A True Wanderer Takes One Along for The Ride

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            Ray Rose has only been traveling for 10 years, so it is only natural that he would visit Europe and forget. It was only natural that he would tour Machu Picchu and forget.

            “There were many times that, dammit, I meant to do it, but I keep forgetting,” admitted Rose.

            Then there was the time that Ray Rose didn’t forget to take a copy of The Wanderer in his travels.

            “I grabbed this one and threw it in my suitcase,” he said, choosing the January 9, 2020, issue featuring Kanaly brothers William and Henry while holding up September 19, 2019, and October 10, 2019, issues of The Wanderer during their Fall 2019 visit to the Eiffel Tower.

            In that manner, the Kanaly kids accompanied Rose everywhere he went. It’s a long list of destinations that for him were only stopovers, part of a bigger picture.

            “I wonder if there’s ever been a Wanderer that circumnavigated the globe,” muses Rose, who would become the closest thing to an answer to his own question during trips he made from January to March 2020.

            One trip he made with a longtime companion, the other with his daughter Amy. Both were broken plays, improvisations of situations meant to be far more limited in scope.

            A 50-year resident of Mattapoisett, Rose grew up in the South End of New Bedford and attended the public high school (Class of 1969).

            “It was kind of a dream,” said Rose. “As a kid, I use to love reading about places all over the world. There are places you go that are not going to be quite what you expect. Egypt just blew me away.”

            Rose was on a jaunt to South America with intentions of visiting friends in Peru until being advised amidst political unrest to stay back in Argentina. It so happened the Argentine national soccer team was battling France in the World Cup, so Rose was able to bathe in what amounted to a huge party in Buenos Aires when the locals emerged victorious by penalty kicks.

            Extending his trip southward instead, Rose wound up in Ushuaia, Argentina, the world’s southern-most city. There, he boarded a boat for Antarctica.

            The two-week trip aboard Ortellis ran through very rough seas until approaching the Antarctic Peninsula where the seas calm down. It took two days to get there, but upon his arrival the silence was deafening.

            “There were no sounds except for natural sounds, rumblings, maybe an avalanche, a penguin or a bird,” he said.

            Rose was surprised by the coastal environment. “The temperatures were not that bad. If the sun was out, you are shedding clothing,” he said, noting the warm reflection of the sun off the white snow. “Camping in Antarctica is a unique experience.”

            The Wanderer went with him.

            The same, tattered copy of the local newspaper accompanied him on a separate trip that took a western path so far it ended in the East.

            Having left Boston on January 14, 2020, Rose began by visiting a friend in Seattle, then a stepsister in Hawaii. He was in Raratonga (Cook Islands) when he realized the opportunity at hand.

            “It was spur of the moment,” he said. “If I’m going to Australia and New Zealand, I’m going halfway around the planet, so it doesn’t make sense to go back the same way.”

            Australia and New Zealand require that visitors apply for an online visa stating arrival and departure dates, so only that much was certain.

            “Once I went to Australia, it was like, ‘where do I go next?’”

            Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, then Nepal, where he visited with Rajesh Shahi, the Nepalese man who had spent time in Mattapoisett as a child.

            The Wanderer would eventually make it to King Tut’s tomb, but the more important encounters were with natives of foreign countries and creeds that embraced Rose in his visits. His adventures included a ride in a hot-air balloon, a dive into crystal-clear waters, visits to temples of Luxor and Carnac, encountering children in poverty and the confusion of Kathmandu’s countlessly tangled streets and wires.

            Rose would reach Egypt as part of a tour, visiting Cairo and Luxor before the COVID-19 pandemic canceled his plan to fly back from Jordan. Instead, he was sent back to Cairo to catch a flight at three times the price to New York and finally, Boston.

            Broken plays, extra expenses and all, Rose wouldn’t trade the experience.

            “It was incredible,” he said.

By Mick Colageo

Town Administrator Search Reaches Final Stage

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            Rochester’s Select Board started its meeting Monday by accepting a $602,226.33 check from the Plymouth County commissioners.

            County Commission Chair Jared Valanzola and Commissioner Sandra M. Wright presented the Select Board with the oversize facsimile of the check that the town was recently awarded in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds as administered by the county. Valanzola noted that the check, the real version that Interim Town Administrator Suzanne Szyndlar recently received, represents the total of two funding requests that Rochester has earned: $218,000 for revenue replacement and $384,800 for a new ambulance.

            Wright thanked the Town Hall staff that helped reward the application for the funds. Valanzola asked the board to send further CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act funding allocation requests by September 30. “We don’t want to return a penny of it back to Washington, D.C.,” he said.

