The Tri County Music Association, Inc. will hold their Annual Meeting at 5:30 pm on Tuesday, May 24 in the first-floor conference room at Tabor Academy’s Fireman Performing Arts Center at Hoyt Hall, 235 Front Street, Marion. This meeting is open to the public.
The Tri County Music Association, Inc. supports the John R. Pandolfi Music Scholarship Fund and the Tri-County Symphonic Band. For more information about the Tri-County Symphonic Band, visit http://www.tricountysymphonicband.org.
The Rochester Women’s Club is pleased to announce the return of our Annual Yard Sale. This is our 3rd year and this event is shaping up to be our biggest fundraising event of the year. The Yard Sale will be held at our clubhouse at 37 Marion Road, Rochester on Saturday, June 18 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. A new feature at the Yard Sale this year will be an appearance by the ‘Mermaid Bus’ from the Mermaids on Cape Cod. We are accepting donations now. Give Yvonne a call at 508-763-4979 if you have any items you would like to donate to our sale. Also call if you would like to rent a space for $25 at our sale to sell your own items.
The following students have achieved honors for the third term at Old Rochester Regional High School:
Highest Honors, Grade 9: Elsie Buckley, Julia Cabral, Sara Campopiano, Alexandra Fluegel, Ian Friedrichs, Adrian Gleasure, Amelia Isabelle, Nolan LaRochelle, Rosemary Loer, Michaela Mattson, Claire Noble Shriver, Avery O’Brien-Nichols, Vanessa Ortega, Harrison Riley, Geneva Smith, Gates Tenerowicz, Lily Youngberg; Grade 10: Margaret Adams, Ainslee Bangs, Erin Burke, Collin Fitzpatrick, Thais Gorgonha, Sophie Gurney, Alexandra Hulsebosch, Sophie Johnson, Maxine Kellum, Tyler Menard, Lindsey Merolla, Ethan Moniz, Sam Pasquill, Jahn Pothier, Madeline Scheub, Julia Smith, Nicole Sullivan, Evan Tilley, Ashleigh Wilson; Grade 12: Lauren Gaspar, Serena Jaskolka, Jane Kassabian, Edward Krawczyk, Nicole Mattson, Lauren Ovian, Drew Robert, Evan Roznoy, Paige Watterson.
High Honors, Grade 9: Gabriella Amato, Michael Barry, John Burke, Genevieve Grignetti, Daniel Hartley, Kaitlin Kelley, Logan King, Tyler Kulak, Cassandra Ouellette, Elsie Perry, Lauren Pina, Delaney Pothier, Megan Shay, Sarah Sollauer, Adam Sylvia, Raymond Williams; Grade 10: Samantha Ball, Emily Bock, Nicholas Claudio, Maggie Farrell, Katelyn Feeney, Megan Field, Lauren Gonsalves, Marina Ingham, Alexander Lorenz, Isabella Rodrigues, Erin Stoeckle, Caitlin Stopka; Grade 11: Alexis Creed, Hannah Guard, Connor Kelley, Thomas Miller, Lauren Valente, Maxxon Wolski; Grade 12: Ashley Aruri, Rikard Bodin, Mallory Kiernan, Keegan Lant, Hayli Marshall, Alexandra Melloni, Lucy Milde, Alex Tavares.
