Olympic Games People Play

Every four years the best athletes of the world gather to compete for the title of “World Champion” of this or that. This year the Olympics are being held in Paris, France, the City of Light and the home of the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre Dame Cathedral and sweat.

            Summer temperatures in Paris average in the 80s, and this year has been the hottest on record.

            Luckily, many of the events like Gymnastics, Swimming, Basketball, Weightlifting and Alpine Skiing will be held in air-conditioned arenas. Just checking to see if you were paying attention. Alpine Skiing is a winter sport.

            However, prior to 1924, when the Winter Games were introduced, Figure Skating was a Summer Olympic sport. You’re probably wondering how they kept the ice frozen. Surprisingly, artificial ice was invented in 1876. Unfortunately, the Zamboni machine used to refresh ice today wasn’t invented until 1953, so refreshing the ice was a labor-intensive job. Do you think ice brushing, later known as curling, was invented at the Olympics? Probably not.

            I do know that Canoe Slalom is an Olympic sport this year. I’m not sure what that is, but I assume someone rides a canoe, around poles, down a steep hill. Maybe not. Speaking of water sports, Surfing returns. The competition isn’t being held on the River Seine but a few miles away in Tahiti, French Polynesia!

            The 1900 Paris Games spanned five months to complete when 24 countries competed. The hotel bills must have been enormous.

            Synchronized Swimming is back under a new name, Artistic Swimming. Apparently, someone realized that no one could tell if the swimmers were actually synchronized because most of the action took place underwater. In the 1900 Games, Solo Synchronized swimming was an Olympic sport. It didn’t stay afloat long for obvious reasons, though surprisingly it returned in 1984, 1988 and 1992 when no one was apparently paying attention.

            Several other sports disappeared in the 1900 Games, including Obstacle Swimming where the athletes had to swim around … well, obstacles. Swimmers had to climb greased poles (don’t ask, I don’t know) and maneuver around rows of boats strategically placed in the River Seine. We have a harbor full of boats that never seem to move. Maybe next year Harbor Days could add this to their event schedule.

            Tug-O-War was once an Olympic sport but is no more, and the famous pigeons of Paris can breathe easy this year. Live Pigeon Shooting was banned after the 1900 Games when 300 pigeons were sacrificed for sport.

            Beach Volleyball is one of my favorite Olympic sports. The only sport I ever won a trophy in was beach volleyball at our own town beach. I guess I missed my athletic calling.

            Of the 32 different sports in Paris, there is a number the average person can play. Flag Football is one. If you can play it without running, I’d be game. Golf, of course, is another, but I gave that up years ago. Backyard sports of Badminton, Tennis and Archery are there. I walk a lot, maybe I might qualify for Race Walking at the next Summer Games in Los Angeles.

            To end today’s lesson, you should know that between 1921 and 1948, artists competed by creating works of art like stamps and posters. Had I been born earlier, I might have a gold medal hanging on my bedpost today. Oh, well.

            Mattapoisett resident Dick Morgado is an artist and happily retired writer. His newspaper columns appeared for many years in daily newspapers around Boston.

Thoughts on…

By Dick Morgado

Rochester Historical Society Yard Sale

The yard sale is just days away and the museum is getting crowded. We have a very eclectic collection of items for sale. Everything from an antique bed frame to a really cool bunch of fishing lures. There is bedding, dishes, machines to help your back, your feet or to make expresso. As always, there are books, picture frames, three-ring binders and some holiday items. There isn’t room to mention everything, so we hope you’ll come to the sale. It will be at the Museum at 355 County Road, Rochester, August 3 from 9-3 and August 4 from 10-2 pm.

Mattapoisett Yacht Club

Tuesday Night Results July 23

            It was a beautiful night on the water Tuesday as the Ensign class battled it out in a 10-12 mph breeze. The first race showcased a one-on-one duel between Black Ice and Odyssey with the rest of the fleet well behind. Black Ice came away with the victory. In the second race, the fleet was grouped much tighter and Odyssey took the victory and won the night in a tie breaker over Black Ice.

