and the curvature of the riverbank. Not nearly as fun as watching them duck for cover as they carefully aim themselves through the arch of the Mattapoisett River Road Bridge, with the swelled waters of the Mattapoisett River forcing the slender long boats and their occupants close to neck-level, and the way the rainwater activates the colors of the team shirts and brings out the grain of the wooden boats.

This year, 50 teams dragged themselves out of their warm dry beds early in the morning to stack and strap their canoes to pickup trucks in the pouring rain and get themselves to Grandma Hartley’s Reservoir at Snipatuit Pond, the starting point of the competitive crossing of the Mattapoisett River.

Members of the Rochester Fire Department situated themselves along the rocky rapids at the Church family sawmill, just in case, and we all waited for the first team to make its way down and hopefully continue on around the bend where dozens of onlookers cheered them on – no matter whether racers made it without incident, hit the bank and jumped out to empty the water from the bottom of the boat, or altogether sank. Whatever happened, one couldn’t go wrong. Just attempting the race earns one respect and a rightful place in the history of the 83-year-old tradition.

And the race is as steeped in tradition as paddlers’ knees and bottoms are steeped in river water.

Take the tossing of the orange slices, for example. You can catch a quick glance of them in practically every boat along the way –strange little orange flotation devices or emergency equipment of some sort sloshing around the boat bottoms that are actually the peels of orange slices eaten along the way by paddlers needing sustenance.

Onlookers have a tradition of tossing them into the boats of the racers as they go by, and apparently only those that are actually caught are likely to be eaten before they land in the unsavory soup of river broth and wet sneakers.

Actually, says four-time overall winner William Watling III from Team 7, the tradition of tossing orange slices can sometimes be less helpful and more of a hindrance at times.

“We found we don’t need it,” said Watling with a laugh. “It actually slows us down.”

Watling and his teammate Dan Lawrence of Team 7 took first place in the open category with a time of 1:48:14 – their fourth overall win, although last year they came in second. But not this year – 2017 will be known as the year the two reclaimed the status of champion. The duo also set the current record time of 1:46:59, said Watling, four years ago.

Coming in second overall was Team 1, Jake Goyette and Ian MacGregor, with a time of 1:50:13. Third place open went to Team 9, Jay Lawrence and Andy Weigel.

Tucker Roy and Jonathan Roy of Team 46 took first place in the parent/child competition with a time of 2:07:29. In second place were Josephine and Gary Eleniefsky of Team 20 at 2:24:19, and third place for parent/child went to Team 49, Kendall and C.J. Hedges, finishing at 2:25:13.

In the women’s category, Eli and Rylan Macgregor of Team 30 took first place with a time of 2:39:32. Second place was Team 39, Gretchen Belz and Helaina Sacco, finishing with 2:45:59. In third place was Team 48, Kaitlyn Rodrigues and Amanda Cote, with a time of 2:56:46.

In the co-ed category, Samantha and Ethan Hathaway of Team 13 won first place, making it at 2:10:13. Second place in co-ed went to Team 10, Jon and Kate Hartley, finishing at 2:10:25. Third place was Team 16, Kasandra and Walter Gonet, with a time of 2:12:01.

The esteemed title of “Old Man River” went to Joel Hartley of Team 38, who along with teammate Jonathan Hartley finished at 2:45:59.

There were a few notable quotes throughout the race belted out by participants. Our three favorites were:

“I lost my shoe! Wait. That’s not my shoe!” [Kelsey Collasius from Team 35 after she and teammate Andrew Martin had to jump onto land to empty the water that was sinking their boat.]

“Piece of cake!” [William Poirier from Team 27 as he and teammate Graham Poirier paddled away from the rapids at the Church family sawmill after nearly taking a spill.]

“Aaaaarrrrrr!” [Andy Hammerman of Team 44, wearing a pirate bandana as he approached the River Road Bridge.]

By Jean Perry

The Bummers of Summer

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With temperatures starting to warm up and summer break for public schools only weeks away, kids are going to be outside enjoying the hot weather sooner than you think. But they aren’t the only ones who will be taking advantage of this opportunity – the bugs are out in full force this year as well. By being aware of some of these pesky and sometimes harmful critters, you can better keep those close to you safe.

