Margery S. Fluegel

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Margery S. Fluegel 85, of Mattapoisett passed away on Friday June 30, 2017 at St. Luke’s Hospital surrounded by her family.

She was the beloved wife of Richard A. Fluegel for sixty four years.

Born in Fairhaven Ma, she was the daughter of the late Ernest C. Macomber and Susan L. (Kemnitzer) Macomber.

Margery is survived by her loving children: Steven R. Fluegel and his wife Susan of Wareham, and Janice Karen (Fluegel) White and her husband Randall of Lakeville. She was predeceased by her son the late Paul W. Fluegel. She is survived by her daughter in law, Lois Cosgrove-Fluegel and Heather Cogshall Fluegel. Margery was also predeceased by her two brothers, the late Leonard Macomber and Irving Macomber and she is survived by her sister Gladys Brennan. She was also the proud grandmother of her five grandchildren, Nathan Fluegel and his wife Jessica of Wareham, Jason White and his wife Andrea of Missouri, Rachel (White) Deane and her husband Adam of Lakeville, Jacob Fluegel and Alexandra Fluegel of Mattapoisett and Zachary Cosgrove and Angelina Cosgrove and seven great grandchildren. Margery is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Margery worked for years as a compastor (electric) tester at Aerovox in New Bedford.

Known for her quilting and knitting and spending time with her family and friends. Friends and family will miss her laughing and her beautiful smile.

A memorial service is planned for Tuesday August 1, 2017 @ 10:00 am to be held at South Coast Chapel Mortuary, 158 Middleboro Rd,(RT 18) E. Freetown, Ma 02717. Procession from the Chapel to her Burial will follow in River-Side Cemetery, to which both family and friends are respectfully invited to attend.

In lieu of flowers donations in Margery’s memory can be made to Dana Faber Cancer Institute, Po Box 849168, Boston,Ma. 02284

 

St. Philip’s Episcopal Church

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St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, next to the Town Beach in Mattapoisett, continues their long tradition of visiting clergy from Massachusetts and beyond.

Services using the 1928 Book of Common Prayer are conducted at 8:00 am and 10:00 am each Sunday through Labor Day weekend.

The Reverend Philip C. Jacobs III, Retired Rector, Trinity Church, Canton, MA, officiates on Sunday, July 9.

Come visit our historic chapel by the sea in Mattapoisett. All are welcome.

Giant Flag a Fixture for Antique Village Home

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When Bonnie and Paul Tavares bought their two-century-old historic home in Marion Village last winter, they inherited a beautiful yard, great neighbors, and a wonderful sense of community.

They also inherited an American flag, and a request: Please hang it up while the town celebrates Independence Day.

No problem … except for the fact that the flag is two stories high and half-a-house wide, and is visible from almost a quarter-mile away.

“The last paragraph of the info that (the prior owner) left us was that there’s a gorgeous American flag that was left to us,” Bonnie said, “and the whole town waits to see it on the Fourth of July. So of course, we had to keep it going. We were happy to.”

Which was great in theory, but not exactly an easy process with such a huge flag. So Bonnie turned to her landscaper for help.

“I’m a scaredy cat. I really didn’t want to get up there on the dormers,” Bonnie said. “But he was great. He said, ‘We’d be honored to put it up.’ He brought a crew of guys and they hung it for us. Only took about fifteen minutes.”

They believe the tradition started with Peter and Sally Huntsdorfer, noted philanthropists from town who sold the Pleasant Street home after 30-plus years to another couple. The new owners, who only had the house for two summers, kept the tradition alive and handed it down to Paul and Bonnie.

Paul and Bonnie raised their family in Rochester before moving to the North End of Boston for several years, but returned to Tri-Town to help their daughter Meghann (who lives just a mile away in town) with their young granddaughter.

They share the beautiful home with their two-year-old Bernese mountain dog Hanover, and flag aside, the home is a charming mix of old and new. It was once an old one-room school house, and the Tavareses believe that the worn bench currently on their side patio was an original seat kids once sat on to learn all those years ago.

There’s a majestic, wide fireplace just off the kitchen (“We probably had a fire going every night in the winter,” Bonnie said), and no electricity in the dining room, so the couple frequently enjoys dinner by candlelight as a nod to the history.

“We love it. Marion Village is such a special place,” Bonnie said. “People have been so welcoming, and it’s really nice to be part of it. We hear a lot of people saying ‘Ooh, great flag!’ I saw two people yesterday taking pictures, so it’s really great to feel like we’re the current custodians of the flag.”

And if they ever decide to move and sell the house, will the flag – and tradition – stay with it?