Results of both races

Odyssey. 2 – 1. (Tie breaker win over Black Ice)

Black Ice. 1. – 2

Hambuglar. 3. – 3

Uncle Fester. 5. – 4. (Tie breaker win over Brou Ha Ha)

Brou Ha Ha. 4. – 5

            Wednesday Night PHRF July Series

            Light air caused the course to be shortened but that didn’t hamper Kindred Spirits and Beck, both winners in their respective Classes. Kindred Spirits posted a three-and-a-half minute lead over No Quarter Given and Beck crushed the B Class with a nine-minute victory over Kinsail.

Class A

Kindred Spirits

No Quarter Given.

Restless

Surprise.

Coconuts

Billy Bud

Class B

Beck

Kinsail

Chickadee

Fir Na Tine

            As both divisions have tightened up, next week’s showdown will decide the July winner.

Waterfront Whacking under Investigation

            In his July 24 report to the Marion Conservation Commission, Conservation Agent Doug Guey-Lee sought guidance after he learned that unauthorized cutting of vegetation has been taking place at 5 Main Street.

            The Harbormaster sent Guey-Lee a video of weed-whacking seaward of the seawall. Having spoken by phone with homeowner Michelle Russell, Guey-Lee reported their conversation to the commission.

            According to Guey-Lee’s report, Russell “wasn’t aware of it but also at the same time indicated that she would typically clean … up the area. … I took that to mean … if there’s ocean debris. … She indicated she’s in there cleaning up any manner of junk, essentially, which kind of makes sense because it’s kind of its own mini-harbor. I see can see stuff drifting into there and not drifting back out.”

            That noted, Guey-Lee said he made it clear in his correspondence with Russell that altering vegetation in that area is like altering vegetation in a permit area.

            “(Workers) were hired … so I have to believe that they were asked to do that and probably paid to do that. In my opinion, it is altering vegetation in a resource area,” said Guey-Lee.

            Guey-Lee said he followed up on a 2013 decision that shows the top of a coastal bank at the top of a seawall. He found no indication that the area is saltmarsh but mapped as open water, except for the brief drop in grade at the tow of the wall (coastal bank).

            “In my mind, it’s pretty straightforward activity that wasn’t permitted, and I don’t know that we would have permitted that,” he said.

            Guey-Lee indicated he would like to schedule a site visit but was waiting to hear back on that from Russell.

            Commissioner Jeff Doubrava suggested using state access (water) to get a look. “At worst, it’s saltmarsh and at best it’s coastal beach,” he said. “I don’t think we’d ever let anybody do that.”

            The story is further convoluted by Guey-Lee’s report that Russell told him former Harbormaster Isaac Perry knew of the activity and took no issue with it. Guey-Lee also recalled from a few weeks back a man representing a home-improvement company asking what it would take to get sea wall work permitted at the address.

            Doubling down on Doubrava’s statement, Walsh said that none of the many sea wall-repair filings fielded by the commission over the years has ever proposed mowing seaward of the sea wall “because they know that that is not a permittable activity.”

            Reviewing a 2013 Order of Conditions issued the Russells at 5 Main Street, Walsh referenced stipulations against any mowing of vegetation in the wetland that is not explicitly approved in that OOC.

            “When you live on a coastal property, most of what you do on that property is subject to jurisdiction, especially the cutting of vegetation on the seaward side of the sea wall,” said Walsh. “It’s disappointing that somebody would think that they would be able to do that and not even contact the Conservation Commission office for guidance.”

            Russell’s statement regarding past occurrences are “neither here nor there,” according to Walsh. “The fact of the matter is cutting of vegetation is alteration of a resource area. It’s just not permitted.”

            Walsh said it’s important that the commissioners “get our own eyes on it.” A site visit in the company of the homeowners would be preferred, he said. The ConCom could then determine if the activity is something that rises to the level of an enforcement order or if it can be addressed in some other fashion.

            It was agreed that Guey-Lee would coordinate with Commission Chairman Matt Shultz on a letter to be sent via certified mail requesting a site visit.

            Chairman John Rockwell regarding outdated wetland lines where the shared-use path is to be constructed. Rockwell essentially asked what ConCom wants to do about updating wetland lines along the old railroad bed. An ANRAD addressing the matter years ago has since expired.

            Walsh said a Notice of Intent filing will be necessary to carry out the project.

            Doubrava said he walked the path from Front Street to the Mattapoisett town line and that very little has changed. He is more concerned about the path between Front Street and Point Road and said the commission should require delineation in the Point Road area.