Honors, Grade 9: Bryce Afonso, Samuel Austin, Cassidy Bart, Danya Bichsel, Zoe Bilodeau, Emma Blouin, Nickolas Borsari, Marc Bourgeois, Tyler Bungert, Evan Chase, Sophia Clingman, Brielle Correia, Noah Cunningham, Maddie Demanche, Jennifer Durocher, Nicole Fantoni, William Garcia, Katherine Gillis, Pavanne Gleiman, Chandler Goulart, Lily Govoni, Sydney Green, Madeline Hartley, Mariana Hebert, Kristina Hopkins, Abigail Horan, Patrick Janicki, Hanbyul Kang, Holden King, Jillian Kutash, Victoria Kvilhaug, Tayler Lee, Sarah Moitozo, Jake Mourao, Samantha Nicolosi, Geoffrey Noonan, Elisa Normand, Carly O’Connell, Kevin Ovian, Madison Pedro, Lily Poirier, Owen Powers, Mia Quinlan, Maria Ramsay, Aidan Ridings, Ansley Rivera, Brett Rood, Robert Ross, Timothy Saunders, Alexandria Sheehan, Delaney Soucy, Michael Stack, Lauren Surprenant, Taylor Swoish, Robert Sylvester, Nicholas Thayer, Julius Wagoner, Caroline Walsh, Madison Welter, Natalia Wierzbicki, Lauren Ziino; Grade 10: Haleydawn Amato, Felicia Araujo, Jenna Aruri, Gheorghita Battaglia, Alice Bednarczyk, Thomas Browning, Joanna Caynon, Gabrielle Choquette, Isabelle Choquette, Hannah Ciccatelli, Ava Ciffolillo, Madison Cooney, Angelina Cosgrove, Alexa Costa, Evan Costa, Jacob DeMaggio, Carly Demanche, Rachel Demmer, Celia Deverix, Stephanie Dondyk, Mackenzie Drew, James Dwyer, Bennett Fox, Jason Gamache, Elle Gendreau, Alexandrea Gerard, Mackenzie Good, Riley Goulet, Ayana Hartley, Kacey Henriques, Hanil Kang, Caitlyn Kutash, Allison Kvilhaug, Benjamin Lafrance, Fiona Lant, Alexander le Gassick, Joseph MacKay, Emily Marraffa, Madisen Martin, Julia Melloni, Elizabeth Mitchell, Mikayla Mooney, Zechariah Mooney, Ethan Mort, Caroline Murphy, David Nadeau, Gabriel Noble Shriver, Elise Parker, Marcus Rita, Jamie Roznoy, Michael Sivvianakis, Benjamin Snow, Abigail Stark, Grace Stephens, Sara Sturtevant, Aidan Thayer, Jake Thompson, Courtney Vance, Sadie Weedall, Eleanore Wiggin, Julia Winsper, Madison Withers, Jacob Yeomans; Grade 11: Madison Barber, Morgan Bliss, Kyle Brezinski, Emma Cadieux, Emma Collings, Amanda Colwell, Madison Cristaldi, Amy Crocker, Patrick Cummings, Timothy Dix, Griffin Dunn, Nicholas Ferreira, Kelly Fox, Emma Gelson, James Goulart, Jonathan Harris, Collin Hodges, William Kiernan, Jonathan Kvilhaug, Molly Lanagan, Joshua Lerman, Davis Mathieu, Jillian McCarthy, Madeline Morris, Tyler Mourao, Hannah Nadeau, Emily Newell, Alexandra Nicolosi, Riley Nordahl, Alexis Parker, Daniel Renwick, Noah Richard, Mary Roussell, Brooke Santos, Lauren Scott, Ryson Smith, Eli Spevack, Jacob Spevack, Louise Vis, Sienna Wurl, Matthew Wyman, Emily Ziino; Grade 12: Elexus Afonso, Haley Aguiar, Colleen Beatriz, Sarah Belliveau, Isabella Bernardi, Julianna Bernardi, Amy Bichajian, Daniel Carneiro, Patrick Cronin, Hannah Deane, Courtney Dextradeur, Emily Faulkner, Brianna Grignetti, Sean Hopkins, Serena Iacovelli, Meghan Johnson, Emily Josephson, Jessica Keegan, Isabella King, Samantha Kirkham, Madeleine Lee, Madeline Meyer, Abigail Morrill, Victor Morrison, Michaelah Nunes, Alexandria Powers, Mia Resendes, Hannah Rose, Haily Saccone, Rachel Scheub, Deianeira Underhill, Teagan Walsh, Jared Wheeler, Margaret Wiggin.
Town Moderator Kirby Gilmore sat on the old wooden benches of the Rochester Town Hall and sighed.
He, along with several other town officials, waited for the appearance of the Rochester Board of Selectmen, who had estimated that their general meeting on May 10 would begin at 7:00 pm. At 7:10 pm, however, there was still no sign of the selectmen.
“I thought they opened the general meeting, then started the executive session,” Gilmore wondered. When he was told that yes, that is in fact how everyone else runs a selectman meeting, he laughed.
