Sippican Woman’s Club

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Due to inclement weather, the Sippican Woman’s Club’s meeting scheduled for March 10 has been rescheduled for Friday, March 17. Dr. Robert Tremblay, a Marion retired veterinarian, has been invited to share tales of our beloved pets, feathered friends and perhaps some stories of pet owners as well. Dr. Tremblay built Marion Animal Hospital in 1972 and provided care for many local pets until 1999 when he sold his practice. After retirement, he had a home-based aviary where he nursed and nurtured injured birds of prey – falcons, owls, etc. In retirement, Dr. Tremblay enjoys wood carving song birds, trips to Vermont, and his grandchildren.

Our meeting will be held at 12:30 pm at our clubhouse, “Handy’s Tavern,” 152 Front Street, Marion where a finger food luncheon will be served, a business meeting held at 1:00 pm, followed by our program at 1:30 pm. Traditionally, our club meets on the second Friday of the month, September through March, with our annual meeting held on the last Friday in April, which this year is Friday, April 28. Our meetings are open to anyone who is interested. Most meetings are held at our clubhouse at 152 Front Street, Marion. Attendees are encouraged to park at Landing Wharf (across from The Music Hall). For Sippican Woman’s Club membership information, contact Jeanne Lake at 508-748-0619 or visit our website: www.sippicanwomansclub.org.

Students Travel for Spring Break

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After students departed from campus last Thursday to begin Spring Break, many students went their separate ways to go home, travel to far-reaching places, or tour colleges. For many athletes, actors, and students, the spring break offers a chance to explore their respective activities without the restraints of the typical school day routine.

Many spring sports teams traveled to warmer climates to take advantage of some extra time before the season begins. While none of the trips are required for members of the teams, many athletes find them to be a great way to develop skills and build relationships as a newcomer or refine them as a seasoned team member.

The most popular destination for the teams was Orlando, Florida. For the first week of Spring Break, the boys’ and girls’ lacrosse teams traveled to the ESPN Wide World of Sports, a giant athletic complex for pro and amateur athletes located in the Walt Disney World Resort.

Later in the break, the varsity baseball team and varsity golf team will also head down to Orlando to take in the warmer weather. For all the teams in Orlando, the proximity to other teams allows the chance to engage in friendly competition throughout the week. When not training or competing, students hang out around the resort or take advantage of the many rides and activities in the park.

In Clemson, South Carolina, the boys’ and girls’ rowing teams are taking advantage of expansive stretches of water in the warmer climate to prepare for the upcoming racing season. Recently, Clemson has become a hotbed for rowing spring training, with dozens of club, collegiate, and high school teams traveling to the area each week in the spring.

The varsity sailing team, a co-ed team, traveled to the island country of Bermuda this week for spring training. Being an island, Bermuda is well known for its nautical culture and is the destination of the popular Marion-Bermuda race, which will be held for the 40th time this June. Bermuda is home to varsity sailor Chase Cooper, as well as several other members of the Tabor community.

Last week, Tabor showcased the production Laramie Project, a play about the reaction to the 1998 murder of University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard in Laramie, Wyoming, who was murdered because he was gay. On Friday, March 10, the cast of the Laramie Project traveled to the United Kingdom to showcase their production to a European audience.

At the end of the trip, the cast will have traveled to major cities such as Dublin and London, and several other sightseeing stops along the way. The main stop of the trip, however, is Ellesmere College, an independent co-educational day and boarding school located near Ellesmere, in rural northern Shropshire, England.

This visit is part of a biannual exchange program that is over 20 years old. In the exchange, Tabor students will live on campus at Ellesmere and experience life at boarding school in England while showcasing Laramie Project. In mid-April, a group from Ellesmere College will travel to Tabor to do the same thing, experiencing life in American boarding schools and performing their own play for the Tabor community.

The farthest destination for a group of Seawolves is Beijing, China, where nine Tabor students are visiting RDFZ Xishan School for a one-week exchange with students at the school. The exchange is in its fourth year, and it allows students to live in homestays while experiencing a Chinese school known for its academic rigor and excellence and its interactive 21st century learning environment. In addition to the classes the students will take, they will be able to explore Chinese landmarks inside Beijing and the Great Wall of China.