            Continued from July 10, Blue Fin Realty’s Notice of Intent proposing construction of a residential dwelling with associated landscaping, driveway, utilities and grading at 170 Wareham Road (Route 6) was conditioned upon a correction of the abutter’s list.

            Will Connolly of Zenith consulting engineers attended the continued public hearing, taking the floor to explain that a revised plan has been submitted with the corrected lot number and that the corrected abutters have been notified.

            Nancy Childs, the 168 Wareham Road resident who had brought the discrepancy to the commission’s attention at its last meeting, noted that while she was on the original abutters’ list, she was not on the revised abutters’ list and said she should be, seeing as there is only one lot between hers and the project.

            Childs explained the Zenith told her that the Marion Board of Assessors provides the abutters’ list, from which she was omitted this time. She said upon a call to the Assessors that the board acknowledged the glitch and would issue a correction. Childs advised any other abutters who were missed to follow suit.

            Given the commissioners had satisfactorily vetted the project at the last hearing, the members voted to close the public hearing and would later unanimously vote to approve the project.

            John and Raquel MacFarlane were voted a Negative Box 3 Determination of Applicability for the installation of six, concrete (precast) pillars and a 12×12-foot, cement-block patio at 52 County Road (Map 11, Lot 14).

            The commission made a site visit on July 20, and Guey-Lee told the commissioners that he met with both the owner and contractor and said that the project has no other representation.

            Reviewing the proposal, Shultz summarized the project as an enclosed porch supported by the piers with stairs down to a patio, the project being within the buffer zone to a wetland.

            The commissioners present, Doubrava, Walsh and Millie Seeberg, concurred in the proposal’s straightforwardness, the lone concern being the work being done up to 5 feet from the wetland line.

            William and Elizabeth Weber were issued a Certificate of Compliance for their work at 21 East Avenue. Shultz noted that a July 20 site visit revealed deviations from the site plan.

            Guey-Lee recalled two certificates of compliance originally requested for the project, one of which was to be withdrawn while representative Dave Davignon of Schneider, Davignon & Leone, Inc., worked with the homeowners on a solution for work that had been done outside of the issued permit.

            “It wasn’t made clear in the request whether they had addressed (that issue) or not,” said Guey-Lee, acknowledging that Davignon was not present. “He’ll normally ask if he needs to be there.”

            Walsh asserted that the applicant did, in fact, address the issue that had prevented the commission from issuing a COC in its last meeting.

            “We went out there on Saturday; it was where the pipe had been discharging … near the boat ramp there,” said Walsh. The solution was a riprap, stone detention basin. Shultz further clarified that the installation was pursued via a Request for Determination of Applicability.

            The next meeting of the Marion Conservation Commission is scheduled for Wednesday, August 14, at 7:00 pm at the Police Station on Route 6.

Marion Conservation Commission

By Mick Colageo

True Blue Horseshoe Crab Yields Critical Data

            We are so fortunate to have science-based programs that are easily accessible. Whether you are seeking educational programming for your children or for yourself, the Marion Natural History Museum offers that and so much more.

            On July 24, Derek Perry, invertebrate biologist for the Massachusetts Department of Marine Fisheries, gave a presentation primarily geared towards adults on methods and the importance of data collection for the noble and ancient horseshoe crab.

            Perry explained that one important aspect for the data collection and study is its rare, blue-colored blood used in medical research. There are 22 locations where population and nesting-site information is gathered along the eastern coast. From Delaware, home to a dense population, to locations throughout coastal Cape Cod north to Plymouth, volunteers painstakingly collect details.

            But let’s for a moment take a quick peek at the animal itself.

            Horseshoe crabs were roaming prehistoric shorelines as the great dinosaurs populated the planet. This mighty arthropod hasn’t changed much over the eons of its existence. Horseshoe crabs are chelicerates, making them closely related to arachnids like spiders, ticks and scorpions. They could be considered a marine spider.

            Now consider that the animal has existed for 300,000,000 years, actually longer than the dinosaurs. It lives about 25 years, molting some 15 or more times during its life. They have nine eyes scattered around their armored body and light receptors in their tail. That tail, called a telson, is not a defensive weapon. It’s designed to help the creature flip back over if pushed onto its back. As for legs, it has 10; that allows it to walk on the seafloor.

