George B. Mock, Jr.

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George B. Mock, Jr. died September 4, 2017 following a stroke. He was 87. A native of Albany, Georgia, he had resided in Mattapoisett since 1965.

Before coming to the New Bedford area, he worked in the international petroleum industry with Esso Standard, Standard-Vacuum Oil, and Arthur D. Little, Inc. A graduate of Georgia Tech and Harvard Business School, he joined William F. Nye, Inc. (now Nye Lubricants, Inc.) in 1963 as Technical Director. Later he would become President, Treasurer, and Chairman of the Board.

He spent two years from 1954 to 1956 in the U.S. Army Chemical Corps, including six months in the South Pacific for Operation Redwing.

Mr. Mock’s community involvement included 20 years as a trustee of Tobey Hospital in Wareham and the successor Southcoast Health System. He served as a director of the Buzzards Bay Coalition and as treasurer of the Association of Field Ornithologists. He was on the board of directors of the Inter-Church Council, serving as its treasurer for six years. He was a communicant of St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church in Marion and served on its Vestry.
He is survived by his wife, Elise; two sons, George B. Mock III (Caroline) of Mattapoisett and Frederic C. Mock (Cindy) of Marion; five grandchildren, Anne Mock of New York City, James Mock of San Francisco; Phoebe, Tessa, and Gwyneth Mock of Marion; two sisters, Anita Hudgens of Leesburg, GA and Marianne Wallace of Sarasota, FL; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his brothers, James Donald Mock and Thomas Whaley Mock, both of Albany, GA.

His Memorial Service will be held on Saturday September 9, 2017 at 11 AM at St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church, 124 Front St., Marion. Visiting hours are omitted. Contributions in his memory may be made to St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 545, Marion, MA 02738. Arrangements are by the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Mattapoisett. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Toast of the Coast Food & Wine Tasting

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The Gleason Family YMCA in Wareham is hosting its annual Food & Wine Tasting, Toast of the Coast, on Friday, September 29 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. This popular fundraising event is held at the historic Marion Music Hall on Front Street in Marion and will feature a silent auction of a variety of items, a live auction of goods and services by Gomes Bay Auctions, wine and beer offerings from Sullivan Wine & Spirits of Wareham, and a selection of food items from local restaurants and caterers. The popular “Y Mystery Bags” are back where for $20 you can choose a random bag and receive an item valued at least $25. Items include restaurant gift certificates, movie passes, gifts cards and more. This is a great opportunity to show your support for an organization that helps people reach their potential and brings the community together.

Tickets are $50 per person and can be purchased at the Welcome Center Desk, online at ymcasouthcoast.org, or at the door the night of the event. Proceeds from this night benefit the Gleason Family YMCA Annual Campaign, which provides financial assistance to those who otherwise cannot afford the YMCA experience one their own.

The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. With six branch sites serving more than 37,000 people, YMCA SOUTHCOAST has been working to meet the needs of our community for over 150 years. The Y engages people of all ages – regardless of income or background – to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. Everyone is welcome at the Y and financial assistance is available. For more information about YMCA SOUTHCOAST or to donate, visit one of the branches in Dartmouth, Fall River, Mattapoisett, New Bedford, Swansea and Wareham or online at ymcasouthcoast.org.

BBC Training Ride

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On October 1, hundreds of cyclists will tour through Southeastern New England, including Fairhaven, Mattapoisett and Rochester, to raise money for clean water during the Buzzards Bay Coalition’s 11th annual Buzzards Bay Watershed Ride. If you’re interested in learning more about the Watershed Ride and would like to meet other local cyclists, join the Coalition and the Fairhaven Bikeway Committee on a free 30-mile group training ride on Sunday, September 10 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm.

During this training ride, which will begin at Fort Phoenix State Reservation (Green Street, Fairhaven) at 9:00 am, the Coalition will give a brief overview of the Watershed Ride and answer questions from riders. Then long-time Watershed Ride participant and Fairhaven Bikeway Committee Member Geoff Sullivan will lead the 30-mile round-trip ride to Eastover Farm in Rochester and back.

This training ride is open to anyone registered for the Buzzards Bay Watershed Ride or anyone who would like to learn more about the event. Friends and family welcome. All participants are required to wear a helmet and sign a waiver, which will be distributed at the start of the program.

Pre-registration is requested for this training ride. To learn more and sign up, visit www.savebuzzardsbay.org/events/buzzards-bay-watershed-ride-fairhaven-training-ride-sep-10-2017/.

