The next meeting of The Rochester Women’s Club is Thursday, November 5 at 6:30 pm. Following our brief meeting, we will play RLC, a fun and easy-to-learn dice game. Coffee, tea, wine and goodies will be served.
Our club is open to all ladies from all towns. We meet once a month on the first Thursday at our club house that is located at 37 Marion Road, Route 105 in Rochester.
For information about our club or to RSVP to the meeting, call Marsha at 508 322 0998.
Mattapoisett Troop 53 will conduct a food drive on Sunday, November 8. A bag may be hung on your house door. Please put nonperishable food into bag and hang back on your door for pick up on November 8.
Old Rochester Community Television (ORCTV) is offering another free public service announcement shoot for your organization or group. We are opening up our studios on November 16, 17 and 18 for you and/or your group to come in and have a one- to five-minute PSA taped about your organization.
ORCTV will cover all of the technical aspects. You just need to speak about your mission, goals, needs and/or events. We can use your logo, photos, address, phone and website address as graphics. We can help you with scripting if needed and incorporate other graphics as desired.
The PSAs will play on the local cable channels and can be seen by thousands of Tri-Town residents. ORCTV channels are seen by anyone who has Comcast or Verizon cable. Please use this opportunity to raise awareness for your mission and goals or to let residents know who you are. This is a FREE service to local nonprofits, organizations, groups and town departments.
Pick a half hour slot on:
Monday, November 16, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Tuesday, November 17, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Wednesday, November 18, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
If you can’t make these dates, please call/email for make-up date. The make-up date is Friday, November 20 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. You must call 508-758-2300 to reserve a slot.
All graphics and company info must be sent to ORCTV by November 12.
Slots are first come, first served. Please call for directions and with any other questions. Just a reminder, we are now located at ORRHS. We have our own entrance, door number 43 near the loading dock area. Look for the ORCTV sign next to our entrance.
The Marion Art Center will start the season of giving with a gala opening of its Annual Holiday Shop on Friday, November 20 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Both galleries will feature one-of-a-kind and limited-edition gifts in ceramics, fiber, photographs, wood, jewelry, paintings, glass, collage, toys, painted furniture, and more. Truman Terrell will entertain on piano in the theater while shoppers enjoy food and wine at the opening. Over 30 artisans will be selling their fine arts and crafts through December 18.
Holiday Shop Hours: Tuesday – Friday, 1:00 to 5:00 pm and Saturdays, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Admission is free and all are welcome to come and browse the galleries to find the perfect gift for that special someone.
Special Holiday Events at MAC: Starting at 10:00 am on Saturday, December 12, Timothy Wade, local sand and ice sculptor and painter, will give an ice carving demonstration on the patio outside the Art Center on the Pleasant Street side. Meanwhile, inside the Art Center, local pastel artist Kim Weineck will give a pastel painting demonstration. Visitors are invited to come and watch both artisans as they transform ice into sculpture and apply pastels to paper to create beautiful portraits and landscapes. The Marion Art Center is one of the stops on the Sippican Women’s Club House Tour, and visitors are cordially invited to come inside and find that one-of-a-kind gift that will be for sale in both galleries.
The Occasion Singers: “Holiday Cabaret!” The Marion Art Center is pleased to host a Holiday Cabaret concert performance by the Occasion Singers on Friday, December 18 at 7:30 pm. Under the direction of Cassandra Morgan, who will also accompany on keyboard, audiences will be treated to holiday favorites including White Christmas, Christmas Tonight, Rudolph, and many more, all sung in the velvety harmonies for which the Occasion Singers are known.
Even if you have done all your shopping, the Marion Art Center Holiday Shop will be open before, during and after the show loaded with one-of-a-kind and limited-edition artisan gifts, stocking stuffers, and beautiful paintings, ceramics and fine art jewelry. So come, relax, be entertained and finish up your holiday shopping. Gather your friends, reserve a table, bring your own refreshments and enjoy a wonderful night of song, shopping and friendship! Tickets to this show would make a wonderful holiday gift for that special person.
The theater will be set up cabaret style with general seating as well as eight cabaret tables which are available for reserved parties of four. Reservations are highly recommended for this one night only show! Tickets are $15 for the public and $12.50 for MAC members. For more information or to reserve tickets, call the Marion Art Center at 508-748-1266 or email marionartcenter@verizon.net.