            The National Wildlife Federation reports, “Horseshoe crabs utilize different habitats depending on their stage of development. The eggs are laid on coastal beaches in late spring and summer. After hatching, the juvenile horseshoe crabs can be found offshore on the sandy ocean floor of tidal flats. Adult horseshoe crabs feed deeper in the ocean until they return to the beach to spawn. Many shorebirds, migratory birds, turtles, and fish use horseshoe-crab eggs as an important part of their diet. Horseshoe crabs are a keystone species within the Delaware Bay ecosystem.”

            We were interested in the history of horseshoe crabs and medical use, which led to economics. Perry talked about the animal’s importance as a source of income for local fishermen. He talked about the regulations established to protect horseshoe crabs from being aggressively harvested, and he talked about the collection process used for siphoning its blood and the acceptable levels of mortality the industry allows in the process.

            Part of that process includes the tagging of animals during the population counts, much of which is done on a voluntary basis, data which is critical not only for the horseshoe crabs’ continued survival but for the fisherman’s economic stability.

            The collection process has a medieval quality. Long rows of animals are hung and bled. The blood is collected. There is an acceptable level of mortality. Yet the benefits outweigh those victims, according to long-established, scientific norms.

            Lectures should always produce a desire to learn more. Perry’s presentation did just that. We found that horseshoe-crab blood is manufactured into a substance called limulus amebocyte lysate or LAL, which can detect harmful pathogens in critical medicines.

            Because much of the data collected is voluntarily submitted, exact figures are nearly impossible to verify, but approximately 15% of all horseshoe crabs used in the blood-collection process don’t survive the procedure.

            There is good news on the horizon, however; synthetic forms of blood are being developed. The wild harvesting may eventually not be needed to ensure that humans are being medically treated with safe chemicals. The living fossils may once again enjoy their peaceful coexistence with humans minus the 21st century bloodletting.

            To learn more about Natural History Museum programing, visit marionmuseum.org.

By Marilou Newell

From the Files of the Rochester Historical Society

The topic of this article comes not from the files in the museum, but from the attic of our 1857 church. Preparing our new exhibit was somewhat labor intensive, so I happened to be there alone around 6:00 one Saturday.

            I was startled by a loud and heavy sounding scrabbling noise in the ceiling. It didn’t sound like mice or one normal-sized squirrel. After alerting the other board members, several suggestions were made as to what it could be, among them a raccoon or a gorilla.

            Although we didn’t hear the noise again, we thought it prudent to have a specialist investigate. Having just had the steeple repaired, it looked like we might have another highly expensive job on our hands, but musts needs.

            Bill Taylor had a card for a company out of New Bedford who specialize in removing bats in the belfry and other creatures who like to make homes over our heads. A wildlife extractor was sent out. He found a second hole away from the one we had noticed, both being 40 feet from the ground. He then climbed the scary ladder in the museum foyer and disappeared into the equally scary attic. There, he confirmed his original diagnosis of flying squirrels. It seems they settle in groups, so the noise I heard was a bunch of them having a disagreement.

            They had been overhead for some time chewing away at the church’s wooden beams. It goes without saying that they needed to be removed and that we were lucky to have found them before they did even more damage. I want to thank Kyle, the wildlife extractor, and the owner of Profishant, who were willing to work with us. Realizing that a small, member-supported organization like ours could use a break when it came to pricing, they came through with a healthy discount.

            By the time you read this, the saga of the flying squirrels (I know more about their habits that I won’t share here) will have ended. Again, thank you to Profishant for all your help. Now, we can turn our worries to peeling paint.

By Connie Eshbach

Storms, Tides Have MAB’s Attention

            The July 25 meeting of the Mattapoisett Marine Advisory Board may have been short on agenda items but it was, in fact, heavy with importance.

            After remotely opening the meeting, Chairman Carlos DaSousa asked the board for feedback on such matters as emergency evacuation planning, stormwater management as it pertains to flooding of the wharf area and other matters related to global-warming resiliency.

            DaSousa said that they are still waiting for information from Charles Engineering, specifically regarding the type of concrete that may be specified when repair work begins on Long Wharf. Resident Brian Crowley has been concerned over the concrete selection and favors abrasion testing of stones and other materials. DaSousa commented that the engineers had not committed to testing protocols to date, so the MAB could request other forms of material testing.

            Earlier in construction planning, issues related to rising tides and storm-surge resiliency were addressed. This led to discussions regarding stormwater and flooding due to storm surges and rising high-tide levels. Of particular concern were the frequent floods during moon-high-tide events.

