Lions Club’s 2017 Harbor Days Events

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– Sunday, July 9, 8:00 am: Triathlon Town Beach. Sign up online: http://www.lightboxreg.com/mattapoisett-lions-triathlon.

– Sunday, July 9, 2:00 – 4:00 pm: Shopping at Shipyard. Shop with moms who work from home.

– Wednesday, July 12, 7:00 pm: Concert in the park at the gazebo and strawberry shortcake available through the weekend while it lasts!

– Thursday, July 13, 7:00 pm: Paint Night under the tent at Shipyard Park. Sign up online at https://paintingatsplashnewbedfordma.

– Friday, July 14, 5:30 – 7:30 pm: Oxford Creamery Fish Fry

– Saturday, July 15 & Sunday, July 16: Craft Fair/Vendors, Entertainment and U-Pick ‘Em Auction

– Saturday, July 15, 5:30 – 7:30 pm: Lobster dinner

– Sunday, July 16, 8:00 – 11:00 am: Pancake breakfast, U-Pick ‘Em winners drawn end of day

Free shuttle to/from Shipyard Park at parking lot next to Ying Dynasty, Route 6, Mattapoisett

ORR Visits the Big Apple

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Despite the frenzy that occurs at the end of every school year, around 50 ORRHS students embarked on a day trip to experience the sights and sounds of New York City.

Led by the head of the school’s AFS chapter, Nurse Kim Corazzini, and three other chaperones, the group explored Lower Manhattan and a pair of famous islands in the New York Harbor.

The New York trip started very early for the travelers, as the chartered tour bus left at 5:30 am to make sure the group could spend as much time as possible in the city. One rest stop and four-and-a-half hours later, the bus doors opened and out spilled 50 students into the surprisingly sunny streets of New York City.

The first stop of the day was the National Museum of the American Indian, a part of the Smithsonian Institution. Students were able to wander through the various exhibits offered, including one showcasing contemporary Native American fashion and another documenting the various tribes and regions of Central America.

By then it was noon, and the students made the quick walk over to Battery Park to grab a light lunch. It was quite the adventure for the many who had not eaten from a food truck before. From the park, the group boarded the Statue Cruises ferry that took them across the harbor to Liberty Island, where the Statue of Liberty has stood tall since 1886.

“Going to take pictures in front of the Statue of Liberty was my favorite thing that we did on our own,” said senior Sophie Gurney.

After spending about an hour on Liberty Island admiring the symbol of hope and freedom, the group hopped back on the ferry for the short trip over to Ellis Island. Between 1892 and 1954, Ellis Island was the first stop for over 12 million immigrants who emigrated from Europe to America in search of a better life. Some students may have been tracing their ancestors’ steps as they explored the museum that once served as an inspection station.

“I really liked going to Ellis Island. I just wish we had a little more time there to do more stuff,” said sophomore Elyse Pellegrino.

After arriving back on Manhattan, the students took a mile walk from Battery Park to the South Street Seaport, an area within view of the Brooklyn Bridge that once was a port for the Dutch West India Trading Company. The group visited shops and restaurants in the immediate area on their own as they relaxed after a full and busy day.

“I enjoyed walking around Seaport and seeing the historic ships docked at the port,” Gurney said.

“My favorite thing was when we were allowed to go off on our own and find interesting shops and have fun with friends,” Pellegrino added.

The ride home to the Tri-Town took longer than the trip out, considering the evening rush hour. However, this didn’t bother anyone since a peaceful quiet fell over the bus as everyone began to fall asleep one by one. It was understandable that a long and exciting trip would be so exhausting, but it was worth it to every student who went. In fact, many students would support ORRHS organizing more field trips similar to the annual NYC one run by Nurse Corazzini.

For instance, this was Pellegrino’s first trip to New York City, and the second cultural experience trip run by ORRHS that she had taken in the past year as she went on the French trip to Canada last fall.

“So many kids in our community are not aware of other cultures and we’re not all that diverse, and sometimes I feel like we don’t realize how big the world is and how different it can be,” Pellegrino stated.

“The school should sponsor more AFS trips,” agreed Gurney. “All the trips do a great job at getting us students out of the Tri-Town and giving us an important historical and cultural experience.”

