Groundhog Cover Contest

on December 28, 2015

The Wanderer is once again holding a Groundhog Day Cover Contest. The winner’s artwork will appear on the cover of our January 28 issue. The winner will also receive a cash prize of $250.

Create an original work of art to be displayed on the cover of The Wanderer. Anything that can be displayed on the cover is acceptable: photos, drawings, paintings, etc.

Entries are due in The Wanderer office, 55 County Road, Mattapoisett by noon on January 15.

Remember, all artwork should be tall to best fit on our cover. All entries must include a signed copy of the Official Entry Form, which can be picked up at The Wanderer office or downloaded at www.wanderer.com.

Voting will start on January 17 and will end at 8:00 pm on January 25. To vote, visit our web page at www.Wanderer.com. The winning artwork will be on the cover of our January 28, 2016 issue.

Everyone who votes will be entered to win a Wanderer Groundhog Gift Bag full of Wanderer, aardvark, and groundhog goodies.

Marion’s Master Plan

on December 28, 2015

To the Editor:

It’s going to be the Final Countdown.

On Monday, January 4 at 7:00 pm in the Marion Music Hall, Marion tax payers will have the opportunity to hear a draft summary of the first six chapters of Marion’s Master Plan, provide their invaluable feedback and ask questions. The presentation will address the following Master Plan Elements that were covered in earlier workshops: Land Use | Economic Development | Housing | Transportation | Services & Facilities | Climate Resiliency.

The Planning Board is counting on our town citizens to provide their point of view to help guide Marion into the future! Community input is essential to construct a plan that truly represents what residents want. (By the way, if you are leaving for the winter, don’t hesitate to email your comments to tsantos@marionma.gov.)

Marion’s Master Plan is a document that will guide the Town’s evolution through the coming decade and beyond. Assisting us with the planning process are professionals from the Southeast Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD) as well as many of our selected Master Plan Advisors, a group composed of community members and representatives from town boards.

Please mark your calendar TODAY for this important public forum: 7:00 pm in the Music Hall on Monday, January 4. Make a resolution now to help us ensure Marion’s Master Plan will protect our Town’s special charm while meeting the future needs of our residents. For more information, visit www.srpedd.org/marion-master-plan.

Thank you and Happy New Year!

Jennifer Francis, Planning Board Member

Wendy Cullum, MP Outreach Consultant

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.

Students Shine in Annual Holiday Production

on December 28, 2015

It is an event that school staff, students, and parents look forward to each year during the holiday season – the annual holiday production at Center School.

This year, grades one through three presented a musical that “celebrates the light at the top of the tree” entitled “Sparkle and Shine.”

There were children dressed as reindeer, including Rudolph, of course, Santa and Santa’s elves, woodland creatures, and Christmas trees – trees all vying to be Santa’s special Christmas tree for Christmas this year.

On the afternoon of December 21, students held a dress rehearsal in front of the school, readying for the big performance later to come for Center School parents, families, and the community.

“I am very proud to present to you the wonderful students from first, second, and third grade,” said Center School Principal Rose Bowman, saying how proud she was of the performers, as well as the attentive and well-behaved audience.

The students presented their Christmas performance to the public the morning of Tuesday, December 22.

By Jean Perry

Basketball Wins Home Opener

on December 27, 2015

Most teams’ seasons are already under way, but Boys’ Basketball and both track teams had their season openers this week. Now all Bulldog teams are in full swing. Boys’ Basketball’s 70-51 and 48-33 wins over Seekonk and Fairhaven, respectively, were this week’s highlights, but Girls’ Basketball and Boys’ and Girls’ Ice Hockey also impressed by jumping into the ‘W’ column and both track teams started their seasons with a pair of victories.

Boys’ Basketball: The boys opened their hotly anticipated season Tuesday at home against Seekonk. They played a solid game throughout, jumping out to a 38-20 lead at the half and holding on to win 70-51. They held all Warrior players to under 10 points in the season-opening victory. On Friday, they faced Fairhaven in their second game of the season. Defense was the key to success for the ‘Dogs in their second consecutive victory, as they prevented any Blue Devil player from scoring more than 10 points in a solid 48-33 effort. Senior Evan Santos and junior big man Matt Valles led the squad with 14 and 10 points, respectively. Senior Jared Nye also chipped in 7. This week, the boys are away at Bourne on Monday and home against Case on Wednesday.