To learn more about the Buzzards Bay Watershed Ride and register to ride on October 1, visit www.savebuzzardsbay.org/ride or contact the Coalition at 508-999-6363 ext. 207.

AmbassadORs Lead Freshman Orientation

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Last Friday, Old Rochester Regional High School held its new student orientation for incoming freshmen, transfer students, and their parents. Forty-seven AmbassadORs were present, along with several members of the staff, to help acclimate the new students to their surroundings.

The event started off with a welcome from Principal Mike Devoll, who briefly introduced students to important members of the staff. Vice Principal Mike Parker, Nurse Kim Corazzini, Athletic Director Bill Tilden, and Freshman Advisor Lindsay Tallman all greeted the assembled students and explained their roles.

The new students were then escorted by AmbassadORs to their homerooms, which are arranged alphabetically by last name. For about 30 minutes, the upperclassmen explained the basic workings of the normal school day. Students received their schedules, complete with the addition of the “Bulldog Block,” a new school-wide flex period when clubs and class meetings will now have a chance to run.

This time was also used to explain some of the more unique and alien aspects of the ORRHS schedule. For instance, even-numbered academic days have a “frozen block,” where one class period never changes in the rotation. Each academic day has four class periods and a Bulldog Block, and a student’s third class will dictate which of the two lunches they go to.

“It did help, mainly with figuring out when to go to the right lunches,” freshman Spencer Perez-Dormitzer said.

New students were also able to open their lockers for the first time before they were led on a tour of the school. AmbassadORs pointed out classrooms on students’ schedules and answered any questions.

“The students were cooperative and there weren’t any problems with figuring out schedules. Taking the students for tours really helped cement their schedule in their minds,” commented senior AmbassadOR Lindsey Merolla.

“After figuring out their new schedules, lockers, and how their school days will be running, their nerves began to ease,” added Erin Burke, another senior AmbassadOR. “Many of them are planning to be involved in sports teams, clubs, and organizations in the school, which will make for a smooth transition into our high school community.”

Some of the main discussion topics touched upon in the parent information session held while the new students were gaining a feel for the school included class fundraising, one- and two-hour delayed starts, absences and ways to contact the school.

In relation to sports, Tilden spoke on the seriousness of concussions and ways the school and the students individually need to self-report possible injuries. Although it was covered at an earlier Athletic Information Meeting, parents were also told that all student athletes would be required to take the Baseline Test, which gauges possible concussions.

“Orientation helped because it gave me an idea of the people I will need to communicate with over the next four years. I have a better understanding of who’s in the administration, procedures for absences, and how high school schedules work,” said Marissa Perez-Dormitzer. “This is important because this is my first child in the high school.”

“I think freshman orientation went very smoothly,” Burke summarized. “We had many freshman and new students who were eager to be welcomed into the high school, and Old Rochester set them up perfectly for not only a successful first day of school, but a successful year as a Bulldog…. They will be a great addition to the dog pound.”

By Jo Caynon

 

Virginia (Humphrey) Hathaway

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Virginia (Humphrey) Hathaway passed away on August 30th. She was 99 and in 2015 was the recipient of the Boston Post Cane as Marion’s oldest living resident. Virginia was born in Hartford, CT, the daughter of Bethia (Hammond) and Albert Humphrey. When she was 7, her mother passed away, and she moved with her brother Edward and father to the Humphrey family homestead in Rochester, MA.

She was a graduate of Wareham High School and the Swain School of Design. Briefly she taught art at Friends Academy. Throughout her life, she displayed an artist’s flair for decorating and design.

She was the wife of the late Alonzo Hathaway of Marion and could often be seen helping her husband in the running of The Marion General Store. When he passed away in 1973, she ran the store for a year before selling it.

Virginia is survived by her daughter Ann of Marion, a nephew Allan Humphrey and his wife Judy of Hyde Park, NY, a great-nephew and many loving cousins. She was predeceased by her brother Edward Humphrey.

Her daughter is grateful for the love, support and care her mother received over the years from her family and close friends and from her nurses at Community Nurse Home Care, Stephanie and Chris, and all the Home Health Aides, especially Maria and Rose.

A private graveside service will be held later this month.

If you would like to make a donation in Virginia’s memory, please consider donating to Community Nurse Home Care, 62 Center Street, Fairhaven, MA 02719.