By Jo Caynon

 

Balloon-Bending Artist

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The Mattapoisett Library welcomed the balloon-bending artist Chip Rascal to help kick off the library’s summer reading program. Rascal used balloons to create a small-scale replica of Salty the Seahorse, and he also shared his tricks of the trade with library patrons to explore balloon art. Photos by Jean Perry

 

Elizabeth Tabor Library Adult Summer Programs

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Movie and Conversation: Bring your lunch or a snack and join us on Mondays, July 10, 17, 24, and 31 at 1:00 pm for a documentary that might spark some discussion.

Book Walks: While the weather is nice, join us on Tuesday afternoons, July 18 through August 15, at 12:30 pm for a walk around Marion’s Village to discuss what books you like and what you’re currently reading.

Books at the Beach: If you find yourself at Silvershell Beach this summer without something to read, don’t fear – the Library is coming to you! Our traveling library will be at the beach on Thursdays between 2:00 – 3:00 pm on July 6 through August 24 with books to check out and even some to purchase. This program is in partnership with the Marion Recreation Department.

Mattapoisett Room Renting

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To the Editor:

Re: Mattapoisett Room Renting

I do not rent my house or any part of it, and I have no intention of doing so; I do not have a dog in this fight. However, I sympathize with Mr. Calano, who comes to Mattapoisett for peace and quiet, only to find a rolling summer-long frat house party across the Ship Street extension from him. I have less sympathy for Mr. Bobola and the ZBA, who together have issued and upheld a cease and desist order forbidding the rental of a Mattapoisett house. I believe that, were they to check with town counsel, they would find that the order is not worth the paper that it is printed on. Bylaw 5.1.2 refers to the renting of rooms, not the renting of homes or houses. While I know nothing of the history behind this bylaw, it would seem, by its clear language and likely intent, fashioned to prevent anyone from running a rooming house in a single family residence zone. Rent an in-law apartment or a room or two, fine. Run a rooming house, no way. Since the bylaw does not mention the renting of a whole home, it is totally irrelevant to the case before the ZBA that led to the issuance of the cease and desist order.

Think of the economic consequences to the town if the ZBA interpretation is found to be correct. The town has a substantial summer population. Few owners have two-month summer vacations, so many summer houses are rented out for a month or so. Rent helps cover real estate taxes and other expenses. If these properties cannot be rented, some will have to be sold, prices will be reduced, those summer house owners who do not sell will apply for abatements based upon now reduced comparable sales, and town real estate tax totals will take a noticeable hit. On top of all that, the town will need to hire an assistant to Mr. Bobola to write up all the necessary C&D orders, to rid the town of the scourge of rental housing. But look on the bright side – lots of work for lawyers in determining whether these orders constitute unconstitutional takings.

Sincerely yours,

Ned Watts, Mattapoisett

 

The views expressed in the “Letters to the Editor” column are not necessarily those of The Wanderer, its staff or advertisers. The Wanderer will gladly accept any and all correspondence relating to timely and pertinent issues in the great Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester area, provided they include the author’s name, address and phone number for verification. We cannot publish anonymous, unsigned or unconfirmed submissions. The Wanderer reserves the right to edit, condense and otherwise alter submissions for purposes of clarity and/or spacing considerations. The Wanderer may choose to not run letters that thank businesses, and The Wanderer has the right to edit letters to omit business names. The Wanderer also reserves the right to deny publication of any submitted correspondence.

 

Behind the Bulldog

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Greetings! Welcome to summer vacation in the Tri-Town. I wanted to take one last look Behind the Bulldog for the 2016-2017 school year.

At staff meetings, I offer a quick exit ticket to get some feedback from staff members on a school-related issue. At one staff meeting, I asked staff members to describe one amazing thing that happened in their classroom this year. This is a true look, deep behind the bulldog … into the classroom! Here are a few of my favorite responses, in teachers’ own words:

“My students have created some stunning and impressive visual arguments.”

“Students engaged in a very meaningful discussion on acceptance of our differences. I remarked on how educated a discussion it was on such a sensitive issue. Students felt safe enough to discuss deep issues and provide their own personal opinions.”

“There have been many amazing things, but I am very excited about partnering with the Hope Foundation and possibly building a garden for our school soon.”

“Today a student came into class and proclaimed she/he was looking forward to Ceramics class all weekend! It made my day!”

“A student who felt he struggled in Spanish and feared taking the class discovered that he’s very competent and successful in class. He wants to continue his study of Spanish as a result of this discovery.”

“I have officially become a Chromebook mom! I love being able to have them on-hand for reference or a change of focus in class. They are perfect in a science classroom to explore the various biomes of the world or to take a tour of the human body.”

