Mable (Wakeman) Vaitses

on

Mable (Wakeman) Vaitses, 98, of Mattapoisett died at home November 6, 2015. She was the wife of the late Allan Holmes Vaitses, decorated World War II veteran and renowned boat builder and author, with whom she shared 67 years of marriage.

Born November 15, 1916, and raised on Wakeman Farm in Westport, CT, Mrs. Vaitses was the daughter of the late John Staples Wakeman and Mary (Gould) Wakeman. She was the ninth and last surviving of their ten children.

Mrs. Vaitses also lived with and assisted her sister the late Charlotte Wood and her family at Stonegate Farm in Sherbon, MA and summered in Mattapoisett where she met her husband.

Mrs. Vaitses married at Seamen’s Bethel in 1938 and the couple spent their honeymoon with Cpt. Small and his wife at New Bedford Lighthouse. Mr. and Mrs. Vaitses built their first home in Mattapoisett with remnants from the 1938 hurricane, where they raised their two children, including during a period of time while her husband was deployed with the army in World War II prior to and during the occupation of Japan.

Mrs. Vaitses subsequently lived on the shores of Mattapoisett until her death, and along with her husband assisted in raising three of their grandchildren.

Mrs. Vaitses was a member of Mattapoisett Congregational Church. She was a graduate of N.E. Deaconess Hospital School of Nursing. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution Fort Phoenix Chapter.

Mrs. Vaitses was formerly self-employed as a photographer, and along with her many subjects photographed many local weddings and children. She also enjoyed ceramics, painting and art of every kind. Mrs. Vaitses enjoyed spending time with her family. In her later years, she enjoyed gardening and created a secret garden with her husband for the great-grandchildren.

Survivors include a daughter, Gail V. Elen of Fairhaven, a son, Stephen P. Vaitses and his wife Carol Jane of Clinton, CT; 5 grandchildren, Stephen E. Vaitses of Mattapoisett, Allayne Boruch Esq. and her husband John of Portsmouth, RI, Allan H. Vaitses, II and his wife Lora of Marion, Meagan E. Vaitses of Clinton, CT, and Peter M. Elen of Fairhaven; 9 great-grandchildren, Ross, Brandy, Catherine and Haley Vaitses, Avery and John W. Boruch, Elizabeth, Jenna and Grace Vaitses; and many nieces and nephews.

She was the mother-in-law of the late Peter Elen and the sister of the late Wilbur, John, Isaac, George and Robert Wakeman, Charlotte Wood, Ruth Kay, Dorothy Shaw and Margaret Sargent.

Her Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, November 14th at 3 PM in the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home For Funerals, 50 County Rd. (Rt. 6) Mattapoisett. Her family will receive guests from 1 – 3 PM prior to her service. For directions guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Lack of Responsiveness Allegations Debunked

on

It was deep into the evening’s meeting before Attorneys Brian Winner and Jonathan Silverstein of Kopelman and Paige, Mattapoisett’s town counsel, were asked to join the Mattapoisett Planning Board at the conference table. But once seated, Silverstein went directly to why he and Winner were present: to defend their responsiveness and attention to the town’s legal matters.

“I was in the unpleasant position of reading in The Wanderer that Mr. [John] Mathieu and the Planning Board said we were unresponsive – that allegation is false,” Silverstein asserted. He said that the Planning Board’s secretary Tammy Ferreira and Chairman Tom Tucker both had the attorneys’ cell phone numbers. “The building inspector has called me on weekends, and I’ve gotten right back to him.”

Silverstein said Mathieu had leveled the same accusations at his firm in 2012 and Silverstein had to come forward with evidence to counter those false statements. He was troubled to find it happening again. “Why would this be happening again?” he wondered aloud.

Silverstein had wanted to address his comments and questions directly to Mathieu during this meeting. Mathieu, however, was not present.

“A few years ago we had to take action against him … that was nothing personal,” said Silverstein. “We were representing the Town.” He then produced hardcopies of email responses and a telephone log as evidence that he and Winner had, in fact, been responsive and provided the guidance requested by the Planning Board in a timely manner.

