Homecoming by the Sea

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On Sunday, September 10, Mattapoisett Congregational Church will be celebrating their annual Homecoming by the Sea at 10:00 am at Ned’s Point. There will be a special homecoming message from Rev. Amy Lignitz Harken and we will honor our first responders with a donation as well. Please be sure to invite your friends and neighbors to this casual, welcoming service. There will be a delicious free cookout and family activities following the service. BYOLC – Bring your own lawn chair (If you have one!)

Sippican Land Trust’s Radio Tower Walk

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The Sippican Lands Trust (SLT) invites you and your family to join us for a walk of our historic Radio Tower property on Saturday, September 9 at 10:00 am. The property was acquired by the SLT in 1986 and is the actual site of the once-active Marconi wireless telegraph station around the time of World War II. The walk will explore some of the trails and remnants of this historic property.

The Radio Tower Trail is accessible from Benson Brook Road, past the Marion Transfer Station. Parking is available in that area, and participants should gather to the right near the SLT kiosk at the head of the trail.

The walk is free and no registration is required. Please bring water and dress appropriately for the day’s weather as only the worst weather will cancel an SLT Walk. If a walk is canceled, then information will be posted to SLT’s website and Facebook page. For directions or further information, visit sippicanlandstrust.org or call Sippican Lands Trust at 508-748-3080.

Acushnet Man Dead After Apparent Suicide

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The investigation is ongoing after the apparent suicide of a man in Rochester, Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz and Rochester Police Chief Paul H. Magee have announced.

On Tuesday, at approximately 8:30 pm, State Police Detectives assigned to the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office were notified of the apparent suicide by firearm of a 57-year-old male in Rochester. The man, who is from Acushnet, is not being identified at this time. State Police responded to the 300 block of Braley Hill Road in Rochester, where the male was found. An investigation by Rochester Police and State Police Detectives determined that the man had been involved in incidents occurring earlier in the day in New Bedford and Acushnet. Police were contacted and no one was injured in those incidents.

At approximately 6:30 pm on Tuesday, the man drove his truck to the 300 block of Braley Hill Road in Rochester, where he drove over the lawn, struck a telephone pole and entered the residence, which was the home of a relative. Inside, the male threatened a family member and fired a round off inside the home before exiting. The man was in the process of driving his truck around the yard on Braley Hill Road when Rochester and Freetown Police officers arrived on scene. The man exited his truck, a black Toyota Tundra, holding two handguns and asked officers to shoot him. Officers repeatedly asked the man to drop his weapons. Police observed the man walk around the yard and his truck before he fired one shot into the passenger side door of his truck. The man again approached officers and requested that they shoot him. Officers from Rochester and Freetown remained in tactical position and repeatedly asked the man to drop his weapons. The man turned his gun on himself and fired. Rochester Fire and emergency medical services arrived on scene and determined the man deceased at 6:45 pm.

As part of the investigation, several witness interviews were conducted. No shots were fired by Rochester and Freetown Police Officers and the officers showed restraint and professionalism throughout the incident.

The state Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has accepted jurisdiction and will determine the cause and manner of death.

The incident remains under investigation by State Police Detectives assigned to the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office and Rochester Police.

Plymouth County District Attorney Press Release

 

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).