Already nuisances this year are the notorious gypsy moth caterpillars. These fuzzy caterpillars can be found practically everywhere in the Tri-Town and surrounding area, but don’t let looks deceive you. The hairs on the caterpillars contain histamine, which can cause an annoying reaction when in contact with skin in the form of red, itchy rashes. The caterpillars and the rashes they spread will only be around for a few more weeks until they phase into pupae.

Another annual threat that most people are familiar with hearing about is mosquitoes. Since the Tri-Town is located in a wetlands area, the yearly amount of mosquitoes tends to be high as the swampy land provides optimal breeding grounds for the insects. According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, female mosquitoes, which are the ones that bite humans, live for an average of about two weeks. In this time period, however, mosquitoes can transmit severe viruses like Eastern Equine Encephalitis and West Nile Virus; these are two diseases linked specifically to mosquitoes in Massachusetts.

Of course, one can’t forget about ticks. Ticks are found all throughout the state, particularly in woods or grassy areas, with the most common types being the deer tick and dog tick. If these insects bite you, they can transmit Lyme disease, babesiosis, anaplasmosis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. The MDPH suggests, “If you cannot avoid areas likely to have ticks, the most important thing you can do to reduce your chances of getting sick is to check your entire body for ticks after returning indoors and to remove any attached tick as soon as possible.”

A new hazard in the New England area is the Lone Star tick, named for the white dot on its back. While a deer or dog tick will wait until a person comes into contact with them to bite, a Lone Star tick will actively chase down a nearby host. The CDC lists these ticks as “very aggressive” and capable of transmitting diseases such as tularemia and STARI (Southern Tick Associated Rash Illness). Lone Star ticks have also caused red meat allergies in bitten individuals, as the Vanderbilt University Medical Center has published.

How do you best avoid these threats? MDPH says that repellents containing DEET or permethrin greatly reduce the risk of tick and mosquito bites. Permethrin should not be applied to skin, however. Permethrin-laced clothing can be found online. For mosquitoes, remove standing water or apply mosquito control products to the area, as this kills the larvae before they can hatch. Clearing brush and cutting long grass around your home can help reduce the number of ticks, as it removes their preferred habitats. Wearing long pants and other covering clothes is suggested when going into mosquito and tick-infested areas, such as thick woodlands. Perhaps most importantly, remember to check yourself and others for ticks. Catching these insects before they have time to do harm is the best prevention step you can take.

By Jo Caynon

 

Mattapoisett Yacht Club

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The Mattapoisett Yacht Club will be hosting their annual Spring Round the Bay 25-mile pursuit race on June 10. It will be the first race in a series of six races sponsored by area yacht clubs to award an overall Buzzards Bay Trophy. There will be racing and cruising classes with a max PHRF rating of 257. There will be a free cookout at MYC on Friday night (RSVP required) and complimentary moorings at Mattapoisett Boat Yard for visiting yachts. For more information and to register, please go to the yacht club’s website, mattapoisettyc.org.

To Serve The Children

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There is a lighthearted warm energy that one feels when first meeting Linda Burke. It’s an energy that is full of potential, possibility, and promise. It is this energy that she has passed onto hundreds of children in her many years of service as a children’s librarian. Now, however, it is time for Burke to say goodbye.

For the past 14 years, Burke has headed up the children’s service department of the Mattapoisett Public Library. During those years, she has helped to foster a love of reading, of learning, and of exploring in children from all walks of life.

Long before Burke joined the Mattapoisett Library, she credits her uncle, a young man only a few years older than she, for instilling in her a love for reading. “He’d read Uncle Wiggly books to me,” she shared with an impish smile.

Later in life, during the height of the Vietnam War, Burke said she fell in love. When her boyfriend returned from duty, they were married. The couple would leave the Bridgewater area and move to Ohio where they set-up housekeeping and raised a family. These domestic responsibilities sidelined her dream of becoming a children’s art instructor.

But with her natural talent and early training, Burke’s husband encouraged her to open a custom framing shop. It was there that she urged parents to have their children’s works of art framed, thus blending her creative aspirations with her desire to recognize children’s artistic contributions.

