Marion COA to Offer Free Summer Exercise Class

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Every Wednesday, the Marion Council on Aging will offer a free group exercise class from 10:30 to 11:30 am at the Marion Music Hall, Front Street.

The class – Strength and Conditioning with personal trainer Larry Bigos – is designed to strengthen your core and improve flexibility and posture. This program is for those seeking a relaxed, go-at-your-own-pace workout. Bring your own weights or use ours (limited). Open to anyone in the surrounding area over the age of 60 and made possible by a grant from the Executive Office of Elder Affairs. Call 508-748-3570 for more information.

Bulldog Athletes Shine in Last Week of Season

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For fans of Old Rochester athletics, there was plenty to cheer about as the 2015-2016 season came towards a close. The Baseball team captured two big wins while Softball ended their season with a win. Some great doubles play helped Girls’ Tennis go undefeated for the week, and there were many impressive performances on display at the D-4 State Track Meet, especially the one given by junior Danny Renwick. Most teams will still compete in various state tournaments with more games to be announced this upcoming week.

            Baseball: The Bulldogs were home versus Case on Monday to start the week. Senior Bryant Salkind had a good start, allowing three runs over six innings in an 11-4 win. He also had two hits and scored twice. Junior Will Hopkins had two hits, while fellow juniors Sam Henrie and Kyle Brezinski had two apiece. On Wednesday, the boys traveled down the Cape to play the Bourne Canalmen. Henrie pitched an excellent game, garnering a win off a three-hit, 10-strikeout game in a 3-1 victory. Salkind and Brezinski continued to hit, with both generating a single and a double, while Henrie had an RBI single himself. The Bulldogs were back at home on Friday in a make-up game against rival Fairhaven High. An agonizing game saw Hopkins lose a no-hitter in the top of the final inning. The Bulldogs relinquished a 1-0 lead off some scrappy play by Fairhaven, and ended up losing 3-2. Hopkins still pitched well and wound up surrendering only one hit and two runs (one earned) over six-plus innings of work. Sophomore Mike Kennefick had three hits and a walk. Both Henrie and Hopkins reached base three times, with Hopkins hitting a triple and later scoring thanks to an RBI single from senior captain Hunter Parker.

            Softball: The Lady Bulldogs began their week away at Case, playing at Elizabeth S. Brown Elementary. Junior Olivia Labbe and senior Mia Vercellone had two hits apiece, with Vercellone driving in two runs. However, it wasn’t enough as the girls took a 7-5 loss. On Tuesday, the girls faced off with non-conference Bishop Stang, losing 12-4 against a tough competitor. They faced another non-conference opponent on Friday for their season finale, Coyle & Cassidy. Vercellone capped off her career by hitting a two-run home run that wound up as a game-winner. Fellow senior Maddie Lee pushed across three runs with a double, and junior Cassidy Burt earned her first varsity win of the season after pitching three innings in relief. The game wound up as a 10-8 win for the Lady Bulldogs, who finished their first season under coach Don DiBlasio on a high note.

Boys’ Lacrosse: The ‘Dogs lone game this week was at home against non-conference Dartmouth High on Thursday. Freshman Nathaniel King did terrific work in goal, saving 11 shots in the 6-5 victory. Junior Charlie Tirrell and sophomores Corey Lunn and Pat Kiernan all scored two goals in the win. Kiernan also had two assists in the win. The boys will be away at Tri-County Regional Voc. Tech on Wednesday in the first round of the state tournament.

            Girls’ Lacrosse: On Monday, the team traveled to Dartmouth to play non-conference Bishop Stang. Five goals from sophomore Ali Hulsebosch were instrumental in the team’s 18-11 win. A few other sophomores contributed in the offense-oriented battle: Maddie Cooney scored four goals with one assist; Maggie Adams had three goals and an assist; and Ava Ciffolillo had two goals an assist. Junior Emily Hiller also scored twice. The Lady ‘Dogs will face Ursuline Academy in the first round of the state tournament at home on Wednesday.