Even when school is not in session, Tabor is well represented across the map and highly involved in communities in the region and around the world.

By Jack Gordon

 

Snow Day, Deadline Day

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Here I sit on Sunday digesting my egg and avocado on toast along with the news, including this latest forecast calling for another blizzard on Tuesday – Tuesday, AKA deadline day for us in the weekly newspaper business.

With the impending snow comes a winter storm warning whirlwind of uncertainty – how much snow will we get, do we have enough toilet paper and wine, will my Tuesday meetings be canceled leaving me short two stories, do we have enough wine, did I put the snow shovel back where it belongs, do we have enough wine, and can I endure another snow day and still be sane by bedtime?

Normally I’m ambivalent about snow days. On the one hand, with school canceled, there is no mad rush to get up another ten minutes late to throw together the same school lunch as every day, make sure the kid has his shirt on right, matching socks (on second thought, as long as he’s got two socks we’re good), a thorough tooth-brushing, and his hair isn’t sticking up all crazy in the back. Instead, I get to just lie there until the whimpering of the dogs gets to be too much. And that pleases me.

On the other hand, having said that, it doesn’t take long for reality to hit me like a snowball to the face.

It’s still going to be Tuesday, the biggest work-from-home day of my workweek. Now, add on shoveling the front steps, the driveway, a path for the dogs because, being Texans, they won’t go out unless I clear a loop for them in the back yard – and then there’s this: the boy. The boy will be home. All day. Stuck inside. On deadline day. Oh #@&*.

It’s now Tuesday, 10:00 am. Several deliberate doings to mitigate the madness have already been implemented. By 7:00 am, Diego’s bike (the ‘train’ in Diego’s train-centric imagination) is ready, the dogs are leashed (and muzzled where applicable), and the running shoes are tied. We’re on our way to “Mattapoisett Station” as Diego calls the end of the bike path, so Diego can burn off some steam and Mom can burn off some crazy before the work day begins. (All aboard the Autism Express!)

Not even half way down, it’s “abort mission” as the snow begins to fall and cakes immediately to our clothes, two powdered donuts rolling straight into the wind.

Next, it’s a box of candy and a 2,329th encore of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory to occupy another hour-and-a-half. A few pauses from work to bust out into song or recite the script of our favorite parts, and a few interruptions of hugs, kisses, and loving smiles later, we are brought up to 12:00 noon – time for Diego to start with his train crossing play, dinging on a glass with a chopstick for a little while.

My fingers freeze from typing during sporadic high-pitch train whistles, a sound only a pre-pubescent voice could pierce your ears with. He’s doing it right now. I pause again. Suddenly he’s done with the train. He’s onto playing the organ. I laugh and wonder if it’s too early to sample the snow day stockpile of wine. Ernest Hemingway did say once, “Write drunk, edit sober,” but I don’t think it applies to my occupation today.

It is then that I look up at the window, and it appears the snow has turned to rain. The ‘snow’ part of the snow day might be over, but I’m only halfway through my work and already another train is moving through the house. Now here’s another interruption of another kiss, another hug, another smile. Still more kisses, more hugs, more smiles.

My heart melts with the snow.

This snow day deadline day deal really isn’t turning out that bad. I wonder, by default, do I usually expect the worst in these given situations? And is that a fault of mine, or simply an indication that I accept the steady stream of imperfectness as it comes, as experience has demonstrated, because I know it will come and after we’ve passed it we’re all still okay. The newspaper will get done, Diego will have had a relaxing day in sweatpants, the snow will shovel itself so to speak after an afternoon of rain, and with enough wine stocked up to pour after this baby is put to bed as they say in the newspaper biz, I just might wind up sane when I put my own self to bed.

Isn’t life oftentimes just like this snowstorm? A blizzard barreling towards you and at the last minute bangs a left and all you get are a few flakes. The feeling of the Flu coming on and you only catch a light sneeze. A snow day turned rain day with a surplus of kisses and hugs, a meeting-free evening, and a ‘Snowmageddon’ stockpile of wine. That’s not irony. It’s called a blessing. And blessed be this imperfect life.