The issue was Mathieu’s request that town counsel review covenant language changes drafted by the Planning Board for the Villages at Mattapoisett and Brandt Point Village in their petitions for public trash collection.

“We are not perfect, but we strive to be responsive,” Silverstein stated. “But to have to read in the newspaper allegations that this is the type of treatment you get all the time is unfair.”

“All I have in my business is my reputation,” Silverstein told the Planning Board members.

Board member Karen Field offered apologies on behalf of the board. Member Mary Crain said that, as a town planner in another community, her experience with Kopelman and Paige had been excellent and found them very responsive.

“That’s why I said I thought it was bizarre,” Crain told Silverstein.

“I’m in charge of making sure that Mattapoisett’s needs are met,” Silverstein said. Silverstein and Winner told the members to call their cell phone numbers any time.

Tucker thanked Silverstein and Winner.

In other matters, garnering more than an hour of the evening’s meeting was a discussion between Mattapoisett Highway Superintendent Barry Denham, Joe Furtado, the developer of Brandt Point Village, and residents of the troubled subdivision.

Furtado had been invited to attend the meeting by Tucker to afford the residents and the board members an opportunity to publically air their ongoing concerns. The list of issues the residents brought to the meeting contained such things as failing driveways, incomplete stormwater drainage systems, unverified septic maintenance, roadway construction integrity, and various environmental concerns.

Time and again during the conversation, Furtado assured the residents that he would take care of everything that was wrong saying, “I’ve been dealt a can of worms … I’m going to do whatever needs to be done.”

Furtado’s site subcontractor, Bill Milka of Reliable Excavating, received praise from the residents for work he has done thus far, but they remained skeptical that Furtado’s word was sufficient.

Tucker told them that Furtado was significantly motivated to get things done correctly due to his investment in Phase Two of the project.

Attorney Silverstein suggested that the chairman direct the secretary to draw up a letter listing all the items that needed to be done at the massive residential neighborhood to document Furtado’s commitment. Tucker agreed that would benefit all concerned.

The residents of the subdivision also received an amendment to their covenant in the form of an additional item. After petitioning the board for public trash collection and after legal review of language, the Planning Board moved to grant their request.

This prompted resident Paul Osenkowski to ask if public comment was being circumvented. Tucker said, “We’ve talked about this ad nauseam.” He then recognized Osenkowski.

Osenkowski declared, “This is a slippery slope … I don’t think you have any right to change the agreement.” He continued, “Your responsibility is to the whole community!” He said that by allowing this subdivision to opt into trash collection, costs would increase for all residents.

“We take our advice from town counsel,” Tucker told Osenkowski. Silverstein confirmed that the Planning Board did have the authority to make covenant changes, adding, “We don’t comment on the policy … so we don’t comment on whether it is a good decision or a bad decision.”

The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board is scheduled for November 16 at 7:00 pm in the Mattapoisett Town Hall conference room.

By Marilou Newell

MTplan_110515

Mini-Organ Festival

on

The closing recital in the Mini-Organ Festival at the First Congregational Church in Marion, Massachusetts, will be given by noted organist Steven Young on Sunday, November 15 at 4:00 pm. The recital will feature the church’s historic mechanical-action George S. Hutchings pipe organ.

In addition to works by J. S. Bach, Young will perform music of Vincent Lübeck, Henry M. Dunham, William Bolcom, and John Knowles Paine.

Steven Young is the organist and music director at the Episcopal Church of St. Thomas in Taunton, Massachusetts, and serves as professor of music and director of choral activities at Bridgewater State University. Young has performed throughout the United States and Europe as an organ soloist and accompanist and has presented recitals, workshops, and clinics for regional and national conventions of the American Guild of Organists and the Organ Historical Society. He earned degrees in organ performance from Barrington College and New England Conservatory of Music, as well as the doctor of musical arts from Boston University. He holds the associate certificate from the American Guild of Organists. In 2009, Young recorded the first volume of the organ works of Henry M. Dunham, a major figure in the Boston area at the beginning of the 20th century, on the AFKA label.

