Octopurr Fest

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Come celebrate with It’s All About the Animals at the fourth annual Octopurr Fest! This family-friendly fundraiser & festival will be held rain or shine on October 14from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, with winners announced starting at 3:00 pm. The event will take place at 103 Marion Road, Rochester, Massachusetts. There will be 25+ vendors with crafts, jewelry, homemade gifts, fashions for your fur babies, and much more. There will be a huge raffle table with valuable prizes to win, many silent auction items, a Tom Cat Ball Drop raffle with a prize of $500, face painting for the kids, music for all, and tours of our shelter. Enjoy lunch at the festival and freshly baked desserts from our bake sale table. Admission and parking are free! Well-behaved, leashed animals are welcome. 100% of all proceeds directly benefit the shelter!

One of our favorite silent auction items this year is a pair of Patriots tickets for the Patriots vs. Vikings game on Sunday, December 2nd! The tickets are for section 141, row 18, seats 6 & 7. We also have an engagement shoot or a pet (dog) session (winner’s choice) with D.A. Neitz Photography, valued at $750. These are just two of the many items generously donated by our sponsors and area businesses that will be available to win at Octopurr Fest. Come early and bid often!

It’s All About the Animals, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, no-kill, all-volunteer, cage-free animal shelter located at 103 Marion Road, Rochester, MA. For more information, please visit our Facebook page @itsallabouttheanimalsinc, or our website www.itsallabouttheanimals.org. We hope to see you at Octopurr Fest!

Academic Achievements

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Shawn Arruda of Acushnet has been recognized for achieving academic distinction at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Arruda, majoring in exercise physiology, was named to the dean’s list at UMass Lowell for the spring 2018 semester. To qualify for the dean’s list at UMass Lowell, a student must have completed no fewer than 12 graded credits for the semester and earned at least a 3.25 grade-point average with no grade lower than C and without any incompletes.

Patrick James Spencer

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Patrick James Spencer was a man with a giant heart, who loved his family unconditionally. Growing up in Lexington, Massachusetts, he was an avid sports player and fan, and a long-time fixture of the Hayden Recreation Centre, working as a camp counselor and a basketball coach for a boy’s travel team in the late 1970s and early 1980s.    A man with great wit, Patrick found humor in even the smallest of life’s details and had a way of putting into words the thought everyone was thinking in a kind, humorous, and concise way. He loved watching and keeping score of March Madness basketball, cheering on Notre Dame football, Providence College basketball, and the New England Patriots. He loved rototilling in his garden and canning his homemade tomato sauce. He loved a good mystery audiobook or classic radio show to listen on his drive to work (and he loved solving the mystery before the characters in the story would). He was a huge music lover, particularly of one-hit wonders and easy listening music. But, above all, he loved his wife and children.

A 1981 graduate of Bentley College (now Bentley University), Patrick worked as an accountant for Minuteman Regional High School, where he met his wife, Denise. He was currently working as the School Business Administrator at Old Rochester Regional School District.

Patrick passed away on October 1, 2018, at the age of 59. Patrick was the beloved husband of Denise (Bramanti). He was the loving and proud father of Theresa of Billerica, Anthony of Pelham, NH and Phillip of Billerica. Son of the late Robert and Helenann Spencer. Brother of Matthew of Stratham, NH, Brian & his wife Robin of Lexington and Michael & his wife Janet of Duxbury. Son-in-law of Lucy & the late Joseph Bramanti of Burlington. Brother-in-law of the Bramantis; Peter & Peggy, Jay & Jeanne, Robert & Linda, Chris & Gretchen. Patrick is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Funeral from the Edward V Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., Burlington (Exit 34 off Rt. 128/95 Woburn side) on Saturday, Oct 6 at 9 am Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington, at 10 am. Burial to follow in Westview Cemetery, Lexington. Visiting hours at the Funeral Home on Friday, Oct. 5 from 4-8 pm. Memorials in Patrick’s name may be made to the Patrick Spencer Memorial Fund, c/o Northern Bank & Trust, 13 Center St., Burlington, MA 01803 or Alzheimer’s Association, MA Chapter, 36 Cameron Ave., Cambridge, MA 02140 www.alzmass.org For directions & online guestbook see www.sullivanfuneralhome.net & www.stmargaretburlington.org

Mattapoisett Man Takes Tuna Fishing to TV

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A small boy sits in his boat while overhead the clear blue sky is filled with sun and soft clouds cast shadows across the surface of the pond. The child begins to imagine a life at sea: a life filled with days of fresh air, sunshine, and the thrill of the catch. He’ll dream of bigger boats and massive seas, and a much larger catch. His dreams will become his passion and his passion will become his life’s work.