Around 7:15 pm, Chairman Naida Parker and Selectmen Bradford Morse and Richard Nunes arrived, interrupting a meeting of the Finance Committee who had commandeered the Town Hall’s meeting room while the selectmen were absent.
Parker quickly called the meeting to order, after shooing the other committee out. There were very few items on the agenda, and most of the selectmen were hoping for a quick run-through. They unanimously approved the minutes of the last meeting and flammable fluid permits to several town residents and local businesses such as Murphy’s Auto and the Rochester Golf Course.
Morse noted that David Watling had taken over the position as Veteran’s Grave Supervisor from David Helms, and this change was also unanimously approved.
Parker provided a brief update on the Future Generation Wind Farm in Rochester.
“We have some updates, but they aren’t ready for launch yet. They won’t be put online yet,” she said.
The only remaining business involved the town administrator position recently vacated by Michael McCue.
“I’d like to make a motion to appoint attorney Blair Bailey as acting town administrator while we search for a new appointee,” Morse announced. This motion was unanimously approved without question.
Morse cheerfully called for adjournment of the meeting, and the meeting was over just 15 minutes after it started.
The next meeting of the Rochester Board of Selectmen will take place on May 16 at 6:30 pm in the Rochester Town Hall.
By Andrea Ray
So far so good, said school administrators at Sippican School after the school’s first week of PARCC testing for fifth-graders, who completed the ELA portion of the exam last week.
This being the second time Sippican students have performed the online standardized test that replaced the old MCAS, technical glitches this time around were fewer than before, with only a couple of minor incidents with students getting kicked offline, according to Principal Lyn Rivet.
Rivet told the Marion School Committee on May 4 that the students this time were “kind of relaxed about it,” having been exposed last year to the new format of the test. Students took the exam on the school’s Chromebooks, utilizing a mouse and headphones.
“I know that [Assistant Principal Sarah Goerges] and I felt better about the rollout and the training … and we knew where to find the manuals online,” said Rivet. “Overall, everybody’s feeling better about the test.”
Superintendent Doug White commented that he learned, during conversations with other school districts that decided to stick with the MCAS until the state instituted its next generation standardized test, those administrations wished they had moved to taking the PARCC online or at least the written version of PARCC.
“The questions are much different that what [students] have been exposed to in the past,” said White, “so I think that having our children be in a position where we have been involved in this process is only going to help as we go to MCAS 2.0.”
In other matters, Facilities Director Gene Jones had the results of the state-conducted air quality test at Sippican School from March, but the committee forewent discussing the results until they had more time to review them.
School Business Administrator Patrick Spencer said a representative from the state would address the committee personally during its June School Committee meeting; however, some recommendations on the report are already being implemented within the building.
Jones said results showed a few minor structural problems, which are relatively easy to fix. He hinted at some 28 issues mentioned in the report and coming up with a plan of action to measure milestones towards addressing those 28 issues.
“I was like, wow,” said Chairman Christine Marcolini about the thoroughness of the report. “Right down to cleaning out the pencil sharpeners.”
The matter was held until the next meeting.
The next meeting of the Marion School Committee is scheduled for June 1 at 6:30 pm at the Marion Town House.
By Jean Perry
Saturday, May 7, was the date for the annual Kids Equipment Fun Day at Washburn Park in Marion, sponsored by Marion Recreation. The kids climbed aboard ambulances, fire trucks, police cruisers, and even the harbormaster’s boat. This year, Recreation Director and Selectman Jody Dickerson served up free hotdogs during the popular event that seemed to draw a bigger crowd this year than the previous years. Photos by Ethan Akins
Do you have a surplus of cookbooks? The Rochester Historical Society is collecting unwanted cookbooks. We will be having a used cookbook sale at our booth at the Rochester Country Fair in August. Only cookbooks, please. If you have any you would like to donate, please call Cecelia at 508-763-3771, Edyie at 508-961-7401, or bring them to our monthly meeting at the Museum at 355 County Road, Rochester.
Megan E. Pierce of Rochester represented Fitchburg State University when the state Department of Higher Education saluted 29 Who Shine on Monday, May 9 at the Statehouse. The ceremony paid tribute to one graduating senior from each of the state’s 29 campuses of public higher education.