The Marion Art Center, a not-for-profit organization, is located at 80 Pleasant Street (corner of Main and Pleasant Streets) in Marion, MA 02738 and has been promoting the visual and performing arts in the community since 1957.
The Mattapoisett Free Public Library was recently awarded a Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant for $7,200 from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC). “We’re excited about the innovative library projects being developed with the help of these grants,” said Cindy Roach, Head of Library Advisory and Development at the MBLC. “They benefit local residents and communities.”
The Mattapoisett Free Public Library plans to enhance the staff’s ability to recommend reading selections to patrons, particularly adults who enjoy reading mysteries. Through training, workshops, and new reader’s advisory resources, the library staff will be able to answer “can you recommend a good book?” with a high level of success and satisfaction for local library patrons. The skills developed will generalize to all types of reading genres.
“Recommending ‘a good book’ has many meanings for different people. Our staff will be learning how to better determine the reading preferences of patrons and understand the appeal factors that make a book a good read for someone. We will be creating many useful lists and displays to direct patrons to authors they might like to discover,” said Library Director Susan Pizzolato. “We are all very excited about this opportunity to focus on readers’ advisory skills.”
The Mattapoisett Library will open at 11:30 am on Friday, October 30 rather than at 10:00 am to enable the staff to attend a workshop by well-known readers’ advisory expert and librarian Leane Ellis.
Libraries use LSTA grants from the MBLC in a variety of ways, including implementing literacy programs that benefit all ages, increasing library access to underserved populations, providing advanced automation services, training staff, and preserving valuable historical documents.
In addition to the direct library grant programs, the MBLC uses LSTA funds to support statewide programs and services, including summer reading programs, databases, the Commonwealth eBook program, the Commonwealth Catalog (books and materials that can be borrowed by patrons from libraries and universities across the state) and the link mass.gov/libraries, which provides information and resources for residents.
LSTA is administered on the federal level by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and in the Commonwealth by the MBLC. More information about LSTA can be found at www.mass.gov/mblc.
With a stunning triple A bond rating, bidding was brisk for Mattapoisett’s bonds from the opening bell until close. The winner was FTN Financial Capital Markets from Tennessee.
The Town’s financial advisors from Uni-Bank, along with Town Treasurer Brenda Herbeck, presented the copious documents to the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen on October 27 for signing.
The bond sale allows the Town to enjoy savings from interest rate decreases to the tune of approximately $300,000. Selectman Tyler Macallister read a long legal document into the record for the transaction prior to accepting the sale.
“I have no idea what I just said,” Macallister said. All agreed that the bottom line for the Town was long-term savings for the taxpayers.
The bonds represented loans of $4,589,850 that covered such projects as water and sewer improvements, roadways, and library needs.
Town Clerk Catherine Heuberger also met with the selectmen seeking their official vote to replace old voting equipment with new units approved by the state. The new machines will be used starting with the March 2016 election.
Also coming before the selectmen for a continuation of their hearing for a Class II license for vehicle sales and service were Kevin and David Ducharme of Dartmouth. During their previous hearing, the selectmen had asked the father and son business partners to meet with Police Department Safety Officer Justin King to review traffic flow entering and exiting the Route 6 location where they propose to set up their business. King offered several suggestions for the 79 Marion Road property.
However, that was not the only hurdle the Ducharmes needed to clear. They were told that the building and zoning code enforcement director, Andrew Bobola, would need to approve the number of cars they would be allowed to keep on the premises for sale.
After being told that they will need to work with Bobola and provide him with a scaled drawing of the property use, the selectmen approved their license with conditions that flags, balloons and banners, flickering lights, and other distracting materials not be used.
Ducharme will be allowed to keep a minimum of 15 vehicles and possibly as many as 25 if Bobola agrees that number is in keeping with bylaws.
Town Administrator Michael Gagne updated the selectmen on the progress being made on the Acushnet Road culvert and roadway project. He said the culvert has been completed and the project remains on track for a mid-November completion.
Gagne also reported that the Water and Sewer Department would be undertaking a water infiltration review to ensure that the public sewer system is not being breached by illegal hook-ups. He said the town has hired OSD Engineering Consultants of New Hampshire. He assured the board that the employees for the company, who will be conducting a house-by-house evaluation, will have clear credentials and other forms of identification.
