David B. Horton Sr.

David B. Horton Sr., 69 of Eastham died May 24, 2017 unexpectedly while on the waters of Cape Cod doing what he enjoyed.

Born in Rockville Centre, NY, the son of the late George L. and Irene S. (Smith) Horton, he lived in Marion for 30 years before moving to Eastham.

He was a member of the Wellfleet United Methodist Church.

Mr. Horton was the proprietor of MacLean’s Seaford for many years. He was well known and respected in the fishing industry. During retirement, he enjoyed clamming and growing and harvesting oysters. He was involved in many charitable organizations and was instrumental in the founding of The 246 Community Kitchen in Wellfleet, Ma.

Survivors include his former wife, Caroline (Lavallee) Horton of Plymouth; 3 sons, David B. Horton, Jr. and his wife Liz of Waltham, MA, Nathaniel Horton and his wife Maria of Morristown, NJ and Christopher Horton and his wife Kelly of Marion: 5 grandchildren, Justin, Christopher Jr., Kyla, Eloise and Noah; 2 brothers, Frederick Horton and his wife Claire of Poughkeepsie, NY and Lawrence Horton of Quincy; several sisters in law, nieces and nephews.

He was the father of the late Bethany Horton and the brother of the late George L. Horton, III and Ronald Horton.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in his name to one of the charitable organizations he was involved in: The 246 Community Kitchen, a ministry of the United Methodist Church, Wellfleet, 246kitchen.org or The Mustard Seed.

His visiting hours will be held on Thursday, June 1st from 4-8 PM in the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Route 6, Mattapoisett. His Funeral Service will be held on Friday, June 2nd in the Wellfleet United Methodist Church at 10 AM. Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery, Eastham. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Elks Student of the Month

The Elks of Wareham Lodge No. 1548 sponsors the Elks Student of the Month and Student of the Year Awards for students enrolled in local area high schools. The criteria used in nominating a student includes a student who excels in scholarship, citizenship, performing arts, fine arts, hobbies, athletics, church, school and community service, industry and farming.

We congratulate junior Hannah Farias of Marion for being selected as Student of the Month for the month of June by the Old Rochester Regional High School faculty and staff. Hannah is a junior and a delight to have in class. She continues to show commitment and willingness to help. She is always eager to go the extra mile. She is a person who is well organized, considerate, and independent.

2017 Memorial Day Ceremony and Parade

The Mattapoisett Memorial Day Ceremony and Parade will take place on Monday, May 29 at 1:30 pm. We are honored to have Commander Bryan D. Williams, U.S. Navy as our guest speaker. Due to road construction, the ceremony will take place on the Barstow Street side of the Center School Grounds, in place of the library. The parade route will remain the same. Participants are asked to arrive at 1:00 pm. This year marks a 100 year milestone for one of our Town’s residents. It was 100 years ago this year, in 1917, when George Randall’s father, Jerry L. Randall recited the Gettysburg Address. In honor of this 100 year anniversary, George Randall will recite the Gettysburg Address at our 2017 Ceremony.

Old Rochester Sports on the ‘Up and Up’

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

            Boys’ Lacrosse: The Bulldogs matched up against Dighton Rehoboth last week and dominated the game 14-2. Freshman attack Finn McCain and senior Landon Goguen both contributed three goals. Kyle Gillis had two goals for Old Rochester and Alex Lorenz, Jake DeMoranville, Holden King, and Corey Lunn each shot in one. Dighton Rehoboth struggled to get past the Bulldogs tight-knit defense. Dighton Rehoboth managed to get off 13 shots, but the Old Rochester goalie, Nate King, saved 11 of them. In their most recent matchup, the Bulldogs lost a competitive game to Sandwich 14-6. Goguen carried the team with four goals, while McCain and Tirrell both had one. Again, King had a good game with 13 saves in net. These games advance the Bulldogs to 12-3, 9-1 SCC on the season.

            Girls’ Tennis: The Lady Bulldogs tennis team had a booked week with four matches in six days, but they managed to stay undefeated. Old Rochester started off their week with a narrow win over Seekonk, 3-2. The first singles player Delaney Pothier won 6-2, 6-2. Danielle Nutter at second singles and the pair of Emma Collings and Kinsley Dickerson at first doubles also achieved wins. They faced league rivals, the Apponequet Lakers, on Tuesday to determine which SCC team would continue as undefeated champions of the league. The Lady Bulldogs took their first loss of the season against Apponequet, which put them in second place for the league. Pothier and Nutter both lost at first and second singles. However, both doubles teams, composed of Collings paired with Dickerson and Delaney Soucy paired with Charlotte Cole, won. The winner of the match was left to the third singles players. Unfortunately, after a three-hour match, Zoe Bilodeau lost. Old Rochester advanced their record to 13-1, 11-1 SCC.