            “These are becoming more frequent,” DaSousa remarked. He said planning for storms and associated evacuations involves the harbormaster’s office, Police and Fire departments and the Highway Department. Board member Ned Kaiser shared the challenges faced when coordinating private marinas’ use of the public boat ramp during such events.

            The board continues it work on these matters and others when they meet again on Thursday, August 29, at 7:00 pm.

Mattapoisett Marine Advisory Board

By Marilou Newell

The British Invasion

The Marion Concert Band continues its summer concert series with a program of music from the British Isles on Friday, August 2. The program features several classic British Brass Band pieces as well as the music of Petula Clark, Gerry and the Pacemakers and the Beatles. There may even be an appearance by members of the Cape Cod British Car Club, LTD (CCBCC). The program is as follows:

Colonel Bogey – K. J. Alford

First Suite in Eb for Military Band – G. Holst

English Suite – C. Grundman

Country Gardens – P. Grainger

Prelude, Siciliano & Rondo – M. Arnold

Sòlas Ané – S. Hazo

Children’s March – P. Grainger

Pop and Rock Legends: The Beatles – M. Sweeney

Irish Tune from County Derry – P. Grainger

Doctor Who: Through Time and Space – M. Gold

The British Are Coming – arr. J. Bocook

Knightsbridge March – E. Coates

            The Cape Cod British Car Club, LTD (CCBCC) is a Massachusetts not-for-profit corporation whose membership annually exceeds 250. While members come from all over the world, most members are residents of southern New England. CCBCC members enjoy driving and displaying their English automobiles. Throughout the year the CCBCC participates in events and raises funds for scholarship purposes. Annually, the club provides scholarships to automotive and auto body students at the Upper Cape Regional Technical School, the South Plymouth High School and the Cape Cod Regional Technical School. The club also provides funds towards a specific scholarship program available to Falmouth High School students.

            The concert, under the direction of Tobias Monte, will begin at 7:00, weather permitting, at the Robert Broomhead Bandstand, Island Wharf off Front Street in Marion. All concerts are free and open to the public. “Like” us on Facebook at “Marion Town Band” for up-to-date announcements and rain cancellation notices.

Cool Advice for Heatwave

            It’s time to talk keeping cool across the Tri-Town area. The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for the region, with temperatures expected to climb at least through mid-week into the 90s, with tropical-level humidity making it feel close to 100 degrees.

            Fortunately, cooling centers are available to all Tri-Town residents this summer. Residents looking for a break from the heat in Marion can visit the Cushing Community Center on Route 6 and the Elizabeth Taber Library on Spring Street, both of which will be open normal business hours, Marion’s Public Health Director Lori Desmarais and Fire Chief Brian Jackvony have announced. The Community Center is open from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, as are all town offices. Taber Library is open Monday and Wednesday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm and Tuesday from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm.

            The cooling center for Rochester residents is located in the town’s Senior Center, 67 Dexter Lane, which is home to the Rochester Council on Aging. It opens at 7:00 am every weekday and stays open until 3:00 pm Monday through Thursday and until 1:00 pm on Friday.

            The spacious, fully air-conditioned center boasts a back-up generator if the power goes out elsewhere in town, COA Director Eric Poulin said. Should there be an extreme heat emergency, he said, Fire Chief Scott Weigel will be able to make the call to activate that spare power source.

            July is usually the slowest month attendance-wise, Poulin noted. But he has already heard one or two seniors say they were there because it has been designated as the town’s official cooling center.

            Poulin added proudly that last year was a record year for Senior Center attendance in general. There were 632 Rochester COA members, and aside from that number approximately 335 other residents visited the center every month. That compares well to 2022 when there were 453 members and approximately 300 other visitors. “We are tracking to have that same number this year,” he said.

            According to Mattapoisett Town Administrator Mike Lorenco, Old Rochester Regional High School will serve as the town’s cooling center in the case of an extreme heat emergency. Mattapoisett Police Chief Jason King has the decision on whether to designate a cooling center in such a case, Lorenco told The Wanderer.

            Meanwhile, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) has offered important tips. The first of these is never leave children or pets alone in a closed vehicle. Even with the windows cracked open, interior temperatures can rise almost 20 degrees Fahrenheit within 10 minutes.