            Boys’ Track: The Bulldogs began the week with a meet against Bourne on Monday. Junior Jacob Cafarella had a big day, winning both the 110m hurdles (16.7) and the long jump (19-2.5) in a 72.5-59.5 victory. Other winners included freshman Matt Brogioli in the high jump (5-4), junior Eli Spevack in the triple jump (39-11.5), and sophomore Elijah McAllister in the 100m (11.9). The team’s top athletes were at Norwell High to compete in the D-4 State Meet on Saturday. Junior Danny Renwick had a fantastic day, finishing third in high jump (6-0), second in the 400m hurdles (56.3), and first in the 110m hurdles (15.07). Meanwhile, Brogioli continued his excellent freshman season with a sixth place finish in the long jump (20-5), and sophomore Harry Smith was seventh in the 110m hurdles (15.35). Renwick and Brogioli will compete at the All-State meet on Saturday.

            Girls’ Track: The girls started off against Bourne on Monday. By winning 113-12, they became the undefeated SCC champions for the seventh year in a row. Junior Brooke Santos won both the high jump (4-8) and the javelin (74-0). Other winners included freshman Michaela Mattson (400m hurdles, 81.7), sophomore Madisen Martin (shot put, 27-9), senior Lucy Milde (800m, 2:45), and freshman Kristina Hopkins (100m hurdles, 18.7). Leading Lady Bulldog runners competed at Norwell High in the D-4 State Meet on Saturday. The big highlight was an epic 4x800m win (9:51) by a team composed of Martin, sophomore Samantha Ball, junior Avery Nugent, and senior Zoe Smith.

            Boys’ Tennis: To start things off, the boys were home against their rival Wareham Vikings on Monday. They rested a few of their regulars and were taken advantage of by Wareham, who beat them 3-2. Both doubles teams won, however. The #1 team was formed by juniors Max Asker and Colin O’Malley, while the #2 team was made up of sophomores Jackson Owens and Ben Snow. They went on the road on Wednesday to play non-conference Pope John Paul II. The ‘Dogs wound up winning 4-1, as juniors Alex Bilodeau and Caleb Jagoda won their singles matches. The doubles teams made up of Asker with freshman Geoffrey Noonan, and junior Josh Lerman with sophomore Jahn Pothier, were each victorious. On Friday, the boys returned home to play the Dartmouth Indians in a doubleheader and won both matches 4-1. Jagoda got a No. 3 Singles win in both matches, as did the team of Lerman/Pothier at 1st Doubles. Noonan was part of both winning 2nd Doubles teams, pairing up with O’Malley in the first game and junior Maxx Wolski in the second. Pasquill and Bilodeau won 2nd Singles in the first and second match, respectively.

            Girls’ Tennis: The girls traveled to Wareham High for their first game of the week on Monday. They won an easy match 5-0, winning both the No. 3 Singles and No. 2 Doubles matches by default. Senior Olivia Bellefeuille and freshman Delaney Pothier were the singles winners, while the winning doubles tandem was composed of freshman Delaney Soucy and sophomore Grace Filloramo. On Wednesday, the Lady Bulldogs faced non-conference Pope John Paul II. Senior Morgan Middleton won a key match at 1st Singles to preserve a 3-2 victory. Both Doubles teams also won. The first was made up of junior Emma Collings and Pothier, while the second was made up of juniors Katelyn Bindas and Alexis Parker. They went back on the road on Friday at non-conference Dartmouth, where they played a doubleheader in order to make up a previously postponed match. The Lady Bulldogs won the matches 4-1 and 3-2 respectively, with Middleton winning at No. 1 Singles in both matches. The Doubles teams of Pothier/Collings and Parker/Bindas won in both matches, exhibiting a penchant for clutch performances. In the first match, Bellefeuile was also a winner at No. 2 Singles.

            Below are the overall spring team records, followed by the conference records in wins, losses, and ties as of May 29.

Baseball: (12-7-0)(12-4-0); Softball: (8-13-0)(6-8-0); Boys’ Track: (8-1-0)(7-1-0); Girls’ Track: (9-0-0)(8-0-0); Boys’ Lacrosse: (10-5-0)(9-1-0); Girls’ Lacrosse: (11-5-0)(6-2-0); Boys’ Tennis: (17-2-0)(13-1-0); Girls’ Tennis: (17-3-0)(12-2-0).