As Mattapoisett’s Tyler Macallister tells it, “My grandfather Herbert Sunderman introduced me to fishing. He lived on Wequaquet Lake in Centerville. I started fishing a lot at a very young age with him on a small boat my grandparents had gotten for me.”

By the time he was 12 years old, Macallister would be well on his way to becoming a commercial fisherman.

“I started commercial fishing on a limited basis at twelve and commercial tuna fishing at seventeen,” he said.

Today, Macallister has created for himself and his family a lifestyle that allows him to hunt for tuna deep in the Atlantic Ocean, while also providing consultant services to the telecommunications and solar industries.

“I’ve built my life to function well around commercial tuna fishing,” he explained. The sound of his voice resonates with a sense of being very satisfied with his life choices, especially fishing. Macallister has also been a Mattapoisett Selectman since 2011and a commission member on the Conservation Commission from 2005 to 2011.

But his first love is clearly fishing.

The fishing vessel Cynthia C., named after his wife, sails from Sandwich Harbor, a historic port for both shore and offshore fishing.

“I bought my first commercial tuna boat in 2002,” Macallister said. “I started building the F/V Cynthia C. in 2001 and launched her in 2009. Bought F/V Cynthia C. 2 in 2016.”

Macallister has also known a bit of fame from tuna fishing. He has been featured on The Outdoor Channel on Trev Gowdy’s Monster Fish, New England Fishing, On The Water Television, Boston Magazine, Cape Cod Life, and various fishing blogs. And, oh yes, he was recently videotaped for the Discovery Channel’s Local Knowledge series.

While filming for the Discovery Channel, Macallister said the weather was terrible. “We saw one great white shark, which always makes good television, but only one bunch of fish.” And by 6:00 pm on the last day of filming, after sending the spotter plane home due to bad (atmospheric) light conditions, “and with no fish in the cockpit,” said Macallister, they suddenly spotted fish jumping in the water.

“We got very lucky,” Macallister said. “The fish came up, swam close to the surface, and we were able to catch two 500-pound tuna in about ten minutes, pretty much going from zero to hero.

“The show really captured the frustration and subsequent exhilaration of catching fish at the last minute,” he recalled.

Macallister said that back in the mid-1980s there was a great deal of pressure on tuna. But he said that fisherman, along with regulatory agencies, “made a lot of good decisions” that allowed the fish stock to rebound. However, tuna populations remained low through the early 2000s, driving up prices. Today the opposite is true.

“People often ask me about tuna prices. It varies between $6 and $8 a pound,” Macallister shared. “The fish have recovered in great numbers and fish farming allows tuna to be an on-demand commodity.” Abundance has driven down prices, while demand for the fish has remained high.

Putting the business side of fishing in the stern for a moment, the thrill of fishing is a powerful force. While out at sea, all other thoughts are blown away as the vessel advances on a school of tuna. Concentration is paramount so that safety is ensured.

“It’s not dangerous if you know what you’re doing,” Macallister said.

In the spring, when the tuna are traveling closer to the surface, Macallister uses a spotter pilot to give him the coordinates, allowing him to hone in on the fish.

“We harpoon fish in the spring,” Macallister explained.

Later on in the season when the fish are fattening up for their migration south, they travel deeper into the water column.

“That’s when we use rods and reels,” he said.

The biggest tuna Macallister ever hauled in weighed 1,150 pounds.

“They are big fish,” he said.

To find the tuna during the fishing season, which runs from June through October, professional fishermen must travel up to 70 miles out to sea. But Macallister also enjoys fishing closer to shore, especially if it includes young people. Macallister takes groups on fishing trips out of Mattapoisett Harbor in the spring, traveling about three miles out into Buzzards Bay.