Girls’ Basketball: The girls suffered a 54-22 loss to Durfee to begin their season last Friday. They looked to get back on track as they stayed on the road to play Seekonk on Tuesday night, which resulted in a 55-30 defeat as the girls struggled on defense. While the boys were away, the Lady Bulldogs came back to Mattapoisett to have their home opener against Fairhaven on Friday night. They won that battle 48-30, as the Lady Bulldogs’ offense came alive in the second half after a slow start. The leading scorer was junior Olivia Labbe with 11 points, followed by fellow juniors Katelyn Bindas (9) and Sophia Church (6). This week, the girls play Bourne at home on Monday and travel to Case for an away game on Wednesday.

Boys’ Track: The first track meet of the season for the boys was on Wednesday against Apponequet and GNB Voc-Tech at the Walter Janiak Field House at Voc-Tech. The Bulldogs earned wins in both meets, defeating Apponequet 61-25 and GNB Voc-Tech 51-35. The big double wins came from junior Danny Renwick in the high jump (6-0), senior captain Hunter Parker in the mile (5:07), freshman cross country star Adam Sylvia in the two mile (11:08), and junior Will Hopkins in the 55m hurdles (8.4). On Saturday, the Bulldogs competed in the SCC Relays, which were also held at Voc. They were second in the large school portion of the competition, and second overall to Dighton-Rehoboth. After two meets in close succession, the team has no meets during Christmas week.

Girls’ Track: The girls employ the same schedule as the boys, so they too faced Apponequet and GNB Voc-Tech last Wednesday to begin their season. It wasn’t a very close meet, to say the least, as the Lady Bulldogs pounded Apponequet 74-12 and GNB Voc-Tech 81.5-4.5. Senior Zoe Smith won the high jump (5-2) and the 55m hurdles (8.9). In the distance running department, the girls got wins from senior captain Nina Bourgeois in the 1000m (3:21), sophomore Madisen Martin in the mile (5:48), and senior Madeline Meyer in the two mile (12:23). They swept the shorter races too, with sophomore Maggie Adams taking the 55m dash (7.6), senior Morgan Middleton winning the 300m (46.5), and senior captain Nicole Mattson capturing a victory in the 600m (1:50). The Lady Bulldogs also ran in the SCC Relays on Saturday morning, where they won yet another title in both the ‘large school’ and overall division sections of the meet. They will enjoy a week of rest during the holidays.

Boys’ Swimming: The boys looked to get in the win column for the first time this year against Seekonk on Tuesday afternoon. Unfortunately, they were defeated 97-39 by a tough Warrior team. Senior Nate Wentworth remained a standout as he won the 100m breaststroke in a time of 1:26.5. He also contributed on a winning 400 freestyle relay team that swam 4:45.7, swimming alongside senior Marco Li, junior Adam Perkins, and freshman Tyler Kulak. The Bulldogs will travel to Dighton-Rehoboth to swim against the Falcons on Tuesday.

Girls’ Swimming: This week’s meet was at Seekonk on Tuesday. The girls suffered a 103-76 loss but swam a very competitive meet. Senior Molly Richards followed up her success from last week by winning the 200m freestyle with a time of 2:31.7. Richards also swam on a victorious 200m freestyle relay team with sophomores Megan Field and Erin Burke, and freshman Claire Noble-Shriver. Senior Teagan Walsh, sophomore Ainslee Bangs, and senior Amy Bichajian helped out the cause by going 1-2-3 in the 1m dive event. Walsh had a winning dive score of 134.025. Next week, the Lady Bulldogs will compete at Dighton-Rehoboth on Tuesday.

Boys’ Ice Hockey: The boys were at Gallo Ice Arena (which unlike the girls’ team, is not their home rink) to play Wareham High/Carver High in a big showdown on Wednesday night. ORR’s Kam Silvia (Sr.) provided the offensive firepower, scoring five goals in a big 10-3 victory. Junior Ryan LaBonte of ORR scored two goals, while junior Sam Henrie, also from Old Rochester, had a goal and four assists. The Bulldogs and their Blue Devil counterparts had their home opener at the Travis Roy Rink at Tabor Academy Saturday afternoon against Attleboro High. Silvia continued his huge start to the season, scoring five goals in an 8-5 victory as the Bulldog/Blue Devil offense put up lofty results for the second straight game. They’re set for quite a busy week over Christmas, as they return to the Gallo Arena to play Bourne on Monday, and then they have consecutive home games against Somerset-Berkeley on Wednesday, December 23 and Plymouth South on Saturday, December 26.