Horace S. Kenney Jr.

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Horace S. Kenney Jr. (Hod) of Marion and Fall River, beloved husband of Mary M. Kenney, passed away on June 2, 2016. He is survived by: his daughter Dr. Susanna G. Russo and her husband Dwight D. Smith of San Francisco, CA; his two eldest sons Horace (Chad) S. Kenney III and his husband Vinit Namassakan, and John (Jay) P.K. Kenney and his wife Emily Sinclair of Denver, CO. He was pre-deceased by his two youngest sons Charles (Chip) C. Kenney II and William (Wick) C. Kenney both of Kenwood, CA. He was also a loving stepfather to: Mary E. (Lindsley) Muggleton of Fall River, MA; Deborah (Lindsley) Smith and her husband Donald Smith of Libby, MT; and Katherine (Lindsley) Fandetti and her husband Kenneth Fandetti of Exeter, RI. Hod was also grandfather of Clayton Kenney, Duncan Kenney, Theresa (Kenney) Morrison and step-grandfather of the late Lisa (Muggleton) Sousa and of George Muggleton Jr., Amanda Fandetti, Rebecca Smith. Hod was great-grandfather of twins Asa Claire and Beatrice (Benni) Clay Morrison. Hod is also survived by his stepsister, Janice (Turnbull) Keener of Lexington, VA. He was pre-deceased by his sister, the late Frances (Tina) Dimmick.

Hod grew up in Weston, MA where he attended Weston schools, graduated from Middlesex School in Concord, MA, Class of 1942, and Yale University, Class of 1945W in February 1948. During World War II he served in the USAAF from November 1942 to August 1945. Hod was a tail gunner on a B-17, flying with the Eighth Air Force, 333rd Bomb Group in England and was wounded on March 26, 1944. Hod spent the balance of his service in various hospitals. He was awarded the Air Medal and the Purple Heart. After his discharge he returned to Yale in September 1945 where he was a member of Zeta Psi. Hod served on the Board of Yale Record and he graduated with a BA in Economics.

Hod’s business life was mostly in management at various manufacturing companies, except for six plus years when he was with Alexander Proudfoot Company, a management consultant company based in Chicago, IL. He began his career in manufacturing with The Wanskuck Company, an integrated worsted textile manufacturer in 1947 in Providence, RI. He retired 40 years later as manager of manufacturing for Standard-Thomson of Waltham, MA, a high volume original equipment manufacturer of automotive parts.

In retirement Hod spent time on a new interest, land conservation, which was introduced to him by his youngest child, Wick on the golf course in the 1980’s. Hod served on the Marion Conservation Commission from 1988-1998 and was a Director of the Sippican Lands Trust (SLT) of Marion from 1990-2012 as well as its president from 1994-2004. He was a member of the Agawam Hunt Golf Club in Rumford, RI as well as Beverly Yacht club and the Kittansett Club. Hod spent many happy hours sailing “Blue Bird” his Herreshoff 12 ½ and later “Spirit of Sonoma” his Herreshoff Golden Eye in the waters of Marion and Planting Island Cove. Mary and Hod moved to Bay View Apartments in Fall River, MA in 2006.

Arrangements are in the care of Waring-Sullivan Home of Memorial Tribute at Cherry Place, Fall River. A memorial service will be arranged by the family at a later date. Burial Private. Memorial contributions in his honor may be made to the Sippican Land Trust, 354 Front St., Marion, MA 02738 or The Home, 1168 Highland Ave, Fall River, MA 02720. For tributes: www.waring-sullivan.com

Board Wary of Solar Developer’s Intentions

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The Rochester Planning Board almost came down hard on Perry’s Lane solar farm developer Jay Myrto of Clean Energy Collective on May 25 after the board questioned whether Myrto proceeded in bad faith in continuing with the construction of the solar farm after the board told him at the last meeting to fix the screening problem before installing the solar panels.

Myrto argued that the panels were not installed as the board specified – only the posts were.