            Boys’ Tennis: In their three matches this week, the Old Rochester boys’ tennis team had no losses and allowed zero points scored from their competitors. The Bulldogs opened up their week with a 5-0 win over Seekonk. Sam Pasquill, Alex Bilodeau, and Justin Smith all captured wins in the singles courts, while Jake Thompson coupled with Jahn Pothier and Sam Wiggins combined with Michael Stack both had team victories in the doubles matches. In the midst of last week, the Bulldogs faced Dighton Rehoboth and had a landslide win 5-0. Old Rochester was victorious in all five matchups, and managed to not lose a set. Pasquill, Bilodeau, and Pothier all played singles. Josh Lerman and Maxx Wolski played at first doubles and Caleb Jagoda and Ray Williams participated at second doubles. Later in the week, the Bulldogs faced Wareham and pulled away with a 5-0 defeat. Smith was a first singles winner and Ian Friedrichs and Jack Cadden notched second and third singles wins. Thompson teamed up with Stack to earn themselves a win at first doubles. Joe Sheridan and Emmett McQuade managed a victory at second doubles. Old Rochester remains undefeated this season with a record of 13-0, 11-0 SCC. After their matches against Apponequet and Case, Old Rochester becomes the fourth-straight-year undefeated SEC Champions.

            Baseball: Despite a tough but well-played game, Old Rochester lost to Seekonk 3-2. After the first inning, Seekonk had scored an unmatched run. However, in the second the Bulldogs persevered and scored two runs. Dave Arruda pitched through five innings only allowing Seekonk one run off of four hits. In the sixth inning, the opponent managed to tie the game up 2-2. Sam Henrie stepped in as pitcher, but it was not enough. Some questionable calls and two wild pitches cost Old Rochester the game. The bad luck turned around for the Bulldogs after their loss against Seekonk. Old Rochester played Coyle Cassidy and achieved a 6-1 victory. Michael Kenefick was the most valuable player for the Bulldogs at the mound. Kenefick gave up only one run off of two hits and two walks. He managed to retire 22 of the 25 batters and had seven strikeouts. Henrie had one homerun and 2 RBIs, Jacob Asiaf had a double and a homerun, and Adam Breault had a single and a homerun. In their most recent match, Old Rochester competed in a grueling battle, but triumphed over Greater New Bedford Voc Tech 8-7. Will Hopkins was 2-for-4 and contributed two runs. Henrie finished 1-for-2 with two runs and two walks, while Asiaf ended the game 2-for-4 with two runs. Kenefick was 2-for-3 with a walk and two RBIs. Both Breault brothers shined, with John (older) going 2-for-4 with two RBIs and Adam (younger) going 2-for-4 with one RBI. James Dwyer went 3-for-4 and added a run.

            Softball: The Old Rochester softball team earned themselves two wins this week against tough competition Seekonk and Coyle Cassidy. The Lady Bulldogs won 5-3 over Seekonk thanks to a strong pitcher and a tough batting lineup. Ashley Soares struck out seven by walking two and allotting nine hits. Sophie Hubbard, Olivia Labbe, and Hannah Guard played an aggressive offensive game, which contributed to the win. Hubbard went 4-for-4 with one RBI, while Labbe was 3-for-4 with two RBIs, and Guard was 2-for-3 with a RBI. In their second matchup of the week, the Bulldogs faced Coyle Cassidy and accomplished a 10-5 victory. Soares struck out eight and only allowed four hits with two walks. The senior captain, Labbe, led the team by going 4-for-4 with five RBIs. Hubbard went 3-for-4 with a RBI and Guard was consistent, going 2-for-3 with an RBI. The Bulldogs also played Wareham and won 2-0. The game remained scoreless through six innings until Hubbard hit a double and Labbe followed with a single. These hits plated both the game’s runs. Hubbard, Labbe, and Soares all were 2-for-3. Soares struck out 11 and gave up four hits and two walks.