Gagne was also delighted to share the “really good news” that Paula Butterfield, assistant veterans agent, has received state recognition as the number one agent of the year. He said, “Numerous times, people give her very high praise.”
Gagne said the Special Fall Town Meeting is scheduled for November 9 at the ORRHS auditorium at 6:30 pm.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen is scheduled for November 24 at 7:00 pm in the Mattapoisett Town Hall conference room.
By Marilou Newell
Mattapoisett Recreation is partnering with Blackstone Valley Fencing Academy to offer a six-week fencing course. The program is for boys and girls ages 7-12 years. Learn the language of fencing: en guard, attack, parry, rispote and touchez in a friendly environment. Fencing exercises the mind and body with tactical thinking and fast footwork. Blackstone Valley Fencing’s goal is to train fencers to excel in both the sport and their personal life. They promote self-confidence and self-reliance as a fencer and individual. Session is Mondays from 6:30 – 7:30 pm, January 4- February 22 (no class on January 18 and February 15) in the Center School Gymnasium. Cost is $120. Sign up online at www.mattrec.net. Questions, please email mattrec@mattapoisett.net.
Registration Deadline for all Mattapoisett Recreation Basketball programs for Grades 2-Junior High & Tri-Town Grades 3-6 Basketball is this Saturday, October 31! Please sign up online at www.mattrec.net or mail in registration forms. Placement nights for all leagues are next week as follows:
– 2nd grade Boys & Girls: Tuesday, November 3, 5:00 – 6:00 pm at Center School Gym
– 3rd Grade Boys: Monday, November 2, 6:00 – 7:00 pm at ORRJHS Gym
– 4th Grade Boys: Monday, November 2, 7:00 – 8:00 pm at ORRJHS Gym
– 5th Grade Boys: Tuesday, November 3, 6:00 – 7:00 pm at ORRJHS Gym
– 6th Grade Boys: Tuesday, November 3, 7:00 – 8:00 pm at ORRJHS Gym
– 3rd & 4th Grade Girls: Wednesday, November 4, 6:00 – 7:00 pm at ORRJHS Gym
– 5th & 6th Grade Girls: Wednesday, November 4, 7:00 – 8:00 pm at ORRJHS Gym
– 7th Grade Boys: Thursday, November 5, 6:00 – 7:00 pm at ORRJHS Gym
– 8th Grade Boys: Thursday, November 5, 7:00 – 8:00 pm at ORRJHS Gym
Please email MattREC with any questions at mattrec@mattapoisett.net.
Squirts: The Gateway Gladiator Squirts pulled out a win Sunday morning versus Norwood. It was a tough game with a battle for the puck and good back and forth hockey and defense throughout the game with neither team wanting to allow a score. Ty David Ribeiro got through with two goals in the first and added another two in the second. Benjamin Hebbel cleared the crease with a goal, giving Gateway a 5-2 lead. In the third, Braden Hathon and Lucy Murphy pushed to get the puck and the team played hard, but Norwood was able to add another goal before the final buzzer sounded, giving the game a final of 5-3 Gateway win with Thomas Leger strong in net.
Pee Wees: The Gateway Pee Wee hockey team faced the undefeated North Devils on Saturday evening. Gateway played their best game of the season with great passing, puck movement and positioning. Gateway was able to dominate the North Devil’s zone and earn a win with a score of 8-0. Goal scorers included Robert Maloney and Tyler Lovendale with one each and Luke Mello, Austin Fleming and RJ Vickery netting a pair of goals each. Assists by Emily Roberge, Michael Parker, Nate Ribeiro, Bailey Tieu, Mello and Vickery helped the team along, while goalie Ryker King earned another shut out with some fantastic saves.
Bantams: The Gateway Gladiators Bantam team added another win over the weekend, defeating Plymouth, 9-1. Quirino DoCanto scored a hat-trick and added an assist. Fellow goal scorers included: Noah Demoranville, Jackson St. Don, Brian Gallagher, Chris Cogan, Zack Lovendale, Jack Martins, and Jameson Woodward. Nick Snow and Peter Pimental added assists, as did Gallagher, Lovendale, and St. Don. Martins had two helpers.
