Hike Together: Mattapoisett and Rochester Land Trusts

on

Grab your MLT Hike50 mileage tracker and hit the trail with Mattapoisett Land Trust and Rochester Land Trust. Meet at the Shoolman Preserve in Rochester on Wednesday, June 19 at 8:30 am. This preserve is great for birding, so bring your binoculars if you’re inclined. The hike will cover about a mile and a half.

            Please RSVP on Mattapoisett Land Trust’s event page so we know to expect you. Hiking shoes and long pants are recommended – dress comfortably for the weather. We’ll see you on the trail. This is a free event open to all, hope to see you there. Email manager@mattlandtrust.org with any questions.

Mattapoisett Museum

on

In honor of Pride Month, the Mattapoisett Museum on 5 Church Street invites the public on Thursday, June 13 at 7:00 pm to celebrate the life and legacy of New Bedford’s own Paul Clayton and his influence on the folk music scene of the 1950’s and early 60’s in Greenwich Village.

            This program, Remembering the Songman of New Bedford, will explore Clayton’s life through musical performances and historical narrative by Tom Goux, Dan Lanier, Butch McCarthy, Neal McCarthy, Seth Asser, Gary Brown and MaryBeth Soares. Almost 60 years after his death, Paul Clayton’s ghost continues to hover over American folk music. The man whom Bob Dylan once described as a “medium” that channeled the very essence of traditional songs from the sea and the mountains, and whom Dave Van Ronk acknowledged was an important “influence” on both

            Dylan and himself, was born right down the road in New Bedford in 1931.

            Clayton was a performer, a collector and a field recorder of traditional folks songs and openly gay. From 1956-1961 he was the most recorded young folk singer in America. He brought hundreds of obscure folk ballads and songs into the American music scene. Praised by many superstars to come out of the entire folk musical era now gone, Clayton is a national treasure. This presentation will help to shed light on how the history of the whaling culture in our area influenced a young man to pursue his interest and passion for folk music.

            Registration is required at www.mattapoisettmuseum.org/events.

Letendre Loses Interim Tag

on

Old Rochester Regional Superintendent of Schools Michael S. Nelson is pleased to share that Heidi Letendre has been named Principal of Rochester Memorial School. Letendre has served as interim principal since the beginning of the school year.

            “We are thrilled to have Principal Letendre leading Rochester Memorial School in a permanent capacity,” said Superintendent Nelson. “She has demonstrated great leadership and has already had such a positive impact on our students and staff members.”

            Prior to her interim role at Rochester Memorial, Letendre served as Principal for 10 years in Middleborough, where she managed daily school operations as well as proactively changed the school schedule to best support student learning and teaching practices. Previously, she worked at the Bridgewater-Raynham Regional School District for 10 years.

            “I am delighted that Mrs. Letendre has accepted the position of Principal at Rochester Memorial School,” said Rochester Memorial School Committee Chair Sharon Hartley. “She is an enthusiastic, knowledgeable and positive school leader who has already embraced our school community.”

            As Memorial School’s Interim Principal, Letendre implemented with staff a new program called “IntoReading.” The program, which is a new challenging literacy curriculum and a large undertaking by Principal Letendre and staff members, involving several trainings, meetings, data review and more.

            She also implemented the Celebrations Committee, in which faculty, staff, and Letendre plan throughout the school year. The goal is to enhance school culture and show appreciation for Rochester Memorial educators. In addition, the committee is looking for ways to highlight students and plan events.

            Letendre said, “It has been my pleasure to be the Interim Principal at Rochester Memorial School this past year. Right from the beginning, the faculty and staff have been very welcoming and supportive, which made my transition as Interim Principal feel seamless. What has stood out to me, is the genuine care, concern and dedication of the RMS faculty and staff. Everyone who works at RMS truly wants what is best for each student and it shows through their positive attitudes and work ethic. Overall, it has been a very positive and rewarding experience working with this team of educators, and I am honored to be part of this community and look forward to serving as the Rochester Memorial School Principal in the years ahead.”

            Letendre has developed positive relationships with faculty, staff and students. Her short-term goals as Principal are to continue to build her relationships and make more community connections.

            “As the principal, it is important to create and maintain a safe learning environment for everyone. This starts with understanding the dynamics of the school and community and building trust among all stakeholders,” Letendre added.

            “Our main goal is always to increase student achievement and to provide a positive and safe learning environment. It is my responsibility to advocate for the needs of our students and educators so our students can achieve greater academic, social, emotional success while building relationships and feeling part of an inclusive school community.”

            Letendre continues to support Rochester Memorial’s curriculum implementation and assist teachers with the process. She hopes to work collaboratively to define tiered instructional practices while being in alignment with the District’s Strategic Plan and School Improvement Plan.