By Jean Perry

 

Thomas B. Hughes

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Thomas B. Hughes, 30 of Rochester died March 10, 2017 unexpectedly at home.
Born on Camp LeJeune, Jacksonville, NC the son of LtCol Paul D. Hughes USMC (ret) and Lisa A. (Corbitt) Hughes, he has lived in Rochester since 1998 and graduated from Old Rochester Regional High School in 2004 before attending UMASS Dartmouth.

After completing Infantry training at Fort Benning, Georgia, Thomas served two combat tours in support of Operation Enduring Freedom with the Massachusetts National Guard. His first tour, 2010 -11, was with Charlie Company 1st BN 181 Infantry, Forward Operating Base Chapman, Khost, Afghanistan, then from 2012-13, with the 182 Engineer (sapper) CO, Kandahar, Afghanistan performing route clearance. Thomas’ awards during deployment include Combat Action Badge, two Army Commendation Medals, Army Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal W/ three campaign stars, NATO Afghanistan Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon (2nd Award), Armed Forces Reserve Medal. Thomas was also the Honor Graduate from the PUMA unmanned areal vehicle course in Sarkari Karez, Afghanistan.

Survivors include his parents; a brother Sgt Jeffrey Hughes, Mass National Guard, of Rochester; a sister, Lindsay Tallman and her husband Alden of Rochester; his fiance, Jessica Stojak of Fairhaven, MA; his maternal grandparents, Elizabeth Corbitt of Marion, MA and Samuel Corbitt of Worcester, MA; his paternal grandmother, Anita Hughes of North Reading, MA; a niece, Braelyn Hughes; and 3 nephews, Gus Tallman, Jack Tallman and Elias Hughes.

His funeral services will be on Monday at 11:30 AM from the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Rout 6, Mattapoisett, followed by burial at the Massachusetts National Cemetary. Visiting hours Sunday from 2-6PM. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to The Fisher House Foundation @donate.fisherhouse.org For directions and guest book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Open Mic Night at the MAC

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Attention, local performers! The Marion Art Center (MAC) invites you to share your talent at its first Open Mic Night on Saturday, March 25, at 7:00 pm. Local vocalists, instrumentalists (acoustic only), poets, humorists, storytellers and more are invited to perform on the MAC stage in this relaxed, fun and family-friendly event. To help ensure we can share the spotlight with many different performances, each act will be given a five-minute time slot. Performers are encouraged to reserve a spot right away by emailing OpenMicMAC@gmail.com. Interest is expected to be high for this exciting inaugural event, so don’t delay! This general seating gathering is open to the public, and there is no admission cost for MAC members, though a small donation by non-members would be welcome. Snacks and non-alcoholic drinks will be available.

Elks Student of the Month

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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.

The Wareham Elks Student of the Month from Old Rochester Regional High School is Destyn Miranda. Destyn is currently a junior at ORRHS and has made tremendous strides over the last three years. Over the past year, Destyn has joined the football team and has worked tirelessly trying to improve himself in all aspects of his life. The past few years have been academically challenging for Destyn; however, now in his junior year, and despite all of his past struggles, he has made the Honor Roll for the last two terms of the school year. Destyn works very hard and pushes himself everyday while trying to maintain his good grades. He is determined to stay focused and organized and puts in time after-school at least twice per week. He is a respectful, considerate and kind young man whose positive attitude has set an excellent example for his fellow students. Destyn is a true example of how hard work and perseverance can make a difference.

Invitation to Mattapoisett Seniors

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All Mattapoisett Seniors and paid members of the Friends of the Mattapoisett Council on Aging are invited to the Annual Saint Patrick’s Day Luncheon to be held on Thursday, March 16, at 12:00 noon at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 57 Fairhaven Road (US 6). Come enjoy a traditional corned beef meal catered by Matt’s Blackboard and lively Irish music provided by Rick LeBlanc. Door prize tickets are given upon arrival. Seating is limited, so don’t delay. Call the Senior Center to sign up; transportation is available if requested in advance.

ORR Annual Hoops Classic

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The Old Rochester Regional Athletic Hall of Fame (ORRAHOF) is having its “Annual Hoops Classic” basketball games on March 24 at the ORR Gymnasium.