In 1991, after her own children were grown, Burke and her husband returned east and settled in a “big house” in New Bedford where her large extended family could gather during holidays and birthday celebrations.

It was in New Bedford’s Public Library system that she was able to begin what she had so long ago desired – an opportunity to work with children.

Burke also volunteered in New Bedford Public Schools, primarily Roosevelt Elementary School, as a mentor. While volunteering at the school, she helped to develop a welfare-to-work program where she taught computer skills to adults while modeling a solid work ethic to an underserved population.

Before coming to Mattapoisett, Burke worked in the children’s department of the Rochester Public Library under the direction of Gail Roberts. She said of that experience, “Gail was instrumental in getting me more involved in children’s literature.”

But Mattapoisett would become like home to her. Burke said, “Everyone has been welcoming. I’ve been invited into the lives of many families. It feels like home…. Mattapoisett is unique. I’m honored to have been included. I love this place.”

Family once again needs more time with Burke. That is the primary reason she’s retiring now. But she also hopes to travel and visit the national parks. “I’d love to become a park ranger,” she said with gusto.

Burke said her co-workers have “opened horizons” for her and that she’ll miss the daily interaction. But, as anyone could guess, she’ll be volunteering at the library after her term ends in June.

Library Director Susan Pizzolato said, “First and foremost, library work is service work,” and she went on to say that Burke has a passion to serve parents and their children and is a passionate volunteer. “She’s been a wonderful employee, for that reason … I know she’ll be missed,” Pizzolato shared.

Burke will be celebrated on June 14 when the library will host an open house retirement reception in the children department between 6:00 and 8:00 pm. All are welcome.

By Marilou Newell

 

ORR Sports Thrive in Final Regular Season Games

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Here is a summary of this week’s sports at Old Rochester Regional.

            Boys’ Lacrosse: In their first game of this past week, the Old Rochester lacrosse team played Dartmouth and won 11-5 during their senior night. Despite a rough first quarter where the Bulldogs allowed the Indians a 3-0 lead, Old Rochester eventually bounced back. Within the final three quarters, the Bulldogs defense only permitted Dartmouth two more goals. With seven different scorers to aid them, Old Rochester had 11 goals. Landon Goguen scored three goals and two assists. Charles Tirrell and Corey Lunn both had two goals, while Patrick Saltmarsh, Parker Truesdale, Alex Lorenz, Patrick Kiernan, and Finn McCain all achieved one. Nate King played one of his best games with 21 saves in net. The Bulldogs played North Attleboro later in the week and lost 14-2. Goguen and Lunn had the only two goals for Old Rochester. They were assisted by Tirrell and Truesdale. King had 19 saves. The Bulldogs finished their regular season 13-4, 9-1 SCC. They were also co-champions of the South Coast Conference.

            Girls’ Lacrosse: The Lady Bulldogs played Dartmouth last Wednesday in the pouring rain and won 11-7. Old Rochester started off the game strong by coming out and gaining a 4-0 lead. Soon the Indians began to score, but the Bulldogs held them to only seven goals. Despite the unfortunate weather, Old Rochester’s offense was hot. Tayler Lee paved the way with four goals. Three players – Emily Hiller, Maddy Cooney, and Ali Hulsebosch – each scored two goals. Katherine Tracy had one goal. In their second game of the week, the Lady Bulldogs played North Attleboro and lost 19-10. Hulsebosch was the leading goal scorer with four goals. Lee and Hiller each had two goals, while Tracy and Cooney both managed one. Old Rochester finished the season 17-2, 10-0 SCC. They began as this year’s undefeated South Coast Conference Champions.

            Boys’ Tennis: Coming off their first loss of the season, the Old Rochester boys’ tennis team swept past Dartmouth 4-1. Due to the severe rain, the match was moved to indoor courts where all singles and doubles matches were played as pro matches. Sam Pasquill was the only loss of the day at first singles. Both singles teams and both doubles teams beat their Indian counter partners. Alex Bilodeau won 8-0 at second singles and Jahn Pothier triumphed 8-1 at third singles. Maxx Wolski and Josh Lerman managed an 8-2 win at first doubles. Colin O’Malley and Ray Williams played together at second doubles and won 8-3. The Bulldogs finished their season as undefeated South Coast Champions. Their record was 18-1, 14-0 SCC.