Back on May 10, the board ordered Myrto to address a number of trees the board deemed ineffective in screening the project from view from Mary’s Pond.

Attorney Richard Serkey explained that the developer’s proposed solution was to install a solid wood cedar fence lifted 6 inches off the ground and extended alongside the Mary’s Pond corner about 350 more feet.

Chairman Arnold Johnson said the change was likely minute enough to simply amend the special permit conditions, but insisted the fence had to be installed immediately.

Johnson said he spotted a pile driver at the site the week before and about “95 percent” of the posts driven in. He said he didn’t understand why Myrto went further with the work before the screening issue was rectified.

“We like to learn from all our projects,” said Johnson. “So what we learned here is, from now on … we’re going to get even tighter and the screening will be in until any construction takes place.”

Myrto argued that, just as the board stated at the prior meeting, “The screening, per the plans, was done.” After all, the trees planted were the size the board approved. It wasn’t until after they were installed that the board saw they were too scrawny to screen the project from the outside.

What ensued was a showdown of sorts between the board and the developer, which almost led to the re-opening of the public hearing and the need to re-advertise the hearing and submit an updated plan – not exactly what any developer wants midway through a project.

Town Counsel Blair Bailey voiced concern that the board initially expressed its intent, which was not aligned with the developer’s subsequent actions.

“I suggest the board vote to re-open the permit, post a new hearing, and amend it,” said Attorney Bailey. “If that’s the relationship, then we can do that.”

This “surprised” Myrto, the developer said. He pointed out that, when the board initially brought the matter to his attention two weeks prior, they met with the board that very day.

“We’ve shown, I think, that we work with the board,” said Myrto, “so the idea that we have to stop work seems absurd. There’s no harm here.” He continued, “There’s no safety concern.”

Planning Board member Ben Bailey told Myrto he had some sympathy for him as a businessman.

“But I think you made a mistake if your intention was to ignore us after the meeting…. I really think you should have at least called the chairman,” board member Bailey said. “I think you’ve offended him by doing one thing and saying another.” Bailey then suggested Myrto apologize to Johnson and the board; either that, or possibly follow Attorney Bailey’s advice, which board member Bailey said he found “very harsh.”

Myrto recounted what the board specifically ordered at the last meeting and said, in his own defense, that the board told him: “I don’t want the panels going in.”

“The panels didn’t go in,” said Myrto. (Just the posts).

Board member Bailey objected to Myrto’s defense.

“I just extended you an olive branch and what we got in return was adversarial,” Bailey said. He then made the motion to re-open the public hearing as Attorney Bailey suggested, and it was immediately seconded. Johnson, however, called for further discussion before a vote.

Serkey suggested a five-minute recess to advise his client.

It was already encroaching on the two-and-a-half hour point into the meeting when Serkey and Myrto returned. Serkey told the board that Myrto would order the fence in the morning and have it installed right away to keep from having the hearing re-opened. Attorney Bailey advised the board to re-open the hearing unless it receives the offer in writing from Serkey in the morning.

Board member Bailey amended his motion to re-open the hearing if the fence was not installed by the next Planning Board meeting. Johnson figured it would take about one day to install once the materials were available. The board unanimously voted in favor of the motion.

“I apologize for anything … and misunderstandings,” said Myrto.

Also during the meeting, the board voted to indefinitely postpone a citizen’s petition article on the Annual Town Meeting Warrant calling for prohibiting the conversion of a single-family house into a two-family within a 1,200-foot buffer between the closest residences.

“This would actually prohibit the conversion,” said Johnson.

“Not really,” said Tobias Paulo, the Bradford Estates resident who filed the petition for the article.

Johnson said, if you draw a circle around a proposed two-family conversion property, it would be half-mile radius.

“This is a prohibition,” said Johnson, especially when factoring in the two-acre parcel minimum. “If it happened to pass at Town Meeting, there’s a strong likelihood that the [attorney general] would turn it down. Even if it didn’t,” Johnson continued, “the ZBA would grant variances on this all day.”

Paulo said he just wanted to “protect” the town from two-family houses devaluing the property values of single-family homes.