“Oh yes,” Paul said. “That’s a must.”

By Jonathan Comey

 

“Your Plan, Not Ours”

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On June 28, residents living along Marion Road and Main, Water, and Beacon Streets got the first glimpse of what lies ahead as planning begins for improvements and upgrades to these critical village roadways.

Town Administrator Michael Gagne, along with Highway Superintendent Barry Denham and members of the engineering consulting firm VHB as well as the Town’s local engineering consultants Field Engineering, gave a presentation that laid out the many steps that lie ahead for all concerned.

Before handing the evening’s meeting over to the VHB team, Denham addressed the handful in attendance. Denham explained that VHB had the horsepower to drive the plans from conceptual to construction documents, all the while being mindful of exceptions that might be needed from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation protocol.

The VHB members presented how they plan to move forward with public input being the No. 1 element for success. They described the four neighborhoods as being singularly unique, such as the entrance from Route 6 onto Main Street landing at the town hall. As the street continues on into the “village” or downtown area, the historic buildings and shops are a pivotal component, and then further it becomes a fully “residential” area where Water becomes Beacon, eventually intersecting with Marion Road. These areas were described as “environments” that required individual consideration.

Jamie Pisano, project manager for VHB, detailed his group’s involvement with scheduling and working closely with D.O.T.

“In the first year, we’ll be at ten percent design,” or conceptual plans, he said. He also explained that there would most likely need to be a “design exception report.” These are the details necessary in gaining D.O.T’s acceptance of non-regulation design elements such as sidewalk signals or the addition of stop signs.

Pisano said this set of drawings would be presented to the Board of Selectmen in January 2018 for their review and consideration before moving on to the D.O.T. review process.

Pisano said the D.O.T. would take several months to review the conceptual plans and would most likely return the proposal sometime in July 2018, “…with many comments.”

Pisano also discussed the public vetting process, saying that meetings with residents from specific neighbors and significant stakeholders will be invited to participate in the process of honing the plans into a more cohesive design.

“We’ll be meeting the Tree Committee and the Bike [Path] Committee also,” he said, urging residents to, “attend all meetings…. This is your plan, not ours.”

During the question and answer period, some residents offered opinions and questions. One resident asked about the sourcing of federal funding and if there would be strings attached.

“This project, these streets are one of a few in Mattapoisett that is eligible for federal funding,” Denham explained. He said current cost estimates peg the full project at between $3 million to $5 million and that, “by using federal funds we can use our funds for other road projects in town.”

Denham said part of the goal of the project was to put together a master plan. “VHB are putting together a plan for us. If D.O.T. doesn’t like it but we do, maybe we do a phased project over years. We don’t have to shoot for federal dollars, but maybe we’ll come up with a plan they will be willing to pay for.”

Gagne reminded those in attendance that, at Town Meeting, the voters had approved hiring VHB to provide 25 percent engineered drawings, a requirement of the D.O.T. process when seeking federal funding. He said municipalities who go through these steps are rated more highly than those who don’t bother.

But when asked by another resident what would happen if the project began but then faltered should funding dry up, Gagne responded, “It’s always a changing dynamic. Funding is an issue, but towns that do the twenty-five percent design stand the best chance.”

Gagne also said, “We hope to drive down to the key players in each of these neighborhoods. Jon Connell from Field Engineering will go out and speak one-to-one…. We’re cutting new territory here.” He also said that if D.O.T. doesn’t accept the 10 percent design concepts, “We may have to look at other funding sources.”

Other questions and suggestions such as the current and future posted speed limits, can additional stop signs be posted, will there be property easements, installation of speed bumps, and number of trees that may need removal were all fielded with commitment from Gagne, Denham, Connell, and the VHB team for open and honest dialog throughout the next several years leading up to construction currently projected for 2021.

Another meeting will be held in July and will be publically posted. You can view the full coverage of the June 28 meeting by visiting www.mattapoisett.net and clicking on videos.

By Marilou Newell

 

Mattapoisett Spirit on Display at Road Race

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It was a hot morning for the 46th running of the Mattapoisett July 4th Road Race, but that did not deter runners and supporters alike. The village streets were lined with cheering crowds, and houses were decorated with patriotic colors, demonstrating the spirit of America steeped within our community.

“The weather is exceptional!” remarked Race Director Bill Tilden when asked about the day. The Mattapoisett Road Race is close to Tilden’s heart because it is the first race he ever ran. “It was started by high school students back in 1971, to have a race to run in Mattapoisett,” he said, and while there is certainly a competitive edge to the race, Tilden noted, “What we are looking for is for people to roll in with five people, with their family to all run together.”