“We go for sea bass, fluke, scup; it’s a lot of fun,” said Macallister. “They get a lot of action.” The beaming faces of the children tell him just how much he is influencing their young lives. “I really like taking the kids fishing.”

As a man whose outdoor interests are deeply ingrained, Macallister sees a need to engage our youths.

“We need more recruitment in the outdoors,” he said. “We need to get kids and young adults interested in fishing. If we don’t, fees collected by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, fees that help to support conservation efforts, will dry up.” He added, “Sportsmen support the majority of the conservation efforts in the US.”

As a professional tuna fisherman who has experienced the thrill and the challenges this type of hunting can bring, Macallister laughs at reality TV shows such as Wicked Tuna.

“Don’t believe it,” said Macallister. “That’s entertainment.”

The real tuna fishing is, no doubt, much more exciting.

By Marilou Newell

Show Me the Hardship

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Although Mark Pepin of 44 Bennett Road was granted a Variance to build an addition to his house and a new garage fewer than 40 feet from the side setback, it wasn’t without some criticism from the board and a Conservation Commission member who showed up to urge against the garage.

Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals Chairman Richard Cutler started out on September 27 by telling Pepin, “Your site plan is a little bit lacking.” He pointed out that an existing shed on Pepin’s property was not marked on the plan, “of course…” said Cutler pessimistically.

Cutler asked Pepin the purpose for the addition, which, in addition to adding a garage, is to extend the kitchen and add a new laundry room with a bathroom. Cutler also wanted to be sure the stairs in the garage would not lead to some habitable space.

“Would you consider getting a smaller car so you don’t need such a big garage?” Cutler said to Pepin, who modestly replied that he and his family own three cars and a lot of tools needing storage.

“Anything else we need to know?” Cutler asked.

Pepin said he initially considered a different location for the garage, “Which would have worked out, but there was more room on this side,” said Pepin pointing to the plan. “We had to encroach too much on that side.” Pepin pointed out the location of a leeching pit where the garage could not be built.

Cutler said he would “point out the obvious” to the board, saying that Pepin’s house is within an older subdivision with smaller lots.

Conservation Commission Chairman Michael Conway asked the ZBA whether Pepin could show any significant hardship, one of the requirements for a variance.

“I have not heard of any hardship shown,” Conway said.

“Well, he alluded to the hardship,” said Cutler. “The hardship is he’s really showing here where the septic system is located, so you can’t really put the garage towards the back – of course, he could make it smaller.”

“Or,” said Conway, “you could take the position the garage, in and of itself, is not necessary… [and] you don’t have to put an addition on it.”

“That’s true,” Cutler said. “We could.”

“I’m looking, basically, how close to the property line he’s going,” Conway said. “From that standpoint, I really have no objections. … But I do want him to show significant hardship because that’s what the bylaw calls for.”

“Ya,” said Cutler. “Unfortunately, most people that come before the ZBA … are supposed to be demonstrating the hardship, so we have to pull it out of them.”

According to Pepin, in order to build the addition in another spot, he would have to clear-cut an undisturbed forested area of mature trees.

“Shape of lot hardship is acceptable,” said Cutler. “Whether that’s considered a hardship or not, that’s up for the board to decide.”

One ZBA member said he thinks, although a garage is not essential, property owners should have a right to a garage.

ZBA member David Arancio said, given the conditions of the subdivision, “Clear-cutting existing tress would not be to the neighborhood’s benefit,” another requirement of a variance.

The variance was granted, but Pepin cannot come closer than 25 feet to the setback, the garage cannot be used for living space, and no commercial activity is allowed.

In other matters, via a letter from his attorney, Jack Goyette of Snow’s Pond Road withdrew his application without prejudice, so abutters have no need to appear for the October 11 public hearing that was advertised.

The next meeting of the Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals is scheduled for October 11 at 7:15 pm at the Rochester Town Hall.

Rochester Zoning Board of Appeals

By Jean Perry

Early Voting in Mattapoisett

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The Town of Mattapoisett will be offering Early Voting for the November 6, 2018 Election. Early Voting will be held at the Mattapoisett Town Hall, 16 Main Street, Mattapoisett from Monday, October 22 to Friday, November 2, 2018 from 8:00 am until 4:00 pm. Additionally, the Town Clerk’s Office will be open until 7:00 pm on Tuesday evenings October 23 & October 30 and from 11:00 am until 3:00 pm on Saturday, October 27, 2018. If you have any questions regarding Early Voting, please call the Town Clerk’s Office at 508-758-4100 x 2 or email the Town Clerk, Catherine L. Heuberger at townclerk@mattapoisett.net.