            “As always, our focus starts with the student and supporting the whole child. I look forward to engaging in this collaborative work in the years ahead,” said Letendre.

Eagle Eye Trained on Learning

on

            To Noah Bellefeuille, becoming an Eagle Scout is about much more than a rare level of expertise in all things outdoorsy.

            The 17-year-old Rochester resident just finishing up his junior year at Old Colony Regional Vocational-Technical High School wants to be a calming influence in a fragile society dialed deep into social media and often lacking reliable information on important subjects.

            “You always need to keep learning because once you stop learning, you basically can’t move forward, and the more you inform yourself and gather your facts, the more of a well-rounded person you’re going to be,” said Bellefeuille. “I think it’s also crucial that we think before we speak because we could get information from one place, and we could start blabbering about it and it could be completely false. And I think that’s a problem in today’s world, not just with kids but with adults.

            “Being informed, it really opens our eyes to different perspectives, and people need to know what it’s like to be the other side. They need to look at it from different views, and then based on their views and other views have their own opinions.”

            Like Eddie Brown, Reese Mansour and Quinn Thompson, three other new Eagle scouts, and Logan Empey, who is putting together his final paperwork, Bellefeuille chose an Eagle Scout project.

            With the assistance of several volunteers, including adults and other Boy Scouts from Troop 31, Bellefeuille led the building of two large picnic tables for Old Colony’s outdoor environmental center.

            The tables will vastly improve working space for outdoor science classes and activities near the vernal pool down the path from the school’s parking lot just a short walk from the athletic fields.

            Learning is important to Bellefeuille, who with a year of high school remaining has yet to decide on whether to continue in the electrical-technician field or to attend college and do something completely different: become a history teacher.

            “I was always interested in history,” he said.

            Bellefeuille’s history in scouting began with Cub Scouts and in fifth grade crossed over to Boy Scouts. He recalls Eagle scouts Robbie Nordahl and Colin Mackin as main role models.

            “I respected them because they knew how to lead us and how to manage the groups. We were split up into patrols, and they would be our leaders,” he said.

            Logistical hurdles redirected Bellefeuille away from a benches project he had imagined for Rochester Memorial School, but he contacted Old Colony administration and learned about the school’s outdoor center.

            “There was already a picnic table there … it’s not terrible, but I feel I wanted to add more to that,” he said. “I feel like teachers needed more space.”

            Citing class size, Bellefeuille wanted to solve a problem, something he hopes to do in many places in the world.

            “I love how the Boys Scouts … matures us. My idea of the Boy Scouts is it turns boys into mature, young men who are supposed to be the role models for other boys, and it’s supposed to make us knowledgeable on many topics. And it’s supposed to make us able outdoorsmen and people who are informed citizens, basically,” said Bellefeuille. “And it teaches us to be leaders and how to manage groups of people. We do that a lot. I was in charge of the younger guys who crossed over. … I definitely picked up some leadership skills along the way.”

By Mick Colageo

Early June in the Mattapoisett Library’s Children’s Room

on

The Mattapoisett Free Public Library’s Children’s Department is excited to launch June with two amazing events.

            On Thursday, June 13 at 3:30 pm, dive into the fascinating world of insects with entomologist Blake Dinius as he presents Backyard Bugs. Join us to explore the incredible diversity of bugs that live right in our backyards. Learn about their unique challenges and how to identify different species. This event is perfect for bug enthusiasts of all ages. No registration is required.

            On Friday, June 14 at 3:30 pm, the Graphic Novel Book Club will meet to discuss Long Distance by Whitney Gardner. Copies of the book are available for checkout in the Children’s Department at the circulation desk. Registration is required for this event, so be sure to sign up and be part of the discussion.

            All programs are free and open to the public. If you have any questions, please contact Michelle Skaar at mskaar@sailsinc.org. You can also find more information on our website at MattapoisettLibrary.org.

Plumb Library Summer Program

on

Starting June 12 through August 3, join us for a summer of free, family-friendly fun. The Plumb program is for ages 3 and up, tweens/teens, and adults. Each individual person needs to sign up online starting June 12.

            Join us on Wednesday, June 12 from 3:30-4:30 pm for running, jumping, and bubble-popping fun. Mr. Vinny is bringing his handmade, giant bubble wand to create floating blobs of soapy goodness. No registration required. This is a drop-in event for all ages and will be held outside, weather-permitting.

ORCTV Kenneth J. Souza Memorial Award

on

Each year, Old Rochester Community Television honors one graduating senior from our Old Rochester Regional High School video production program with the ‘Outstanding Video Production Student Award’. The $1000 award is meant to assist the student as they move on to study video production or film upon entering college. This program is named in the memory of ORCTV’s first President Kenneth J. Souza.