Tabor Academy Opens Its 142nd Year

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Tabor Academy will open its 142nd year on August 31 for pre-season athletics and training of student leaders. The school expects about 200 students to return to campus early.

Classes will begin on September 6 with 14 new faculty and 161 new students hailing from 24 states and 19 countries. The admission season was one of the strongest on record, creating a 31% acceptance rate. Parents and alumni also exceeded ambitious goals for their fundraising, allowing for improvements to the program and facility to enhance students’ learning/living experience.

This year, students and faculty will enjoy a new academic schedule that will meet just four class periods per day, rather than seven. The schedule features expanded 75-minute blocks as well as time for community gatherings, office hours, lunch, and meeting time.

“The faculty have been working all year to prepare for our new schedule,” shared Kerry Saltonstall, Director of Communications. “Re-designing course content to make best use of the longer blocks, as well as how to integrate new research on the best teaching techniques and learning environments for teenagers, has been their focus. The new schedule is designed to allow more time for more in-depth, reflective learning while retaining important community and meeting time. That said, I think the students are most looking forward to the later start allowing them 30 extra minutes of sleep.”

Townspeople will have noticed many projects around campus this summer. Both the Charles Hayden Library and Hoyt Hall have new roofs, while Lillard Hall is receiving an interior renovation of the dining hall serving area and living room that should be complete before students arrive on September 4.

“Perhaps the change the town as a whole can look forward to is Tabor’s entry into the competitive Independent School League (ISL). Visiting teams playing at each level of skill on Wednesdays and Saturdays will give us plenty of games to watch over the course of the year. Come out and enjoy some great competition along the sidelines this year.” Follow all the campus news and events on Tabor’s website at www.taboracademy.org.

FMCoA Annual Fall Luncheon

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Are you a Mattapoisett senior (60+) or a member of the Friends of the Mattapoisett Council on Aging (FMCoA)? You are invited to join us for our Annual Fall Luncheon on Thursday, September 14 at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 57 Fairhaven Road (Rte. 6), Mattapoisett, MA 02739. Seating is limited to a 100 people. Just stop by the Mattapoisett Council on Aging (Center School, 17 Barstow Street) or call the office (508-758-4110) and save your seat for the luncheon.

Filled plates will be brought directly to your table starting at 12:00 noon. The luncheon menu is burgers, hot dogs, French fries, and a beverage, with ice cream for desert – all catered by Oxford Creamery from their Ox-Cart. Remember that delivery of a hundred plates takes a few minutes. Some good ole summertime music will be provided by Rick Leblanc for your enjoyment.

Need a ride to get there? Transportation is available; just call the office (508-758-4110).

Tri-Town Profile: Noel Pardo

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Name: Noel Pardo, Director of Campus Initiatives, Tabor Academy

Age: 46

How he got to Tri-Town: Originally from Buffalo, went to Holy Cross. “I was working in Boston, and I applied to several schools. Tabor happened to be one that offered me the ability to coach crew, teach history, and live in the dorms. It really married together.”

Ever met a celebrity locally? Back in the mid-1990s, when he was a young history teacher, his parents came to visit for the first time and he took them out for a boat tour of the harbor. “We get out to the outer harbor, and this person waves me down, I’m like ‘Hey, Mom, Dad, we have to help this guy out.’ We say hello, I start towing him back, and I keep looking – I know this guy! Finally, he says ‘I’m James Spader,’ and I’m like ‘I know James Spader! I know who you are!’ It was kind of embarrassing, he was cool about it. And my parents had no idea who he was.”

Favorite place in Tri-Town? Having lived, worked, and started a family on the Tabor Academy campus for over two decades, it still holds a magical sway. “When I started out, it was ‘Oh, do you believe this place!’ I’m a little used to it now, but not totally.”

By Jonathan Comey

Over 22 years on the Tabor Academy campus in a variety of roles, Noel Pardo has taught and coached an entire generation of unique, unpredictable young people. Every class, every student, every athlete, each with their own way of navigating toward college and beyond.

But one thing never changes. The water.

From the first time he watched an oar slice into the ocean off the Tabor boathouse in 1995, Pardo has been hooked on this idyllic slice of life.

“I don’t know how many people get to live in a town like this,” he said. “You walk around, and it’s so idyllic, you’re like, is this real? There can’t be more than a handful of towns like this in the world.”