“But this isn’t protecting them; this is taking away their rights,” said Planning Board member John DeMaggio.

The next meeting of the Rochester Planning Board is scheduled for June 14 at 7:00 pm at the Rochester Town Hall.

By Jean Perry

 

MATTREC Summer Clinics & Programs

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Mattapoisett Recreation is offering the following summer clinics. These programs are open to all Tri-Town residents and family members.

Summer Conditioning Clinic: Grades 4-6; 4:00 – 5:30 pm; Tuesdays & Thursdays, July 12-August 4 at Old Hammondtown School. This clinic is geared towards children interested in increasing their conditioning levels in a fun and safe environment. The clinics will focus on youth conditioning through speed, agility, strength and power drills along with fun game play. Chad Cabeceiras (Mr. C) will direct the clinics. Cost is $130. Registration deadline is July 5. Space is limited to 15 participants.

Bay Club Golf: Ages 5-8 from 5:00 – 6:00 pm, Ages 9-12 from 6:00 – 7:00 pm; Wednesdays, July 6-27 at The Bay Club. MATTREC is excited to partner with The Bay Club and their PGA professionals again for summer golf clinics. Each session will offer instruction on the fundamental skills of golf and how those skills are then used to have fun playing the game of golf. Ages 5-8 will do the SNAG golf program and equipment will be provided. Ages 9-12 will take their game to the next level utilizing the practice facility, short game area and course play. Players will need to bring their own clubs. Space is limited so sign up early! Cost is $80. Registration deadline is June 30.

Summer Tennis Clinic: Ages 5-8 from 5:00 – 6:00 pm, Ages 9 & up from 6:00 – 7:00 pm; Wednesdays, July 6-August 10 at Hammond Street Courts. MATTREC is offering summer tennis lessons at the Hammond Street Tennis Courts. Stevie Lake, Assistant Pro at the Casino tennis club, will teach the 6-week tennis program. Classes will consist of instruction and game play. This program is designed for girls and boys ages 5 & up. Cost is $80. Registration deadline is June 27.

Outdoor Summer Yoga: Ages 5-10; 4:00 – 5:00 pm; Tuesdays, July 5-August 16 (no class July 26) at Center School (near Council on Aging entrance) Join MATTREC and certified children’s yoga instructor Lynda Jacobvitz for an outdoor Summer Yoga class. Explore age-appropriate yoga poses and creative movement through music, games, and storytelling. Cost is $60. Registration deadline is July 1.

Swimming Lessons: Ages 3-12; Mondays & Wednesdays or Tuesdays & Thursdays, July 11-28 at Mattapoisett Town Beach. Intermediate level 9:30 – 10:15 am, Beginner Youth 10:30 – 11:00 am, Pre-school (age 3-5) 11:00 – 11:30 am. Cost is $45. Registration deadline is July 1. Space is limited to 6-8 participants per class.

Competitive Basketball Training Clinic will be held July 11-15 from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm at ORR High School Gymnasium. This clinic is geared towards competitive travel/AAU level basketball players in Grades 4-8. The clinic will be run by Brian Rudolph, a former Division 1 basketball player at Loyola University & former Cabo Verde International Team point guard and current New Bedford High School JV coach. The clinic will focus on ball handling, footwork, shooting, finishing moves, defensive techniques, conditioning and basketball IQ. Cost is $150. Sign up deadline is July 5. Space is limited to 26 players.

Shooting Stars Girls Instructional Basketball Clinic will be held July 18-22 from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm in the Old Hammondtown School gym. This clinic is geared towards instructional level players in Grades 3-5. The clinic will focus on ball handling, passing, shooting, man-to-man defensive techniques, footwork and gameplay. Director Julie Letourneau is a former Division 2 basketball player who played professionally in Luxembourg and currently coaches with the MATTREC basketball program. Cost is $150. Sign up deadline is July 12.