Girls’ Ice Hockey: The girls looked for their first win at their home rink, the John Gallo Ice Arena in Bourne, on Wednesday against Martha’s Vineyard. They just did that, winning 5-2, receiving goals from four different scorers. Those scoring for the Bourne/Mashpee/Wareham/ORR (BMWORR) team were Bourne senior Natalia Gordon, ORR freshman Elsie Buckley, ORR freshman Kaitlin Kelley, and Bourne sophomore Carly LaCasse. They also played Marshfield at the Hobomock Rink late on Friday night. Marshfield is known for their tough Girls’ Ice Hockey team, and this game was expected to be a challenge for the young BMWORR squad. The Lady Bulldogs and Co. handled themselves admirably, however, and there were some positive takeaways from the game despite the 5-1 loss. Buckley scored another goal, this one coming on an assist from Bourne sophomore Leah Hidenfelter, and ORR’s freshman goalie Sophie Schiappa made 27 saves to keep the young team competitive. This week, the girls have two games at the Charles Moore Arena in Orleans: one against Nauset Regional on Wednesday, December 23 and the other versus Sandwich on Saturday, December 26.

Below are the overall fall team records, followed by the conference records in wins, losses, and ties as of December 20.

Boys’ Basketball: (2-0-0)(2-0-0); Girls’ Basketball: (1-2-0)(1-1-0); Boys’ Track: (2-0-0)(2-0-0); Girls’ Track: (2-0-0)(2-0-0); Boys’ Swimming: (0-2-0)(0-1-0); Girls’ Swimming: (1-1-0)(0-1-0); Boys’ Ice Hockey: (2-1-1)(1-0-0); Girls’ Ice Hockey: (1-2-0)(0-0-0).

By Patrick Briand

Student Council Calls for Diversity Awareness

on December 27, 2015

The Old Rochester Regional Junior High School Student Council’s aim is to make all students feel that their voices are being heard, that they are safe in their school, and that they are accepted in their student community. Student Council Co-President Riley Suh and Vice-President Emily Wilson, both in eighth grade, have recognized that a general lack of diversity awareness is an issue that affects individual students, the school at-large, and even the world.

What is most important to Suh, she said, is the formation of the school’s first “acceptance club,” which will bring students together in open discussion about increasing their understanding of people of other cultures, religions, sexual orientations, and neurodiversities.

“I think that’s especially important with all the stuff that’s going on right now with ISIS and the world,” said Suh. There are misconceptions about the Muslim community and fellow Americans that students from Tri-Town may harbor, said Suh, simply because they live in an area where those more observable diversities are minimal.

When a gay/straight alliance club was approved for the high school, the junior high school looked into forming a similar one with enthusiasm. But over time, the idea of broadening the scope of the group shaped it more into an all-encompassing diversity acceptance club to include more discussion about people and groups different from the local culture of Tri-Town.

“Everyone seems really onboard,” said Suh. “We hope to make it really big, and we want everyone in Student Council to join. I’m so excited.”

Suh, who moved to Tri-Town only just last summer, said she noticed a big change in the demographics at ORR than from San Francisco where she is from. She said she saw a lot of what she called “blatant” unawareness of other cultures, and is discouraged to hear fellow students in the school halls still using outdated terms like the “R” word and “fag” as insults to others. It was apparent to her that a gap in the school’s diversity education could be lessened with the formation of the new diversity club.

Suh said she does not think her fellow students are practicing “meanness” per se, but rather expressing a general lack of education of acceptance, of tolerance.

“I’m half Korean,” Suh said. “Being called ‘Chinese’ on a daily [basis] isn’t fun because they don’t realize that’s not what I am.”

The diversity club, which still lacks an official name, said Wilson, will hopefully address many of these issues, commenting on how vital it is to expose junior high school students to the important discussions on race, religion, gender, and so on.

“It’s never too early to start to learn about diversity,” said Wilson. “And the goal is to make [students] feel safe and enjoy school.”

Some focus will be on the political climate of the country during this presidential election, but as Suh points out, the group leaders will not be there to try to sway students to either side of the debate.

“It’s just about education about diversity in the world and how it affects us,” said Suh. “I really do think students in their school can make a difference.”

And it all begins with student government, the two agreed.

“Student government is really, really important because if students don’t really get a say in their school, then things never really get done,’ said Wilson.

Wilson said she and the other elected student council members, like other Co-President Jack LeBrun, often hear from the student body about their concerns or their ideas on how to make the school better – sometimes those are good ideas, said Suh, and sometimes there is silliness. Take “Pi Day,” for example.