            The recipient of this year’s award is Amalia Dupre who showed a great commitment to the ORCTV video production educational program during the past two school years as she balanced school work, studio work, extracurricular activities and after-school employment.

            The staff and board of Old Rochester Community TV wish to congratulate Amalia Dupre on this well-earned honor.

            If you would like to contribute to the Ken Souza Scholarship fund, please send a check to ORCTV at 135 Marion Rd., Mattapoisett, MA 02739 and write Ken Souza Scholarship Award in the memo space. ORCTV is a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization, making all contributions tax deductible.

Old Rochester Regional High School Class of 2024

on

Congratulations to the graduates of ORR!

*Emily Grace Abbott, Helena Antoinette Anesti, John Taylor Armanetti, Ryan Andrew Arruda, Noah Evan Michael Arsenault, Lila Aline Bangs, *Chloe Marie Bean, *Chase Thomas Besancon, Arianna Elizabeth Bessey, *Hunter Thomas Bishop, Jaeleigh Marie Black, Noah Henry Bongiorno, Emily Kate Borges, Blaine William Boulanger, *Sofia Alice Bouley, Cameron Hunter Bourque, John Kubik Bowman, Tyler Michael Brodeur, John Edward Butler, *Ella Marie Caesar, *Murray Teagan Callahan, Abigail Jordyn Campbell, Lance Joseph Carreiro, Jorge Ricardo Carrillo III, Traeh Spencer Lester Carrington,*Eloise Alize Casi, *Mars Castro-Colaj, Mackenzye Carol-Lynn Caton, *Theodore Moses Cecil, Cassandra Marie Charron, Tyler Douglas Chick, Henry Edward Cooney, *Sara Emily Costa, *Rylie Olivia Coughlin, Andrew Paul Cournoyer-Geary, William Henry Cournoyer-Geary, *Julia Lynn Crain, Eliza Jane Curtis, *Alia Maria Cusolito, Dandara Miranda De Oliveira, Ghost Rose DesRoches, Lillian Rae Dumoulin, *Amalia Ann Dupre, *Dylan William Durgin, Abigail Mae Durr, Ryan Christopher Elicier, *Amber Elizabeth Engel, Emerson Mae Femino, Kathryne Grace Fitzpatrick, Constance Rose Friedman, Ethan Thomas Furtado, Gabriel Martin Galipeau, Reilly John Garber, Chloe Rose Gleason, *Cole Ian Goldie, *Tara Grace Goldman, Alexia Ololia Gonsalves, *Jaymison Ryan Gunschel, *Jacob William Hadley, *Elizabeth Claire Harrington, James Marshall Harrington, Keira Caitlin Hart-Bonville, *Eva Grace Hartley, Aurora Riley Hayden, *Aubrey Claire Heise, *Corinne Elizabeth Hibbert, John Patrick Higgins, *Macy Grace Ingham, *Theo John Jacobsen, Christina Daniel James, *Lily Anabel Johnson, Matthew Thomas Kennefick, James Francis Kippenberger, Rylee Jolie Kouta, *Sara Elizabeth Kroll, Logan Albert Leblanc, *Zach Steven LeBlanc, Ian Fabrizio Soares Leon, *Keelin Elaine Lienkamp, Alexis Sumner Lord, Madison Elizabeth Lucas, Ty Evan MacKenzie, John Daniel Marmelo, Anthony John Marraffa Jr, Rhianna Roselynn Martinez, *Marina Neves Martins, Mitchell Peter Mathieu, *Aleeya Catherine McCarthy, Grace Josephine McCarthy, Adam Scott McConnell, *Megan Nancy McFadyen, *Ava Marie McLeod, Noah Ryan Mendes, Maxwell John Michaelis, *Nicholas Andries Miedema, Colin Henry Mills, Ethan Justin Mistica, *Owen James Modracek, Laura Lynn Monaghan, Nashajia Lynn Marie Monteiro, Sydney Kathryn Musgrove, Danikka Aileen Myers, Jacob Stephen Newton, Jonathan Ta Nguyen, *Cattarinha Alexandryia Nunes, Mariah Ann-Marie Nunes, Phoenyx Izadora Xoco Nunes, *Brenna Katherine O’Donnell,  Anna Silva Pereira, *Emilia May Perriera, *Logan Robert Perry, Mateo Nathan Pina, Noah Matthew Lopes Pittsley, *Andrew Cummings Porter, Alice Ivy Prefontaine, Darin Procopio, George Nicholas Psichopaidas, *Kelly Anne Quinlan, Preston Anthony Quinn, Jack Carey Rapoza, Gavin Matthew Robbins, Shay-ann Natalia Robertson, *Marcus Patrick Robichaud, *Kamryn Reily Rodrigues, *Gabriella Palma Romig, *Allison Diane Root, Katherine Grace Scherer, Ace Valentino Sellinger, Aiden Paul Sellinger, *Aidan Monteiro Silk, Mackenzie Haze Silvia, Reese Catherine Souza, Robert Michael Spenard, *Mariana Isabel Sudofsky, James Drew Thomas, Jason Matthew Tobin Jr, *Angela Muriel Tomasso, *Paetyn Renee Tripp, Payton Theresa Tripp, *Arielle Linda Troupe, *Jackson Ruiter Veugen, Alyssa Vieira, Hanna Whalley, Emma Elizabeth Whittaker, Tyler Jason Williams, Remy James Wilson, *Allison Christine Winters, Harry Joseph Raznikov Wisner, Jenna Nicole Woodward, Benjamin Tomas Wyman, Brooke Elizabeth Yoo, Tyler Harrison Young, *Liam Eriksen Yurof