The annual event features returning ORR basketball alumni ladies and gentlemen to play games versus current all-star student players from ORR sports.

The ladies game begins at 6:30 pm with the men’s game to follow at 7:30 pm. All proceeds go to the annual ORRAHOF induction banquet event to be held on June 24.

Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students sold at the door.

For more info, please contact Dena Xifaras at dxifaras@poah.org or 617-834-9378.

Is Snows Pond Affected By Dewatering?

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It was standing room only at the Rochester Council on Aging when the March 7 meeting of the Rochester Conservation Commission got underway.

Drawing people out on a dark and dismal late winter’s night was the fate of Snows Pond that many believe is suffering a negative impact from construction activities at the adjacent property owned by Decas Cranberry Company.

Returning to face the commission’s questions as well as those from a large group of concerned citizens were Brian Grady of G.A.F. Engineering and Scott Hannula, project manager for Decas.

During the February 7 public hearing, the commission discussed with Grady and Hannula a Cease and Desist order issued by them due to the over-excavation of a tailwater pond the cranberry grower was creating.

The 23-acre site was to have been excavated to 30 feet; however, upon investigation by Conservation Agent Laurell Farinon, it was determined to have exceeded that elevation by 8 feet.

At that February meeting, Hannula was instructed to keep dewatering pumps turned on until pond bottom elevations could be confirmed. The pumping has subsequently been viewed as allegedly draining Snows Pond by several other town boards and by residents.

Although Grady and Hannula were prepared to discuss corrective measures that would ultimately allow Decas to turn the pumps off, a procedural irregularity had to be sorted out.

Farinon said abutter notifications had been sent out by G.A.F. using first class mail rather than certified mail and, upon advice of town counsel, the public hearing to amend the existing Order of Conditions could not be opened.

Town Counsel Blair Bailey advised the commissioners that they could discuss the Cease and Desist order giving the residents who had turned out to hear whether or not Snows Pond was being diminished by the dewatering activities a chance to also voice their concerns.

That being said, Chairman Michael Conway asked Grady to make his presentation.

Grady detailed pond water levels, ground water levels, and the amount of soil removed for the tailwater pond. After 15 minutes of describing the current conditions at the site and the surrounding ponds, he concluded that Snows Pond was affected, not by dewatering of the Decas pond but by severe drought conditions, seeming to debunk a notion that somehow the pumps were drawing fresh water from a deep vein.

Grady then explained plans for returning soils to the pond by “bulldozing” piles of excavated material back into the hole.

Soil Board Chairman Gary Florindo rose to speak. Walking to the front of the assembled, standing beside a map of the site, he began, “What happened at this earth removal site is anyone’s guess. When Laurell told me I said, ‘Put it to grade.’”

“This is a very high profile project,” Florindo said. “I don’t want anybody here to think we haven’t been in contact,” he continued. He expressed disbelief that the plans were not followed but that now, “…Monitor how to fix it – Snows Pond is being pumped.”

“If you create a void at one point, it’s going to draw water,” Florindo said. “I’m not green to this; I know water travels under ground.”

Florindo stated the case that new material should not be brought into the site and that existing stored soils on site are what should be used to bring the tailwater pond up to planned elevations.

“Fix the problem on your site,” demanded Florindo. “The sooner you correct this, we can plug up the leak,” he told Grady.

Florindo said that Hannula was an “honorable person” and simply wanted him to fix the problem. Florindo received a round of applause.

Herring Inspector David Watling said, “I agree with Gary,” adding, “Don’t bring the water over from Long Pond till November.” The uplands fresh water ponds of the Mattapoisett River Valley serve as spawning areas for river herring between March and November.

Fred Underhill, water commissioner and member of the Mattapoisett River Valley Water Supply Protection Committee, read from a prepared letter to the commission that also asked for the site to be repaired, noting that the fresh water supply was stressed by the dewatering activities.

Farinon thanked the residents, saying she believed the town needed the services of a hydro-geologist to ascertain what is truly going on.

Farinon asked the commission to request a $10,000 check from Decas to hire the peer review consultant. Hannula said he would call immediately to pass along the request.

The public hearing was continued until March 21.