“I don’t know why, but everybody wants to celebrate Pi Day,” said Suh. But others, said Wilson, have come up with interesting ideas such as a day to celebrate different ethnicities when students can bring a food to school that represents their family’s origins.

The student council will also hold a “jeans drive” in February, calling on students to clean out their closets and drawers to donate their gently used jeans for homeless teens.

“A lot of people just don’t realize how much they have,” said Wilson, especially in an area like the Tri-Town. Wilson said addressing diversity issues will help pierce through the protective veil that she thinks some Tri-Town students are shielded with from the rest of the world – and the diversity group, the girls agreed, is the place to start.

“I think it could fix a lot of problems in this school,” said Wilson.

By Jean Perry

Rochester Council on Aging Events

on December 26, 2015

Fitness Room Is Up & Running: The Fitness Room is open and available for members to use. Become a member by paying $20 a month membership fee and use the equipment as many times as it is open in that month. The Fitness Room schedule is Mondays & Wednesdays, 8:00 – 11:00 am, and Fridays 1:00 – 4:00 pm. As membership grows, we will increase the number of times it will be available. A packet, with required registration forms to participate, is available for pick-up at the Senior Center Office at any time. Anyone is welcome to become a member. Call Tammy, group leader, at 508-763-8723 with any questions.

Ring in the New Year 2016 at the Annual New Year’s Eve Party at the Senior Center! Everyone is welcome to join us at our annual New Year’s Eve Party on Thursday, December 31 from 12:00 – 2:00 pm as we welcome in 2016 in grand fashion! Lots of great food, music, noisemakers, and best wishes for a Happy New Year abound as we count down to 2016, and the senior center shares its rendition of “watching the ball drop”!! A good time will most certainly be had by all! This is a complimentary event. All we ask is that you sign up with us in advance, so that we are able to prepare enough of everything for everyone who comes! 508-763-8723.

Old Colony Students Offer Computer Classes: The IT students will be here on Fridays, January 8, 15, & 29 from 12:30 – 1:30 pm. Any senior who has computer-related questions or just wants to learn more about using a computer is welcome to come on down and meet the students!

The Friends of the Rochester Senior Center will hold their Annual Meeting on Wednesday, January 13 at 10:15 am. The slate of officers for a new year will be voted on, and new fundraisers will be discussed. All Friends Members are welcome to attend.

The newly formed Book Club will meet again on Tuesday, January 19 at 10:15 am to review Little Princes: One Man’s Promise to Bring Home the Lost Children of Nepal by Conor Grennan. Free. Anyone is welcome.

Manicures Anyone? The Cosmetology Students from Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School will be offering free manicures and hand massages at the Senior Center to anyone who is interested on Tuesday, January 19 from 10:15 – 11:15 am. Anyone is welcome to come. Come on down for a real treat!

January COA Day Trip: “Winter Wonderland of Orchids” Show, Hyannis on Saturday, January 23. Leave at 9:00 am; return at 4:00 pm; $10 admission; lunch nearby. Call the Senior Center at 508-763-8723 to reserve your spot.

“How to Eat Out the Healthy Way” Join Stephanie Boulay, Dietitian from Coastline, as she discusses “Eating Out” with us on Tuesday, January 26 at 10:15 am. Please sign up in advance for this free program by calling 508-763-8723.

Monthly Programs at the Rochester Senior Center:

– The Pampered Chef Demo & Luncheon: Monday, January 11, 11:30 am & 12:00 pm; $4 suggested donation; pre-registration recommended.

– Soup & Sandwich Lunches: Mondays, 12:00 pm; $4 suggested donation; pre-registration recommended.

Weekly Classes/Programs at the Rochester Senior Center:

– Chair Yoga: Mondays, 1:00 – 2:00 pm; $3 suggested donation

– Busy Bees Craft Group: Thursdays, 9:00 – 11:30 am; Free

– Painters Group: Mondays, 9:30 am – 12:00 pm; Free

– Line Dancing: Tuesdays, 2:30 – 4:00 pm, Fridays, 9:30 – 11:00 am; $2 suggested donation per class

– BINGO: Wednesdays, 12:30 – 3:00 pm

– Stepping & Stretching Exercise Program: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 1:00 – 2:00 pm; $2 suggested donation per class

– Ballroom Dancing: Wednesdays, 10:00 – 11:00 am; $4 per person per class

– Cardio Dance-Fit Exercise Program: Tuesdays, 9:00 – 10:00 am; $4 per class

– Scrabble: Tuesdays, 9:00 am; Free

– Blood Pressure Checks: Mondays, 10:30 am – 12:00 pm

– Congregate Lunches (from Coastline): Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday, 11:30 am; $2 suggested donation per person per day; 24-hour pre-registration required. Call 508-763-8723.