            Girls’ Tennis: Despite a strong fight, the Lady Bulldogs lost to Bishop Stang 3-2 in a non-conference game. Delaney Pothier and Danielle Nutter lost at first and second singles. The first doubles team of Emma Collings and Kinsley Dickerson triumphed over their Lady Spartan counter partners at first doubles. Delaney Soucy and Charlotte Cole also won at second singles. With two wins and two losses for both teams, the third singles match was the deciding factor. Unfortunately, Kate Downes swept passed Old Rochester’s Zoe Bilodeau, which cost the Bulldogs the match. In their match against Apponequet, the same scenario occurred, but there were much greater stakes. If the Bulldogs won this match they would win the South Coast Conference, but if they lost the match, they’d be forced to share the championship with Apponequet. Again, Pothier and Nutter lost at first and second singles. Collings and Dickerson played well and earned themselves a victory over the Lady Lakers at first doubles. Soucy and Cole were also victorious over their opponents at second doubles. Again, both teams had two wins and two losses and the third singles match was the deciding factor. Despite a solid effort, Bilodeau was not successful over Apponequet’s Sam Turcotte. This 3-2 loss meant that the Lady Bulldogs would be forced the share the championship of the SCC. Old Rochester won one match this week over Dartmouth 3-2. The Lady Bulldogs notched wins from second singles player Nutter, their first doubles team of Collings and Dickerson, and their second doubles team of Soucy and Cole. Old Rochester ended their season with a record of 13-5 and earned themselves the co-champions of the South Coast Conference.

            Softball: The Lady Bulldogs won three of their four games this week, including a postseason-clinching victory against Case. Wins against Apponequet, Case, and Wareham earned the Bulldogs their first postseason berth since the 2010 season. Ashley Soares continued to pitch well for Old Rochester, as she did not allow more than four hits in any of her three victories. To go along with the dominance on the bump, the Bulldogs continued to provide phenomenal support at the plate. Standouts this week included senior Olivia Labbe, who went 4-4 in a win against Case and 2-4 against a good Diman Vocational team. In addition, junior infielder Sophie Hubbard contributed with two hits and two runs-batted-in against Case, as well as a 4-4 outing against Wareham. The Bulldogs finished off their season at 14-7.

            Boys’ and Girls’ Track: Both the boys’ and girls’ track team competed over Memorial Day weekend at the Divisionals. There was a great amount of pressure for the Bulldogs because they wanted to win after winning in the winter season. Dany Renwick placed first in three events: hurdles (14.54 seconds); high jump (6-4); and pentathlon (3,373). Eli Spevak and Harry Smith earned second and third place finishes in the hurdles. Spevack also placed second in the 400 hurdles where he managed a personal best of 56.78 seconds. Matt Brogioli also earned a personal best in the long jump when he jumped 21-1.25 meters. Jacob Cafarella placed seventh in the javelin (143-04) while Adam Sylvia notched a fifth place finish in the mile (4:28.97). Meg Hughes won the 400 meters (58.22 seconds) and finished in second place in the mile (5:13.19). Brooke Santos earned second in the pentathlon (2,506) and notched a fifth place finish in the 100 hurdles (16.06 seconds). Rachel Demmer was right behind Santos in the 100-meter hurdles and managed and eighth place (17.15 seconds). Kelsey Holick placed fifth and earned a personal best in the discus (94-11). Madisen Martin was fourth in the javelin (108-03). Old Rochester’s 4×100 relay team of Smith, Caffarella, Spevack, and Will Garcia placed first and ran a school record (44.6 seconds). The 4×400 relay team, which consisted of Spevack, Anthoney Childs, Sylvia, and Tyler Kulak earned fourth (3:35.08). Old Rochester girls’ 4×800 team finished in second place and beat a school record (9:49.44). This team was composed of Hughes, Martin, Avery Nugent, and Samantha Ball.