Nature Explorers Program will be held July 25-29 from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm (with possible additional week August 1-5). Join MATTREC and the Marion Natural History Museum to explore some of Mattapoisett’s unique natural areas including Ned’s Point Lighthouse, Aucoot Cove, the Mattapoisett River, along with various salt marshes, bogs, forests and Land Trust properties. Participants will visit with local aquaculture operators, the Harbormaster, Shellfish Officer, and other local authorities. Your child will enjoy exploring nature with Elizabeth Leidhold, Director/Lead Educator at the Marion Natural History Museum and Mattapoisett’s Conservation Agent. Cost is $125. Sign up deadline is July 6.

Space is limited, so make sure to register on-line today at www.mattrec.net.

Like our Mattapoisett Recreation Facebook page. Late registration forms will only be accepted if space is available. If you have questions on any programs, please email mattrec@mattapoisett.net or call 508-758-4548.

Academic Achievements

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Jeremy Aanensen of Marion will graduate from Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School on June 5. Aanensen majored in Engineering.

The following Tri-Town residents were among 1,292 students from Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) named to the university’s Dean’s List for academic excellence for the spring 2016 semester.

– Oliver Lizotte of Mattapoisett is a member of the class of 2016 majoring in chemical engineering.

– Chad Underhill of Rochester is a member of the class of 2019 majoring in computer science.

Samuel Horstmann of Marion graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Studies from Lehigh University in spring 2016. During commencement ceremonies on May 23, Lehigh conferred 1,159 bachelor’s, 519 master’s, and 80 doctoral degrees to nearly 1,700 graduates.

Assumption College has announced that Roslyn Flaherty of Rochester, a member of the Class of 2016, is one of 561 students named to the college’s undergraduate Dean’s List for the spring 2016 semester.

Regain Drug Addiction Support Group

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The Regain Drug Addiction Support Group is a faith-based group that focuses on sharing, understanding, education, love and compassion to assist individuals and families seeking to regain what has been lost through a loved ones drug addiction. Beginning on Tuesday, June 7, the group will meet every first and third Tuesday of the month from 6:00 – 7:30 pm in the “Social Room” at the Council on Aging, 17 Barstow Street, Mattapoisett. Residents from Mattapoisett, Marion and Rochester are welcome to attend. Participation in the group is free of charge and registration is not required. For more information, please call the Public Health Nursing Office at 508-758-4118.

Mattapoisett Remembers – Memorial Day 2016

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The tropical rains washed away the traditional Memorial Day Parade in Mattapoisett on May 30, but not the ceremony remembering the veterans. That part of the day’s events was moved inside to Center School’s gymnasium where speakers gave voice to what lay on people’s hearts: honoring veterans.

Although the theme of this year’s celebration was World War II, veterans from the Civil War to present day conflicts were not left out.

Florence Eastman Post 280 American Legion hosts the annual celebration. Legion Commander Michael Lamoureux was the master of ceremony. He began the program with a prayer from legion chaplain and guest speaker Richard Langhoff. Langhoff read a prayer written by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, “Let our hearts be stout.”

In the prayer penned by FDR and read over the radio on D-Day, June 1944, he asked God to, “Lead them straight and true … men’s souls will be shaken … they fight to let justice rise … for us at home … in this hour of great sacrifice…”

This moving recitation was followed by Old Hammondtown School’s rendition of “America the Beautiful” and a few words from Representative William Straus.

“The challenge of Memorial Day is to recall what our country has done for us and what we can do for our country” said Straus. He told the crowd of more than 100 that Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., a Civil War veteran and summer resident of Mattapoisett, first spoke those famous words. Straus said Memorial Day was important to the cause of never forgetting “what was done to protect the country.” He ended his comments by saying, “Memorial Day is a time to remember and what we can do moving forward.”

Mattapoisett’s three selectmen were in attendance – Paul Silva, Jordan Collyer, and Tyler Macallister. Chairman Macallister spoke about the capability of the military to orchestrate massive troop movements with precision using only the most rudimentary communication tools. He talked about the scope of D-Day with 130,000 troops being deployed to Omaha Beach with support of 23,000 paratroopers dropped behind enemy lines, 10,000 aircraft overhead, and 7,000 ships at sea.

“Today we have satellites,” said Macallister. “They had Morse Code and radios.”

Barry Denham, Tri-Town Veterans’ Agent and member of the American Legion, rose to ask other veterans to come out in support of the legion.