An interdisciplinary studies major, Pierce has been a standout member of the Fitchburg State community since her arrival on campus in 2012. She has used her skills to enhance the quality of life for her fellow students and has been an effective ambassador for her peers with constituencies in the city and beyond.
As a first-year student, Pierce quickly involved herself in student government, serving for four years including service as class president, treasurer, student trustee and ultimately president of the student body.
Honorees at the 29 Who Shine ceremony were allowed to invite a faculty or staff mentor who has been pivotal in their collegiate experience. Pierce selected President Emeritus Robert V. Antonucci as her mentor.
“Dr. Antonucci is the epitome of everything I hope to become one day: intelligent, charismatic, a team player, and a visionary,” Pierce said. “Throughout his life, he’s used all these characteristics to help others. Having him as someone to look up to played a monumental role in my current and future success.”
In her interdisciplinary studies with a focus on political science, Pierce endeavored to bring the lessons of the classroom into practice. On campus, that translated into service on the university’s student leadership initiatives and as an orientation leader for incoming students. She also volunteered her time and energy with the Alternative Spring Break program working for Habitat for Humanity.
Beyond the campus, Pierce applied her skills with internships in the state’s Executive Office of Education and U.S. Senator Edward Markey’s office. In her final semester on campus, she interned in the office of Fitchburg Mayor Stephen L. DiNatale, again helping to bridge the university and its host city.
She has been a responsible and enthusiastic partner in university-community events such as the political debates that Fitchburg State co-sponsors with the local newspaper. She knows the importance of being a positive ambassador for the university with the wider community.
Pierce has been hired as legislative aide for state Representative Stephan Hay (D-Fitchburg). She plans to continue her studies in public policy at a later date, including the pursuit of a doctorate.
The Buzzards Bay Coalition invites its members and the public to celebrate the organization’s past year of accomplishments to improve and protect the health of Buzzards Bay during its member’s reception and 28th annual meeting on Thursday, May 19 at the Bay Pointe Club in Onset.
The evening, which is free and open to all, will begin at 5:30 pm with a reception for Coalition members, board and staff. Beginning at 6:30 pm, there will be a brief discussion of the organization’s 2015 accomplishments, election of board members, and a presentation of the 2016 Buzzards Bay Guardian Awards and Volunteer of the Year awards.
The Buzzards Bay Guardian Award is the highest honor bestowed by the Buzzards Bay Coalition. Buzzards Bay Guardians must have demonstrated outstanding service in the cleanup, restoration or protection of Buzzards Bay. Their work may be as a citizen volunteer, an organization, or a public official or employee. Most importantly, a Buzzards Bay Guardian is an unsung hero or heroine who deserves public recognition, not only for what they have achieved but also for inspiring others to make a difference.
This year, the Coalition will present three Guardian awards that recognize leadership in addressing nitrogen pollution, the clean up of coastal debris, and restoring natural resources. Recipients include:
– Guy Campinha, Director of the Wareham Water Pollution Control Facility, for operating the region’s highest performing wastewater treatment plant and for his visionary work to address water pollution across upper Bay communities.
– Horace Field, former Mattapoisett Harbormaster, for drawing attention to extensive Styrofoam pollution in a salt marsh in Brant Island Cove. As a result of his determination to fix the problem, the town’s conservation commission has required the cleanup of the marsh.
– Steve Hurley, Fisheries Biologist with the Mass Department of Fish & Game, for his advocacy to restore the region’s streams to support native migrating fish.
The meeting is free and open to the public. The Bay Pointe Club is located at 19 Bay Pointe Drive in Buzzards Bay. For more information and directions to the annual meeting, contact the Buzzards Bay Coalition at 508-999-6363 or visit www.savebuzzardsbay.org/events.
The First Congregational Church of Marion will hold an indoor Flea Market on Saturday, June 4 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm at their Community Center, 144 Front Street (rear of parking lot). Vendors, individuals and groups are all welcome to sell their wares for $20 a table. First come, first serve, so reserve your space soon by calling Yvonne Jackson at 508-748-0378. Coffee, tea and delicious homemade baked goods will also be available for sale the day of the Flea Market.