– Ye Olde Breakfast Shoppe: Open for Business Mondays-Fridays, 7:00 – 9:00 am. Order & pay from Breakfast Menu. Anyone of any age & any town is welcome.

Open Auditions Held at MAC

on December 26, 2015

The Marion Art Center announces that it will hold open auditions for a production of J.B. Priestley’s Dangerous Corner, a Melodrama – seeking three males, four females. Dangerous Corner is a fascinating combination of mystery play and psychological study.

Audition dates are January 11 and 13 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm at the MAC Theater, 80 Pleasant Street, Marion. Production dates are April 1, 2, 3, 8 & 9. Call 508-748-1266 for more details.

Historical Commission Sponsors Installation

on December 26, 2015

Notable names from the Town of Mattapoisett’s past can now be read on a new memorial at Town Hall that commemorates the service of residents whose dedication to Mattapoisett included being a selectman.

On Wednesday, December 16, the Mattapoisett Historical Commission’s installation of memorial bricks was completed at Town Hall in front of the public notice board.

Overseeing the design aspects of the project and the installation was Historical Commission Chairman Jo Pannell. Charles Duponte, a local landscape architect, donated his time and resources to the effort.

The names of the selectmen who have served since the very first election was ever held, along with their dates of service, will forever stand as a monument to one of the oldest and purest forms of democracy: local participation.

Mattapoisett was incorporated in 1857 and had its first election that year for selectmen. The voters elected Jarvis Ellis, A. B. Hammond, and Joseph Smith.

Each brick displays the selectman’s name and years of service to the community. It is surprising to note that a number of those people served for many long years.

None served longer than Lester Crampton, who surpassed them all with 40 years to his credit. Others whose years of service to Mattapoisett are deserving of special note are Manuel C. Linhares, 27 years; Franklin Cross, 21 years; John DeCosta, 20 years; and George White, 19 years.

As a selectman’s final term in office ends, his/her name will be added to the roster. The memorial has been designed so that, should the town have a new town hall building in the future, it can be moved to that location.

By Marilou Newell

Gateway Youth Hockey

on December 25, 2015

Squirts: Gateway Gladiator Squirts took on the WHK Hawks on Saturday and earned the win 7-1. In the first period, both teams’ goaltending came out strong. Bradyen Hathon put Gateway on the board first with help from Benjamin Hebbel and Ty David Ribeiro. Later on in the period, Ribeiro also scored a goal, unassisted. In the second period, Gateway got the scoring going with Matthew Paling tallying his first of the night assisted by Lucas DeMoranville, Ribeiro scoring his second goal of the game assisted by Hathon, Paling scoring again later in the period assisted by Jacob Hebbel and Ribeiro, and Benjamin Hebbel capping off the second period scoring with Paling assisting. In the third period, WHK squeaked its one and only goal past Gateway goalie Thomas Leger, but Paling completed his hat trick with another goal, with help from Jacob Hebbel.

Pee Wees: The Gateway Pee Wee Gladiators played the Cape Cod Waves on Saturday and won the game with a score of 5-1. The game was scoreless through the entire first period and the Waves fought hard to try to keep it that way, but Gateway got on the board early in the second and turned up the heat. Gateway players Bailey Tieu, RJ Vickery, Tyler Rebeiro and Matthew Paling all scored off of assists by Luke Mello, Paling and Rebeiro.

Bantams: The Gateway Gladiator Bantams lost to the Walpole Express for the second time in as many games. Gateway struggled to possess the puck and failed to capitalize on the few scoring chances they had. The 4-0 shutout comes at a time when the Gladiators are struggling to regain their identity as a well-disciplined, hard-skating, puck-moving team. Gateway will look to get back to their winning ways as the season resumes in 2016.

Showstoppers Holiday Pops Concert

on December 25, 2015

The Showstoppers delighted audience members once again at the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra’s Holiday Pops Concert on Saturday, December 19 at the Zeiterion Theatre. As Maestro MacKenzie publicly declared, the invitation to have them return this year was a ‘no-brainer.’ “The Showstoppers knocked our socks off!” Photo courtesy Kelly Zucco