This year, Tabor Academy has refocused attention on gender equality and providing equal opportunity for both female and male students.
Two years ago, Headmaster John Quirk implemented a system of co-heads of school so that one boy and one girl are selected from the senior class to lead the school each year. Subsequently, Student Council was reorganized so that each of the three positions has one girl and one boy. After achieving gender parity in the school legislature, the administration began inviting speakers to start conversations on the important issue of gender equality.
Tabor started by bringing in Michael Kimmel, a professor of Sociology at Stony Brook University, who has written extensively on the topic of toxic masculinity and the necessity of men standing up for women’s rights.
Kimmel came to Tabor to discuss the process by which boys become men, and how competition to be the “alpha male” causes men to engage in harmful social behavior, undermining the struggle for gender equality. He focused on how being a feminist is actually beneficial to men as well as women, and how men should stand up for women’s issues.
“Even though it was geared to guys, I thought everyone could take something from it,” said senior Claire Brito. “I liked that it made gender equality everyone’s issue.”
Senior Lulu Ward agreed, saying that she appreciated “how statistical Michael Kimmel was.” She noted “it was hard to argue with him because he had a lot of science in his corner.”
After the speech, Tabor students broke out into small groups to discuss the talk and how they think it applied to Tabor’s community as a whole.
“He did a good job of making it Tabor-specific. He talked a lot about boarding school mentality and school culture,” said Brito. “For a long time, I think feminism was something no one wanted to talk about or be associated with. I’m really happy that we’re working to make Tabor’s culture more inclusive.”
Brito is the leader of a female empowerment club on campus and has long tried to start a dialogue about women’s rights.
“It’s very heartening to know the administration is taking a stand,” said Brito.
After Kimmel, Alexis Jones, speaker and author of I Am That Girl, came to campus to discuss her personal story and to highlight inequalities in the lives of men and women, especially in their adolescence.
Jones addressed the females and males separately, focusing primarily on body image and self-esteem with the girls, and standing up and protecting girls for the boys.
“I really liked the intersection of both speakers,” said senior Theo Warren. “They both changed the way I think about feminism. I used to think it didn’t apply to me, or really anyone my age, but now I understand how important gender equality is.”
While for a long time, Tabor students stayed away from identifying as “feminists” or publicly discussing these social issues, this year the administration refused to keep the conversation quiet. These incredibly interesting and knowledgeable speakers were just starting points for the dialogue that has been happening between both students and teachers about the importance of gender equality in our community.
By Madeleine Gregory
Drop-in Technology Help: Do you have questions about Facebook, Twitter, Skype, or need technology assistance with an electronic device you recently bought or acquired? Then stop into the Elizabeth Taber Library any Monday and/or Thursday now through November 12 between 3:00 – 4:00 pm, and one of our friendly staff members will walk you through it! No registration is required for this free drop-in program. First come; first served.
Please note, if you cannot make one of these days, call the Elizabeth Taber Library to make an appointment for another time.
Afternoon Book Club: Please join us for a delightful afternoon book discussion every third Tuesday of the month at 2:00 pm. On November 17, we will discuss Our Souls at Night by Kent Haruf. Please stop into the Elizabeth Taber Library today to register and reserve a copy of the monthly book.
Tabor Academy Students provide Technology Help: Drop in to the Elizabeth Taber Library on Sundays, November 8 and November 15, from 2:00 – 3:00 pm for one-on-one technology assistance from a Tabor Academy student. Registration is not required. First come; first served. If you cannot make these dates, please stay tuned! More technology sessions will be scheduled in January.
Mystery Book Club: Join us at the Elizabeth Taber Library for our monthly Mystery Book Club meeting, which is held the first Wednesday of every month at 11:00 am. On November 4, we will discuss Blue Labyrinth by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. Please stop into the Elizabeth Taber Library today to register and reserve a copy of the monthly book.
Museum Passes: Looking for something fun to do with friends and family? Then come to the Elizabeth Taber Library to check out any of our museum passes with your SAILS library card! We currently have passes to the New Bedford Whaling Museum, Museum of Fine Arts, Plimoth Plantation, Providence Children’s Museum, Roger Williams Zoo and the MassParks Pass. To reserve a pass or for more information, please call the library at 508-748-1252 or visit our website www.elizabethtaberlibrary.org.