“We need young veterans to come forward,” said Denham. “We are having a tough time maintaining the legion. The legion has given 100 years of service to Mattapoisett. We don’t want to see it close.”

The Old Hammondtown School Band then played a rousing rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and they were followed by ORRJHS student Luke Couto reciting to perfection the Gettysburg Address.

Langhoff rose again to give his remarks.

He reminded the audience that Memorial Day began after the Civil War. He then waxed poetic, saying of those who had given the ultimate sacrifice: “Because of them our lives are free. When they heard the call of our country they answered. No weariness of march, or watch, or horror in the battlefield could stop them…” He said those who had perished would not want our pity but our pride and asked all to “pledge ourselves anew to our patriotic duty.” He then read the names of four Gold Star residents who had died in WWII – Romeo Farley, Robert Atsatt, Allen Bowman, and Robert Dexter.

Around the room, young and old alike spoke of the importance of Memorial Day.

“Today is special to me because eight years ago I lost my father and last year my mother,” said Selectman Silva. He said his father was a recipient of the Purple Heart, as well as the Silver and the Bronze Star.

Macallister shared, “My two grandfathers were in World War II…. A lot of people did difficult things so I could be here today.”

Macallister’s grandfathers were both in the Air Force and both served in the Pacific theater.

Denham was silenced by emotion when asked what the day meant to him, instead displaying a program from a ceremony in Fairhaven, part of which honored his young cousin, Lance Corporal Matthew Rodriguez, USMC, age 19, killed in Afghanistan in December 2013.

Legion member Ray Andrews said, “I get goose bumps … the opportunity for people to remember those who gave the ultimate, not just from Mattapoisett but throughout the country.”

ORRHS juniors Zecharia Mooney and Davis Mathieu, part of the Boy Scouts contingent who were on hand to assist the Legion members, also understood the relevance of never forgetting. Mooney said the day meant “giving respect to all the veterans for what they did.” Mathieu said, “It’s a day to remember, to honor those who fought and died, gave the sacrifice … they stood up for those who couldn’t.”

Mattapoisett’s WWII veterans numbered 250, of which six were women.

Outside as the rain subsided, two small children frolicked in a puddle running back and forth with joy only tiny tots can achieve – a further reminder of why Memorial Day continues to have significance 148 years after its inception.

By Marilou Newell

 

MCC Scholarship Winners

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Sunday, May 22 was ‘Scholarship Sunday’ at the Mattapoisett Congregational Church. Four exceptional young women were introduced during the worship service: Abigail Field, Alexus Garcia, Keegan Lant and Charlotte Van Voorhis. Abby, an ORR senior, received a scholarship from the church’s Women’s Community Guild. She will be attending the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, to major in history. Alexus and Keegan, also seniors at ORR, were recipients of the Memorials Scholarship. Alexus will study early childhood education with an emphasis on special education at Southern New Hampshire University. Keegan will attend Plymouth State University as a psychology major. Charlotte, a senior at Falmouth Academy, was awarded the Dagmar Coquillette Memorial Scholarship. She will attend Yale University with a major in English literature and composition.

Mattapoisett Congregational Church scholarships are awarded on the basis of scholastic achievement, community service and financial need. Recipients must be residents of Mattapoisett, Marion or Rochester OR a member of the church. Students graduating from ORR, Old Colony, Bishop Stang, Tabor Academy or another area secondary school are eligible to apply.

Dear Rochester Parent Teacher Organization and Families

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Dear Rochester Parent Teacher Organization and Families:

The Rochester Memorial Teachers’ Association would like to express their gratitude for the wonderful daily luncheons provided to staff during Teacher Appreciation Week from May 23 to May 27. The sandwiches, seafood chowder, salads, lasagna, Stromboli, Chicken Parmagian, breakfast foods, pizza, desserts, and other assorted delights were delectable!

Thank you for your consideration, planning, and cooking! The RMS staff truly appreciated your efforts. We were certainly well fed last week!

Sincerely,

Anne Fernandes, Secretary, Rochester Memorial Teachers’ Association

 

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