As Tabor Academy’s Director of Campus Initiatives and men’s crew coach, Pardo brings a positive energy and obvious passion for the school’s mission.

“I didn’t know about boarding schools until I started working at one,” says Pardo, who lives at Tabor’s Heath House with his wife and three children (two of whom are Tabor students, one of whom is at ORR junior high). “I love the way you are able to work with kids in so many different ways. You might have a kid in the classroom, on the crew team, and then you see the kid in the dorm.

“I think now that I have kids, I realize that at a certain point, no one has more of an impact on your kids than teachers. And I think especially at a place like Tabor, there are a lot of opportunities to affect a young person’s life.

“It is a very powerful role, and there’s a lot of responsibility, but when you get the light bulb to pop off over their head, that’s what it’s about. As many moments as I can have with those kids, the better.”

For Pardo, who rowed collegiately at Holy Cross, the sport of crew is a perfect way to help build a young person’s character.

“There’s no MVP on a crew,” Pardo says. “You’re doing a repetitive cycle of things, and the mastery is: Not only do I have to master my own individual stroke, I have to master everyone’s stroke. I have to follow you, and you have to follow me, and in our boats, where we race with eight, you have to be doing it with seven other guys.”

It’s no easy gig, being part of the Tabor crew: two-hour practices every day for an entire spring, all for eight or ten competitions lasting only about five minutes.

All told, a team has to make about two thousand strokes over the course of the season. Getting each of those strokes in perfect unison is the unattainable – getting as close as possible as you can is the goal.

“If you watch it, there’s a smoothness to it, and the team that has the smoothness is usually the team that’s pulling ahead,” he says. “You can’t be an individual. You can’t be a Michael Jordan on the boat.”

Multiple members of each graduating class traditionally go on to row collegiately, but Pardo uses a different measuring stick for success.

“I want them to be good citizens to other people,” says Pardo. “And I think one of the values that I got out of doing rowing in college is that people were good to other people. People took care of people. Do I like to win? Yes. But it’s not the thing I talk about the most. It’s the team. It’s constantly working toward that goal – we’re going to try and achieve as many good to great strokes as possible.

“Being good to one another, trusting one another – when you see that happening, you get pretty excited as a coach.”

Pardo says he’s never seriously pursued the idea of coaching the sport collegiately. Alluring as it might be, life on the Marion shore proves even more attractive.

“There are times when I’m really into the sport, and I do think about it … but the balance, when you’re living and working here, there’s a cycle and a difference that work hand in hand,” he says.

“Boarding school teachers might not always like the workload, but they’re never bored.”

Plant Sale on MFPL Lawn

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Look for balloons on the lawn of the Mattapoisett Free Public Library, 7 Barstow Street. The Friends of the Mattapoisett Council on Aging have a fundraiser Plant Sale on Saturday, September 9 from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon on the lawn of the Library. The sale will mainly be perennial cuttings, rooted and ready to be planted.

The plants may not bloom until next spring or summer. To help your green thumb, we’ll tell you the name, (either Latin and/or known by) of your plant, whether it likes sun or shade, how tall it may grow and how much room it could take up in your garden. We will also have beautiful potted houseplants and fragrant herbs for sale.

Sippican Choral Society Rehearsals Begin

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The Sippican Choral Society is looking for quite a few new members to help us ring in the Christmas 2017 season. Rehearsals are starting soon and we’d love to see you there.

We are a group of local singers who love to lend our voices to this large and inviting group. The rehearsals are on Monday evenings and are a lot of fun and are certainly an educational experience, as our director, Dr. Tianxu Zhou, leads us through the many ins and outs and nuances of the music he selects for our group. Our program this year includes Schubert’s ‘Mass In G’ as well as many pieces which will help you get into the spirit of the season. The Sippican Choral Society is delighted to be joined by the Sippican Children’s Chorus again this year.

The Sippican Choral Society is a volunteer organization and does not require auditioning; however, there is a select Chamber Chorus which requires an audition, should you choose to participate. There is a $35 membership fee.

Rehearsals start on Monday, September 11 from 7:30 – 9:30 pm at Wickenden Chapel at Tabor Academy. Our Christmas 2017 concert will be presented on December 1 at St. Lawrence Church, New Bedford, and December 3 at Wickenden Chapel, Marion.

If you have any questions, please call Nancy Sparklin at 508-763-2327 and leave a message, or you can check out our website at www.sippicanchoralsociety.org.