            Select Board member Adam Murphy said more money might be needed because the town is in the final stages of hiring a new town administrator who might have other funding ideas. “When that person is hired, we’d like you to come back to (have the new town administrator) be introduced to you,” Murphy said.

            In related news, Szyndlar reported that the Town Administrator Search Committee has finished interviewing all the applicants for the position and has picked three finalists that it would like the Select Board to interview soon as the next step. Szyndlar said the process will be the same as with the Police Chief search: interviews with the three in one open session with predetermined questions. She said she would like to set up these interviews sometime next week.

            Szyndlar also reported more good news regarding funding awards. She said the town will be receiving $190,108 in payouts from Fair Share, the state taxation program that levies a 4% surcharge on income over $1,000,000. “This money will be available for immediate use,” she added.

            In other action, the Select Board approved the Zoning Board of Appeals’ request to advance associate member Jeffrey Costa to full member for a term to expire on April 30, 2029.

            Town Planner Nancy Durfee reported the town’s Hazard Mitigation Plan 2024 is close to being finalized. She said it is an update of the regional Hazard Mitigation Plan that was completed in 2004. She noted this is an important update because it helps the town plan and receive funding for projects that reduce the risk of injury or damage to property from natural-hazard events such as flooding, winter storms and hurricanes.

            Durfee said first the state will review the town’s new plan, then the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will need to approve it. Then the plan will come back to the Select Board for its approval around November. After that finalization, she said, the plan will need to be updated every five years.

            The Select Board approved the warrant for the 2024 State Primary election, which will be held on Tuesday, September 3, from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm at the Council on Aging Senior Center.

            The board again continued its hearings into plans for a new Eversource utility pole and manhole cover on Rounseville Road to Monday, September 9, at 6:05 pm at the Council on Aging Senior Center.

            The board approved the early closure of town buildings on Friday, September 6, at 11:00 am for the town’s annual Employee Appreciation Luncheon, which will be held at the Highway Barn.

            The next Rochester Select Board meeting will be held on Monday, August 19, at 6:00 pm at the Rochester Council on Aging Senior Center, 67 Dexter Lane.

Rochester Select Board

By Michael J. DeCicco

From the Files of the Rochester Historical Society

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            With some of these articles, I like to put a picture that makes people puzzle over why it’s there. This is one of those pictures. Putting together our current exhibit on how we’ve entertained ourselves for over 300 years led me to thinking about the places where some of those entertainments took place.

            Drive-ins and movie theaters top the list of places that have gone from common place to harder to find. Beginning in the 20’s, many towns had movie theaters. Great Grandma Hartley liked to go to a theater in Marion. There were theaters in Wareham, Fairhaven and Buzzard’s Bay. New Bedford had many that were beautiful shrines to the movies and Rochester had a Drive-in.

            Another place for fun was the roller skating rink. Rochester had one in a building at Mary’s Pond. The Village Barn on Main St. in Acushnet had an upstairs roller rink that took special skill to navigate. Growing up in Weymouth, it sometimes seemed like there was one on every corner. In later years, some were replaced by tennis clubs.

            Then, there were bowling alleys. East Over Farm had a private bowling alley which was occasionally opened to Rochester residents. Fairhaven had the Atlantic Bowling Alley at the corner of Rte. 6 and Sconticut Neck Rd. where there is a shopping mall today. Buzzards Bay had one for many years after others had closed, and today there is a games center there.  I believe there is a long-lived bowling alley on Hathaway Rd. in New Bedford.

            Now to the picture. Maybe you’ve figured it out that it’s a picture of where the bowling alley in Mattapoisett used to be, right alongside the Cathay Temple which is now Ying’s. My grandmother bowled there with the Seniors, and now it’s a vacant lot.

            I’ve mentioned tennis clubs of which there used to be many more than today and even the number of courts are shrinking or repurposed for pickleball.

            I’m sure there are many more places that you can think of that I have missed, and I hope you’ll share them.

By Connie Eshbach

ORR Students Present at Influencers Conference

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The Old Rochester Regional School District and Massachusetts Superintendency Union #55 is proud to announce that Superintendent Michael S. Nelson, Dr. Shari Fedorowicz, Lauren Millette, and two students, Molly Wronski and Jaymeson Gunschel, presented at the 30th Annual Paul J. Andrews Executive Institute hosted by the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents (M.A.S.S.) this month.

            Their presentation, titled “Building a Culture of Influencers – Embracing Student Leadership and Voice as Catalysts of Change,” highlighted the district’s commitment to fostering student leadership and its positive impact on school culture.