The First Congregational Church in Marion was built in 1841. In 1883, with support from local philanthropist Elizabeth Taber, a new organ by George S. Hutchings was commissioned and installed in 1884. Hutchings was prominent among American organ builders and built organs for the old Boston Music Hall, the Old South Church, and Symphony Hall.

Tickets for the recital may be purchased at $10 at The Bookstall on Front Street in Marion and at the door. For more information and reservations, call 508-748-2067. The First Congregational Church is located at 28 Main Street at the corner of Front and Main Streets in Marion and is handicapped accessible.

Parents’ Weekend

on

Parents’ Weekend is an annual event at Tabor Academy that is greeted with much anticipation and anxiousness. The campus itself looks its best with flowerpots on every path and perfect weather. Many parents arrived on Friday night from all over, traveling across the country or even internationally, to visit their children and learn more about the Tabor lifestyle.

Parents’ Weekend is kicked off by a cocktail party on Friday night where all the parents can mingle and get to know each other. Then, there are mini-classes on Saturday, in which parents are invited to sit in on 15-minute versions of each of their child’s classes. They meet with advisors, get a sense of what their child’s teachers are like, and can attend different lectures about college, changes in administration, and the “teenage brain.” Parents of upperclassmen can also meet with college counselors during these days.

“I loved going to her classes and seeing everyone eager to learn,” said Melissa Buell, mother of new sophomore Madison Buell. “It was my first time coming to Tabor, and it was really amazing seeing her in her new life.” Madison added, “The teachers were beyond accommodating. They let my sister sit through classes and now she wants to apply, too.”

For underclassmen, especially those whose parents live far away, Parents’ Weekend is both a great time to catch up with family they haven’t seen in a while, and also for parents to explore what life at Tabor is like for their child.

“My parents have come up every Parents’ Weekend since I arrived sophomore year,” said senior Bridget Lattimer. “I’m from Connecticut, so it’s not as far, but they still love watching me play field hockey and meeting all my teachers.” Susan Lattimer, Bridget’s mother, said, “This year, Parents’ Weekend is bittersweet. It’s the start of the countdown to an exciting graduation and the prospect of having to say goodbye.” Despite this, however, Susan noted how fun parents’ weekend is. “We were lucky to be able to cheer on Bridget’s friends at a cross country meet, then watch football, and then watch Bridget play field hockey and even catch the girls’ soccer game. It was all very exciting.”

All the sports games are home on Saturday, so the campus is teeming with visiting athletes and parents. The turf fields are packed with games and parents and fellow students watching Tabor teams compete with other schools.

“I loved seeing Madison at cross country with all her new friends,” said Buell. “I was so impressed with the dedication and passion of the coaches during the meet, and the team was incredibly supportive of each other.”

At this point in the year, most of the homesickness that new students face has dissipated, and they are just excited to show their parents around their dorms, their classes, and all other aspects of their life here at Tabor.

By Madeleine Gregory

Tabor100214

ORRJHS Senior Citizen Thanksgiving Banquet

on

The 25th annual Thanksgiving Dinner for Tri-Town (Marion, Mattapoisett, and Rochester) senior citizens, sponsored by the 8th grade class of Old Rochester Regional Junior High School, will be held on Sunday, November 22 at 12:00 pm in the ORRJHS cafeteria. Doors will open at 11:15 am. Three hundred tickets will be available – 100 per town – distributed through the local Councils on Aging. Shut-in meals will be available. Please notify your local Council on Aging with the names and addresses of the intended recipients. Any individual or local business interested in making cash contributions or donating door prizes should call the junior high at 508-758-4928 and speak with Mr. Kevin Brogioli, Principal. As always, we look forward to the continued support of the Tri-Town communities.