“I just had an amazing group project. Students were supposed to choose a theme in Hamlet, and graph that theme’s intensity throughout the play. This group actually wrote a piece of music. Every note’s endurance, volume, and tone reflected a particular descriptor and quote. I have never seen a group so creatively intertwine music and language to develop a project. Amazing.”

“Students were able to use the “Socratic circle” from English in the math classroom to understand quick conversions between radians and degrees.”

“Student today looked at a document and was intrigued by it. It was just another primary source, but he was curious to figure out why it was written and what the author’s intention was. For me, it is not the big events but the small rewards of everyday curiosity of a child that keeps things amazing.”

“Somewhere north of 90 percent of my Algebra 2 students annihilated an essay assignment. That was amazing.”

And my personal favorite: “Most of the students say thank you at the end of class. It creates a respectful learning environment in which we are all working together. I love it!”

See you all in the fall. Come August, I’ll tackle the topic of going behind the bulldog for the first time as a freshman!

By ORR Principal Michael Devoll

 

RMS Bids Farewell to Beloved Teacher

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“It were a grief so brief to part with thee. Farewell.” – William Shakespeare.

Parting is such sweet sorrow, and having to say goodbye to a teacher who has given as much as she has to one school, Rochester Memorial School staff and students lamented in saying goodbye as much as they rejoiced in having had the opportunity to have worked beside or been taught by Danni Kleimann, who retired on Wednesday, June 21, after 31 years of teaching at RMS.

Kleimann is well known for directing the annual Shakespeare play, as well as conducting the yearly last day of school “send-off” from atop a wooden platform, baton in hand, while staff members follow her lead and send the students off with a bang each summer.

This past Wednesday was Kleimann’s final send-off, which tugged at the heartstrings of all who participated or witnessed it. Nevertheless, the send-off, as usual, was a smashing sensation.

The long line of school busses made its way to the rear of the school, circling the massive parking lot over and over again past the curb lined with teachers and staff playing horns, banging drums, clattering maracas, and dancing with end-of-the-year school vacation glee.

The yellow busses chug by one after the next, scores of little arms and hands waving out the windows as they pass, the excitement building after each bus takes another round, everyone wondering if this would be the last or if it would take another pass by before pulling out towards the street one last time before vacation.

Still managing to conduct her crew’s cacophony with her baton while waving at the students with her hand, Kleimann experienced her moment, no matter how brief, as it hung there suspended in time. The bittersweetness was palpable, and Kleimann’s face said it all as she choked back her emotion, smiled at her students, and left them with an animated image of how they always remembered her, and would always remember her.

After the busses exited and the crowd moved to disperse, Kleimann called out, “Wait a minute! Wait a minute!” She turned to sixth grade teacher Tracy Forns, held out her baton and passed it on to Forns, symbolizing the literal passing on of the baton and the treasured RMS tradition.

“Wait!” Kleimann called out again, bending slightly to remove her traditional send-off tuxedo tails, and helped Forns into the jacket. The two embraced and finally the tears were free to fall.

The Wanderer congratulates Ms. Kleimann on her retirement and wishes her many fulfilling years ahead.

By Jean Perry

Marion’s Newest Eagle Scout

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On Sunday, June 25, 2017 Christopher Horton, Jr. was honored for achieving the highest rank in Boy Scouts: the Eagle Scout Award. Christopher began his journey with Pack 32 in Marion earning the highest level in Cub Scouts, the Arrow of Light, before advancing to Boy Scouts Troop 32. In Troop 32, Christopher advanced through all of the ranks, earning many merit badges and various achievements before completing his Eagle Scout project.

Christopher created two benches that surround trees of the First Congregational Church of Marion. The church also served as the host for Christopher’s award ceremony and reception where friends, family and scouting leaders met to honor the recent ORRHS graduate. Christopher noted that he is headed to Suffolk University to study marketing and business law in the fall, and part of the reason he has been accepted is directly correlated to the prestige that comes with earning the Eagle Scout Award. He encouraged all younger scouts to complete this challenging journey.

Speakers Kathy Giles, Kristen Saint Don-Campbell, Scoutmaster Paul St. Don, and Zora St. Don all remarked on Christopher’s outgoing personality and several speakers mentioned his great skills as a chef as well. One of Christopher’s mentors, Peter Sowden, spoke about the challenges of completing an Eagle project and about Christopher’s perseverance. Robert Nakashian, former Troop Parent Committee Chairman, commented that Christopher has learned a great deal by completing his Eagle project, and if he was ever asked if he was an ideas man or a doer that Christopher could answer, “I’ve been both.”