            “Our students have worked tirelessly to create an environment where student voices are heard and valued,” said Nelson. “Presenting at the M.A.S.S. conference was a fantastic opportunity to share our successes and inspire other districts to embrace student leadership as a driving force for positive change. We look forward to continuing this work in our schools during the upcoming school year.”

            Dr. Shari Fedorowicz added, “It was a privilege to present at M.A.S.S. with dedicated administrators and our remarkable students, Molly Wronski and Jaymeson Gunschel. Our work with Project 351 and the Boston Celtics Playbook Initiative has been a framework for building and empowering student leaders as change agents which are tailored toward the needs of our district.”

            Lauren Millette reflected on the experience, saying, “It was an honor to present alongside Superintendent Nelson, Dr. Fedorowicz, and our amazing students, Molly Wronski and Jaymeson Gunschel. Empowering students to become leaders and influencers as school change agents and having strong administrative support is key to building the best learning environments.

            “Project 351 and the Boston Celtics Playbook Initiative have served as catalysts for developing our young leaders into upstanders and bridge builders. I am thankful that we were able to share how we implemented the Playbook Initiative into our district with other educators and stakeholders across Massachusetts at the Institute so that they may do the same.”

            The Celtics Playbook Initiative, in partnership with Project 351, is led by students across the Commonwealth, as Playbook Trainers. These trainers, who receive in-depth training and coaching from Celtics and Project 351 staff, facilitate interactive workshops and serve as champions of change, modeling inclusion and sharing tools to intervene in challenging social situations. The initiative has been widely adopted by school districts across Massachusetts.

            Wronski, who will be a junior in the fall, and Gunschel, who graduated in June, shared their experiences and the significant role student leadership has played in their education. Molly also participated in another panel event at the conference where students from across the Commonwealth discussed the impact of Project 351 in their schools, sharing meaningful moments and stories about how the initiative has shifted culture through student leadership and voice.

            For more information about the Playbook Initiative and Project 351, please visit nba.com/celtics/community/playbook.

Robert (Bob) McGowan

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Robert (Bob) McGowan of Venice, FL passed away on June 15, 2024 of Parkinson’s disease.

            He leaves behind his wife, Sandy, and his daughters Melissa Kang, Heather McGowan and Kelly Ochoa. He was  the father of the late Jonathan McGowan.

            Bob was born in New Bedford, MA on November 15, 1943 to Charles and Anna McGowan.

            He spent his summers in Mattapoisett at Pico Beach.

            There will be a Celebration of Life for Bob on August 30, 2024 at the Mattapoisett Congregational Church at 1 pm and a reception following at the Reservation Golf Course.

            Burial will be private.

Christine L. Gaumont

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Christine L. Gaumont, 71, of Acushnet passed away peacefully Sunday, June 23, 2024, at home after a lengthy illness. She was born in New Bedford, daughter of the late Roland and Claire (Saucier) Gaumont, and the life partner of the late Elaine Beausoleil.

            Christine was a Veterinarian DVM and proprietor of Acushnet Animal Hospital for many years. She raised German Shepherds and loved all of her many dogs. Christine is survived by her brother Raymond Gaumont of Florida and his wife Karen. Her Godson, and first cousin, Mark D. Saucier, and his wife Jennifer of Acushnet. Also, close friends Tammy and Lyle Isherwood of Acushnet. Also, several other cousins and friends.

            She graduated from Old Rochester Regional High School and from the University of Illinois with her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), she was also a financial supporter of the college. she was the sole proprietor of the Acushnet Animal Hospital for over 38 years. Her true passion however was breeding, raising and training German Shepherds. Some of her brilliant dogs went on to become police dogs over the years. Chris was also a member of the Schutzhund Club of America for over 30 years, and has won many medals, trophies, and awards with her dogs over the years in animal sporting. In 1993, she won bronze at the regional trials, and in 2000 won gold. She also won Universal Sieger with her beloved shepherd Quick. Over the years of competing and training within the sport she made many good friends, and was highly respected for her passion, love, and dedication, of the sport.

            Chris was also loyal to the town of Acushnet and volunteered annually to hold an annual rabies clinic. She was a known staple in the community and was always willing to help any sick or injured animal. She will be missed greatly by her family, friends, and clients from the Acushnet Animal Hospital.

            Christine’s Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday August 13, 2024, at 10am at St. Francis Xavier Church Main North Street, Acushnet, with a private burial to follow. Arrangements are by the Fairhaven Funeral Home, 117 Main Street, Fairhaven.