            Girls’ Lacrosse: The Lady Bulldogs stay perfect after three games this past week. Old Rochester opened up their week with a 22-1 win over Dighton Rehoboth. Mackenzie Good led the way with five goals. Ali Hulsebosch and Madison Cooney both had three goals and three assists and Emily Hiller had three goals. Avery O’Brien-Nichols and Catherine Tracy had two while Tayler Lee, Molly Lanagan, Ariane Dias, Danielle Craig, Alexa Costa, Diana LaRock, and Jenna Aruri each added one. Two days later, the Bulldogs played Dighton Rehoboth away on their senior night and triumphed 19-1. Cooney was the leading goal scorer with five goals. Not far off was Hulsebosch with four goals and three assists and Hiller with three goals and an assist. O’Brien-Nichols stayed consistent and contributed two while Tracy, Dias, Caitlyn King, Sarah Moitozo, and Alex Fluegel all notched one. In their most recent victory, the Bulldogs faced New Bedford Voc Tech and won 22-4. Tracy paved the way with six goals and Cooney contributed four. Hulsebosch had three goals with seven assists. Hiller, Lee, and Dias had two goals each combined with a goal apiece from Megan Shay, Good, O’Brian-Nichols, and Maddie Demanche. The Bulldogs dominated the game against Barnstable by winning 21-11. Hulsebosch led the scoring with five goals. Midfielders Shea and Cooney added four each, while Hiller contributed three and Lee added two. Tracy, Ciffolillo, and O’Brian-Nichols added one a piece. In net, sophomore goalkeeper, Gates Tenerowicz, had 13 saves. In their most recent matchup, Old Rochester had their first loss of the season against Sandwich 14-12. Hiller carried the team in goals with four, but Ciffolillo was not far behind with three goals. Cooney and Hulsebosch each had two goals, and Hulsebosch added three assists. Tracy added one. Unfortunately, Sandwich’s solid offense made it past the Bulldogs defense and led them to a victory. Old Rochester is now 16-1 on the season.

By Alexandra Hulsebosch

 

Volunteers Wanted for Moving Wall

With no appointments scheduled on the agenda, the Rochester Board of Selectmen breezed through its May 22 pre-town meeting BOS meeting with an appointment to the Conservation Commission and a memo from the Tri-Town’s veterans agent pertaining to Wareham’s hosting of the Vietnam War Moving Wall in August.

Veterans Agent Jo-Ann O’Malley announced that the Wareham Veterans Council is seeking volunteers to provide support to various tables that will be set up showcasing photographs and memorabilia from the Vietnam War.

O’Malley said veterans and non-veterans alike are welcome to donate their time during the Moving Wall’s stay in Wareham, and any interested parties should contact Jo-Ann O’Malley at the Mattapoisett Town Hall at 508-758-4100 ext. 212.

Also during the meeting, the selectmen appointed Margot Paine to the Conservation Commission.

Due to the Memorial Day holiday, the next meeting of the Rochester Board of Selectmen is scheduled for June 5 at 6:30 pm at the Rochester Town Hall.

Rochester Board of Selectmen

By Jean Perry

 

Mattapoisett Historical Society Yard Sale

The Mattapoisett Historical Society will hold a yard sale on Baptist Street in Mattapoisett on Saturday, June 10 starting at 8:00 am and ending at 11:00 am. There will be a variety of items for sale: ceramics, antique irons, furniture, games, Presto Press, etc. Come buy a treasure and support the Mattapoisett Historical Society.

Rochester Boat Racing Viewing Spots

The Rochester Land Trust invites you to view the Memorial Day Boat Race from a viewing spot on one of its properties along the Mattapoisett River. The Church’s Field River Trail at approximately 101 Mattapoisett Road leads to Church’s Falls, a wide open-area, where watchers can sit on one of several riverside benches and see the racers as they pass by the site of the historic Church Mill. Access is a fairly easy ½ mile walk on a well-maintained trail with plank bridges spanning potential wet areas.

The Shoolman Preserve at 200 New Bedford Road offers two more secluded spots to view the race, which require passing through wet areas along the trails as you get close to the river. These viewing spots are smaller than at Church, but there are small benches right on the riverside. Twenty-seven species of birds were heard and or seen on a recent birding walk along the Shoolman trails.

EmpowORR Garden Grows Opportunity, Experience

Beneath the nutrient-rich soil that lies within the carefully crafted raised garden beds of donated wood grows a network of community service now deeply rooted and firmly planted behind the Old Rochester Regional Junior High School.