Mattapoisett Historical Society Open House

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The Mattapoisett Historical Society will host an open house at 5 Church Street in Mattapoisett on Thursday, July 6 from 5:30 to 7:00 pm. All are welcome to visit our summer exhibit featuring maps from our permanent collection.

Marion Explores ‘Micro Grids’ for Energy

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The Marion Energy Management Committee on June 26 hosted special guest Susan Butler, a Marion summer resident and Cambridge energy activist, to share her experience and ideas with the committee, specifically as they related to what she described as the “shovel-ready photo voltaic project on the capped landfill.”

Butler serves on the Board of the Greater Boston Chapter of the Sierra Club and has buildings in Cambridge outfitted with photo-voltaics and geothermal energy sources. She works with numerous organizations in and around Boston promoting renewable energy.

The committee listened with interest as she described Smart Grid technology as a possible solution to Marion’s stalled landfill energy project. Butler suggested building micro grids for smaller areas served by renewable energy on a local basis.

Committee member Jennifer Francis described a small array of 2.5 acres that “could provide power to a radius of homes.” Butler suggested that the sewage treatment plant located right next to the landfill could be a perfect micro grid project, saying, “Think of it as a pilot project so it’s not threatening [to Eversource] … and would demonstrate utility resilience in the community.”

Currently, the committee is told the energy generated on the landfill would need to be sent through the power lines to a transformer in Mattapoisett and then returned to Marion. Butler observed, “The amount of energy lost in transmission is huge!” She added that she has had great luck with Eversource in Cambridge, and was certain that the Sierra Club would go to bat for Marion with the legislature if necessary.

Committee member Bill Saltonstall underscored the amount of energy required for the sewage treatment plant, saying, “[It] is a big user, twenty-four hours a day right next to the site.”

Butler pointed out that due to Massachusetts law, crossing the public way from the landfill to the sewage treatment plant will add to the cost of the project.

Saltonstall has been working on the Mass Energy Insight program for Marion and the committee believes it needs to complete that work before they can move forward on this project.

Becoming a Green Community, which is a priority for this committee, provides the opportunity to apply for a significant amount of grant money. Saltonstall is going to follow up with the program in Dartmouth, which has received the Green Community designation, to seek assistance with the accounting end of the Insight program to expedite the application process.

Saltonstall reported to the committee that the town has received $58,000 in savings from the Future Generation Wind project since last August, saying, “It is producing at the rate of close to $100,000 of savings annually.”

Francis remarked that “June ought to be gangbusters, it’s been so windy!”

Saltonstall suggested that the Town may use some of these funds for the purchase of the LED street lighting, which requires a fair amount of capital up front.

Saltonstall expanded on the LED lighting program, reporting to the committee that he had recently received the inventory of all the streetlights in Town owned by Eversource. The Town will need to purchase the lights prior to replacing them with LED lighting, and the inventory was essential to determine the cost of the purchase.

The committee is hopeful the cost of the lights will be relatively low, since most of them are quite old and therefore have depreciated in value significantly.

Patrick Roche of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council is responsible for the LED replacement project with the state. Roche will place Marion in a group of other towns awaiting light replacement and connect it with an engineering company to help determine type and wattage of lights, among other issues.

Committee Chairman David Pierce asked if the project will be ready for fall Town Meeting, which Saltonstall affirmed, but added that he will not ask Eversource for a final price until the project is ready to move forward so that there is no loss of depreciation value.

Francis reminded the committee that one Massachusetts town successfully negotiated a purchase price of $1 per light due to the age of the lights. Saltonstall added that each light will be approximately $350 to replace, but with an energy savings of approximately $55 annually, the lights will pay for themselves within a few years.

In other matters, the committee received the welcome news from Francis that the Town had hired a new part-time town planner.

Francis reported that the Town had signed a contract that day with Gil Hilario for the 16-hour a week town planner position. Francis expressed her enthusiasm for the candidate, saying, “He’s a real go-getter. He’s young with some experience and a Master’s degree in Town Planning.”

Francis believes he will be helpful with the committee’s green initiatives. The committee responded with great interest in this news, eager to have Hilario come to their next meeting, which also happens to be his start date. Francis promised to invite him.

The next meeting of the Marion Energy Management Committee is scheduled for July 24 at 7:00 pm in the Marion Music Hall.

By Sarah French Storer