Over 100 volunteers help make the race happen, in addition to help from all the town departments. With the help of fellow volunteers whom she describes as family, Gloria Bousquet, also known as “The Fruit Lady,” cuts up 50 watermelons, three cases of bananas, and three cases of oranges for the runners after the race. Asked why she volunteers for the road race, Bousquet said that her oldest daughter Lauren received the scholarship over 10 years ago, and she believes in giving back to the community.

Tilden said that in years past they have given as much as $15,000 of scholarship money to ORR athletes. They get between 8-20 applicants for the scholarship and try to provide money to all of them. The recipients are chosen prior to the race, and many of them come to the race to volunteer.

Tilden acknowledged the community effort that makes the race so special, with folks providing extra water stops for the runners as well as music to spur the runners on.

Crowds gathered in Shipyard Park for the beginning of the race, and after a moving rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner by a local men’s singing group, the runners were off.

Marlboro, MA runner Madeline Mondo came in first in the women’s overall followed by Rochester’s Meg Hughes and in third place was Erin Lohrenz of Charlestown, MA.

First in the men’s overall was Taylor Days-Merrill of Fairhaven, who was also first overall. Michael Vaz of Dartmouth came in second, and Charles Berg of Mattapoisett finished third.

Korean War veteran Larry Cole of Harwich came in first ahead of Jim Lanagan of Mattapoisett in the male over-80 category, with Barbara Belanger of Fairhaven finishing first in the same category for women. The youth of the area made a significant showing at this race, which bodes well for the future of this event.

By Sarah French Storer

Rochester Historical Society Ice Cream Social

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Whether you are a new resident or have been in Rochester for some time, we are inviting you to the Museum to check out Rochester’s past and join us and your neighbors on a summer’s evening for an Ice Cream Sundae Social on Wednesday, July 19 at 7:00 pm at the East Rochester Church Museum, 355 County Road. If you know any newcomers to town, please bring them with you.

The museum has a lot to offer: artifacts, Rochester memorabilia, history on homes, and history in general or just come to check out the beautiful interior of the building.

We would enjoy sharing the museum and an ice cream sundae with you. Please make it your special event for the summer.

Academic Achievements

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Gabriella Messina of Marion, a member of the Class of 2020 at Marist College majoring in English, was named to the Dean’s List for the spring 2017 semester.

Kiernan Reynolds, the son of Jason and Kerry Reynolds of Marion, has been named to the Dean’s List for both the fall and spring semesters at New England Law Boston. He is also the recipient of the CALI Award in Constitutional Law for the spring semester. The award is given to the student with the highest grade in the class. Kiernan, a recipient of the Justice Sandra Day O’Connor Merit Scholarship, completed his first year in May.

Savannah Lopes, from Rochester and a student at Old Colony RVTHS, was awarded a Skill Point Certificate in Nail Care at the 2017 SkillsUSA Championships.

The University of Rhode Island is pleased to announce that more than 5,290 undergraduates have qualified for the spring 2017 Dean’s List. The students represent nearly all of Rhode Island’s cities and towns, all six New England states, New York and New Jersey, many other states and countries.

The following students from the Tri-Town were named to the Dean’s List:

– Tyler Scott Ayan of Marion

– Marisa Diane Paknis of Marion

– Michael Barrus of Marion

– Madison Kate-Marie Goguen of Mattapoisett

– Christina Ann Sebastiao of Mattapoisett

The following Tri-Town residents graduated from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy on Saturday, June 27.

– Cadet 1st Class Leah M. Saunders of Rochester graduated with a degree in International Maritime Business.

– Cadet 1st Class Mariah Elizabeth Allen of Rochester graduated with a degree in Marine Safety and Environmental Protection.

James Leander Forbes DeMailly of Mattapoisett has been named to the Dean’s List for work completed during the 2016-17 academic year at Northfield Mount Hermon.

Anh Sa Nguyen of Marion graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business and Economics degree with a major in Marketing from Lehigh University in spring 2017.

The following students have been named to the Dean’s List at the University of New Hampshire for the spring 2017 semester.

– Samantha Barrett of Marion with High Honors

– Kristina Sauerbrey of Marion with Honors

– Jessica Lowe of Marion with Highest Honors

– James Babbitt of Marion with Honors

– Sydney Sanford of Mattapoisett with High Honors

– Kyle Wasylow of Rochester with High Honors

Academic Achievements

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Abigail Wheeler, of Marion, graduated from Purchase College with a Bachelor of Arts in Arts Management on May 19.