MAC Theater Presents: Baskerville

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Marion Art Center (the MAC) would like to announce the opening of the MAC Theater’s Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery Opening, August 9.

            Synopsis: Get your deerstalker cap on – the play’s afoot. Comedic genius Ken Ludwig (Lend Me a Tenor, Moon Over Buffalo, Crazy for You) transforms Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic The Hound of the Baskervilles into a murderously funny adventure. Sherlock Holmes is on the case. The male heirs of the Baskerville line are being dispatched one by one. To find their ingenious killer, Holmes and Watson must brave the desolate moors before a family curse dooms its newest heir. Watch as our intrepid investigators try to escape a dizzying web of clues, silly accents, disguises and deceit as five actors deftly portray more than forty characters. Does a wild hellhound prowl the moors of Devonshire? Can our heroes discover the truth in time? Join the fun and see how far from elementary the truth can be.

            Director Kate Fishman says “Mystery? Melodrama? Comedy? Or just a doggone good tail, I mean tale. This play has it all.”

            Cast members include Scott Fishman, Matt Lynds, Elizabeth Rapoza, Kate Martin, Allie Goodman and stage ninja/manager Kiah Allaire with Bethany Lemoureux as costumier and Steve McManus – sound/light.

            The show dates are August 9,10,11,16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25 with Friday and Saturday curtain at 7:30 pm and Sunday matinee at 2:00 pm at the MAC’s Anne Braitmayer Webb Theater. Tickets are $20 for MAC Members and $23 for non-members.

Donald Byrum King

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Donald Byrum King, “Skip” of Rochester, St. Thomas and VA, passed away peacefully on Tuesday July 23rd, 2024, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Surrounded by his loving family.

            Skip was the 2nd child born to his parents Donald and Nathalie King of Norfolk, VA. He was born on Wheelus Air Force Base in Tripoli, Libya, North Africa. Skip was named before his birth by the many navy friends on the base who constantly asked, “when is the little Skipper to be born?” Upon his birth, his parents and his sister Joyce called him Skipper.

            Skip grew up in Maidenhead England and Norfolk Virginia. He attended The Windsor School in the UK, Coleman Place Elementary, Blair Middle School and was a graduate of Mathew Fontaine Maury High School in Norfolk, VA, class of 1968. He attended Old Dominion University and graduated with a BS in Sociology in 1972. During the Vietnam War Skip served in US Marine Corp Reserves, serving honorably from 1969 – 1972.

            He cherished life. He loved his family more than anything and his family loved him the same. Through his kind nature and enjoyable personality, he earned a deep and loyal friend network that any man would envy. He touched many lives very deeply.

            His most revered accomplishment was as a supportive and loving husband to Andrea. Their romance began in 1988, they were married at St. Thomas Reformed Church in 1991 and they shared an incredible partnership as teammates in business and in life for 37 years. Skip and Andrea never tired of facing the challenges of their career and personal life together, drawing inspiration and strength from one another every day, every step of the way. It was a love story they both knew to be a blessing from God, and they believed they would endure anything if they remained by each other’s side. This devotion to one-another never waned and sustained them both throughout Skip’s unexpected illness and untimely passing. Skip and Andrea were, unequivocally, each other’s biggest fans.

            Survived by Andrea King, his loving and devoted wife of 33 years, his daughter Grace Isabella King of St. Thomas, VI, his son Nathan King and daughter-in-law Lauren Cryan of Wilmington, NC, and other loving family members: sister Joyce Humphrey’s and brother in-law Larry Humphreys of Seaford VA, Nephew Ross Humphreys and family of Seaford VA, Nephew Kevin Humphreys and family of Seaford, VA, Sister and brother in law Elise and Ty Taylor of Rindge, NH, Nephews Jack and Christopher Taylor of Rindge, NH, Brother and sister-in-law Ted and Kelly Weygand of Attleboro, MA as well as many other nieces and nephews to include: Michael, Sarah and Jay Weygand, Christian, Meg, Olivia, Sam and Ben Kiley, and many cousins and extended family in Amarillo TX and Virginia. Skip is survived by his loving island rescue dogs Mani and Brock.

            A celebration of life will be held on Skip and Andrea’s 33rd wedding anniversary, at the St. Thomas Reformed Church, St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands on August 24th, 2024, at 10:00am. On Sunday August 25th Skip’s ashes will be spread over the Virgin Island waters that he sailed and loved so well. A Celebration of Skip’s life will be held in his home state of Virginia in the fall, with details to be determined.