By Alexandra Hulsebosch

 

Thoughts on Food Trucks

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To the Editor:

A long time ago, in a previous life, I worked in an office building nestled in the suburban sprawl west of Boston. Each day at precisely noon, a stainless steel box on wheels would appear and park outside my office window. The daily arrival of the food truck created a mass exodus of workers eager to consume a variety of cold sandwiches, wilted salads, cold drinks and the worst coffee one can imagine. I noticed that this would repeat day after day except on Fridays when the masses would depart to the local Asian restaurant for spring rolls, chicken wings or other Chinese and Polynesian delicacies.

Observing this phenomenon, I perceived an opportunity. Why not have an Asian-themed food truck that would come around only on Fridays. I would call it the “Canton Canteen.” Alas, my idea went nowhere. Since then, food trucks have changed significantly. The day of the “Roach Coach” and “Gut Truck” are gone. Food trucks have morphed into mobile luncheonettes serving a wide variety of American and exotic cuisine. Venture into any big city and you will encounter rows of vans serving gourmet burgers, and all manner of high quality delicacies from fajitas to sushi. One town west of Boston even has an annual Food Truck Festival. Once a year a convoy of food trucks rolls into town, sets up alongside the local park and everyone comes out to enjoy the food and festivities that accompany the event.

The food truck phenomenon may be arriving in Mattapoisett in a big way. The Selectmen have proposed that perhaps twice a month in the fall an array of trucks can descend on Ned’s Point Light for a few hours, providing an opportunity for everyone to get together and break bread as the sun sets. This could be a great idea.

Ned’s Point, or the more accurately named Veterans’ Memorial Park, is a beautiful, tranquil place where folks go to enjoy the view, the breezes, a sunset, and relax and presumably ponder the sacrifices of veterans who have served our country. Before this becomes a reality, I offer some … forgive the pun … food for thought. Is Veterans’ Memorial Park the best place for a venture of this nature? While cookouts and flying kites may be benign activities at a veterans’ memorial, is a caravan of commercial vehicles set against a colorful sunset desirable? Perhaps the high school or better yet the town beach would be a better venue with ample parking, the same view and fall breezes and villagers could walk to the food fest. Is twice a month too often? If held once a year, could it become an annual fall “event”?

I don’t know the answers, but unlike my “Canton Canteen” that never matured, this idea has potential. Given time to mature, it could become something quite tasty. Just a thought.

Dick Morgado, Mattapoisett

 

The views expressed in the “Letters to the Editor” column are not necessarily those of The Wanderer, its staff or advertisers. The Wanderer will gladly accept any and all correspondence relating to timely and pertinent issues in the great Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester area, provided they include the author’s name, address and phone number for verification. We cannot publish anonymous, unsigned or unconfirmed submissions. The Wanderer reserves the right to edit, condense and otherwise alter submissions for purposes of clarity and/or spacing considerations. The Wanderer may choose to not run letters that thank businesses, and The Wanderer has the right to edit letters to omit business names. The Wanderer also reserves the right to deny publication of any submitted correspondence.

Rochester Historical Society Photo Contest

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The Rochester Historical Society is sponsoring a photo contest for Rochester children sixteen (16) years and under. In line with the theme of the Country Fair this year, the topic for the photo contest is “Farming in Rochester.” There are many types of farms in Rochester (i.e., cattle, cranberries, poultry, horses, vegetables, haying, sheep, etc.) and a variety of equipment to get the farming done.

The photos submitted will be on display at the Historical Society Booth for the three days (August 18, 19 & 20) of the Country Fair at Pine Street, Rochester. Voting for favorites will be done by those attending the fair and the Top 3 winners will be announced at the Fair on Sunday afternoon. Prizes will be awarded for the Top 3 winners. Voting will end at noon on Sunday, August 20 and the winners will be posted at the Historical Society booth at the Fair.

Pictures must be at least 3 x 5 in size and can be either color or black/white. Each person may enter one (1) photo. Please put your name, address, phone number and age on the back of the photo and mail to Rochester Historical Society, P.O. Box 171, Rochester, MA 02770. Deadline for mailing the photos is August 1. Any questions, call 508-961-7401.