Regis College, a Catholic university in Greater Boston, is pleased to announce that the following students were among 462 students that have made the Dean’s List for academic achievement for the 2017 spring semester.

– Hannah Bouvette of Mattapoisett. Bouvette is class of 2017.

– Katelyn Kiernan of Mattapoisett. Kiernan is class of 2017.

Morrisville State College recently announced that Danielle Cammarano, Animal Science – Equine Science and Management – AAS of Marion was named to the Dean’s List for the spring 2017 semester.

The following students were named to the Dean’s List for the spring 2017 semester at Bristol Community College:

– From Marion: Christopher Dix, Kion Keyghobad, and Megan Youlden

– From Mattapoisett: Robin Bevilacqua, Nikolas Coelho, Annie Henshaw, Mason Mathieu, Kimberley Remick, Simon Schroder, Stephen Schroeder, Collin Stellato, and Sarah Varney

– From Rochester: Evan Costa, Patrick Cronin, Courtney Cunha, Joellie Dextradeur, Jennifer Hughes, Eli Kovacevich, Cameron Pierce, Elizabeth Smith, Ryan Stopka, Mia Vercellone, Kenneth Viera, and Cassie Wilcox

Elizabeth Taber Library Hosts Bridge Benefit

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The Elizabeth Taber Library’s Bridge Benefit Committee cordially invites you to participate in a duplicate bridge game with Director Alan Hudson on Friday, August 4 at the Marion Music Hall. The committee, which consists of C.C. Dyer, Kathy Feeney, Andy Kotsatos, Susan Mead, Libby O’Neill, Kathy Reed and Meg Steinberg, has been working diligently to organize this exciting event for the community.

The entry fee is $35. Space is limited, so make a reservation today by sending your check to the Elizabeth Taber Library. Doors will open at 1:30 pm, and tournament play will begin at 2:00 pm. There will be light refreshments offered, tournament prizes and a selection of great raffle prizes.

Please come support your local library with this enjoyable event. If you cannot attend our fundraiser, but would like to donate or purchase raffle tickets in advance, you may do so at the library. All proceeds raised will be used to enhance the programs and services offered by the Elizabeth Taber Library. For more information, please call the Library at 508-748-1252.

Wareham Post 220 Baseball

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Post 220 (5-1): 8 vs. Brockton Post 35: 7. In extra innings, Post 220 walks-off on Nick Gagner’s (Upper Cape) RBI double to the right center field gap. Will Hopkins (Old Rochester) went 2-for-3 and scored two runs, while Danny Renwick (Old Rochester) had a 2-for-4 night with a double and a stolen base. Tucker Hrasky (Tabor) pitched five tough innings, collecting 4K’s along the way and Adam Breault (Old Rochester) tossed three solid innings in relief without allowing a run.

Pembroke Post 143: 9 vs. Post 220 (5-2): 8. While collecting three strikeouts, Adam Breault (Old Rochester) threw another three innings in relief to keep Post 220 close. In the end, a game-ending double play stopped a comeback bid against a pesky Pembroke team. Bryant Salkind (Old Rochester/Wheaton) was 2-for-3 with two RBIs, Nick Gagner (Upper Cape) also went 2-for-3 with a triple, while Will Hopkins (Old Rochester) added his own triple to go along with four RBIs. Cam Bairteau (Wareham), John Breault (Old Rochester), Kylar Macoratti (Bourne), and Cooper Thornell (Upper Cape/MA Maritime) added base hits.

Post 220 (6-2): 9 vs. Marshfield Post 88: 0. Nick Gagner (Upper Cape) was in a groove on the hill and only allowed one hit in five innings of work. Cam Bairteau (Wareham) went 2-for-3 with a triple and four RBIs, while Bryant Salkind (Old Rochester/Wheaton) was 2-for-4 with an RBI. Will Hopkins (Old Rochester), Danny Renwick (Old Rochester), and Justin Sylvia (Middleboro) also added base hits of their own. Tucker Hrasky (Tabor) pitched the final two innings and collected a couple of strikeouts along the way.

Post 220 (7-2): 9 vs. Plymouth Post 40: 3. Cam Bairteau (Wareham) led the offensive charge by going 2-for-2 with two RBsI. Also, Mike Kennefick (Old Rochester) and Cooper Thornell (Upper Cape/MA Maritime) had multiple hits and scored two runs each. Hunter Parker (Old Rochester/Salve Regina) had an RBI base hit, while Adam Breault (Old Rochester), Tom Cummings (Upper Cape), and Bryant Salkind (Old Rochester/Wheaton) all had base hits.