            In Lieu of flowers, we encourage donations be made to www.pancan.org in Skip’s name to help others afflicted with pancreatic cancer. A scholarship fund Skip’s name will be established for a high school senior in the Eudora Kean High School ROTC program, Red Hook St. Thomas. Please visit www.warehamvillagefuneralhome.com

William J. “Bill” Harris, Jr.

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William J. “Bill” Harris, Jr., 57, of Acushnet, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, July 28, 2024. Bill married his wife, Kim M. (Buckles) Harris, on April 11th, 1987. They enjoyed 37 years of marriage and together they had three children, Lauren J. Harris, Sydney M. Harris, and Seth W. Harris.

            He was the son of the late William J. and Beverly B. (Lemos) Harris. He is also survived by his sister: Deborah Harris/Medeiros; an Uncle: Gary Lemos; niece: Brooke Souza; nephew: Craig Medeiros; along with other extended family, friends, and coworkers.

            Bill had been a longtime resident of Acushnet. Many will remember him for his gift in carpentry. He found peace in being outdoors, and enjoyed canoeing, fishing and bird watching. He was truly a selfless, kind man who always put others before himself. It was a privilege to spend time with Bill. He will be missed by many people who loved and cared for him dearly.

            Visitation for relatives and friends was held on Friday, August 2, 2024 at Kirby Funeral Home.        Funeral service followed visitation hours.

            Interment will be private.

            In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to New England Humane Society, Berkeley Oval, 44 Martin St., Cumberland, RI 02864 newenglandhumanesociety.com

Keith Curry

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Keith Curry died at his home in Mattapoisett early Saturday morning August 3, 2024 in the company of his loving wife, Sheila Tierney Curry and his adoring lab, Maddie. Keith was the proud son of Mary Isabella “Bella” (Lima) and James F. Curry, both of whom predeceased him.

            Keith grew up in the south end of New Bedford with his two older sisters, Cindy and Sharon, whom he adored. In his youth, he was a gifted and competitive athlete, including years as a standout baseball player for Bishop Stang High School. He graduated in 1971 and, during his years there, made life-long friends. Keith was always proud of being a “Spartan”.

            Later in life, golf became a passion of his and he spent many happy hours at Reservation Golf Club. Some of his matches were legendary for their competitiveness and Keith’s ingenious methods of psyching out his opponents – he was known to send sympathy cards and flowers to those he beat. Keith also served on the Board of Directors of the club including terms as treasurer during the club’s lean years and as an outstanding Entertainment Chairman who threw memorable parties and events, including “Men Who Cook” and “Set It and Forget It” dinner parties. This is where he met and began his almost 36 year relationship with his wife, Sheila.

            Keith was a jack of all trades and worked in a factory as a teenager and in construction, survey work, retail sales and finally as an able bodied seaman with the Woods Hole, Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket Steamship Authority as an adult. His motto was “work smarter, not harder!”

            His work career was shortened by significant heart issues that developed when Keith was in his mid-thirties. He endured decades of serious health issues without complaint or self-pity. He never allowed his physical limitations to interfere with his love and enjoyment of life.

            Keith was known for his generous heart. He was thoughtful, extremely quick-witted and funny. He was a world-class tease and lover of a good argument who also enjoyed joking, laughing and making others laugh. His superpower was being the best friend one could ever hope to have – those who were lucky enough to have him as a friend understand. He will be greatly missed by those who knew him.

            In addition to his wife and dog, Keith is survived by his maternal aunt, Elaine R. Boutin, his two sisters, Cynthia Curry (and her husband, David Grande) and Sharon Curry, his nephews, Ryan DeTerra (and his wife, Jacqueline) and Vincent Trapozzano, his great-nephews, Cole DeTerra and Vincenzo Trapozzano, and his great, great-nephew, Cole DeTerra, Jr., his sisters-in-law, Moira E. Tierney, and Kara Tierney (and her husband, Dr. Doug Smink), his brothers-in-law, John E. Tierney (and his husband, Robert Brichacek) and Dr. Matthew J. Tierney (and his wife, Tricia Swain-Tierney), and many nieces, nephews, great-nephews and nieces on his wife’s side, all of whom he loved very much.

            His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday August 9th at 11 am at St. Lawrence Church, 565 County St., New Bedford. Visiting hours will be on Thursday August 8th from 4-8 pm at the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Route 6, Mattapoisett.  In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Boys and Girls Club of New Bedford, 166 Jenney St., New Bedford, MA 02740 or the Dennison Memorial Community Center, 755 South First St., New Bedford, MA 02744. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.