*National Honor Society

Book (re)Marks: What’s up this Month at Plumb?

on

Welcome to Book (re)Marks, all the info you need about what’s happening at the Library this month. Our June book display is full of amazing Staff Recommendations to jumpstart your summer reading. Still feeling stuck on what to read next? Grab a copy of BookPage for great reviews on upcoming releases or try NoveList on our website for lists of read-alikes. Or just ask at the desk, we are always happy to help you find something to take home.

            Speaking of summer reading…Save the Date. Summer Reading Program for Kids, Teens and Adults kicks off Wednesday, June 12. This year’s program is called “Read, Renew, Repeat” and will run through August 3. Stop by the Library to register, pick up a reading log, a BINGO sheet and sign up for activities and programs. Online registration is also available on the Event Calendar on the Library’s website, but you will still need to come in for a log.

            The COA Bookclub will meet at 1 pm on Tuesday, June 18 to discuss “I Was Told it Would Get Easier” by Abbi Waxman. Books & Babble Bookclub will be discussing “Vesper Flights” by Helen Macdonald at 6:30 pm on Thursday, June 27. Books for both clubs are available for pickup at the Library or on the Libby app.

            Do you like to knit, crochet, or cross stitch? If so, join us from 6-8 pm on Mondays for a social gathering of handcrafters. Bring your latest project or something from the stash. Maybe your creative outlet involves pen and paper? Join our Writer’s Group the third Thursday of every month to keep those ideas flowing. Open to anyone 18+. Next meeting is 6:30 pm on June 20,

            The Friends of the Library are meeting at 6:30 pm, Thursday, June 6. This meeting is open to the public. Come see what the Friends are all about. Plans for upcoming fund-raising will be discussed.

            The Board of Library Trustees is meeting at 6:30 pm Thursday June, 13. This meeting is open to the public and the agenda is posted here: www.townofrochestermass.com/node/425/agenda

            Looking for fun, money-saving activities to fill the days once school ends? Check out our selection of Museum and Zoo Passes. Available passes are: Buttonwood Park Zoo, Heritage Museum & Gardens, Maplewood Enrichment Center, the Museum of Fine Arts–Boston, Massachusetts State Parks, the Newport Art Museum, and the New Bedford Whaling Museum.

            Please remember that the Library will be closed on Wednesday, June 19 for Juneteenth.

            Questions? Please call 508-763-8600 or email info@plumblibrary.com. As always, we hope to see you soon at the Library. –Kristen, Jen, & Lisa.

League of Women Voters SouthCoast Annual Meeting

on

Dr. Daniela Melo, a lecturer at Boston University Department of Social Sciences and Co-founder and Chair of the Board of The New Bedford Light, is the keynote speaker at the League of Women Voters SouthCoast Annual Meeting at the Wamsutta Club in New Bedford on Thursday, June 20 at 5:30 pm

            Come and hear how three years ago, at the launching of The New Bedford Light, Dr. Melo and its founders had little evidence that this new model for local news could work. But what the founders did know was that the progressive disinvestment in The Standard-Times had left the city without investigative reporting. As a microcosm of nationwide trends, New Bedford was experiencing polarization, low voter turnout and increased misinformation. Dr. Melo will use The New Bedford Light model to focus on potential solutions to overcome negative trends and whether new local media models can prevail.

            Dr. Melo received her Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Connecticut in Comparative Politics and International Relations. Dr. Melo’s research includes Contentious Politics, the politics of the European Union and Foreign Policy. She received a Fulbright research scholarship to Portugal in 2010-2011.

            The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan organization, invites discussion on civic and political topics, voter registration and education.

            For further information please get in touch with Kris Eastman at 508-758-6051 or Susan Spooner at 508-990-2145 or www.lwvsouthcoast.org