Civics Quiz Night

on

The Mattapoisett Democratic Town Committee is sponsoring a Civics Quiz Night at The Inn on Shipyard Park, 13 Water Street, Mattapoisett, on Wednesday, November 18 from 7:30 – 9:00 pm. Why not put together a team of 2-4 friends or family and compete for a $25 gift certificate? The winning team will also be able to donate the proceeds from the event to their favorite charity. Registration fee for each team is $10.Whatever your political affiliation, we hope you will come and enjoy the fun. You can pre-register your team by emailing your team’s information to mattdemtc@gmail.com or by registering at the door the night of the event. If you have any questions or need further information, please email the Mattapoisett committee at mattdemtc@gmail.com.

A Holiday By Any Other Name

on

Once upon a time, there were two holidays and one festival whose names evoked joy. The holidays were Thanksgiving and Christmas. The festival that preceded them was known as Halloween.

Then a frighteningly terrible thing happened – the power of mass marketing coupled with the retail engines of commerce blended them all together. Now we have one massive commercial blitz that begins in early October and ends in mid-January. Maybe we should give it a new name in keeping with what it does to the human psyche: Hallowthanksmas.

Regardless, it does seem, at least to this aging child, that there was a kinder, gentler time when we paced ourselves and enjoyed these consecutive events as separate, individual, and unique.

Back in the day, mass media wasn’t in full swing. TV was a new invention and even radio commercials were tiny tame tidbits that didn’t invade one’s enjoyment of programming. Now the programming punctuates the marketing space.

Halloween was a time to use one’s imagination, to dream up costumes a kid and a parent could make out of whatever was laying around the house. Ghosts from old white sheets, pirates with a cardboard eye patch, Zorro with a eye pencil mustache, or cowboys with a bit of rope and a broomstick horse were fun and cost next to nothing.

Trick or treating from house to house in neighborhoods where everyone participated and where safety wasn’t an issue but was taken for granted really did exist.

And no one, no one at all, was thinking about Thanksgiving or Christmas in October. We absorbed ourselves in thinking about our homemade outfits, decorating pumpkins, and eating our stash of candy slowly over the following days.

Thoughts of Thanksgiving began about two weeks before the actual day.

In the neighborhood I grew up in, people were simply glad to have the day off from work to enjoy a feast with their family and friends. It was a time to be at home together with the mouthwatering smells of turkey and pie. Simple, uncomplicated tables were laid out with cranberry sauce, stuffing, and gravy. Leftovers were a highlight in the days that followed, and a sense of peace prevailed.

And then came Christmas!

It seemed to take forever to arrive. The days leading up to Christmas morning were full of cards being sent and received in the mail, homemade gifts being hidden from prying eyes, and dreams of stockings filled to overflowing with fruits and candy. Religious celebration wasn’t a significant part of my family’s dynamic, but years of Sunday school lessons drove home the point of the holiday: the baby Jesus. The one that stays with me most today is the importance of kindness.

These three consecutive events were like waves, with each successive wave slightly larger than the one before and with Christmas being the largest. And each stood on its one merits, contained its own magic, and was enjoyed each in its own way. Now, it seems, they are melted into a hodge-podge of non-stop visual and audio noise.

A neighbor a few doors down from me seems to have made his yard a statement of the insanity – the front lawn displays witches and Santa Claus. Oh yeah, and one rather strange pink pig with wings. A final comment on “the holidays” possibly – when pigs fly.

It’s like that Tim Burton movie, The Nightmare Before Christmas. Was Burton’s intention to show how far marketing has gone in making us dance to the tune of shareholder’s value versus the value of family and tradition?

I don’t know. But what I do know is that kids today are missing out on something significant: the joy of anticipation. It’s almost as if kids don’t get to experience the gradual easing into each cold season event, savoring them as special and sweet. They, like the grown-ups around them, are swept up in the frantic pace of non-cash transactions seasoned not by sugar and spice, but by black-Friday pricing.

Give me the good old days when construction paper greeting cards were labored over on dining room tables piled high with pipe-cleaners and glitter, when baking from scratch was the only kind of baking known, and when joy was found in the simple, blissful reading of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. And, one of my personal favorites, see if you can also remember driving down the main streets of town to “see the lights.” It was considered a highlight of the season.

One person I discussed this massive holiday mash-up with said, and I quote, “Why not make it just one day? Put gifts around a pumpkin, stuff one bird, and dress up in costumes for a holiday parade that includes a Santa seated in front of a Christmas tree tossing candy corn and turkey legs to innocent children!”