            With similar safety concerns in mind, people should slow down and avoid strenuous activity. Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing. This is because light colors reflect heat and sunlight and help maintain normal body temperature.

            People are advised to drink plenty of water before getting thirsty. Avoid alcoholic beverages and liquids high in sugar or caffeine. If your doctor generally limits the amount of fluid you drink, ask how much you should drink during hot weather. Eat well-balanced, light, regular meals.

            Stay indoors as much as possible and limit exposure to the sun. Do not leave pets outside for extended periods of time. If you must be outdoors, limit your outdoor activity to the morning and evening hours. Try to rest often in shady areas so your body temperature will have a chance to recover.

            Use sunscreen with a high SPF and wear a wide-brimmed hat. If you do not have air conditioning, stay on the lowest floor of your residence, out of the sun. Avoid using your stove and oven. Electric fans may provide comfort, but when the temperature is in the high 90s, fans will not prevent heat-related illnesses.

            Taking a cool shower or bath or moving to an air-conditioned place is a much better way to cool off. Consider spending time in air-conditioned public spaces, such as schools, libraries, theaters and other community facilities.

            In addition, the Tri-Towns encourage residents to check in on elderly neighbors, those with health conditions, or anyone without access to air conditioning. Also, make sure pets have access to fresh water, as well as shade and a cool place to rest.

            Information on different types of heat-related illnesses can be found at: mass.gov/info-details/extreme-heat-safety-tips, and further summer safety guidance is available at: mass.gov/news/massachusetts-department-of-public-health-offers-summer-safety-guidance.

By Michael J. DeCicco

Pulling for Everyone, Medaling in Inspiration

I love the Olympics! Since TV was invented and network programing began, I’ve looked forward to watching the masters do their thing on the small screen. This once-little child was mesmerized by the swimming, running, jumping, gymnastics and everything else offered up. Whether it was summer or winter, I loved it all. Fast forward.

            The 2024 event’s opening ceremonies were not to my liking. Something about faux beheadings, including heads bobbing along the Seine felt odd. But what about Celine Dion? Talk about a comeback. She’s my hero. Talent plus toughness – you go, girl. Give that superstar a gold medal for her outstanding rendition of a “Hymn to Love.” It brought tears to my eyes, and I don’t even speak French. Sacre bleu!

            Once upon a time, believe it or not, I considered myself rather athletic. After receiving a diagnosis of osteoporosis at age 39, it was game on. My casual walks at lunchtime around the corporate office park took on a new meaning. Coworkers would occasionally ask to join me, but even the tallest quickly faded from the pace I set. It felt so good returning to my office with all those endorphins pumping.

            Today as I watch the Olympics from my comfy perch on the recliner couch, I am reminded that I must work myself up and hit the asphalt, as best I can. My stride isn’t as robust as it once was, but I’m not willing to chuck this body aside just yet. We still have work to do.

            Watching those young athletes compete on the global stage is inspiring even for this aging soul. They put everything on the line for their moment to shine like a medal rightly earned and worn around their necks. Nothing can compare to the high they must feel if they do medal in their chosen sport. I don’t care what country they are from; I just want them to experience that hard-earned joy.

            For those Olympians who fall off equipment, crashing spectacularly to the floor, or fail in some other way to excecute their chosen feat, I want to scoop them up in my mother-arms and tell them, “Everything is going to be alright … you did your best … there’s always next time.” For some, that may be true but not for all.

            When I was fit with a full body of muscles and muster at my command, I felt I was on top of the world. Although I was never a runner, I was made for endurance, not speed. I’d walk as fast as I possibly could at a snappy pace. I was doing my personal best every day. Oh, the joy of movement.

            The closest I ever got to truly understanding what a real athlete goes through came when I signed up for Fourth of July road races, and that one time I attempted the Lions Club triathlon. I’m still proud of my last-place standing. For me, just completing the course was my gold-medal moment.

            In full disclosure, I completed the cycling and running (speed-walking) portions. A pal of mine at the time volunteered to do the swimming portion. Last place was just fine by me, although I think she was a bit disappointed.

            Thanks to Nero, who history says created games testing man against man in various athletic feats, we are similarly entertained in 2024. But, assuredly, Nero could never have imagined the spectacle it would become complete with Snoop Dogg as an announcer. Who let the dog(s) out?

This Mattapoisett Life

By Marilou Newell