Deemed the “EmpowORR” Community Garden, on Saturday, May 21, the vision came to fruition beneath a sunny sky and in the hands of a group of people who donated their time – as well as their energy, dedication, and gardening expertise – to a project that will serve both student needs and community needs as the growing season progresses.

Becky Okolita, teacher of the Old Rochester Regional Transition Program for special education students age 18 to 22, envisioned a community garden where her students could benefit from the experience of growing produce from seed, while gaining real work experience selling the fruits of their labors at local farmers’ markets and also donating some of the harvest to local families in need.

“As the garden continues to expand and grow,” says Okolita, “another goal would be to reduce waste in our schools by providing a composting system.”

Okolita is still hoping to garner donations to erect a greenhouse to further expand the garden, which has started off with tomatoes, strawberries, herbs, salad greens, kale, peppers, and flowers.

“We just hope things will grow!” said Okolita, getting her hands dirty as she planted baby tomato plants.

The Transition Program was established this school year to provide vocational, social, and educational opportunities for students aged 18 to 22 with moderate to severe disabilities. The mission of the program is to provide experiences that “will lead to successful and meaningful life paths tailored to each student’s unique gifts and abilities.”

To make a donation to the garden, please contact Becky Okolita at rebeccaokolita@oldrochester.org, 508-758-1345 ext. 2520, or visit the garden’s Go Fund Me page at www.gofundme.com/orrhsgardenandgreenhouse.

By Jean Perry

Derelict Home To Be Razed

A house in the Harbor Beach neighborhood of Mattapoisett that has become the seaside home of four-legged visitors will be razed.

William Bachant of Wareham came before the Mattapoisett Zoning Board of Appeals on May 18 seeking permission to tear down the vacant and dilapidated house located at 6 Cedar Street. He said a new home would be constructed on the site once the 1955 structure was removed.

There was some discussion regarding lot coverage, as the standard set by the ZBA has historically been 25 percent and Bachant’s plans seemed to exceed that by 2 percent.

Neighbors voiced their delight at the possibility of having the long-forgotten structure removed.

“We can’t wait for the building to come down,” said Harbor Beach Association officer Ann Marie Anderson on behalf of the neighborhood.

Beach residents Betty and Bert Theriault said foxes had been living in the empty house, causing problems for the area.

“It’s in terrible disrepair,” said Theriault. “It would be a plus to the neighborhood if it’s torn down.”

Several other residents spoke in favor of the project, but voiced concerns about what would become of the “critters” living in the building.

Director of Inspectional Services Andy Bobola said the builder would have to exterminate the property prior to pulling it down, and that the Board of Health would certify that work had been completed.

Satisfying neighbors’ concerns that the animals wouldn’t scramble into their own homes, the ZBA approved the Special Permit. The new home will be a two-bedroom, two-story structure with an asphalt driveway.

Returning to the board was Robert Field of Field Engineering, representing DG Services, 23 County Road, with a request for a Special Permit to construct a 2,109 square-foot addition to an existing commercial structure. After meeting and achieving a compromise with abutter Dawson Real Estate, the project was approved.

Katherine Norcross, 77 Long Plain Road, received a Special Permit to construct an in-law apartment as an addition to her 1986 family home.

The Town of Mattapoisett Water and Sewer Department also received a Special Permit to renovate a well house at 121 Acushnet Road. The well house, once completed, will produce 400,000 gallons of drinking water per day, stated Superintendent Henri Renauld.

An application submitted by Katherine Home Improvement of Randolph for property located at 86 County Road was withdrawn with prejudice when the applicant failed to appear.

The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Zoning Board of Appeals will be held on June 15 at 6:00 pm in the town hall conference room, if there are hearings.

Mattapoisett Zoning Board of Appeals

By Marilou Newell

 

Marion Art Center Framing Workshop

As any artist or art aficionado knows, the purpose of custom framing is to find the best frame and matting design to enhance the elements of one’s artwork. On Wednesday, June 14 at 7:00 pm, the Marion Art Center will explore the framing process in a workshop/discussion offered in conjunction with Riverside Art’s Stephanie Stroud. Artists can learn to design and frame their work in a do-it-yourself format. Ms. Stroud will discuss selecting a frame style and design, matting options and cutting, archival mounting techniques, glass selection and cutting and frame options – ready made vs. custom, as well as fitting and finishing. This program is free and open to the public. As space is limited, please call 508-748-1266 or email marionartcenter@verizon.net to reserve your spot.