No, those days are gone, at least for the time being. Just give me the good old days when October, November, and December held very different and very special occasions to celebrate the family – not the value we represent to multi-national conglomerates.

I wish we could go back in time to when everything was closed on Thanksgiving Day except for warm kitchens filled to overflowing with delicious home-cooked foods and love. Still, for the present time as the season nears, I look forward with memories that wait for me every year, ready to be unwrapped again like little gifts that cannot be bought in the Hallowthanksmas aisle.

By Marilou Newell

 

Gateway Youth Hockey

on

Pee Wees: Gateway Pee Wees played their toughest game against the number one Walpole Express in a nail biter on Sunday morning with goalie Ryker King stopping goal after goal to end the game in 5-5 tie. In the end, Walpole would remain number one, but Gateway would still remain undefeated. The teams fought hard through most of the first period when Walpole scored 14 minutes in. Gateway tied the game 39 seconds later when Nate Ribeiro scored off of an assist by Michael Parker and Ben Demoranville. Walpole scored again about a minute later, but Gateway’s Demoranville answered with a goal 19 seconds later to end the first at 2-2. Walpole took the lead early in the second period, but Gateway scored two more off of goals by Demoranville and Matt Paling who were assisted by Tyler Lovendale, RJ Vickery, and Austin Fleming to take the lead going into the final period. The fast-paced action continued in the third with Walpole tying late in the game, but Gateway shot back to take the lead off of a goal by Paling, assisted by Demoranville. Walpole put one final puck in the net to end the game in a 5-5 tie.

Middle School: The Middle School Jr. Vikings finally got into the win column with a lopsided win against Westwood, 10-4. The front line of Robert Ramsay, Quirino doCanto, and Tyler Lovendale, along with defenseman Seth Tomasik, led the way with two goals a piece. doCanto also added three assists, Ramsay added two, and Lovendale and Tomasik each added one. RJ Vickery and Dan Flynn added the other goals, while Jordan Boucher and Zack Barris chipped in with assists. Overall, the Jr. Vikings played a well-rounded game and got some good goal tending from Jake DeMoranville and Alex DeMarco.

Marion Council on Aging

on

The Internal Revenue Service issued another strong warning for consumers to guard against sophisticated and aggressive phone scams. The IRS will always send taxpayers a written notification of any tax due via the U.S. mail. The IRS never asks for credit card, debit card or prepaid card information over the telephone. Potential victims may be told they are entitled to big refunds or that they owe money that must be paid immediately to the IRS. When unsuccessful the first time, sometimes phone scammers call back trying a new strategy. Please, if it sounds too good to be true, it ALWAYS is!

Tickets are now available to the annual Thanksgiving dinner at the Old Rochester Regional Junior High School to be held on November 22. Transportation will be provided and meals will be delivered for the home bound. Please call the office to reserve a spot on the van or for a home-delivered meal.

The Marion Council on Aging is now participating in the Greater Boston Food Bank program called the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP). The CSFP is a monthly food distribution program for income-qualifying individuals 60 years old or older. Each month, the qualifying person is provided with two bags of groceries. If you would like to be included, please call the COA so we may help you complete the application and provide any other details. To register for groceries in the month of December, the COA must know of your interest by November 30.

Soap Box Derby

on

Marion Cub Pack 32 invites you to our bi-annual Soap Box Derby for a cause. The Cub Scouts are collecting non-perishable food donations as well as gently used and new toys for local families in need. Collection points are the Marion Police Department and First Congregational Church of Marion until 10:00 am on November 14. On November 14, the scouts will participate in a Soap Box Derby on Holmes Street where they will continue to collect food and toys as well as show off their racing skills. Please bring a food item and watch the scouts’ race.

Boys in grades 1-5 interested in joining scouts can come, meet the scouts, try one of the derby cars out after the races are finished (approximately 2:00 pm), and hang out in the “pit” with the scouts. There will be parents to answer questions and register new scouts!