Sirens to Sound on Veterans Day

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On the eleventh day of the eleventh month on the eleventh hour, sirens and church bells will be sounding throughout the Town of Marion.

This Veterans Day, November 11, marks the 100thanniversary of the end of World War I – “The war to end all wars,” Veterans Day Committee member Joe Napoli reminded the Marion Board of Selectmen on October 2.

“I suggest,” said Napoli, “in commemoration of that event that we, the Towns, allow [the police and fire departments] to sound whatever horns and sirens that they have if they’re not engaged in their official duties.”

Napoli, along with fellow Veterans Day Committee member Donna Hemphill, will also approach the churches in Marion to ring their church bells at 11:00 that morning. Napoli also said he would ask police and fire to place cruisers and trucks in various locations across town so the sirens will be heard throughout.

“You have our blessing to proceed,” said Board of Selectmen Chairman Norm Hills.

Marion’s Veterans Day observation will happen on Sunday, November 11, at 11:00 am at Sippican School in the multipurpose room, “and just continue the traditions that the VFW has always done,” added Hemphill.

Also during the meeting, the board approved a Bond Anticipatory Note (BAN) totaling $8,015,000, which includes $5,620,000 that was already borrowed in 2010. Another $2,395,000 was added to this BAN to combine them all and refinance the prior BAN, and through refinancing will save the town $368,800 in interest.

In other matters, before a quick meeting with three Marion School Committee members, the selectmen acknowledged the sudden and unexpected passing of School Business Administrator Patrick Spencer.

“It’s a huge loss for all of us,” said Marion School Committee Chairman Christine Marcolini.

The board then appointed James Bride to the Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School Committee.

The board also appointed Theresa Cederholm to the Marion Cultural Council.

A water/sewer abatement request for 428 Front Street was tabled at the last meeting until today in order to investigate why the sewer superintendent and acting Department of Public Works superintendent had opposing recommendations. After a lengthy debate, the selectmen approved the abatement request.

After, the board continued its discussion with Jon Henry from the DPW and Fire Chief Brian Jackvony about water main pressure for fire suppression in private neighborhoods.

The next meeting of the Marion Board of Selectmen is scheduled for October 16 at 7:00 pm at the Marion Town House.

Marion Board of Selectmen

By Jean Perry

A Closer Look at ORR’s Library Commons

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Upon entering through the front doors of Old Rochester Regional High School, there lies what appears to be an average library for the average high school. But to the students and staff, the Library Commons is so much more.

            Allison Barker, the school’s librarian, has been in that position for three years, and during this time she has transformed the library to the Library Commons. The year before Ms. Barker took over as librarian, there was a leak in the roof and the library was flooded. Bookshelves were wrecked, and a lot of books were damaged beyond repair.

            In light of this destruction, Ms. Barker made some changes to the room. Instead of new bookshelves, she added tables, comfy chairs, plants, decorations, and various different creative corners that really enforce the ideas of community and comfort.

            “It was always a goal of the previous librarian to have a ‘learning commons,’” said Barker. “With the commons ideology, you have open spaces that can easily be changed and there is lots of room for collaboration with students and staff members.”

            One thing Barker is known for is her helpful and bright personality. Because of this, you can often find her doing some sort of presentation to a class or working together with teachers to enhance their lessons. Although she mainly works with the English and history departments, she is hopeful that in the near future she will find a way to relate her skills to the math and science departments.

            Many students believe the library to be, not only a great hangout spot, but a safe place where they feel welcome and comfortable. The commons is very LGBTQ positive, and Barker is even the head of the Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) as of last year. She also runs the Poetry Club, which started last year.

            “A big part of the library, for me, is making sure that it’s a safe open space for everyone in our community,” said Barker.

            To assist in the effort to create a safe space and to help in general, there are five library assistants. Their job is to put up decorations, arrange book displays, re-label books, barcode books, find books for students, and so much more.