In other business, Peter Frey received a Negative determination for his Request for Determination of Applicability application to construct an access driveway within an easement near Snipatuit Pond.

The Town of Rochester received a Negative determination to construct batting cages at Babe Ruth field.

Gary Mills received a Certificate of Compliance and an Order of Conditions for a subdivision planned near Hartley Mill Pond off Hartley Road.

The next meeting of the Rochester Conservation Commission is scheduled for March 21 at 7:00 pm, location to be announced.

By Marilou Newell

 

Robert “Bob” McCarter

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Robert “Bob” McCarter of Mattapoisett, MA, a World War II veteran, retired banker, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather passed away on March 7, 2017, at 91 years old.

Born on July 6, 1925, in Hartford, Connecticut, to parents James and Marion (Arnold) McCarter. After graduating from William Hall High School in West Hartford, CT in 1943, Bob joined the U.S. Navy, becoming part of “The Greatest Generation”. He served on the carrier USS Suwannee, participating in various naval campaigns in the Pacific including battles at Okinawa and Borneo. He would often be seen wearing a USS Suwannee cap. At the family home in Mattapoisett he proudly flew an oversize American flag for all to enjoy. A true patriot, saluting all those that served.

After his discharge from the Navy in 1946, Bob returned to Connecticut and began his lifelong banking career. He started as a bank teller at the Hartford Trust Co. in 1946. In 1948 he joined the Middletown Savings Bank, Middletown, CT. where he rose to the position of Treasurer. In 1962 Bob accepted an offer to become President and Chief Executive Officer of the Amherst Savings Bank, Amherst MA., making him the youngest bank president in Massachusetts at that time. In 1976 Bob accepted the position of Chairman, President and CEO of the New Bedford Institution For Savings, New Bedford MA. He served in that capacity until 1995 when he retired.

Bob graduated from the Graduate School of Savings Banking at Brown University. He subsequently became a faculty member and taught for many years. He was very active in National and State Banking Associations and was a frequent speaker at many industry meetings, seminars, conferences and banking schools. He served as Chairman of the National Association of Mutual Savings Banks and Chairman of the Massachusetts Savings Bankers Association. Throughout his banking career Bob was the consummate community banker, involved with a multitude of community and civic organizations and endeavors to support and give back to the communities in which he lived and worked. He served as Chairman and a Director of the New Bedford Whaling Museum, Wamsutta Club and Zeiterion Theatre. He initiated the New Bedford Community Christmas Sing-Along with his friend Conductor Mitch Miller. Bob was a Shriner and member of the Masonic Temple

Bob’s life partner was his wife, Jacquelyn (Jansen) McCarter, who preceded him in death by 5 months, 2 days. Jackie was the love of his life for over 70 years. They married in 1946, settled in Middletown, CT., eventually moving to Amherst MA., and finally Mattapoisett MA. Bob was a certified private pilot and enjoyed flying with friends during his time in Amherst. He and wife Jackie traveled extensively, traveling around the world visiting many countries over the years. They particularly enjoyed visiting Ireland, his father’s homeland, and exploring his Irish heritage. In retirement Bob became an enthusiastic business owner of a Cape Cod gift shop, the Golden Gazebo, in Barnstable. He enjoyed working and kept busy with his gift shop as a primary hobby.
A wholehearted father, Bob is survived by his sons, Barry and his wife Kathy, Alan, Rob and his wife Jill, and daughter Shanna; as well as granddaughters Christiana and Jenna and great-granddaughter Hadassah and several nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his wife, brother Kenneth, sisters Janet Kellner, Marion Jones, and Doris Wilke. He devoted himself to providing for his family who have fond memories of his wonderful sense of humor. He loved to tell stories and always had a story or joke to tell. Bob loved a party and to make people laugh. He enjoyed using his woodworking skills acquired from his father. He leaves a legacy of pride and love for himself, his country and, most important, his family.

Visiting hours will be at Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Route 6, Mattapoisett, MA on Thursday, March 16, 2017 from 4:00 – 7:00 PM. A Committal service will be held on Friday, March 17th at 11:15 AM at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne. In lieu of flowers please consider memorial donations to the Shriners Hospital for Children. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.