            One of the assistants, Nova Flynn, came up with a new system to identify Barker’s ‘little helpers.’ Each assistant has a lanyard with their name and the word “Library Assistant” written on the top.

            “Everybody seems to really like them,” said Flynn. “I think it definitely helps people out because they know who to look for instead of bothering Ms. Barker.”

            Now, if only the library could acquire more books.

            “Our budget hasn’t been increased in the three years I’ve been here. While it’s remained the same, we’ve actually had to purchase more databases because funding was cut to the state,” said Barker. “While the price of databases has increased, our budget has not. The books have suffered because of that, as a majority of the budget for our books is not going to our books anymore, and is being devoted to other essential needs that we have.

            “A rough estimate is around 7,000 books in this library, compared to other high schools who have 20,000,” Barker added. “We are considered a very, very small library.”

            For Barker, the most important thing about a library is the people.

            “In the library world you are called my ‘patrons,’ but you are my students, my staff, my community,” said Barker. “They are the most important thing to the library, because without people there would be no library. The library commons is a location where everyone can meet and come together. Because that’s what really matters.”

            Although many don’t go to the library to read, it is a great place to study and do homework or projects, and Barker is always willing to help a student out to the best of her abilities.

            “It’s a good place to go during study to do homework, but also to talk to friends,” commented Library Assistant Felicia Aguiar. “I don’t think a lot of them take out books, but they do sit and do homework.”

            Most students believe the appeal of the library comes from the librarian herself, and the way she just cheers them up.

            Flynn described Barker as someone with a “happy demeanor,” which is one of the reasons why Flynn enjoys her time in the library.

            “If you’re having a bad day and you walk into the library, Ms. Barker just makes your day a lot better,” Flynn said. “She’s a very happy and friendly person.”

ORR Update

By Grace Mastroianni

Old Colony Highlanders Pipe Band

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Old Colony Highlanders Pipe Band (OCH) recently traveled to Loon Mountain in Lincoln, New Hampshire to compete in the New England Championships pipe band competition. Old Colony Highlanders came in second place overall in the championships in a field of fifteen bands. This was no small feat considering that this is the band’s first year of competing.

Old Colony Highlanders, which practices locally in Lakeville, was founded just two years ago by a Middleboro family of experienced bagpipers and drummers, and a group of their students. OCH spent the first year honing their skills and marching in local parades and performing in local events like the season opener for the New England Revolution.

Over the course of 2018, the band continued to perform in local events and also entered the regional competition arena with a total of five competitions that were sanctioned by the Eastern United States Pipe Band Association. In the band’s first competition in June at the Rhode Island Scottish Festival, Old Colony Highlanders came in first place against eight other bands. Competitions followed in New York, Western Massachusetts, and finally at Loon Mountain this past week end.

The New Hampshire Highland Games was the band’s final competition of the year, resulting in a year end compilation of second place overall in the eastern United States among one hundred registered bands – an impressive accomplishment for any band – let alone one in their first year of competing.

On October 11, the band will be conducting an Open House at the Lakeville United Church of Christ at 7:30 pm, free of charge, in order to introduce the band to the community and to meet anyone who may be interested in joining the band and taking lessons on the drums or bagpipes. The band offers lessons locally.

Members will perform briefly and will be available after to meet with people and show how the instruments are played. Feel free to look the band up on Facebook or www.OldColonyhighlanders.org or call Pipe Major Diane Wood-Bielski at 508-947-4383 for more information.

You Have Questions? We Have Answers!

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Did Christopher Columbus really discover America? Nope! The celebrated CC never set foot on North America. Will the Red Sox win the opening round of the MLB play-offs? For sure! Will Tom Brady shrug-off his old age woes and lead the Patriots to a win this Sunday? We hope so.

But most importantly, will the Open Table crew serve a meal on Friday, October 12? Yes! Two or three ‘new’ volunteers have stepped-up, enabling the Mattapoisett Congregational Church to offer a delicious, nutritious meal to our friends and neighbors in the tri-town area. There is no charge; however, donations are gratefully accepted. Our next dinner is set for Friday, October 12. Doors open at 4:30 pm and supper will be served at 5:00 pm. Invite a neighbor, friend, or family member. We look forward to seeing you!